SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for Season 3, Episode 5 of “The White Lotus,” now streaming on Max.

“The White Lotus” Season 3 officially crossed over into incest territory during its fifth episode, which featured brothers Saxon (Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Lochlan (Sam Nivola) locking lips during a drug trip on a yacht. Many viewers had already been clocking an incest-like vibe between the siblings, but it wasn’t until Episode 5 that the show took things to a physical level. Executive producer David Bernad stressed to the New York Post that the incest kiss was “not just for shock” value.

“That’s all [creator Mike White],” Bernad said. “Mike is brilliant, and I think those big story turns are not just for shock. There’s a specific reason in terms of the narrative storytelling, and the larger thematic idea Mike is trying to get across.”

“As the season wraps up, you’ll see the purpose of that story turn,” Bernad added of the incest kiss. “The show goes there for a larger thematic idea. I love that family storyline, especially the brother story — and, it culminates in a very satisfying way.”  

HBO marked “The White Lotus” incest twist with a social media post that referenced the network’s long history of shows with sibling characters who hook up, including “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.” Posting a photo gallery of its collection of incest characters, HBO cheekily wrote in the caption: “Family first.”

Viewers first clocked an incest vibe between Saxon and Lochlan in the Season 3 premiere when Saxon slept in the nude while sharing a room with his younger brother. Saxon got up to go to the bathroom and Lochlan took a peak at his brother’s naked body. In Episode 5, Lochlan gets up and kisses Saxon twice after being encouraged to do so by Charlotte Le Bon’ Chloe.

New episodes of “The White Lotus” debut on HBO and Max at 9 p.m. ET on Sundays.