Below Deck Down Under Recap: The Calm Before the Storm

by

In my strong-willed nature, I occasionally view tenacity as an asset – it fortifies me against procrastination and encourages me to tackle tasks disliked, such as gym workouts or housecleaning. However, this week, my perception of the value in being stubborn was questioned by Lara’s remarkable inflexibility. With Wihan departed, Tzarina asserting herself, and Jason taking charge of ship operations, Lara has shown a rigid hand. She is much like the Margaret Thatcher figure in yachting.

What if the roles were reversed?

The team divides into two parties returning to the vessel: one is a joyous van filled with laughter and pizza-sharing, while the other is serious, where Harry queries about the friction between Lara and Tzarina. He believes Lara is excessively upset over the plate issue, but Alesia notes that it’s merely the tip of an underlying problem. Alesia, after her conversation with Tzarina, easily navigated past the turmoil: she spent the night engaging amicably with Nate, whose charming and gentle demeanor better matches the men she previously dated compared to Johnny’s deep and brooding nature. I sure do miss that man! Can we bring him back?

It seems Alesia and Nate might be taking things slowly, given that it’s been a day since she was texting Johnny, expressing her missed feelings. On the other hand, Marina and Nic appear to be developing a bond based on their shared geekiness. If Marina can relax after the Wihan incident, they could potentially be moving towards something positive. He even sent her a “good night” with a wink, and the following day, Marina shared with her colleagues in the interior department that she has a good vibe about him.

In a similar vein, Nic shares the same sentiment – when Lara and Nate gather their respective teams for a pre-charter discussion, the conversation often steers towards Marina and Nic’s kiss rather than work matters. Previously, I had expressed doubts about Tzarina due to her actions, but it seems my skepticism was unwarranted. Just as I was ready to lose faith in her, she displayed a touch of humanity and kindness. During her conversation with Alesia, Tzarina sincerely apologizes for involving her in her feud with Lara. She acknowledges that she overreacted under pressure from [Lara]. Tzarina promises Alesia that she can confide in her about anything, and this gesture resonates with Alesia. Despite their contrasting personalities – Tzarina being reserved while Alesia is direct – they find a common ground in openness, which helps them navigate the crisis effectively.

Lara might benefit from taking their advice. Following her degrading experience with Tzarina the previous evening during a conversation, the preference sheet meeting further aggravated her mood. At first, she was thrilled by the guests’ desire for a circus-themed night, reminiscent of her childhood days, but her enthusiasm waned when Jason proposed that Marina should assist throughout the charter. He justified this by stating it would be detrimental for Bri to conclude the season without housekeeping experience. Lara attempted to counter the suggestion by stating Marina assists with breakfast service and is involved in lunch preparations, yet the captain was firm. Tzarina hesitantly proposed that Marina would excel during circus night, and a dark, ominous cloud seemed to cross Lara’s face.

Upon returning to their shared cabin, a place that seemed oddly uncomfortable, Lara expresses a desire for a heart-to-heart talk. She emphasizes her wish for no tension between them, but then shows no interest in hearing Tzarina’s perspective. Tzarina, uninterested in reconciliation, suggests that instead of interfering in her department, Lara should have simply instructed Alesia to discuss issues with the chef if necessary. However, Lara feels it’s her responsibility to listen to everyone, except for Tzarina it seems, a point the chef subtly highlights. Eventually, Lara is asked to step back and let things be. Agitated, Lara walks away without making an attempt to grasp Tzarina’s viewpoint.

As the spirits among the deck team members rise – Nate informs the captain and everyone else that Harry has been appointed lead deckhand, a move which appears to be met with approval by all, including Jason, at least for now – Lara continues her manipulative tactics. She finally puts Marina into action, much to our relief, but when she orders provisions for the charter, she buys a pink lipstick to replace the one Alesia lost, a product she adored so dearly she nicknamed it “a significant part of my identity.” It’s hard not to see this seemingly kind gesture in its current context as anything other than manipulative. The situation becomes even more obvious when Lara later enters the galley and asks Alesia to clean the crew mess after breakfast, right in front of Tzarina, who is clearly taken aback by this request.

In this scenario, I’d like to discuss with Lara a potential reaction if Tzarina were to approach Lara’s department and request assistance for tasks outside her job description, in full view. Didn’t she seem annoyed when Wihan took Marina on trips without consulting you initially? Perhaps it would be beneficial to have a conversation with Tzarina about finding a time that works with Alesia’s schedule to tidy up. Alesia is more than willing to lend a hand, but Tzarina appears hesitant. However, Alesia seems unfazed by the request — she’s just happy to assist. But Tzarina seems wary.

As the atmosphere grows more intense, the guests make their appearance. The couple, Rebecca and Eric, are proprietors of a unique clothing business in LA. To help Nic learn the ropes, Nate assigns Harry and Nic to handle the anchoring duties. At first, their training session goes smoothly, but as time passes, Harry becomes so engrossed in explaining the procedure to Nic that he overlooks communicating with Jason via radio. The situation escalates when Nic carelessly leaves the anchor unlocked, causing it to swing wildly, which Harry must rush to correct. While listening to Jason’s persistent queries about the situation over the radio, Nate questions Harry’s effectiveness. They eventually secure the boat without any additional difficulties, but Jason reprimands Harry over the radio. Harry offers an apology, and later, Jason subtly reminds him of his error: “You have to prove yourself,” he advises, “I suppose you’re learning.” It’s clear that Harry is one of Jason’s favorites, and indeed it is only his first charter as lead deckhand, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on this situation…

Under Harry’s new role, it’s not just him who’s finding things tough: during the entire episode, Bri is overwhelmed with housekeeping duties. She has trouble sorting laundry, can’t find or put things away properly; even Adair is amazed by how much more he knows about cabins than Bri. Despite this, Lara sends Bri along with the guests on their sunset beach bonfire trip to give her a break, a kindness that Marina has never experienced. The guests have a wonderful time and only return when it’s completely dark outside. While waiting for the boat to pick them up, Bri, Adair, and Nate take advantage of the last remaining embers from the bonfire.

When Lara notices Bri hasn’t returned with the partygoers, a nervous twitch begins in her eye. As soon as Bri steps onto the boat, Lara says, “Next time, make sure you bring the guests along.” Meanwhile, Marina and Lara are already arranging the table for the Seafood Extravaganza, which looks fantastic. With its beach bonfire and this dinner theme, these guests have excellent taste this season. Perhaps Tzarina is more impressive when filled with anger: She prepares lobster, oysters, fried mussels, crab pasta, all the dishes that make life worth living. The guests adore the food, and Alesia is delighted when Tzarina requests her to wear her chef jacket and join her on deck to explain the dishes to the guests.

Oh dear, my heart sinks as Lara hands Alesia the pink lipstick she’d ordered – a gesture that seems to brighten the ship’s atmosphere initially. Alesia is overjoyed by the gift, tearing up with gratitude. Tzarina retreats momentarily to her cabin, composing herself while murmuring under her breath, “Goodness, that woman.” Thankfully, she manages to conceal her anger towards Lara’s move and instead praises Lara for her thoughtfulness and the lovely shade of pink she selected.

The following day, as predicted in the preference sheet meeting, a massive wave hits the ship ‘Katina’, causing it to sway like a boat during breakfast time. Amidst the chaos of items moving around, Bri finds herself juggling both preparing breakfast and tending to cabins, although she did make an effort to clean up the mess in the crew area for Alesia. The tension between the Galley and Interior teams escalates when Lara requests Alesia’s assistance in clearing the table and transporting items to the galley. Tzarina cautions that if Alesia isn’t careful, she might find herself assuming both cook and stew roles. This revelation, dropped at the end of the episode, leaves us wondering about the history behind this conflict. Could Lara be planning a coup?

The day transpires quietly, despite the rough sea causing turbulence, guests continue to relish water activities. However, things take a turn for the worse when Lara initiates her circus-themed evening preparations. She requests the staff to devise a circus act for the attendees, and as she adorns the ceiling with crepe paper, an unexpected stormy wind arises. By 8:15 pm, it’s as if a monsoon has been unleashed. A whimsical tempest, characterized by bright flashes of lightning and deafening thunder, ensues. Lara’s decorations are ruined in the commotion. One might wonder if this is a divine omen?

Read More

2025-04-29 05:54