S9.E17: Happily Ever Aft

[snarts]

Quote

The crew work closely to make sure Captain Sandy's proposal goes smoothly without a hitch, but unexpected difficulties emerge; a fresh romance sparks on the last crew night out.

Airs 9.23.2024

[Chatty Cake]

Sandys girlfriend didn’t look that excited by the proposal.

That Joe was all talk. All 3 stews look like idiots for falling for his come on.

I wonder if Nathan and Gael are still in each others lives. They were pretty cute together. 

[snarts]

Ellie thought Aesha would write her a recommendation letter? Heh. Watching her toddle down the pier in that white nightie and heels was the best. Buh-bye, delusional one.

When Bre wears heavy eye makeup it makes her looks angry and harsh (and rather troll-like). She looks much better with a lighter pallet. 

Sandy proposing in white pants was so on point. Exchanging her capris for full-length (vs. capris) must have been her homage to formality.

[sugarbaker design]

It was nice seeing the wedding with Kate in attendance (and Dave in the galley!).

[iMonrey]

5 hours ago, Chatty Cake said:

Sandys girlfriend didn’t look that excited by the proposal.

She had to know something was going on, what with the violin players and the camera crew being there. 

Overall this season was a fail for me. It revolved primarily around the girls fighting over or fawning over Joe. I feel like the Med spinoff has run its course. I'm certainly through with Sandy, who has to be up everyone's ass all the time. I know Bravo seems to think the female captain is the coolest thing ever but she's the worst one out of all the BD captains IMO. If they don't get rid of her, they're going to get rid of me.

[aghst]

Obviously it wasn't much of a surprise to Leah, with all the cameras following, the decorations, the violinists, etc.

Why else would she be filmed, which also requires her signing a waiver consenting to be filmed for a TV show?

At least the season-end exits was short and sweet, they didn't draw it out.

Of course everyone is saying what a positive experience it was.  If the goal was to get on a TV show, mission accomplished.  Actually gaining some skills and experience which would be an asset on their resumes when they're going for other yachting jobs?  Have they ever had previous cast say that doing a season of BD ever helped their career, like it was a stepping stone to progression?

Some of the previous cast have said their goal was to move up in the industry, to become a captain.

Doing reality TV may at best be neutral for that.

[PaperTree]

6 hours ago, Chatty Cake said:

Sandys girlfriend didn’t look that excited by the proposal.

Too much botox?  The thing wasn't as bad as I anticipated.

Ellie is just insufferable.  She whines more than a toddler.  I can't imagine anyone hiring her for a yachting job after seeing this performance.

Bri seems to have pulled it together.  Jono too.

Carrie seems to be under no illusions with Joe.  She just wants to have fun.

Hilarious how he got so hammered he couldn't perform.

Nathan and Gael make a cute couple.  Would be nice if they;re still together.  I loved how she put Joe in his place awhile back

Iain gets more weird all the time.

Sandy annoying as always

[Jst2Wld]

I can't imagine being married to Sandy. The female captain of the sea. The voice of enlightenment and mentorship for all. I'll bet Sandy makes her fiancee do tablescapes at home.

And her fiance can stop with all of the "I love you baby" sentiments. We get it, you love Sandy. Baby!

Glad this BDM franchise season is over.

[aqusdealer]

12 hours ago, Chatty Cake said:

Sandys girlfriend didn’t look that excited by the proposal.

My thought exactly! Possible gold digger alert? In either case, Sandy started off on the right foot...that diamond needs ice skates to get to the other side. She better sign up for another season to pay for the future lip filler appointments.

[Baltimore Betty]

10 hours ago, snarts said:

Sandy proposing in white pants was so on point. Exchanging her capris for full-length (vs. capris) must have been her homage to formality.

I thought that same thing, ankles are for casual and work, no ankles is for formal occasions, lol...however that vest was awful.

Her fiance sat on some rocky edge with violins playing, a tablescape and champagne, by the time Sandy proposed it was no surprise.

Ellie going on about how if Aesha did decor for Sandy's proposal and didn't ask Ellie to do it she will be mad, that rant made Ellie seem more nuts than we thought she already was. I do wonder who actually did decorate because we saw laterns with fresh flowers, the centerpiece and other flowers, all sorts of decor but Aesha didn't bring anything with her from the boat, I guess she used a local florist.  Sandy was not specific when it came to anything like colors, music the violinists should play, etc... was this even the real proposal?

 

 

 

[aghst]

BTW, did anyone watch WWHL with Jono and Joe?

Anything interesting or not really essential?

I don't see a reunion next week so I guess this was it for this season.

[sugarbaker design]

35 minutes ago, Baltimore Betty said:

 wonder who actually did decorate because we saw laterns with fresh flowers, the centerpiece and other flowers, all sorts of decor but Aesha didn't bring anything with her from the boat, I guess she used a local florist.  

Aesha did mention and meet a party planner who set the whole thing up.

[PaperTree]

10 hours ago, aghst said:

BTW, did anyone watch WWHL with Jono and Joe?

Anything interesting or not really essential?

I don't see a reunion next week so I guess this was it for this season.

I did.  It was very uneventful.   zzzzz

[Red Bridey]

2 hours ago, PaperTree said:

I did.  It was very uneventful.   zzzzz

Joni acknowledged his mistakes, Joe acknowledged some of his bad behaviour, and in the Naughty Yachtie game indicated he has been worse during other jobs. But neither had anything scandalous to share, except maybe that Joe is smelly IRL.

[Zaffy]

Well, this is actually the first BD season I managed to finish after 2 years of trying to watch the franchise and  giving up on it after a few episodes.
I guess having it filmed at my hometown was crucial for my "achievement", as it was Aesha's presence, who, despite her scatological humor, I really like, she just relaxes me.

It wasn't bad, it wasn't something memorable either. I didn't mind it being less eventful.  Most of the crew was nice and most of the guests as well.

Being from Athens and familiar with  the places they went, It did made the fake drama a tad obvious to me, especially the wildfires "visible" from 45miles away and the provisions drama during the first charter. 

I did not mind Sandy,  never really had a problem with her presence, although the proposal felt a bit cringy, apparently her partner knew. Dunno..it was uncomfortable knowing that they shared an important moment to a reality show. Anyway, it was great watching Kate at the wedding, she rocks!

Below Deck looks and feels like a very tired franchise that has run out of ideas but mostly they cannot find good crew to cast. It also feels more "scripted" than ever.

I finish with my fav crew members from all the BD shows: Kate K., Aesha, Rachel, Malia, Mzi, Ben (the Chef), Eddie, Colin. 

Everyone loved to hate Ellie this season, but comparing her to that @#%# Gary from SY, she is an angel. 
 

[iMonrey]

On 9/24/2024 at 10:27 AM, aghst said:

Have they ever had previous cast say that doing a season of BD ever helped their career, like it was a stepping stone to progression?

From what I understand, people who go on this show are more or less shunned in the real yachting world. Which is why they are having such a hard time casting this show anymore with competent people.

16 hours ago, aghst said:

BTW, did anyone watch WWHL with Jono and Joe?

Anything interesting or not really essential?

Joe said Nathan and Gael did end up going off together after the season was over but he didn't say whether or not they are still together. He also said he is still in touch with Ellie, Bri and Carrie (ugh). 

[SemiCharmedLife]

9 hours ago, iMonrey said:

From what I understand, people who go on this show are more or less shunned in the real yachting world. Which is why they are having such a hard time casting this show anymore with competent people.

 

It seems to have gone the way all of the reality shows do after a few years.  The people applying are wanna-be actors or soon-to-be Only Fans performers.  It takes the authenticity out of the equation.  That's the reason I stopped watching 90 Day Fiancé and its numerous spinoffs.  Nothing seems genuine after a few years on tv.

[KristenR]

On 9/24/2024 at 7:16 AM, sugarbaker design said:

It was nice seeing the wedding with Kate in attendance (and Dave in the galley!).

And Norma! 

In other news, I really feel like Ellie thinks being a manager is just bossing other people around. How can Aesha recommend her as a chief stew if she hasn't seen her boss people around? 

This was such an odd season.

[ZettaK]

2 hours ago, KristenR said:

And Norma! 

In other news, I really feel like Ellie thinks being a manager is just bossing other people around. How can Aesha recommend her as a chief stew if she hasn't seen her boss people around? 

This was such an odd season.

I don't think Aesha would ever recommend her as a chief stew, but Ellie seems to be so confident that this could happen.

I also agree that almost anybody that applies for these jobs do it because they want to be on tv.

[gaPeach]

On 9/24/2024 at 11:31 AM, PaperTree said:

Carrie seems to be under no illusions with Joe.  She just wants to have fun.

Hilarious how he got so hammered he couldn't perform.

Absolutely agree. Carrie called Joe as a player from day one.  So is she and good for her.  Too bad Joe can't handle his liquor, or he would have actually "got some" after that long season with Ellie and Bri. I too found it hilarious.

Ellie cannot read a room can she.  It seemed as though the other cast members were trying to ignore her rant in the van about not being asked to help with setting up at the proposal.  I got the impression everyone was sick of her and her incessant whining all season.  Plus, she does not hide the fact that she thinks she is stunningly gorgeous, and all the men should fall in love with her.  Ugh.

[SemiCharmedLife]

20 hours ago, gaPeach said:

Absolutely agree. Carrie called Joe as a player from day one.  So is she and good for her.  Too bad Joe can't handle his liquor, or he would have actually "got some" after that long season with Ellie and Bri. I too found it hilarious.

Ellie cannot read a room can she.  It seemed as though the other cast members were trying to ignore her rant in the van about not being asked to help with setting up at the proposal.  I got the impression everyone was sick of her and her incessant whining all season.  Plus, she does not hide the fact that she thinks she is stunningly gorgeous, and all the men should fall in love with her.  Ugh.

I also got that impression from their appearances on WWHL...they were not that flattering toward Ellie.

[aghst]

Well Ellie has been on two seasons.

Let's see if she gets another shot.

The ones who can get jobs on real charters with more responsibilities probably stop doing the show or not do it at all.

But maybe Bravo just wants to be able to show women changing into different uniforms or preparing to go out so they show them in their bra and panties.

[nokat]

On 9/25/2024 at 10:41 PM, SemiCharmedLife said:

soon-to-be Only Fans performers.

That was Ellie to a T. Stripper outfits and false drama.

I've made comments about Sandy at times, about wanting to be in every scene and micromanaging, but I'm very happy that she married her love and looked beautiful with her new wife.

Edited September 28 by nokat

[nokat]

On 9/25/2024 at 10:51 AM, Zaffy said:

Being from Athens and familiar with  the places they went, It did made the fake drama a tad obvious to me, especially the wildfires "visible" from 45miles away and the provisions drama during the first charter. 

I really appreciated your comments on the area with your personal knowledge.

[ZettaK]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:38 PM, aghst said:

Well Ellie has been on two seasons.

Let's see if she gets another shot.

The ones who can get jobs on real charters with more responsibilities probably stop doing the show or not do it at all.

But maybe Bravo just wants to be able to show women changing into different uniforms or preparing to go out so they show them in their bra and panties.

A reason the show became popular (like early Vanderpump Rules) is because of showing semi naked (or totally naked in the case of VR) men and women. 

Ellie is stunningly beautiful in her own mind only. She is a little strange looking. 

[hatchetgirl]

On 9/27/2024 at 11:38 AM, aghst said:

Well Ellie has been on two seasons.

Let's see if she gets another shot.

Oh please please please - can she be made a chief stew for Sandy?   Please please please!!!  It would be ICONIC!

[snarts]

If Bravo is too cheap to spring for Below Deck reunions, could we at least get an update on the cast as they're departing? Like they do at the end of the Housewives seasons (even they get multi-part reunions).

Give the editors a chance for one last snark. I envision:

Iain: watched the first episode and immediately changed his hair style

Ellie: naked & perfecting her tablescapes on onlyfans.

Aesha: had an extremely large bowel movement this morning & posted it on her instagram

 

 

[iMonrey]

16 hours ago, snarts said:

If Bravo is too cheap to spring for Below Deck reunions, could we at least get an update on the cast as they're departing? Like they do at the end of the Housewives seasons (even they get multi-part reunions).

I don't think money is the reason they don't do Below Deck reunions anymore, it shouldn't cost them anything to gather the cast over Zoom for an appearance on WWHL. I think it's probably more that they are all scattered over the globe and harder to herd into one show. Either that or, as the Watch What Crappens guys suggested, they just weren't getting the fireworks they wanted like they do with the Housewives. 

[hatchetgirl]

On 10/1/2024 at 3:30 PM, snarts said:

If Bravo is too cheap to spring for Below Deck reunions, could we at least get an update on the cast as they're departing? Like they do at the end of the Housewives seasons (even they get multi-part reunions).

I think Bravo is "hey - the after show??? is chopped liver or something?"  Gael and Nathan both say they aren't seeing each other anymore.  He seems a bit too immature, honestly.

[Chalby]

On 9/24/2024 at 5:30 PM, aghst said:

I don't see a reunion next week so I guess this was it for this season.

I believe all reality shows should require their participants to show up for the final tell all. There's so much BS going around because the crew is only reacting to their floaring mini village.

I want to hear the "real" stories. Bring on Gael's ex, and get his reason for appearing so needy. Have Ellie explain why she thought she was the hardest working stew. Ask the stews what they ever saw in eyebrow man, and was it worth it? (He could be related to the Levys on Schitts Creek)

If there's no tell-all, then this season was simply a tell-nothing, as I don't believe most of their stories.