Below Deck

Others have described this as a guilty pleasure. I have to agree with that. This is an interesting snapshot into human behaviour, it is not like most reality shows in the way that it is more of a snapshot of the lives of people rather than people put into an environment.

Like all reality tv, you have to take everything in this show with a grain of salt. The crew and the guests are being filmed and they know they're being filmed, and everyone is being paid so everyone one is "performing." Most of the time, it's difficult to tell which group is trashier, the crew or the guests. Almost all the male crew members drink themselves into oblivion at the first opportunity, while almost all the female crew members are snowflakes who cry at the drop of the hat (with a few exceptions who would give witches a bad name-I'm thinking of Chief Stew Kate. As the prime example), and most members of both genders are constantly looking to get bedded. In real life most of the crew would never be hired to staff a luxury yacht, nor would they last more than one charter if they were hired. Having said all that, the show is fascinating like a train wreck-it's difficult to tear oneself away.

Let's talk about Kate Chastain. We saw her last year on The Traitors and I was interested to see where she came from, which led me to Lower Deck. So we tried it out, and it's a surprisingly entertaining show about what happens among the crew of an elite motor yacht.

I see comments from people calling Kate "mean" or a "bully". That's nonsense. The producers hire a LOT of questionable employees ... Captain Lee doesn't get to make that call, though hopefully he gets to weigh in. At least he gets to fire the worst of the worst.

However, every season has some employees who think they're the tail that wags the dog, rather than EMPLOYEES who should shut up and do their jobs. If you've never managed employees, maybe you can take the side of these infantile idiots. If you've ever been a manager, then you'll see that Kate's reactions to the goof-ups and goof-offs is often remarkably restrained.

It's a high-end business, not a kindergarden. When the boss says jump, don't question if you should jump, say "How high?" Some of these nitwits don't even understand the word 'jump' in the first place.

You get to see some great scenery, and some of the bits with guests are a pleasure to watch. Some of the guests are people I'd NEVER hang around with or invite to my house ... especially the drunks. No excuse for that, vacation or not.

I've taken to trying out a few of the things the chefs on the show do. It's fun and tasty.

And the editors are clever enough to make the end of each episode demand starting the next. It's a terrible temptation to binge old seasons for that reason. LOL.

Every season is full of weird people who are hilarious to watch. Strangely addictive watching a bunch of idiots serve the ultra rich.

Some seem like genuinely great people - like Eddie.

Other are clearly terrible human beings - like Rayna.

Below Deck (TV) 8 stars 2013 5/15/2020

This reality series gets high marks because it pairs interesting characters with an interesting premise. We may never charter a luxury yacht, but "Below Deck" gives us an all-access pass, including a look behind the curtain. These are some reasons that the concept of the show works so well:

1. The Venue. A charter yacht is like a floating Vegas casino in the sense that it demands the ultimate in client service while simultaneously requiring crew skills. If you fall short in your dealings with the clientele, you will lose money. If you fall short in your sailing duties, it can result in loss of life or serious property damage. Furthermore, the quarters are cramped, especially in those areas where the crew lives for weeks at a time. This creates cabin fever and stressful interactions. 2. The Crew. The business attracts young people, especially those looking for adventure, who are not saddled with responsibilities. As a result, there are plenty of partyers and young people looking to hook up. Conversely, the captain wants a responsible crew that puts the business and the boat before self. The crews tend to be attractive and fit. 3. The Guests. These people pay big bucks to be pampered. Like the whales in Vegas, they expect the best. And they are often not afraid of making odd or presumptuous requests. Their tips significantly define the degree of success of each charter.

The ship is run like a military operation, with a hierarchy of ranks. Discipline is strict. But if you are living among the beauty and the tender climes of the Caribbean, surrounded by comely coworkers and entertainment venues, you might allow your attention to wander occasionally. The result is plenty of drama and comedy.

The show also pierces the veil of cordiality, contrasting the polite ministrations of the crew with their behind-the-scenes editorials. This is a show for adults.