Below Deck Mediterranean Recap: She Said, She Said

As a seasoned chief stew who’s seen my fair share of crew conflicts, I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Sandy in this situation. She‘s caught between two strong-willed and passionate individuals, Bri and Ellie, who are unable to see eye to eye. Their clashes have gone beyond the trivial and have become deeply personal, affecting not only their working relationship but also the morale of the entire crew.

As the intensity of this season reaches its peak, I find myself amazed that it’s not my job responsibilities causing the commotion, but rather Joe’s romantic entanglements with both stews. Somewhere on a yacht, Gary is meticulously jotting down notes, questioning how Joe manages to get away with such behavior. This isn’t quite as scandalous as this week’s episode of “House of the Dragon,” where we lost a significant character like Red Sowing. However, there were certainly many developments in this episode, setting the stage for potential departures down the line.

Regarding departures, today marks the end of our charter for forgettable visitors from Charleston. The yacht “Mustique” is about to set sail from Hydra, bound for Athens. In an uncanny repetition of events without the sense of déjà vu, Iain fails to notice the dockworkers waiting ashore to throw ropes. He insists he wasn’t keen on delaying his response on the radio, which in turn caused him to miss the starboard line in the water. Sandy grows frustrated as she doesn’t want any lines trailing behind while maneuvering the boat. Iain begins to feel like he’s under scrutiny for every small mistake, a feeling reminiscent of an adolescent who assumes everyone is angry even when they aren’t. Gael identifies Iain’s lack of responsibility, as he always blames others. Annoyed, Sandy summons him to the bridge for a discussion. Despite his awareness that he hasn’t done anything wrong, Iain seems weary. It’s almost as if he’s contemplating resigning with the defiant statement “You can’t fire me if I quit.”

Whenever the visitors depart, the remarkable hostess, Kasie, enthusiastically acknowledges each chef by name, perhaps to demonstrate her memory skills. They generously bestow a heartwarming $22,000 gratuity. I often find myself including such figures in my recaps, though I’m unsure of their relevance unless the amount is significantly low. If any readers possess the aptitude to compile a spreadsheet of all prior tips and perform statistical analyses, such as z-tests, I would be thrilled to learn if there’s a genuine connection between tip size and service quality.

1. As the team prepares for an evening out, Aesha spots a white party-themed club and gathers everyone to wear white attire. Ellie, who’s known for her enthusiasm for themes, seems to lack a suitable white outfit and opts for a shimmery beige dress instead. At dinner, she flaunts a striking photo she recently shared online to Joe. This man tries to win her favor, first commenting on her white dress, then praising her questionable selfie. He proposes adding it to his collection of favorites, and she accepts casually. The exchange leaves me feeling uncomfortable, so I need to step away for a moment. Bri reacts by requesting an entire bottle of wine, while Iain, abstaining from alcohol tonight, orders a chocolate milkshake instead. Both actions become memorable in the group’s history.

As a movie buff, I was peering at the remarks left by guys on Ellie’s Instagram posts, and it struck me that this could have been the source of Joe’s crude behavior. Ellie mentioned, “You should see the DMs.” The scene unfolded with Ellie and Joe sitting opposite Bri, seemingly engrossed in their own little world, oblivious to her presence. I was pondering whether Ellie had a preference for cats or dogs, but she surprised me by revealing, “I’m more of a rabbit person.” Bri casually mentioned having owned a bunny once, yet the chances of winning Ellie’s heart seemed slim – Ellie was giving Joe an affectionate backrub and making her intentions clear.

As a cinema devotee, I found myself deeply engrossed in the unfolding scene at the dinner table. The atmosphere suddenly shifted as my friend Gael’s face fell, her eyes welling up with tears upon reading a heartbreaking text. Her boyfriend had called it quits, and I could sense her distress.

After finishing my dinner, I decide against joining the dance floor and instead head back to our boat. I’d rather focus on avoiding a potential hangover and improving my performance on the water tomorrow. It’s a wise decision, though it might also be influenced by the fact that none of the girls seem interested in me. At the club, Ellie and Joe are deep into their dance, locked in an embrace that borders on a make-out session. Bri claims she isn’t jealous but can’t hide her annoyance as the display unfolds right before her eyes. As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but be frustrated by the club’s apparent disregard for the white dress code.

In the cars situated near the boat, Ellie and Joe passionately make out in one back seat, while Gael and Nathan share a cozy moment in the other. Poor Jono, Bri, and Aesha. I can’t help but feel for Bri if I were in her shoes. On the boat, Bri displays an irritable demeanor towards Joe. She believes he dislikes her now, yet his smugness is off-putting to me. Nathan and Gael snuggle on a deck couch and seem to be kissing, but the camera angle doesn’t provide a clear view. Given what transpired with Joe, it’s prudent for them to keep their affection hidden.

1. During breakfast, Bri assures Ellie she’s not angry; instead, she prefers they avoid showcasing their disagreements around her. Their ongoing conflict could spill over like laundry detergent. When Aesha queries Bri about the infamous “laundry logbook,” Bri swiftly escalates the issue, revealing her suspicion that Ellie was hiding laundry. This dispute remains unsettled, and more laundry mishaps occur. Sandy plans to fund Bri, but she fails to heed Bri’s detective-like inquiries about a pair of white trousers. Aesha warns Bri that persistent mistakes might necessitate letting her go. Bri comprehends but weeps because she feels often wrongly accused for things beyond her control. Bri’s tears seem to never dry, given the ongoing laundry fiasco: Now Gael’s black pants have vanished. Ellie claims she ironed them and placed them in her pile yesterday. Ellie: “Thank goodness everything is on camera … You’ll see the pants were here.” I appreciate it when we acknowledge the cameras, and they do indeed replay the footage, but I can’t discern if she hung them up or concealed them behind other clothes. This footage is not definitive, though we may document another instance: Jono enters the communal mess with trousers that don’t belong to him, and it transpires that Ellie mistakenly labeled his name in the tag. Bri should note this in her journal.

The disagreement is no longer just about doing the laundry and has turned into a personal matter. Ellie, who is also known as Elle by Joe, believes that Bri’s actions are giving other crew members a negative impression of her. Ellie expresses regret for losing her temper but worries that Bri’s emotional outbursts are influencing others. While I acknowledge that Bri cries easily, it seems that “affecting others” refers to “I don’t want others to know that I am the one causing you to cry.”

Today, my heart is heavy as I make the difficult decision to call it quits with my boyfriend, Gael. I’ve been feeling unsupported and unfortunately, this is how our story unfolds. I wish him nothing but happiness in the future. Luckily, Aesha is here to provide comfort, acting as a soothing presence, a human weighted blanket during this tumultuous time. Our friendship remains a beacon of light.

1. The deck crew sails smoothly out of the port without a hitch, but Iain narrowly avoids being in trouble due to Bri and Ellie’s intense dislike for each other. Aesha fears Bri may be on the brink of a mental breakdown and feels powerless as a chief stew since she can’t find solutions. During her break, Sandy notices Bri crying and enquires about her well-being. Bri confesses that Ellie is causing her distress, but she still wants to work and isn’t one to give up easily. Sandy asks more about the specific issues that have Bri on the verge of tears. Bri admits feeling unable to assert herself, and Sandy offers assistance. Bri declines, so Sandy advises her to handle her emotions better and shake off the negativity.

1. After returning from a break, Bri steps in for Ellie and discovers that the second stew failed to both set the table for lunch and clean the guest cabins. Taking Sandy’s advice to assert herself, Bri confronts Ellie about her work priorities. Bri believes Ellie intentionally neglected the cabins, and asks for some personal space. However, Ellie persists and insists on staying. Using her higher rank, she scolds Bri and demands an apology upon her return. This situation reminds one of “A Streetcar Named Desire” with Ellie attempting to control Bri’s actions. It appears that Ellie is trying to dominate Bri in a similar manner.

Once more, Sandy finds Bri in tears, but Bri, maintaining her composure, promises a conversation later because she can’t weep around the returning guests from Poros, who are accompanied by Aesha after their shopping spree. With Bri occupied, Sandy is tasked to distribute welcome-back towels while Bri attends to the prosecco. Upon learning about the situation, Aesha sides with Bri, criticizing Ellie for neglecting the cabins. When asked for her explanation, Ellie alleges that Bri has been bullying her. Her voice trembles as she claims that her subordinate has been getting away with misbehavior. Both versions seem plausible to Aesha, leaving her uncertain about the truth, and she seeks Sandy’s intervention. Informing the girls that they must cooperate or risk being dismissed, Sandy expresses that each member can be replaced. The captain expects them to settle their differences and resume their duties. Bri doubts their ability to reconcile since she feels Ellie lacks support, while Ellie stammers in response, which leads to a heated exchange between the two, causing Sandy discomfort due to its unprofessional nature.

2024-07-30 06:54

Below Deck Mediterranean Recap: She Said, She Said

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