Below Deck

Below Deck (TV) 8 stars 2013 5/15/2020

This reality series gets high marks because it pairs interesting characters with an interesting premise. We may never charter a luxury yacht, but "Below Deck" gives us an all-access pass, including a look behind the curtain. These are some reasons that the concept of the show works so well:

1. The Venue. A charter yacht is like a floating Vegas casino in the sense that it demands the ultimate in client service while simultaneously requiring crew skills. If you fall short in your dealings with the clientele, you will lose money. If you fall short in your sailing duties, it can result in loss of life or serious property damage. Furthermore, the quarters are cramped, especially in those areas where the crew lives for weeks at a time. This creates cabin fever and stressful interactions. 2. The Crew. The business attracts young people, especially those looking for adventure, who are not saddled with responsibilities. As a result, there are plenty of partyers and young people looking to hook up. Conversely, the captain wants a responsible crew that puts the business and the boat before self. The crews tend to be attractive and fit. 3. The Guests. These people pay big bucks to be pampered. Like the whales in Vegas, they expect the best. And they are often not afraid of making odd or presumptuous requests. Their tips significantly define the degree of success of each charter.

The ship is run like a military operation, with a hierarchy of ranks. Discipline is strict. But if you are living among the beauty and the tender climes of the Caribbean, surrounded by comely coworkers and entertainment venues, you might allow your attention to wander occasionally. The result is plenty of drama and comedy.

The show also pierces the veil of cordiality, contrasting the polite ministrations of the crew with their behind-the-scenes editorials. This is a show for adults.

I hate reality TV shows normally. But this one is very entertaining, especially in times like these!

Six weeks a yacht crew of about 12 people is penned up 24/7 in the smallest spaces possible- working, sleeping, cooking, partying, fighting... while they have to serve and entertain up to 20 hours a day, during one to three days charters, highly demanding rich guests, sometimes wannabe sophisticated and mostly disrespectful, condescending scum and alcoholics, arrogant and spoiled pricks and brats, with only few exceptions.

Of course this creates much tension and pressure and brings out the most abysmal behaviors in one or the other crew member. Ego trips, cabin fever, intrigues and drama are preprogrammed! Especially the vengeful, cunning, yet sometimes really funny "resting bitxx face" chief stewardess Kate Chastain became the mistress of sabotage, manipulation and emotional cruelty. This might be the result of working too long in such a male-dominated, sexist, cynical, degrading, coldhearted and shallow environment. She herself mentioned more than once after every sexual harassment towards crew members: "this is nothing, I've seen far worse..." So one can imagine what happens with no cameras present. I can't remember who, but someone on this show once said something like: " I've sold my soul..."

This show is a great depiction of rich societies hedonism, chauvinism and sexism, and how they get away with it too easy, without legal consequences, although there should be some. Because again: money rules the world. So a mega yacht seems to be an even easier as usual hunting ground for predators and a perfect playground for bullies, both amongst the crew and the guests, though the guests are those who get away with it every time, while the "working class" at least sometimes has to face consequences.

At this point: kudos to all women in this show, who were able to stay positive, mostly calm, graceful, respectful and strong despite the stress and the embarrassing, degrading treatment they had to endure not only from guests, but more from their own crew members; especially Amy Johnson from season 2 and Courtney Skippon and Simone Mashile from Season 7. The only permanent sincere, gentle and respectful man from this show I remember was Deckhand David Alanson Bradberry.

Captain Lee sometimes comes off as a bit grumpy, but in general seems to be a decent and correct person with conservative values. His old- fashioned, too military hierarchy- driven leadership, where people often are only allowed to speak up, if he's gracious, might make it more complicated for the crew members to cope with their problematic personal and professional relationships. For him clearly rank and age go before everything. And it seems, sometimes he still mixes up fear with respect. That may be one reason why some of the crew lie and try to cover up their mistakes. Although it makes no sense, when everything gets filmed. After watching all seven seasons, I really wonder, why he is so shocked and surprised every time at the seasons reunions about the outcome of the shows, if he never shows interest in the first place when disputes occur and crew members try to approach him?!

The background information about the sometimes hard and dangerous, yet exciting and joyful yachting life and the beautiful sceneries make the whole show very watchable, otherwise it would just be like big brother.

I give this show 6 Stars, because the music gets annoying and stories get repetitive over time, but most of all for the lack of improvement relating to solutions for sexual harassment. Some crew members an guests are absolutely likeable, some okay, some are just idiots. The perfect mix for this kind of show.

Every season is full of weird people who are hilarious to watch. Strangely addictive watching a bunch of idiots serve the ultra rich.

Some seem like genuinely great people - like Eddie.

Other are clearly terrible human beings - like Rayna.

Others have described this as a guilty pleasure. I have to agree with that. This is an interesting snapshot into human behaviour, it is not like most reality shows in the way that it is more of a snapshot of the lives of people rather than people put into an environment.

Mmmm let's start with Kate a mean girl who thinks she's a really all round nice gal. News flash she's not. She's every bully I've ever met rolled Into one person. Captain Lee, Kates very own personal assistant. Can be an over the top disciplinarian, and other times a wise old mentor. The others crew mates are a various bunch of misfits with various issues. Yet I love it so... I guess that kind of makes me a hypocrite. Oh well...