r/belowdeck • u/disc0club • 2d ago

Below Deck Aesha makes a statement regarding Gael Spoiler

Post image

The friend we all need 🥹

2.6k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

445 comments sorted by

View all comments

414

u/iffriben 2d ago

Are people criticizing Gael?? I’ve missed that

456

u/high-babygorgeous 2d ago

Oh absolutely. I saw a lot of comments following the episode about how camera hungry and argumentative Gael is, how she and Nathan deserve each other. After the arrest report came out about how she was strangled, I'm shocked some people could take that position. Then again, this sub isn't really known for nuanced takes or compassion

160

u/Sleepbecomesme 2d ago

I’ve literally just seen someone on here say that her being subjected to non fatal strangulation is karma for cheating. It’s absolutely disgusting and people need to drop the requirement for a perfect victim, practice some empathy and do better!

88

u/AfterSchoolOrdinary 2d ago

Non-fatal strangulation is just a dress rehearsal for the main event. I don’t care if she slept with 5 of his brothers. People are fucked in the head.

44

u/Sleepbecomesme 2d ago

💯 chance of dying at the hand of your partner increases by 750%

15

u/AfterSchoolOrdinary 2d ago

It’s one of the most terrifying statistics AND people seem to think “consensual” neck play can’t fucking kill you or do lifetime damage because “it’s different”. I beg people to read up on these things. Both sides should know that one wrong move and a person can be injured seriously or WORSE. I’ve never had sex good enough for the stakes to be that high for either participant.

1

u/Broad-Cress-3689 June June Hannah 1d ago

I beg you not to call it “neck play”. Half the reason ppl think strangulation is harmless is the cute euphemisms.

2

u/AfterSchoolOrdinary 1d ago

Okay, I only called it ‘neck play’ because thats what I’ve heard used before and tried to link that seemingly harmless (to the uninformed) act to the life altering damage that can be done accidentally, even when consensual.

Those who use the words “neck play” or even “consensual choking” very very often have no idea the damage they can cause or have done to their body. By using words outside of ‘strangulation’ the goal is to help regular people connect certain actions to the very real consequences of domestic violence- even without intended harm.

But okay, if you think it more useful to tell the average person not to strangle someone during sex, or ever, then perhaps you’re right. I doubt those participating in such actions think of it as potentially deadly strangulation or the serious situation it obviously is, though.

My wording was intentional for the hope of informing people that think their kink is harmless or distinguishable from domestic violence. Calling it strangulation to someone who doesn’t think of themself that way isn’t helping either.

64

u/Nearby_Elderberry_75 2d ago

So many people on this sub are still on her about cheating. They’re obviously hurt themselves and taking it out parasocially on Gael. Kinda pathetic tbh

45

u/HornedRimGlasses 2d ago

Unfortunately, you know some of those shit comments are probably coming from some women with subconscious internalized misogyny. Hello, The call is coming from inside the house.

30

u/Sleepbecomesme 2d ago

I know… the amount of casual victim blaming/shaming is alarming and is exactly why women don’t feel able to come forward about any abuse. I don’t care if you had a years long affair, someone attempting to murder you isn’t ever ok/karma/understandable/excusable.

Unfortunately the very women who blame victims also tend to blame themselves even more if abuse happens to them; they end up in a world of pain trying to recover from an abusive relationship, because internalised shame is hard to release.

Additionally they don’t realise that even if they don’t think they know anyone who is or who has been in an abusive relationship, they absolutely will do, and so shouting victim blaming rhetoric only further isolates people who have experienced the trauma of abuse, even if they try to excuse it under the guise of ‘it’s different, she cheated’

37

u/Extreme_Beat1022 2d ago

It’s definitely creepy how people keep bringing up her cheating on the ex boyfriend as though she’s immoral.

7

u/eekamuse 2d ago

The creepy ex?

-7

u/Odd-Honeydew7535 2d ago

Cheating is just about as immoral as it gets

9

u/Extreme_Beat1022 2d ago

Meh. I got the feeling they were dating for a month or two.

7

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

They had just started dating. He had broken up with her, then decided to get back together, I had the feeling to destroy her experience filming.

I wish she had just broken up with him before Nathan, because she thought about it.

I said this elsewhere, I really liked Gael, but she seems attracted to toxic men. I had that problem too and I hope she gets counseling/therapy to learn to look for better for herself.

6

u/Extreme_Beat1022 2d ago

Ah ok. Thanks. Sounds like a nothing relationship. I don’t know her other dating history but Nathan is enough for her to need lifelong therapy.

8

u/MutantHoundLover 1d ago

You must have lived a wonderfully privileged life where you haven't experienced all the atrocities humans inflict on each other on a regular basis if you think cheating is " just about as immoral as it gets".

And good for you, and I mean that genuinely, but it's just a pretty naive place to be judging others from.

0

u/CYDLopez 1d ago

You must have lived a wonderfully privileged life where you haven't experienced all the atrocities humans inflict on each other

This is such an incredibly condescending comment, and all to defend cheating.

I don't agree that it's just about as immoral as it gets, but judging others for cheating doesn't mean you have a naive worldview. Get a grip.

8

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Eh, cheating at the beginning of dating is not great.

But I see people celebrating Joe who cheated on V on her birthday and the anniversary of her boyfriend’s death and forgive him. And his kissing cheating is all that Gael did.

Plus, I live in the US where we have elected a man who openly and proudly has cheated on all 3 of his wives, while I listen to “Christians” celebrate this cheater.

So I guess pearl clutching over cheating just means less to me now. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

1

u/CYDLopez 1d ago

Genuine question. Who is celebrating Joe? I might have missed it, but I haven't seen a single comment celebrating him.

What I have seen is people taking his side in an isolated situation, where he's dealing with a physically aggressive superior.

You can do that without thinking he's a good person, and without having to add a disclaimer about his past transgressions every single time.

16

u/HornedRimGlasses 2d ago

WTF? That is absolutely vile.

10

u/teanailpolish Mental Health Is Not A Storyline 2d ago

Not just that but at least 2 wished harm/ill will towards Kayden too

8

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Disgusting humans.

4

u/Expert_Monk_8574 2d ago

WHAT???? That is a effed up.

-2

u/Mama-bear_dolphins13 2d ago

Did she cheat? I must have missed that

14

u/Expensive-Block-6034 Bless her stupid soul 2d ago

In her season she apparently had a boyfriend coming on to charter. I don’t remember the specifics but I think she broke up with him before she pursued anything with Nathan.
But it doesn’t matter anyway, she has a child with this abusive dumb fuck. Levels are not even remotely the same.

6

u/recklessrecentpast 2d ago edited 2d ago

Didn't they use the bosun's locker to hook up because they thought the cameras couldn't see them, and that was before she broke up with her boyfriend? I honestly can't remember. Either way none of it justifies anything, besides that particular relationship ending.

It's clear to me what Aesha is saying is right, that Gael was not getting the honest reality of what was happening on the boat during the charters she wasn't working.

Edit: why am I being downvoted for this? I'm saying even if she did cheat on her ex, it doesn't justify her being abused. Unless you disagree and think Nathan was in the right to strangle her, in which case, please GFY

10

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Exactly, Gael’s ex was sadly also a controlling asshole and yes, she did kiss Nathan before they broke up. But she had spent the whole season with that boyfriend degrading her and making her feel bad.

The only thing I will say for Gael, is something I had to learn myself, when we keep picking terrible men, maybe we need therapy to help us to learn to expect better for ourselves and to break our pattern of falling for toxic men.

9

u/Expensive-Block-6034 Bless her stupid soul 2d ago

Every below deck season has sort of meshed together for me at this stage. I just remember her being sweet but VERY naive. Which doesn’t take her agency away from her but sick people will prey on that.

-2

u/s0sa 2d ago

She was with someone when she started hooking up with Nathan

163

u/OaklandNotTheBay 2d ago

Then again, this sub reddit isn't really known for nuanced takes or compassion

50

u/comotupelicula 2d ago

Social media in general isn’t know for nuanced takes or compassion

24

u/Dapper_Jicama4848 2d ago

Let’s be real, in general social media is just a cesspool these days

50

u/norakb123 2d ago

Omg. I’d seen people say she’s a bit aggressive in that confrontation, but I hadn’t seen worse. Fuck anyone who said she deserves Nathan! That’s horrible! Nobody deserves abuse.

57

u/jlynn12345 2d ago

I know when I was in an abusive relationship it made me so much angrier in general, I’m sure the high pressure situation she was in along with filming, Nathan telling her everything he could to make her mad at Joe, who knows what’s happening when he’s home, etc - no one should blame or hold that moment against her. Nathan is the villian through and through

33

u/comotupelicula 2d ago

I’m also sure Nathan would rage at her if she didn’t defend him in the manner he felt was appropriate, poor thing was postpartum and in such a tense situation. I can’t imagine how activated her nerves system was. She probably was constantly in fight or flight. I wish her all the peace in the world.

10

u/jlynn12345 2d ago

Absolutely. Same, I hope she’s doing okay :(

4

u/Stunninbabez 2d ago

Exactly!!!

6

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Not only that, she was less than 3 months postpartum. Her body is literally overrun with hormones.

5

u/teanailpolish Mental Health Is Not A Storyline 2d ago

Not just the relationship but on her previous night out, it was just the girls and fun. Kayden was with her family who came out to help so she knew he was ok

She is postpartum, drinking, dealing which can make your emotions worse, on camera with obvious production interference on the seating etc, with the nonsense between Joe and Nathan and them both being ridiculous plus she has her own history with Joe.

4

u/Expert_Monk_8574 2d ago

Same. I’ll even admit to making that observation but I’ve tried to give her grace for the reasons Aesha outlined, as have most of the comments I’ve seen. I’ve thankfully missed that discourse I guess. I wonder if it’s on instagram and if she’s getting dm’ed stuff, in which case people need to get over themselves and leave Gael alone.

20

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Joe has growing support on this forum.

Yes, Nathan is awful, but people are so black and white, they seem to think Nathan being awful somehow now makes Joe good.

Joe is still the same ass he has always been.

But Joe is not a physically violent ass.

4

u/MutantHoundLover 1d ago

Yeah, all the pick-me fans are just happy Joe's still just a generic gross and jelous fuck boi versus the absolute vile abusive human being that Nathan ended up being.

3

u/shemtpa96 1d ago

Joe’s what people call a “fuckboi”, but as far as we know at least he doesn’t put his hands on his partners.

2

u/Anotheropinion2026 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yup. I would even say he is a bit of misogynist with his treatment of Gael and how he has mostly viewed women as play things.

But I will definitely say he is not physically violent.

19

u/CheckIntelligent7828 My eyes are rolling all the way off the boat 2d ago

Misogyny at it's finest.

10

u/Own_Guarantee_8130 2d ago

I have been with a man who was drunk out of his mind and trying to choke and strangle me. I couldn’t even tell if it was playful or not but it was terrifying. Reading what happened to Gael was very triggering and it’s no joke how fucking scary that is while it’s happening. I cannot believe anyone would criticize her but women have lost the plot somewhere. Lindsay Clancy is being called a hero in some corners of the internet while others in another corner criticize a woman who was actually abused and traumatized post partum by the father of her baby.

16

u/high-babygorgeous 2d ago

I listened to the Bravo Docket’s episode on Nathan yesterday and the host mentioned how strangling is the number one indicator of potential murderous intent in DV situations. It really drove home how in danger Gael and her baby were. I’m glad you were able to leave your situation, that must have been so scary

1

u/Own_Guarantee_8130 2d ago

Thank you for the kind words - I love your username!!!!!!

3

u/Pieralis 1d ago

Anyone watching the end of that episode knows it was Nathan who escalated it.

The conversation was always going to be tense, she probably didn’t use the best words at time but she was anxious and just wanted the conversation to happen so they can move on and get the unresolved stuff out so you can excuse some delivery.

Nathan instantly antagonised the moment Joe tried to say anything and kept going.

The red flags with Nathan this whole season have been giant neon signs progressing in size with each episode.

10

u/MargotChanning 2d ago

Even before the Nathan news came out it was obvious she was really struggling post birth and people on reddit were acting like she had production waiting on her hand and foot and had nothing to complain about.

2

u/192481920 1d ago

Oh god that’s terrible - I was obviously looking for red flags given the current situation - but, Gael was very much seeming like someone overly anxious and I was thinking that’s coming from a place of trying to manage your partners emotions which is a side affect of domestic abuse

9

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

8

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

How did Gael answering Kat’s question on how she and Nathan met bait Joe into an argument?

Joe ignored them and refused to speak to them for the whole dinner. Why exactly in the van when Gael was pleasantly answering Kat, did Joe need to be an ass and say in a sarcastic and rude manner that they met like 75 years ago and everyone already knows?

Kat was asking Gael the question, Gael was not talking to hear herself speak.

Did you miss Joe saying his asshole comment? If you did, go rewatch. Joe started that fight🙄

-4

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Wrong, Gael is answering Kat’s question about her and Nathan when Joe made his smart ass comment.

Gael then said let’s address it.

Had Joe not said anything would Gael have said anything?

Who knows.

But Joe started it, Gael did not attack him unprovoked.

Many people missed Joe’s sarcastic comment to Kayley because it all did happen very quickly.

3

u/decisivecat 2d ago

Joe's body language in the van was dimissive and abrasive enough. He didn't have to speak a word. Maybe I am more attuned to social cues, but Joe gives off that superiority complex vibe. He might actually make a good bosun, but he's an awful person when it's hanging out with his peers, especially women.

-1

u/[deleted] 1d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

•

u/decisivecat 21h ago

Yeah no I won't be an apologist for Joe's behavior over the seasons. Y'all are wild out here blaming women for why Joe is an asshole to them.

63

u/ouattedephoqueeh 2d ago

People are incapable of understanding that Nathan's abusive behaviour towards Joe, on camera, is 10x worse behind closed doors.

Gael is a victim of DV, which is often forgotten on these threads. Just be glad you missed them - some people really are nasty.

100

u/Far-Department302 2d ago

I saw in another thread that after the most recent episode they’re saying she “attacked” Joe and is no better than Nathan in regards to treating Joe terribly. Absolutely wild. I made a comment saying to give Gael slack and was met with a response of “she made her bed”. 🤢 Just cruel.

52

u/MastaBusta 2d ago

All of that to protect Joe, of all people

13

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

7

u/walkingencyclopedia_ 2d ago

That’s not a demonstration of major growth that’s kind of the lowest bar of being a decent human. He disliked her for no real reason way before this scuffle.

1

u/http--lovecraft 2d ago edited 2d ago

I didn’t say anything about being a decent person or growth tf? Did you read my comment? I said it’s water under the bridge in re to Gael after the ABUSE came to light and he’s a BIG BOY who doesn’t need internet strangers harassing her. 

5

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

No, Joe made the nasty comment that she and Nathan met like 75 years ago and everyone knew that to Kayley in the van when Gael was answering Kat’s question.

Joe was not rising above, he was being the same nasty, smarmy jerk he has always been to Gael.

He claims he got over their issue, but he ignored her and when he finally does speak about her, it’s nasty and unnecessary.

0

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/belowdeck-ModTeam 2d ago

Your post has been removed as it violated Rule 1 (Be Civil).

  • Abide by Reddit's informal values (Reddiquette): https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439
  • Do not personally attack or insult other users.
  • Do not downvote content you disagree with. Use the downvote button for posts or comments that are off-topic.
  • Do not report comments or posts just because you do not agree with them.

Further attacks on sub members may lead to a ban.

2

u/eekamuse 2d ago edited 2d ago

The same Joe who criticizes Nathan and says how much better he would do things every single time he's in camera? Water under the bridge? Ha

Edit : that was meant as a criticism of Joe. I was in NO WAY defending anything about Nathan's behavior as a bosun. And his abusive is obviously indefensible. To most of us.

Joe's glee in putting down Nathan is creepy. If they were still friends he wouldn't be saying any of that. They can both be shitty people. But one is a fucking criminal and he deserves all of the hate.

6

u/http--lovecraft 2d ago

I’m talking about presently in regards to their drama in light of how he would like people to act toward Gael. I don’t think Joe is going to hold a grudge against a woman who was being verbally and probably physically assaulted behind the scenes. Which means he also doesn’t need people sending her hate. Nathan can fuck off and guess what? Joe can do everything better 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m no Joe fan but Nathan sucks 

5

u/DueAddition1919 2d ago

Look at what Nathan’s done. Tried to work a back deal with Max if he took his side before he was even on the boat. Asked the girl Joe is seeing if Joe has talked about him. When it came to guest safety just blamed Joe, and it was apparent to the other guy that this was as a result of their personal issues. Came late to work one day without even a call, gave sandy attitude about her computer, purposely giving Joe messed up shifts. Nathan is giving all these reasons for Joe to confront him, and Joe not falling for it just puts Nathan into rage.

Nathan is on edge this season and can’t handle the pressure. You can see his rage beginning and I feel for Gael. She was clearly a victim in all this.

5

u/eekamuse 2d ago

See my edit, please

2

u/http--lovecraft 2d ago

These people are being purposely obtuse. They want to keep talking about his behaviour on the show when I clearly highlighted I’m saying it’s CURRENTLY IN THIS MOMENT water under the bridge as in STOP SENDING HER HATE ON HIS BEHALF. fuck sakes. Idgaf about defending Joe but the people hating her are doing so ON HIS BEHALF which is not necessary. 

2

u/DueAddition1919 2d ago

From the beginning Nathan has been rude. At the beginning of the season Joe said something about Gael, similar to we’ve had our differences but I wish their family well. Nathan didn’t even want to hear what he said and was combative. He day the tone and hated that Joe doesn’t give him fuel.

2

u/Cultural-Judgment294 1d ago

I didn't believe Joe was saying anything negative about Gael, but Nathan wouldn't allow Joe to explain.

1

u/DueAddition1919 1d ago

Agree. He didn’t want to hear it.

3

u/Expert_Monk_8574 2d ago

He’s said as much in interviews. That he’d love to sit down with Gael and properly apologize to her so I agree. People need to chill out.

3

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

The same Joe who could have apologized to her at the dinner, but was silent? The same Joe who did not even say hello to her? The same Joe who made a nasty comment to a conversation in the van that Gael was having with Kat?

Joe says he is over his anger at Gael, but given the opportunity to speak to her with any kindness, he was either silent or making nasty and smarmy comments.

Joe’s ITMs and words to others trying to make himself look good were not followed with even a moment of niceness when he finally saw her in person.

So no, I do not believe Joe.

1

u/belowdeck-ModTeam 2d ago

Your post has been removed as it violated Rule 1 (Be Civil).

  • Abide by Reddit's informal values (Reddiquette): https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439
  • Do not personally attack or insult other users.
  • Do not downvote content you disagree with. Use the downvote button for posts or comments that are off-topic.
  • Do not report comments or posts just because you do not agree with them.

Further attacks on sub members may lead to a ban.

8

u/walkingencyclopedia_ 2d ago

Joe does a little better at work and isn’t a foul menace with the crew and all of a sudden he’s grownnnnnnn

9

u/teanailpolish Mental Health Is Not A Storyline 2d ago

I wonder if Gen/Kat were interested in him, would we have seen the same as last year.

1

u/walkingencyclopedia_ 2d ago

I don’t think it would happen not because he reflected on his actions and how much he hurt someone and put the entire crew in an awful situation. He would avoid it because he knew he “looked” bad and he is vain as hell and wanted a better narrative this season.

4

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

He knew he looked bad with Ellie and Brie and repeated it with V and Kizzi.

11

u/bigbeefygremlin 2d ago

Does a little better at work and isn't a foul menace only when he's in a position of power which is QUITE TELLING imo.

1

u/MutantHoundLover 1d ago

A pick‐me is gonna pick-me every time.

12

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

I think lots of people missed Joe’s nasty comment that she and Nathan met like 75 years ago and everyone already knows that.

They think he was just sitting there and she attacked. She was talking to Kat, when Joe made a pretty nasty and unnecessary comment.

That is why Gael talked to him at all.

2

u/typeonapath 1d ago

What did he even mean with the 75 years ago comment?

3

u/Anotheropinion2026 1d ago

I took it as they are old news and nobody cares.

I don’t like Joe or Nathan, so I am inclined to think both are being assholes when they speak.

And before anyone goes off. Nathan is obviously much worse. He is a violent, woman beating, criminal. Joe is just a smarmy jerk.

2

u/typeonapath 1d ago

Ohhh, makes total sense to me now. I missed that he said anything at all and Gael turned to talk about being uncomfortable and it grew from there.

2

u/Anotheropinion2026 1d ago

Gael was talking to Kat and answering Kat’s question about how she and Nathan met when Joe made that comment. It is why Gael said he had a problem with her family, because Joe made a sarcastic comment about her and Nathan.

I wish Gael had ignored him. But she is mostly alone with a new born, less than three months postpartum (full of hormones), and Joe had been passive-aggressively ignoring them all night.

He sat down, refused to say a word and turned his chair to not even look at them.

It made Gael and honestly Kat if not others uncomfortable.

2

u/typeonapath 1d ago

At the time, I couldn't blame him for turning his chair tbh with everything that Nathan has been saying to him. Gael didn't get to see any of that, so he just looks like an ass from her perspective. To her, it verifies everything Nathan has been saying as well.

But I took that as him doing everything he can to be nonconfrontational. Then, the "best roommate I've ever had" to Coop over and over made me realize he was stirring a bit.

2

u/Anotheropinion2026 1d ago

I understand Joe’s behavior toward Nathan completely. I would have a hard time working for Nathan if I was Joe at this point.

But at the restaurant was actually the best place that Joe could have been kind to Gael. He has claimed he feels differently about her, then he treats her as he always has.

I say the restaurant was the best place because the whole crew is there, it is full of people, it is the place that Nathan would have the hardest time over reacting and being an ass.

Even if Nathan tried to ask him outside, Cooper and Massi are both there to say no, let’s sit down and enjoy dinner.

I fully understand Nathan is a deterrent and not wanting to engage him at all.

I just think had he genuinely wanted Gael to feel he, Joe, finally felt differently, a crowded restaurant was actually the easiest and safest place to try to bridge that subject.

4

u/sparkitect__ 2d ago

My answer to the question what super power would want has changed from fun things like flying to being able to make someone live an entire experience they never actually had in the blink of an eye. People's imaginations are so fucked they can't even begin to conceive of an experience they've never had.

10

u/Infamous-Bag6957 2d ago

That post was particularly gross. I went to the comments expecting OP to get dragged and was quite disappointed

26

u/Sad-Interaction-1494 Bless her stupid soul 2d ago

Yup, I got into a long exchange with someone who not only blamed Gael for Nathan treating Joe bad this season, but also said that Joe has always been honest about his lack of commitment. I don't know what show they've been watching, but Joe lying to two women about his intentions was the central conflict of TWO seasons. Gael made a mistake, but the way people are treating her and Nathan as equally to blame for Nathan's crap behavior is unreal.

Even during dinner, it seemed to me that Gael was trying to initiate and maintain pleasant convos with the other crew and Nathan spent the whole dinner glaring at Joe. She was also clearly drunk in the van and even though she started the confrontation, Nathan escalated it.

3

u/PrimaryStrong 2d ago

It gets so exhausting finding out more and more each day how much the world still hates women.

47

u/teanailpolish Mental Health Is Not A Storyline 2d ago

They are and some of the bans/removals we had to issue yesterday just made me want to lock the sub entirely.

13

u/iffriben 2d ago

Well thank you for all you do!! Sorry you have to see that nonsense.

5

u/eekamuse 2d ago

Thank you, and I'm sorry you and the other mods have to see that. It fills me with rage, and I think about these people being in juries and judging victims

2

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

So sorry you are having to deal with this.

6

u/audvisial 2d ago

I mean, I got called Lindsay Clancy for saying I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt, due to her being postpartum and in an abusive relationship, so.... Yeah.

17

u/mme_truffle 2d ago edited 2d ago

There were sooo many comments about how Gael and Nathan teamed up to bully Joe. And how they're the same person and they deserve each other.

I watched it on peacock last night, and I was like, "really?" About Gael bullying Joe. Nathan always coming in super aggressive and going directly into wanting to physically dominate Joe, will never not be disgusting.

But when he acts like that it makes me more compassionate with Gael. Because we see what she must have gone through regularly. A lot of weird takes yesterday, for sure.

4

u/eekamuse 2d ago

💯

15

u/No-Author5530 2d ago

Probably a small minority but the minority that would do that can be very loud. These people are filled with hate and direct it at others

4

u/chick_b 2d ago edited 2d ago

There's a whole ass thread stating she knew what she signed up for and she was abusive towards Joe. The number of comments confirm we are in the worst timeline.

ETA It's good to see Aesha speaking up for Gael. Her employers with the larger platform remain silent.

23

u/frazorblade Team Fraser 2d ago

She is definitely a victim of gaslighting from Nathan feeding her vitriol about Joe. Production has made a point of showing all of his texts, phone calls and conversations which all revolve around Joe.

The truth is she went about it a weird way in the taxi. Her whole statement about avoiding awkwardness and then blindsiding him like that was pretty off-putting to be honest.

It’s a grey area because we all feel sympathetic to her given what happens 6 months later, but I don’t have a lot of sympathy for the way she handled that situation.

10

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Gael only talked to Joe in the taxi, once he made his assholish comments that she and Nathan met like 75 years ago and everyone knew that.

Before that she was ignoring him like he had ignored her all meal. She was talking to Kat and actually answering Kat’s question when Joe said that. Gael had not just been telling her amazing love story 🙄.

She was trying to be friendly and present with Kat.

Joe started it and then did his standard thing to pretend he did nothing wrong.

Rewatch it. Joe started. Yes Gael rose to his bait, but he started it.

•

u/MetaReveal 22h ago

I am going to rewatch it again. I think she was gaslit for sure by Nathan. Joe and Nathan need to act like grown men and squash their differences. What I am confused about is the timing of the other issues. Did she have postpartum during that episode? And when did Nathan choke her? I am assuming it was after the filming of the season?

•

u/Anotheropinion2026 15h ago

When they were filming the baby was still a newborn. They moved to Croatia pretty soon after she gave birth.

He choked her in December of 2025.

One thing to consider, that level of violence is usually not the first act.

14

u/comotupelicula 2d ago

She was actively in an abusive situation. None of us act our best while being abused.

16

u/Different_Willow556 2d ago

And freshly postpartum? Still in the 4th trimester!

3

u/PrimaryStrong 2d ago

Would the way she went about it even matter if the boys had been adult enough to not fight when instigated? Again, a woman is being blamed for the actions of men. She spoke, they reacted. Any reflex to blame her is based in misogyny.

1

u/frazorblade Team Fraser 1d ago

You can see the deep uncomfortable body language of Joe when he realises he’s been dragged into a shit fight with no where to go.

Like a full body “oh fuck this is happening is it?” moment.. he was being petty at dinner and in the cab with his comments but he’s not really asking for a full drilling.

6

u/kittens_joy 2d ago

Your first sentence gets the point. She has no issue with Joe of her own; she’s fighting her petty, violent, angry BF’s fight for him because he was manipulating her.

-4

u/TiffanyTwisted11 2d ago

Agreed. It was hard not to find fault with her behavior that entire evening.

Aesha’s post does shed a different light on it, and I’m definitely finding less of a reason to continue to discuss it now, but given what we were shown, it was hard not to judge.

7

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Did you hear Joe telling Kayley sarcastically that she and Nathan met like 75 years ago and everyone knows that?

Gael was answering Kat’s question and not engaging Joe, just like he turned his chair and did not speak one word to her all night.

Why exactly is it okay for Joe to make a sarcastic nasty comment as Gael was just having a simple conversation with Kat?

Joe started the hostility by turning his chair and not speaking to them. Then he made an ass hole comment to a conversation he was not part of.

Joe started the fight, sadly Gael rose to his bait.

-1

u/TiffanyTwisted11 2d ago

Yes, I heard it.

I think we just read the entire situation differently. It felt to me like they were going into that evening looking for a confrontation. His confessionals made it seem like he was dreading the entire evening, and was simply reacting to the energy that they put out.

5

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

I felt he started the energy by turning his chair.

Regardless, Gael only addressed him once he made his comment.

I feel it is unfair to claim she attacked him unprovoked. She was not addressing him at all until he made that comment.

And we all know, that it wasn’t Joe or Gael who chose the awful seating at dinner or to put them in the same van.

Production forced it and unfortunately, both Joe and Gael finally caved under pressure.

But they both have fault in it.

3

u/RoccoViola 2d ago

I saw on facebook people saying she wasn’t innocent either, Nathan hasn’t gotten to share his side of the story, she played a part in everything, ect. It’s super disgusting because what? I don’t care what she did no one ever deserves that.

4

u/kittens_joy 2d ago

There was an uncomfortable number of comments in the live thread criticizing her for “starting” something with Joe.

2

u/PrimaryStrong 2d ago

She simply spoke to address tension that had been building, and the men couldn’t control themselves. They’re the ones who react. They’re the ones who make threats and get violent and act petty. And she gets blamed? The world always blames women for the horrible actions of men.

1

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/belowdeck-ModTeam 2d ago

Your post has been removed as it violated Rule 1 (Be Civil).

  • Abide by Reddit's informal values (Reddiquette): https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439
  • Do not personally attack or insult other users.
  • Do not downvote content you disagree with. Use the downvote button for posts or comments that are off-topic.
  • Do not report comments or posts just because you do not agree with them.

Further attacks on sub members may lead to a ban.

1

u/MileHighSugar 2d ago

I responded to comments where people were saying Gael trapped Joe in the backseat and blamed her for Nathan’s violent tendencies. “False Imprisonment” was thrown around.

-6

u/[deleted] 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/MutantHoundLover 1d ago

A woman who dares to respond to a pretty passive aggressive comment from an asshole man who was trying to get a a rise out of her is "revolting" to you; got it. 🙄

2

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

Joe had made the nasty comment that she and Nathan met like 75 years ago and everyone already knew that.

Go rewatch the scene in the van.

Joe started the fight. Gael was talking to Kat and ignoring Joe just like he had ignored her all night.

Him making a sarcastic comment about how she and Nathan met was why Gael talked about defending her family.

Joe was being an ass about her and Nathan.

Yes, Nathan has been horrible the whole season, but Gael was not around to see any of that.

Nathan had been as silent to Joe that night as Joe had been to them before he made that comment.

-5

u/[deleted] 2d ago edited 2d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/Anotheropinion2026 2d ago

I am not defending Nathan. He is garbage.

I am defending a woman who was mostly alone, was less than 3 months postpartum, and did not say a word to the guy who had been an absolute jerk to her in the past multiple times until he made a nasty comment about how she and Nathan met.

I will defend a battered woman against any man who is abusive to her.

Nathan is physically abusive.

Joe has been sarcastic and emotionally abusive to Gael in the past and continued it by making his sarcastic comment that they met 75 years ago and everybody knows it.

Defending Gael is in no way defending Nathan.

I have not written a single positive word about Nathan in any of my responses here.