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S03:E01: Seychelles, by the Seashore

snarts

By snarts
in Below Deck Down Under

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snarts

snarts

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Does Tzarina not know what a sous chef does? He should be assisting with the meal prep, not just tasked with cleaning. A deckhand can clean pots & pans. Let him manage breakfast if a few eggs stress you out that much.

What a poorly planned boat layout. They should have a dumbwaiter if the food has to go up three flights of stairs. I feel bad for the interior, it feels like they're purposely understaffed.

I do like Captain Jason and am excited to see the Seychelles.

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Baltimore Betty

Baltimore Betty

13 minutes ago, snarts said:

Does Tzarina not know what a sous chef does?

I think we are seeing Tzarina live up to her name, she sees an underling to flex a little power over and she is going for it, I predict he will pull her bacon out of a fire on a soon to be charter and she will see him differently.

Also, Tzarina is pissed because the chief stew is giving the guests what they want which is the job at hand, Tzarina knows this but wants to nitpick.

Do we think that the galley was intentionally left that way to bring drama? Can you actually draw maggots on water, like not on land? 

Once again, we have a princess stew with Daddy's money.

The primary guest told Tzarina breakfast at 8:30 then in the morning is stomping around asking why breakfast is not out at 8:00 intentionally creating drama.  The Chief Stew can control the breakfast by telling them right up front what the special is instead of waiting till the guests start firing egg orders like they are in a diner.

I don't even know anybody's names except for Tzarina and Harry, at this point the crew are all interchangeable with other seasons crews. 

 

 

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iMonrey

iMonrey

4 hours ago, snarts said:

I feel bad for the interior, it feels like they're purposely understaffed.

Yeah, that's one thing about these shows that really pisses me off. This boat is huge. It has an elevator for Pete's sake. And only three stews? Even Lara seemed stunned. The show deliberately short-staffs them to create drama. You know damn well there are enough crew cabins for additional staff.

I feel like Tzarina has never worked with a sous chef before, but also think Anthony has never seen this show before. In restaurants with a big kitchen staff, the sous chef actually does most of the work, including meal planning, ordering supplies, hiring staff, etc. This is just a boat with two cooks who both have egos.

Tzarina and Captain Jason were both on WWHL right after this. Tzarina was wearing a jacket open to the waist with no shirt or bra on underneath. 

We know someone is going to be fired because they keep showing it in the season preview, including the one at the top of this episode. I think Jason might have accidentally given it away when he said:

Spoiler

Lara always had to be perfect which was her downfall. Interesting choice of words.

 

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psychoticstate

psychoticstate

6 hours ago, snarts said:

Does Tzarina not know what a sous chef does? He should be assisting with the meal prep, not just tasked with cleaning. A deckhand can clean pots & pans. Let him manage breakfast if a few eggs stress you out that much.

 

Exactly!  Tzarina is acting as though Anthony is the janitor.  She is 100% wasting him.  Why not let him handle breakfast so that she can get a little extra sleep?  Makes no sense - other than the ego problems she insinuated to Andy are her ego problems.  And yeah, that felt like a job interview she was giving Anthony, not asking him what he excelled at.  

Did Marina say she had been yachting for a long time and then say it had been two years?  Sorry, sweetie - two years is not a long time.  

The interior looks to be strong - but the layout of the boat is clearly going to cause problems.  

Happy to see Harry back.  Love that Captain Jason pitches in without being all up in everyone's business (looking at you, Captain Sandy).  

 

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aghst

aghst

The last episode of season 2 was in Sept 2023 so it's been 16-17 months.  Somehow it feels it's been longer.  Interesting that they moved to Africa.  Jason was on WWHL and alluding to a melanoma scare so it's been a long time since the last season.

I don't recall Tzarina being so upbeat, unless she really likes working with Jason and doing the show again.  Her enthusiasm for working with Lara is not being met with the same on Lara's side.

Looks like they sprung the sous chef on her but they also cast a guy who has ambitions of moving up, so you know there is going to be a clash.  She was prepared to just power through all the work herself and now she has to manage a guy and give him some of the work so he'll be happy?  It's suppose to be help but it may also be more work for her.  And she has a point, she doesn't know how good he is so she has to be leery about sending out food to the guests because how good or bad that food is will reflect on her.

Anyways, no doubt the producers raised this guy's expectations, as well as John, the Greek guy who thought he'd be lead deckhand.  That way there will be friction and drama on board.

Among the stews, one of them was modeling before doing this?  So basically she wanted to be on TV enough that she will clean toilets and do laundry?  And now put away sex toys.

Plus right off the bat another fake meal theme, tasting dishes from around the world, which means more courses, which means more plates to run up and down the damn ship, also more chances for the plates to get mixed up because there are a couple of vegans.

Yeah interior and the galley are stressed with the very first meal and it's completely by design.  In fact the producers must have chosen this yacht because of the crazy layout.

Then the thing with the breakfast.  Tsarina believes she told Lara to tell the guests about the special but instead Lara takes special orders of eggs.  Meanwhile she was stranded in the elevator because she was gassed from going up and down the stairs the night before.

 

 

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PaperTree

PaperTree

Yes, the boat is designed terribly.  More drama.

Tsarina whining about Lara being a control freak when she is just as bad.  Gives Anthony a bunch of crap then whines he's not kissing her butt.

@psychoticstate  Why not let him handle breakfast so that she can get a little extra sleep?  Makes no sense - other than the ego problems she insinuated to Andy are her ego problems.

Big Time!

Jason is cool, as always.  Harry is affable as always.  Wihan seems very strange and Johnny gives me serial killer vibes.  The jet-ski incident was hilarious.

Don't have a good handle on the stews yet.  Marina seems fun.  This Deck/Stew combo girl is bound to cause trouble.

Interesting fact.  The stew, Daddy's girl Bri? is from Mullica Hill, NJ.  I live less than 10 miles from there (condo).  Very pricey suburb 15 miles SW of Philly.  The main street is lined with antique shops.  I try to avoid it.

And seriously, if I did somehow feel the need to bring sex-toys on vacation, I certainly wouldn't want someone unpacking my bag, or they would be secured in like an opaque zippered make-up bag or something

Then there's the bugs!?!?!?  wtf?  Nobody checked those bins a day or two earlier to get an inventory and know what to order? 

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aghst

aghst

(edited)

Now that I think about it, the suitcase with sex toys was planted by producers.

We know at least some of the guests are fake, only going long distances to appear on the show.  These guests are from Brisbane so maybe not as bad a trip as Americans having to fly to Eastern Africa — even going to West Africa is a long journey.

So far with the only remarkable thing about these guests are the sex toys.

BTW let’s be on the lookout for American guests who go all the way to the Seychelles … for a 1-night charter.

I’m sure any of the guests who’d go so far would be available to do more than 1-night charters but the producers decide which ones will get 2 nights, probably.

Edited by aghst
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aqusdealer

aqusdealer

2 hours ago, PaperTree said:

And seriously, if I did somehow feel the need to bring sex-toys on vacation, I certainly wouldn't want someone unpacking my bag, or they would be secured in like an opaque zippered make-up bag or something

Can you imagine sales for charters on this yacht falling off after this season?

“Due to unforeseen circumstances during the filming of BDDU. The nightstand drawer in the Master Bedroom has been completely replaced for your comfort and safety.”
 

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iMonrey

iMonrey

13 hours ago, PaperTree said:

Yes, the boat is designed terribly.  More drama.

I think the boat design is just fine if it's properly staffed. It's a HUGE step up from Down Under's last boat - remember that thing? A repurposed cargo boat - it was hideous. This boat is far more luxurious. But - the show is designed for maximum drama so of course the stews are going to be forced to run up and down the stairs during mealtime. I don't know who owns this boat, they obviously rent it out. But when using it themselves or on real charters I'm sure the meals are better organized. None of this seven course tasting meals with eight different dietary restrictions crap. 

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Baltimore Betty

Baltimore Betty

So the first group of guests come on board and Lara volunteers to unpack anyone who wants it, (I am skipping over the anal beads and such and personally I think the producers put that in that luggage), asking the group that question could have been a nightmare for her, a huge boat and tying up one of her stews for how ever long.  At least she did not ask if anyone wanted their clothes pressed or steamed.

I noticed that there was an inordinate amount of pasta left behind on that boat. Wouldn't the owner want to know the condition of the galley was in for this season? Maybe speak with the previous crew?

Tzarina has a gift in having a sous chef, let him do meal prep, breakfast, lunch prep, Tzarina should stress about the egg orders when you have help.

Capt. Jason's fish tank was filthy.

Greek Johnny seems like he will be a red shirt Enterprise crew member, he will be replaced, (not killed off like in the Star Trek series).

 

 

  • LOL 3
Baltimore Betty

Baltimore Betty

55 minutes ago, MartyQui said:

Since when is gazpacho Italian?

First off, the guests asked for a global dining experience, specifically 10 courses and we know from other Below Deck charters have grown weary of sitting at the table for all the courses, secondly, I think it is funny that the Gazpacho was the Italian offering and none of the guests questioned it but does it matter when they are eating a lot of different ethnic foods. I think Tzarina should have selected really obscure countries or regions just for shits and giggles.

Lara wants perfection in service, this boat is actively working against her, running the steps for a 10 course dinner is the equivalent of climbing a mountain, good luck with perfection.

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PaperTree

PaperTree

1 hour ago, Mr. Miner said:

I immediately hate guests that have stews unpack for them and they seldom make me change my mind.

Indeed!  About the last thing I would want on vacation is some stranger unpacking and fondling my stuff.

My Dad flew 747s and I grew up with aviation at JFK.  You are responsible for (and carry) whatever you bring.

23 countries and 46 states😊

11 hours ago, ShowsILoveToHate said:

Yes, how could I forget that? lol I think that sous chef is going to be more work for Tsarina than helpful. 

He could be real helpful if she stopped treating him like dirt.

My fantasy:  After lunch one day, he just packs up and walks.  DIY Queen Bee.😛

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Back Atcha

Back Atcha

(edited)
8 hours ago, PaperTree said:

He could be real helpful if she stopped treating him like dirt.

I didn't see that at all.  He saw the boat and thought the job was more uppah clahs than it is. I thought she started out with "normal" chef/sous chef questions...which I assume would be about food.  What do you like to prepare?  What do you hate to prepare?  Where can we help each other?  Stuff like that.  Instead he felt it was some too deep job interview like, "Where do you see yourself in ten years?"  He misunderstood.  He probably accepted the wrong job...his fault or the recruiters.  They're off on the wrong FOUR feet.  It won't get better.

Edited by Back Atcha
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Back Atcha

Back Atcha

On 2/5/2025 at 9:12 AM, malibu said:

Tzarina is clueless about how to use a sous chef.  It's mind boggling. 

The net sez:  On a small yacht with only one chef, a sous chef primarily acts as a supporting role, assisting the head chef with all aspects of galley operations including provisioning, meal preparation, plating, and maintaining food safety standards, essentially acting as a "second pair of hands" to ensure smooth service for guests and crew, while also being ready to independently cook meals when needed depending on the situation. 

And if Tzarina had to pull out weevelized staples, all bins, and more gross stuff (at the direction of the captain)--get on her hands knees to make sure everything is clean and sanitary, the sous chef should be doing the same and more.  Without being asked.

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aghst

aghst

It looked like Tzarina was surprised that she'd be getting a sous chef, considering that the BD chef job has always been a one-person operation and that she'd already handled a previous season by herself.

Though I don't call how much help she got in her previous BDDU season, whether some deckie was always washing dishes, chopping veggies, etc.

Again it looked like Bravo cast a guy who was ambitious about moving up and maybe promised him more out of the job than being more than an assistant.

For Tzarina to plan out meals to meet the requirements of the guests, as well as feed the crew, she now also has to find tasks to give to this guy as well, maybe map out a division of labor?

Or she operates as she did before and expected to operate, pretty much by herself with some help from other crew.

You know that the intention of the producers was NOT to lighten the work load for her but to stir up drama, personality clashes of some kind.

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Back Atcha

Back Atcha

(edited)
1 hour ago, Back Atcha said:

And if Tzarina had to pull out weevelized staples, all bins, and more gross stuff (at the direction of the captain)--get on her hands knees to make sure everything is clean and sanitary, the sous chef should be doing the same and more.  Without being asked.

 ALSO...What charter or owner or ??? left the galley in that condition? It's deplorable and someone should be charged/fined/sued BIG TIME.  The show has enough viewer-witnesses; some of us are willing to testify.  We'll need expenses.

57 minutes ago, aghst said:

It looked like Tzarina was surprised that she'd be getting a sous chef, considering that the BD chef job has always been a one-person operation and that she'd already handled a previous season by herself.

Surprised and THRILLED !!!

Edited by Back Atcha
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Back Atcha

Back Atcha

On 2/6/2025 at 8:14 AM, PaperTree said:

Indeed!  About the last thing I would want on vacation is some stranger unpacking and fondling my stuff.

And displaying it for television...unless THAT's why you packed your "beads," etc.    "Fondling," a funny visual.

On 2/4/2025 at 1:23 PM, aghst said:

Jason was on WWHL and alluding to a melanoma scare so it's been a long time since the last season.

Melanoma AND COVID.

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Back Atcha

Back Atcha

On 2/4/2025 at 1:23 PM, aghst said:

 Her enthusiasm for working with Lara is not being met with the same on Lara's side.

She said she was essentially conned by Lara, who called and messaged her OFTEN  with good words, acting excited that they would be working together.  Tzarina had expectations that were dashed, she thought Lara had changed.  Sadly, no.

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iMonrey

iMonrey

20 hours ago, dosodog said:

I knew this wasn't going to end well when Lara called herself Barbie and Tzarina Weird Barbie...

And Lara looked hesitant when Tzarina suggested they share a cabin. On WWHL Tzarina said Lara was texting and calling her before the season started but her attitude changed once they were on board. I think maybe Tzarina doesn't read people very well.

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Back Atcha

Back Atcha

2 hours ago, iMonrey said:

On WWHL Tzarina said Lara was texting and calling her before the season started but her attitude changed once they were on board. I think maybe Tzarina doesn't read people very well.

She also said that they spoke (texted?) often and Lara was so excited...saying all kinds of complimentary things--looking forward to working together.  So maybe Lara doesn't communicate well.

Is our PRIMETIMER main page EVER going to change?  It's fairly worthless after all these months.

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