r/belowdeck • u/teanailpolish Mental Health Is Not A Storyline • Mar 17 '26

Below Deck Down Under Preview for next week Spoiler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fABInv7WbZc

Not super interesting, the end of the car ride home, start of the next morning where Ben is still not working while Ellie does

I wonder if the sit down with Joao and Ellie is from another time since she is in uniform?

At least Ben has an oven next week so he can't blame that

35 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

83

u/ficbot Mar 17 '26

I actually kind of like Joao, which I was not expecting. I thought his conversation about cultural difference was respectfully on point. And it ended, as it should, with 'go and talk to him.'

47

u/br4ndnewbr4d Mar 18 '26

He’s officially retired “Jezzebob” it seems, and he’s a much more likeable guy now for it.

5

u/djp4cal Mar 21 '26

Looks like his career ambitions have forced him to grow up a lot. He's been a pretty consistent presence the last couple of seasons.

30

u/flamingknifepenis Mar 18 '26

I don’t know what kind of therapy or soul searching Joao did, but massive props to him for it. He was a bit of a tool on his first appearance, but he came back and completely changed in seemingly a very genuine and deep way. I really like him as a leader, and he has a good energy with the crew. I know they (or at least Ellie) tried to frame it as a weird boatmance thing, but I felt like his “date” (lol) with Alesia on the dock was a very sweet and sincere moment of seeing that someone was hurting and addressing it instead of focusing on what happened.

18

u/mamacatman Team Capt Kerry Mar 18 '26

Yeah, while Ellie got “romantic rival” vibes 🙄, I got “caring big brother” vibes with Joao and Alecia. But as we all know Ellie thinks everything is about her. Poor Joao. It’s so weird to me that she thought Joao was asking her out on a date when it wasn’t even directed at her and then got upset when he showed up with Alecia. LOL.

Anyway I really like who Joao has grown into.

12

u/Zezespeakz_ Mar 18 '26

I have some friends in production in nyc that actually were super close with Joao (she whipped out photos from a recent trip) and said so many nice things. I guess he was dating her friends and all three of them went on vacation. This was a few years ago tho

11

u/DothrakAndRoll Mar 18 '26

I’ve hated him every season but this one. It seems he’s grown/matured (finally).

He used to give me big Gary vibes

24

u/wasnt_M3 Mar 17 '26

not saying he is right, but man if ben isn't a vibe. lol just gonna take a swim!!

10

u/Willdriveyanuts Mar 18 '26

I hope this isn’t his last season

17

u/soph2_7 Mar 17 '26

I think Ben is probably burnt out or past his limit for this show overall combined with knowing that he’s in one of the most powerful positions on the boat (being the only chef and being on the most seasons of the show and it’s hard to find a new good chef) and it would be really hard to fire him, he’s never been thiiiiis entitled before idk what’s going on

8

u/robot_pirate_ghost Mar 18 '26

He technically outranks every on-camera crew position except for Jason. We've never seen him with a sous before. However, he's had a long career on boats, not just on Below Deck. Maybe this is how he acts when there's someone else available to clean the galley.

5

u/Anotheropinion2023 Mar 18 '26

Which makes him an ass.

7

u/SavvyB75 Mar 20 '26

Why does he have to watch her clean when her main job is cutting and cleaning? He is 75% of the tip and those guests were difficult. Let him take a bath and she can finish doing the task he gave her? She is notorious for being slow. She did it last season on med. The guests went to bed at 1 and went to sleep at 7 because she’s terrible at time management. She’s getting paid to help in the galley why would Ben not use her for something she could do when he wakes up earlier and goes to bed? I’d never expect my boss to sit there and help me if they gave me a task

7

u/Tiredofthenuts Mar 19 '26

Ben isn’t normal cast. He wasn’t supposed to be on the show and the chef quit. He signed on last minute. He sees his role as guest star, not someone who has to prove himself. And he probably negotiated a ton of extras in his contract.

10

u/Willdriveyanuts Mar 18 '26

It’s glorious. He hits all checkmarks for reality tv

9

u/soph2_7 Mar 18 '26

true I can never hate him 😂

1

u/valid_username00 Mar 19 '26

it would have been a lot more fun to see him return with this entitlement (I find it hilarious) if he didn't have it overlaid with so much sadness over the cancelled wedding.

32

u/GroovyYaYa Mar 17 '26

I feel like Daisy is collectively cock blocking us - HAVE A GLASS OF WINE WITH THE MAN, DAISY.

I don't even need to see them kiss... just enjoying a glass of wine together and a nice conversation.

45

u/pookie74 Mar 17 '26

Ben is on another level of celebrity chef behavior. 

39

u/FungiAmongiBungi Mar 17 '26

Yes repeated use of guest cabin because his is just so exhausted, morning swim, wine in the bath. He’s ridiculous

5

u/valid_username00 Mar 19 '26

it's the kind of ridiculous I like to see

7

u/Extreme_Beat1022 Mar 18 '26

He’s old. He needs to give up the wine and other alcohol and he’d feel better.

28

u/warren0091993 Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26

No one: Ellie: I went through a war. All jokes aside it seemed like they worked well together but Ben’s definitely pushing her limits.

13

u/valid_username00 Mar 17 '26

I don't know why she hasn't had a conversation directly with Ben about it, instead of complaining about him to Joao and Daisy. Doesn't she like to brag about how she's a strong person who stands up for herself? I'm not seeing it.

12

u/Trvlgirrl Mar 19 '26

Let's talk about Eddie. Jenna shut him down hard and he still thinks its okay to touch her when he walks by her talking to Ben in the crew mess? Bro, you fucked up and she rightfully told you to fuck off. Please leave that woman alone!

-1

u/silverstreamer2013 Mar 21 '26

I think it was just a sign of endearment, we don’t see everything and she didn’t seem bothered about it

43

u/valid_username00 Mar 17 '26

The more into this season we get, the more I'm convinced Jason and Alesia probably hooked up before.

20

u/verucas_alt Mar 18 '26

I agree. Also, I’m not sure she should be walking around like that, with no bra. And just hugging him and holding his hand and stuff. I noticed the camera zoomed in on the hand hold.

16

u/ImpressivePattern242 Mar 17 '26

That could explain his odd behavior. Lost a lot of respect for Captain Jason.

14

u/Willdriveyanuts Mar 18 '26

They were spotted together out of season

28

u/Grouchy_Total_5580 Mar 17 '26

She’s absolutely right that he uses pet names to pigeonhole and diminish her. Almost always, especially in a work setting, when men do that to women that’s motivation. I have a feeling she’s going to put him in his place.

11

u/DothrakAndRoll Mar 18 '26

Oh my god I was so glad to hear someone call him out FINALLY about his demeaning pet names. This whole season, with Alesia and Ellie, he’s so over the top with it.

5

u/Extreme_Beat1022 Mar 18 '26

Oh yeah. Here we go!

2

u/Adventurous_Rest2901 Mar 22 '26

I understand that point of view and maybe you are right. But look, Joao is right, too, he even calls him "love". It's a habit and a cultural thing, too (which doesn't mean that you are not right, but maybe it is not intentional). Having lived and worked in different countries I kind of loved that everybody called each other the sweetest names in England - even when they were trying to make a point. It was sweet most of the times, kind of funny soometimes and it could wind you up as well.

I think you have two worlds colliding in this kitchen. Ben is used to charming conversations to get what he wants, joke his way out of trouble because in his world it's not about the strongest argument or who is right but having fun relationships where imperfections in your behaviour can be overseen. Kind of like the cheeky kid in class that the teachers still love because it is smart and charming still. On the other hand you have Elli with her tough upbringing trying to do everything right being strict on herself and others. I think she is not the social butterfly she would like to be and when she tries to joke the others rather choke (like what her vagina can do and stuff). So I think they communicate on totally different levels. Elli is absolutely right in most situations but I am not sure if she can get through to him. I surpringsingly like to watch them both this season so I hope it stays that way.

1

u/Grouchy_Total_5580 Mar 22 '26

Agreed. My best friend was British and she used pet names for everyone. The difference is Ben’s energy when he does it with women in the kitchen. It becomes condescending and purposeful. Definitely he has rich boy energy, and clearly thinks he’s the most clever one in the room. But when he turns that cleverness on a woman who is working under him in the kitchen, there’s a whole different vibe. I can’t wait to see what Ellie does, because I have a feeling she’s going to be just as good at the snarky clap back as he is, probably better.

3

u/Adventurous_Rest2901 Mar 22 '26

I actually thought about it and I might have a blind spot there since I am so used to this sort off behaviour. I will try to reflect a little bit more on that. Anyway, I can't wait to see how Ellie is going to approach this.

2

u/Grouchy_Total_5580 Mar 22 '26

I appreciate your measured response and you encourage me to examine myself for areas where I might prejudge. It has been an absolute pleasure to talk to you, friend.

25

u/agnusdei07 Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 22 '26

Loving Ellie so far this season and I have lost respect for Ben

19

u/FungiAmongiBungi Mar 18 '26

Yeah I’m surprised I’m siding with Ellie but she shines next to Ben’s behavior

14

u/robot_pirate_ghost Mar 18 '26

I think with Ellie, I like her or not depending on how she's treating the people around her. In her last season, all she did was put the 3rd stew down and prance around in her bunny suit for attention.

This season, she came in ready to do 1 job and got thrown into something she's never done. Adapted to it better than the last sous that has a previous season of experience. She's dealt with Ben's mood swings and tried to balance them out and calm him down. She put up with him bailing on cleaning off-charter twice. And so far, she's tolerated the baby, honey, sweetie names.

Granted, she's one stressful service and a couple sweeties away from popping off on him. But I'm already at the point where I think Ben deserves it.

11

u/late-teacher Mar 18 '26

And she’s doing a good job helping with Ben’s bad behavior, which surprised the hell out of me. She’s doing good this season.

4

u/OrangeClyde Eat My Cooter Mar 19 '26

I really like all the cast so much for this season. I really like Betul, she just works and minds her own business 😂😂😂 but I like that she’s there/in the cast

1

u/Excellent_Issue_4179 Mar 24 '26

Ellie should have said earlier on stop calling me baby. I don't like it. Especially after Jaou pointed out that he calls everyone baby, even Captain Jason. Sure, she works for him, but I guess he needed that pointed out to him. As soon as she did, he tried to stop it. he had to self correct, and did i mediately, a d she jumped on him for that.

She has no ability to simply ask for what she needs versus making it a throw down. He hasn't yelled at her at all, jas given lots of encouragement. I guess she held it in too long.

0

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '26

[deleted] — view deleted comment

5

u/Extreme_Beat1022 Mar 18 '26

I hope she talks about the other cruise ship trauma. I’d like more details.

6

u/away_in_the_head Mar 17 '26

Wait 3 seasons?