Below Deck Sailing Yacht Recap: Sex, Lies, and Couscous

by

Did you suppose that Gary would eventually be held accountable for his intoxication at work last week? Or were you anticipating that Captain Glenn might recall the incident where the tender was crashed by Gary earlier this season and possibly dismiss him as first mate? Alas, how misguided we were. This week’s plot seemed to revolve around deception, deception, deception. Danni deceived Chase about her relationship with Anthony, while Glenn deceived us all with the unfulfilled threat of consequences for wrongdoings.

Let me remind you about what happened last time: Gary, Daisy, Keith, and Chase hit the clubs with some guests. Glenn made it clear that if they exceeded the two-drink limit, they’d lose their share of the tip. Well, Gary drank ten, Keith and Daisy four, and Chase only one. So logically, Chase should be the only one to get a tip. However, this week Glenn admits he didn’t expect to have to enforce that rule. As a result, the captain reconsiders the penalty for Gary, Keith, and Daisy. He argues they were still good hosts, so it seems fairer to dock them each 500 euros instead of withholding their tips entirely. Glenn asks: “What do you think about that?” And me, shouting at the TV: “Glenn, I totally disagree with you!

The total tip amounts to $23,000. This means each person in good standing will receive approximately $2,555, while Daisy, Keith, and Gary will get slightly less at around $2,005. However, I thought the remaining crew members would share in the excess from the drinkers’ portion of the tip, but it seems that $1,500 is missing from the calculation. Moreover, giving up just one-fifth of the tip doesn’t equate to forfeiting the entire tip; it appears to be a reluctant compromise by Glenn that leaves much to be desired.

Daisy believes that they both, Daisy and Keith, landed in trouble due to Gary’s actions, which seems accurate. If Glenn truly values fairness, their tip should be reduced based on the excess drinks they consumed, thereby accurately reflecting how both Daisy and Keith overstepped boundaries, while Gary not only crossed the line but also soiled it. Daisy is enduring hardships: She already struggles with respect from her junior crew members, and this incident merely strengthens their view of her. However kindly, she offers to cover Keith’s $500 expense, as she earns more than him (and likely feels guilty for being a bad influence), but, as always, he declines her offer.

After the heated argument has settled, get ready for some unexpected twists as the roles of Chase and Gary seem to switch. While Chase is now cautious, wanting to secure a safety rope in a riskier location than advised by Gary, it’s Gary who is advocating for safety. When Chase disobeys Gary’s instructions, he seeks help from Glenn, who firmly sets the rules. Despite their history of disagreements, Chase obeys Gary’s orders reluctantly. However, Chase challenges Gary for seeking Glenn’s advice, but Gary is exasperated by Chase’s disregard for his instructions. In a series of flashbacks, we see instances where Chase has disobeyed Gary in the past. With just one charter remaining, they settle for an uneasy truce: moving forward, Gary promises to let Chase know when he feels ignored.

The concluding itinerary features a girls’ getaway involving several food allergies and dietary limitations, leading Cloyce to choose working at home rather than attending the team’s night out. He seems unfazed by his decision, as they appear exhausted, huddled together around a circular couch. Danni and Chase share a passionate moment, which leaves Daisy feeling uneasy. It’s generally advisable to avoid public displays of affection when you’re seated in close proximity to your superiors.

Upon getting back to the vessel, Glenn shares with his companion, Davide, about the soap opera he’s been following. Cute as a button, Davide decides to watch the next installment alongside him. Simultaneously, Daisy and Keith head towards Daisy’s quarters, discovering Gary in her bed. Instead of sharing a room with Gary, they opt for a goodnight kiss in the hallway. After learning about their shared kiss, Gary has the nerve to give his approval. From their separate berths, they express their affection by holding hands and professing love before retiring for the night. Daisy is improving at setting boundaries with Gary, but she still has some way to go. Ideally, her boundary should be a strong and secure fortress; last season, it was a delicate curtain. At least she’s moved up to a glass door with a faulty lock.

In an alternate phrasing, Chase and Danni visit a private room, where we overhear some noises indicating Chase exerting himself. Through a closed door, we hear Danni mention Anthony, another man she had been with in the same room. She confesses to sleeping with him but claims it held no significance for her. The narrative unfolds a sequence of events: Twelve days earlier, Danni slept with Anthony; eleven days ago, she met Chase; and nine days ago, she deceived Chase about Anthony. Although he seems indifferent about the encounter, he expresses disapproval over her dishonesty.

Despite spending the night together in the cabin without any major incidents, Danni finds herself dealing with fallout the following day. In front of Cloyce and Diana, she queries Chase about his well-being, knowing full well he wouldn’t want to discuss personal matters in a work setting. He’s keeping his distance, and later, he brings up the topic of where they should leave their relationship when the season ends, suggesting that maintaining friendship would be ideal due to their geographical differences. Danni’s response, which seems intent on stirring up an argument, is frustrating. She isn’t willing to pursue a relationship if it appears he’s already made up his mind, leaving her disappointed that he framed it as a conversation rather than a declaration of his feelings. However, she secretly wishes to continue seeing him and is prepared for a long-distance relationship, but lacks the maturity to express this openly.

Danni discusses Chase with Daisy, who adds fuel to the conversation by mentioning that Chase visited Iliesha in Australia during their relationship. If he wanted to, he could have done it. Later on, Chase casually checks in with Danni, and she expresses her feelings of him not being fully honest with her. He’s upset but must attend to work on the dock. In an inappropriate moment during their argument, she humorlessly jokes about his putting his “penis in a speedo,” which is quite like casual sexual harassment in the middle of a relationship disagreement, isn’t it?

In a different conversation, Danni tries to discuss the recent developments about Iliesha with Chase, moving him aside from a group of older women. Chase explains that their past relationship didn’t work because they gave it a label, and he doesn’t want the same kind of pressure again. However, this explanation seems overly simplistic considering Chase is ranked significantly higher than Danni in the “Below Deck” crew, raising questions about his claim of openness. Danni accuses Chase of leading her on and even suggests that he’s attempting to gaslight her. To add to the confusion, she’s uncertain about returning to Australia after the season ends. This intense exchange is abruptly ended by Daisy, who tells Danni to get back to work.

In the kitchen, it appears Cloyce is being positioned for a difficult time. The dinner menu offers a global fusion with numerous cuisines, yet it’s complicated by an array of dietary constraints. For instance, Karen can’t eat tomatoes, Jenny requires gluten-free dishes, Amy prefers only romaine lettuce, and Diane avoids coconut, raw fruits, vegetables, and fish. Remarkably, it turns out to be a resounding success. Cloyce performs an uncomfortable dance for the ladies that fortunately doesn’t pose a danger to anyone but is definitely off-putting. Somehow, his choice of shorts seems to be the issue – it just doesn’t seem appropriate for a chef to expose their knees in public.

The lunch event didn’t run smoothly due to Diana confusing two guests who resemble each other and serving them identical couscous salads without clearly distinguishing their differences. This mix-up led the guests to worry about their food allergies, prompting further questions regarding which family-style dishes were safe for consumption. Cloyce had to step in to clarify the situation, highlighting the need for clear communication about the menu before or during service. Diana’s lack of preparedness is evident, but she unfairly blames Cloyce for the confusion. Daisy remains puzzled by the chaos, and it seems we can expect more of this in next week’s season finale.

Read More

2025-01-21 19:54