I applaud anyone who can work on these luxury yachts while themselves bunking in little more than linen closets, size-wise. It reminds me of the era of the aristocracy. These ENORMOUS castles/estates that could house a whole village probably, yet the servants are stuffed into rooms the size of U.S. prison cells. Intentional reminders so you don't forget your 'place?'
The sleeping quarters for the Below Deck crew aren't much better, though there's no reason they too cannot have larger, more humane sleeping quarters that in NO way would make the rest of the yacht feel or have to be smaller.
As FOR the crew:
Kate--Saw half of a previous season and apparently Kate doesn't believe in self-growth. At ALL, lol. She's like one of those people who seem more like mannequins made to mimic/display some human traits, but not a full range of them. Being the top crewbie doesn't mean she also has to be an absolute beyotch. She talks about "professionalism" but that doesn't mean she has to be ignorant too. But maybe she genuinely doesn't know how to be human and in charge, unlike those people who are good enough, secure enough, to be both.
Amy--Should not fool herself into thinking she and Kate are actually besties. It's more a matter, IMO, of Kate needing someone to semi-bond with. Plus it was not many seasons ago (the last one?) that Amy hadn't much positive to say about Kate, thought she was a beyotch. And that hasn't changed. So she should watch her back; Kate would eat her young, and no doubt throw Amy to the sharks without thinking twice about it. Amy is one of the small handful of decent people on the yacht.
Connie--Other than coming off as an ocean-loving redneck (NOT meant as an insult even if it sounds like it is), she worked hard, wanted to learn. But though it took awhile she finally showed HER true colors. She might even be worse than Kate. Really really find distasteful two-faced women--who just give all women a bad rap--aside from those who also talk/criticize about being "professional" yet see nothing unprofessional or tacky about stripping on the job (yacht, restaurant, office building, it doesn't matter--it's still tacky), smearing yourself with peanut butter or whip cream or whatever (btw, is she paying for any of that out of her tips? Pretty sure the yacht owner probably thinks condiments/food toppings etc. are meant to be used on the FOOD, don't you think?). I thought she seemed kind of cool--until her WTF? moment when she seriously and cruelly uber-trashed Rocky. This after pretending to like her previously. Or maybe the show edited out your nasty side until that episode. Regardless, wow, talk about spewing pure venom. In fact, she may very well actually be worse than Kate. Kate seems emotionless most of the time and bitchy the rest of the time--except when acting in front of Captain Lee--but Connie may just be one of those sub-human types. Did she not realize that with the exception of Eddie, NO ONE was comfortable with how ugly she was being. Ick. Just plain rancid.
Rocky--Immature, has some issues with self-restraint unquestionably. But she is actually a genuinely nice, good person. You have to love the irony sailing right over Kate's, Connie's, and Eddie's heads that quite often SHE was the big hit with the guests, esp. her mermaid costume--which ALL the guests have enjoyed. Gee, ever think maybe some of your juicier tips just might have been thanks to HER and the unexpected entertainment she provided? Yeah, she has screwed up, yeah, maybe she's a bit immature. And she is unquestionably dramatic. She could have handled the Emile situation better for sure, as I think she genuinely bruised his heart (and ego perhaps). But I don't think she has an intentionally mean bone in her body. Oh, and being a junior Olympian is pretty darned impressive too.
Leon--Never wanted to be there, don't know why he took the job. Really childish that he has the skills of a top-notch chef--supposedly--but apparently(?) rarely felt it necessary to provide over-the-top incredible meals for guests who were PAYING for great cuisine as well as top-level everything else. Have to say I enjoyed, petty it may be, his absolute disregard for Kate. One of those goes-around-comes-around moments. But he did deserve to be fired and showed no class in the way he handled it.
Emile--Awww. "Mr. South Africa," as Claudia and Cynthia (AKA "Real Housewives Bravolebrities) and family nicknamed him. I loved how sweet he was with the one woman's daughter. It made the trip extra special for her. I loved that. Wish Rocky had been more respectful of his feelings, especially as he is so young, kind of vulnerable. AND loyal to those he cares about. Which can't be said about most of the crew this season.
Eddie--75 parts estrogen, 25 parts testosterone? Gads what a little girl he is. He may be a great bosun but otherwise? It's like, should someone give him a supply of feminine napkins? Yanno? He cry/whines every. night. on the phone with his girlfriend about the. same. things. Except maybe NOW he and his GF have a new topic of conversation--both of them having CHEATED on each other. Now you too are a pig, Eddie. Actually you are worse because you are a liar, and you're vicious. And kind of stupid. How could you NOT laugh your head off when he starts talking--AND HE IS BEING FILMED, THE DUMMY--about keeping "secret" his fooling around with Rocky. C'mon. NO ONE can be THAT dumb! Can they?
Ben--Only seen him on one episode so far. But already he amuses the heck out of me!
