Summary
While only a few episodes ofBelow Deck Mediterraneanseason 9 have aired, it’s shaping up to be better than season 8. The season was set up for success whenAesha Scott was announced as the new Chief Stewfor the series.Below Deck Medseason 8 was a letdown, and Bravo knew the spin-off needed a revamp. Because of a lackluster season prior, most of theBelow Deck Medseason 9 castis full of franchise-first yachties. TheBelow Deck Medseason 8 crew didn’t get along well, so they weren’t asked back.
Aesha, Captain Sandy Yawn, andElena Dubaich were the onlyBelow Deckalumsto join the cast, with the latter stew serving as a temporary replacement for one charter of a past season. Captain Sandy could have thrown almost everyone fromBelow Deck Medseason 8 off the superyacht, but sheshouldn’t fire anyone fromBelow Deck Medseason 9. The yachties have endured early problems, including having virtually no provisions during the first charter and a guest getting lost at sea during the second. Even with these obstacles,the season 9 crew is outshining season 8.
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8Aesha Scott Is One Of The Best Below Deck Chief Stews
Aesha Is A Fan Favorite Yachtie & People Will Watch Below Deck Med For Her
Bringing Aesha back toBelow Deck Medwas a genius decision. She started herBelow Deckjourney with Captain Sandy duringBelow Deck Medseason 4. After working as a stew for two seasons, she waspromoted to Captain Jason Chambers’ Chief Stew inBelow Deck Down Under. She proved to be a trustworthy and reliable Chief Stew for her captain and crew on the spin-off.Aesha belongs onBelow Deck Down Under, but after leading the series for two seasons, she’s returned toBelow Deck Med, where she has already shown to be a great leader.
With only two stews, Aesha led the interior team well inBelow Deck Medseason 9. Bri Muller struggled with laundry during the first charter, but instead of tearing her down, she reassured her she’d learn as time continued. Aesha is one of thebestBelow DeckChief Stewsbecause of her compassion. Instead of using fear tactics to intimidate her stews,she leads with love.Aesha doesn’t let anyone walk over her and gets her job done. However, she’s always there to help emotionally and physically support those around her.
7Captain Sandy Yawn Runs A Tight Ship
Captain Sandy Is A Great Captain
Having ledBelow Deck Medfor eight seasons, Captain Sandy knows how to run a tight ship. While Aesha is an incredibly compassionate leader, the captain uses tough love on her crew members. Captain Sandy said she’s a “three strikes, and you’re out” captain, which has worked for her throughout her career. She’s made some controversial firings and hirings throughout her years in theBelow Deckfranchise, but it’s obvious she knows what she’s doing. Captain Sandy doesn’t put up with bad behavior andwill fire anyone she deems inadequate to work on her yachts.
So far, she’s nipped a few conflicts in the bud in the charter season onBelow Deck Medseason 9. Elena and Chef Johnathan “Jono” Shillingford disagreed when the stew tried to wake the chef. Once Captain Sandy heard Elena trying to wake up Chef Jono, she told the crew never to do that. In contrast, Bosun Iain Maclean dropped the ball when a guest and deckhand, Nathan Gallagher, drifted off to sea. Captain Sandy pulled the Bosun aside and said this could never happen again, proving she runs a top-quality superyacht.
6The New Crew Members Are Interesting
The New Yachties Bring Something New To The Show
It wasrisky to invite a new slate ofBelow Deckyachties onto the show, but the decision has paid off.TheBelow Deck Medseason 9 castis full of new faces with interesting stories. Chef Jono revealed before he was a chef, he was an architect and randomly landed a job cooking on a yacht. Gael Cameron joins the franchise as a deckhand, which is remarkable because the show doesn’t always feature women in exterior roles. Captain Sandy and Aesha are touchstones for the longtimeBelow Deckaudience, but the new crew is cementing themselves within the franchise.
5Below Deck Med Season 8’s Cast Was Stale, While Season 9’s Is Fresh
Season 9’s Cast Has To Prove Themselves
While many of the crew members fromBelow Deck Medseason 8 appeared on the franchise prior, the opposite can be said about the cast of season 9.Below Deckalums Tumi Mhlongo, Natalya Scudder, and Kyle Viljoen were some of the main characters of season 8, and they negatively impacted their season. Theiregos may have inflated after appearing on the show when they returned for season 8. Kyle was a known drama starter, and it seemed like he was brought on the season to stir up conflict.
It was a great choice not to invite anyone back from theBelow Deck Medseason 8 cast. The new crew members are starting on a clean slate and have the opportunity to form new friendships among themselves. Captain Sandy and Aesha set the tone for the season while the rest of the crew brings the sound.No preexisting relationships have tainted the crew’s perception of one another, unlikeBelow Deck Medseason 8.
4There’s Been Drama, But Nothing That The Crew Can’t Work Through
Below Deck Medseason 8 was an incredibly dramatic season.Tumi and Natalya’s season-long feudmade the show unbearable to watch at times. The conflict felt somewhat forced, overly dramatized, and inconsequential all at once.Below Deck Medseason 9 has seen a few minimal conflictsimpede the charter season. The Mustique’s provision company dropped the ball during the first trip, but Chef Jono used the supplies on the superyacht and was praised for his dishes. He and Elena butted heads when the guests asked for late-night snacks, but he’s since apologized to the stew.
3Gael Cameron & Nathan Gallagher’s Potential Boatmance Is Entertaining
Gael & Nathan’s Boatmance Is Scandalous & Intriguing
Gael and Nathan’s looming boatmance is one of the most entertaining elements of season 9. They hit it off on their first day aboard the Mustique as deckhands.Gael revealed she had a boyfriendand struggled to maintain their relationship while they worked on separate superyachts. She began flirting with Nathan and nearly met up with him after the crew’s first night out. From the looks of theBelow Deck Medseason 9 trailer, Gael and Nathan get closer as the season continues.
It will be interesting to see if Gael comes clean about her behavior to her boyfriend. If she breaks up with her partner,she could pursue a fully-fledged boatmance with Nathan. They’re both attracted to one another and have formed a strong connection.Gael and Nathan’s boatmanceis imminent, and it will be compelling to see how they navigate her having a boyfriend moving forward.
2There’s A Love Triangle Between Bri Muller, Elena Dubaich, & Joe Bradley Looming
The Interior Team Will Suffer If Bri & Elena Are Dating The Same Guy
Gael and Nathan aren’t the only yachties with a boatmance looming. Bri and Elena have shown interest in deckhand Joe Bradley. He shared a dance with both stews on their first night out, which hinted he was interested in them. They’ve expressed a liking towards Joe in their confessional interviews, which is a recipe for disaster.Aesha will have her hands full with a love triangleshe’s not even a part of. Bri and Elena’s relationship as co-workers will change if they have romantic feelings for the same man.
1Below Deck Med Season 9 Is Off To A Strong Start, & There’s Still A Lot Of The Season Left
There’s Still So Many More Episodes Left Of Below Deck Med Season 9
Below Deck Medseason 9 has already been more entertaining than season 8. Only a few episodes of the season have been released, and there’s still an entire season left for viewers to indulge in. Thenew personalities have made the show intriguingin all respects. There are several boatmances, work conflicts, and hilarious confessional interviews that ensure the season is going to end as strongly as it started.
Below Deck Medseason 8 doesn’t hold a candle to season 9. The eighth season was tainted by a weak feud, dull personalities, and stale drama, while season 8 is the opposite.Below Deck Medseason 9 has proved the show is still the best spin-off in theBelow Deckfranchise.
Below Deck Mediterraneanairs Mondays at 9 p.m. EDT on Bravo, then streams the following day on Peacock.
Below Deck Mediterranean
Cast
Below Deck Mediterranean is a Bravo reality television series that follows a crew that works aboard a gigantic superyacht during the busy season. The show highlights the challenges of the crew as they serve their high-end clientele. Each season tackles new locations, such as Greece, Croatia, Italy, and France, with some repeating.
