Below Deck Mediterranean Finale Recap: At Least Some Lessons Were Learned

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When we started following the Bravado season, two big things were on everyone’s minds: could Nathan handle being bosun, and who was pregnant? As the season unfolded, it felt like more and more drama was building with the deck team – would Tess and Christian keep their jobs? (They didn’t.) Who would replace them? (V and Joe, and it didn’t go well.) Could Nathan deal with Max’s strong personality? (Not really.) And who would become lead deckhand? (Joe, which really upset Max.) But those original two questions always lingered, and we finally get answers in the finale. It was great to see Nathan pull through and become a more mature, responsible leader. The episode ends with Nathan heading off for a new season, saying goodbye to Gael and their baby, Kayden. The pregnancy reveal wasn’t much of a surprise – we’d known from Instagram that Gael was the mother. Unfortunately, we also learned from social media that Nathan has some really problematic views, which definitely makes it harder to root for him.

Despite a lot of romantic connections this season, the biggest drama came from the falling out between Nathan and Joe. They were incredibly close last season, excitedly reuniting when Joe returned to the Bravado to help with the deck crew. Sandy even feared their friendship would disrupt the already tense dynamic of the exterior team, and it actually caused Max to feel excluded and hold a grudge. However, at the end of the season, they didn’t even share a hug. Nathan simply wished Joe well, and Joe brushed it off, saying they both wanted different things. Nathan is preparing to be a father, while Joe plans to continue traveling and, according to the show, causing trouble for women in Liverpool.

The conflict between Nathan and Joe really starts to unravel this week. Joe admits to Nathan that being told he can’t be with Kizzi is intensely frustrating, and he expresses this in a very direct way. This upsets Nathan, who feels Joe’s desire is inappropriate. However, Nathan is trying to mature and leave behind the wilder behavior that originally bonded them. It’s ironic, though, because Nathan was just acting immaturely himself just a few nights ago, throwing chicken nuggets around with Joe on the boat.

When Nathan returned to the boat, he noticed Max was unusually quiet. Max blamed it on being tired, but he was actually upset about how his season had gone. He’d hoped to become a lead deckhand and eventually a bosun, but Nathan had been a roadblock. His uncertain relationship with Cathy wasn’t helping either. Cathy told V she appreciated Max’s support after learning about her stepfather’s death just a week prior, but she still wasn’t ready to define their relationship. I worried this would cause problems, as Max doesn’t seem like someone who likes things left open-ended, but surprisingly, everything worked out. They ended up leaving the boat together, optimistic about the future and willing to see where life takes them. I’m left wondering: where did they go?

Kizzi returned to the boat after breakfast with a broken toe, wearing a boot and using crutches – though she mostly had Joe carry her. Despite her injury, she and Joe were very affectionate, which frustrated V. Meanwhile, Josh was determined to make dinner special. Annalise continued to demand king crab, even though she was leaving the boat the next day and could easily get it anytime. To make things worse, she insisted dinner be served late at 10 p.m., even after Josh revealed he’d been up since 4:45 a.m. working. He ended up adding both truffles and crab legs to the menu, along with a dramatic touch of dry ice. The guests finally got what they wanted, and Josh managed to avoid a scolding on the last night. However, the author believes Annalise’s behavior shouldn’t be rewarded.

Aesha helped Cathy get Kizzi to bed, where Joe carried her. Nathan spoke with Gael, who promised to return to Barcelona from her surfing trip, then found V crying alone on the swim platform, wearing headphones. He comforted her, telling her he’d always be there for her – she reminded him of his sister. Later, in their cabin, Nathan sternly warned Joe not to act tough, threatening to fight him if he did. Joe’s attempts to lighten the mood and joke around only frustrated Nathan further. The next morning, the atmosphere between them was tense. Although Joe admitted in a private interview that he didn’t appreciate being scolded by his friend, he didn’t discuss it with Nathan, and they remained silent.

It’s almost satisfying to see V accidentally step on Kizzi’s broken toe, considering everything that happened. But the biggest problem with the whole Kizzi, Joe, and V situation is that it derailed V’s storyline near the end of the season. She ended up being reduced to the role of the wronged woman, which is never a good place to be. While she did handle herself well when she finally stood up for herself, she never really got her moment to shine again. V was so much more than just a victim of Kizzi and Joe’s plans. She started as an underdog and became one of the most valuable members of the team, winning everyone over. It’s frustrating that the show ultimately made her seem insignificant. Hopefully, people won’t remember her this way, but it’s incredibly disheartening.

The situation with Nathan and Max was intense, almost as chaotic as their final attempt to connect during docking. When the Bravado returned to port for the last time, Max messed up tying the boat, which really frustrated Nathan. When Nathan confronted him, Max simply said he was exhausted and didn’t care much since it was the very end of the charter. While I understand Nathan wanting to maintain his standards, it was the last docking after all. Their conflict finally ended with a surprisingly sweet moment: both drunk at the club, they shared a hug. Nathan told Max he was a good person, even if difficult to work with, and Max just laughed. A happy ending to their rocky relationship!

Once the charter guests were gone, the crew had a final meeting to discuss tips. They each earned $1,454 from this charter, bringing their total for the season to $19,900. The writer wondered if a career in yachting might be a good fit. While they felt the $16,000 tip from these guests was a little low considering how demanding they were and the condition of their cabins, everything worked out in the end. Sandy, the captain, complimented each crew member on their progress, dedication, and hard work. She wasn’t able to join them for dinner, though, as she was going out with her wife, Leah, who had just arrived. After Leah greeted Aesha – who was relaxing in her cabin with noodles and a face mask, not wearing pants after a long day – the captain and Leah said goodbye to the Bravado for now.

As the crew prepares to go out, Cathy urges Max to avoid conflict with Nathan, hoping they can end the season well. However, Nathan is preoccupied with the drama between Joe and Kizzi. Kizzi confides in Cathy that the tension with Joe is obvious, revealing she ended her relationship with Tom (and is now engaged to him, according to social media!) because she felt a strong attraction to multiple people on board – everyone except Josh, that is. But Nathan’s attention quickly shifts to Gael, who arrives wearing a striking green dress and instantly captivates him, potentially for good.

Kizzi immediately starts flirting with Joe during dinner, much to the discomfort of V, who’s sitting nearby. Joe is already upset because Nathan chose to go to Australia with Gael instead of spending time with him in Liverpool after the season. Seeing how much Nathan cares for Gael makes Joe jealous, and he openly flirts with Kizzi right in front of V. Things escalate at the club when Kizzi actually licks Joe’s eyeball – and viewers definitely saw it happen on TV! They at least wait until they’re in a separate van to start kissing. Meanwhile, Gael gives Nathan another chance to win her over, and Kizzi adds to the drama by kissing Cathy as well. Max simply remarks, “Ooh la la.”

Kizzi and Joe’s first kiss wasn’t the big moment everyone expected. Kizzi actually fell asleep before anything could happen, so Joe ended up eating noodles in bed. Meanwhile, the couples who prioritized each other – Gael and Nathan, and Cathy and Max – enjoyed intimate moments in private cabins. Later, Kizzi confessed to Josh that now that she’d kissed Joe, she felt completely satisfied and could move on. Surprisingly, the experience made her realize she might still be in love with Tom, the guy she’d broken up with to pursue Joe. It’s as if her mind is a fascinating case study – a perfect example of how reality TV can affect someone.

Just one last thing happens before the crew leaves the next morning. In the mess hall, Joe and V have a brief argument when Joe tries to chat and mentions remembering climbing the boat the night before. V accuses him of being a player and calls him out, which sends Joe into a painfully awkward defensive response—he tends to freeze up in direct confrontations. Joe insists he’s not a player, but a man who owns his mistakes. Both he and Kizzi agree they’re past any issues with V now that the season is finished.

By the time everything wraps up, Josh is already gone, taking his guitar, eyeliner, and signature felt hat with him. V quietly says goodbye to Sandy, barely acknowledging Kizzi and Joe before leaving. Joe follows Kizzi, explaining he’s going to concentrate on his work and personal development. Aesha invites Gael and Nathan to her wedding, but only if they come as a couple. As we already know, Cathy and Max leave together, and so do Gael and Nathan. And with that, I’ll say goodbye to you, the reader. It’s been quite a season – thank you for following along!

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2026-01-27 05:56