Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver React to Son’s Nude Scene in ‘White Lotus’
Note: This article contains spoilers for “The White Lotus” Season Three.
Still processing the shocking conclusion of the season opener of “The White Lotus”?
Patrick Schwarzenegger’s parents, TODAY contributor Maria Shriver and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, are reflecting on it as well.
In the episode that aired on Feb. 16, Patrick Schwarzenegger, portraying Saxon Ratliff, goes completely nude in front of his younger brother, Lochlan Ratliff, played by Sam Nivola, after inquiring about his brother’s pornography preferences while they sit in bed.
Saxon then rises and strolls to the bathroom, entirely unclothed.
The bathroom mirror reveals everything as Saxon selects a video to watch, maintaining eye contact with Lochlan from the adjoining room. As the video starts to play, Saxon gradually closes the door, leaving viewers unsettled by the odd sibling dynamic.
Shriver shared with People on Feb. 22 that she was so absorbed in her son’s performance that she focused solely on his face and avoided looking lower.
“My kids were like, ‘Did you see that?’ And I was like, ‘No. What?’” Shriver remarked.
“That shows you — a mother’s gaze is always directed at her children’s eyes,” she added.
Arnold Schwarzenegger also addressed the shocking scene in an Instagram post on Feb. 11 after he attended the show’s premiere in Los Angeles.
Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic for HBO
“What a show! I could act surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but honestly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he noted in his caption. “Make sure to tune in this Sunday — you won’t regret it.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Shriver were married for 25 years before Shriver filed for divorce in 2011, which was finalized in 2021. They have four children together.
Patrick Schwarzenegger mentioned that he plans to take breaks during some provocative scenes in the third season of “The White Lotus” during an interview with TODAY’s Liz Kreutz.
“There are a couple of episodes or scenes where I think I’ll go to the bathroom, or take a few minutes break, or something along those lines,” he said with a laugh.
