The White Lotus' Brotherly Kiss Was Shocking, But Another Moment Broke the Internet

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Mar 18

SPOILER WARNING

HBO’s The White Lotus has always been known for its jaw-dropping twists, but Season 3, Episode 5, titled Full-Moon Party, delivered two moments that sent the internet into a frenzy. While the much-hyped brotherly kiss between Saxon and Lochlan Ratliff (Patrick Schwarzenegger and Sam Nivola) had fans bracing themselves for controversy, it was Sam Rockwell’s surprise appearance and his jaw-dropping monologue that truly stole the show.

The Ratliff Brothers’ Controversial Kiss

Since the start of Season 3, The White Lotus has toyed with the strangely close bond between the Ratliff brothers, Saxon and Lochlan. Tensions built throughout the season, culminating in a drug-fueled party scene on a yacht where the two siblings locked lips in front of their stunned companions. It was an unsettling, bizarrely intimate moment that left audiences reeling.

Social media exploded within minutes of the episode airing, with fans posting their reactions in real time. One viral tweet summed it up best: “The little one was a LITTLE too into that kiss.” Another joked, “Lochlan and Saxon proving us right?? We saw the tension, but we didn’t think they’d actually go there.”

The internet has long speculated about The White Lotus creator Mike White’s willingness to push boundaries, and this moment proved that Season 3 wasn’t pulling any punches. But just as fans were wrapping their heads around the audacity of the scene, Full-Moon Party delivered another shocker: Sam Rockwell.

Sam Rockwell’s Unhinged Monologue Stole the Episode

Rockwell’s unexpected cameo as Frank, an old acquaintance of Rick (Walton Goggins), turned out to be the moment that truly broke the internet. Introduced during a seemingly casual conversation, Frank quickly revealed himself to be one of the most unhinged characters the show has ever seen. In a near five-minute, uninterrupted monologue, he detailed his past experiences with sex workers, his existential crisis, and how his journey into increasingly bizarre sexual proclivities ultimately led him to Buddhism and celibacy.

Goggins' character Rick, much like the audience, sat in stunned silence as Frank rambled on, seamlessly blending humor and horror. Social media instantly erupted with clips of Rockwell’s scene, with one tweet declaring, “Forget the brother kiss—this man just gave the wildest monologue in White Lotus history.” Another post featured Whoopi Goldberg looking gobsmacked on The View, captioned, “Me watching Sam Rockwell’s character confess his sins to Walton Goggins.”

It’s a testament to Rockwell’s undeniable screen presence that, in just a few minutes of screentime, he managed to overshadow a moment as controversial as the Ratliff brothers' kiss.

The Internet’s Reaction: Shock, Memes, and Theories

The White Lotus has never been shy about embracing its viral potential, and this episode was no exception. Fans immediately took to Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to dissect the shocking moments. While some were fixated on the incest-adjacent kiss, others couldn’t stop quoting Rockwell’s deranged monologue.

One viral post summed up the night perfectly: “Between the Ratliff brothers and Sam Rockwell’s monologue, I don’t know what I just watched, but I need therapy.” Another used Adele’s confused reaction meme to caption, “Trying to process all of that in one episode.”

With three episodes left in the season, fans are wondering what The White Lotus could possibly do next to top this chaos. But if this season has proven anything, it’s that Mike White always has another twist waiting in the wings.