by Dalai Mama
On tonight’s Below Deck Med recap we pick up at the nightclub where June has just hurled into a garbage can. Hannah and Travis start canoodling a little. “There will be no feelings this season,” she declares resolutely in her talking head. The producer points out that she and Travis just made out. “That’s not a feeling,” Hannah maintains. June returns to the table and ignores Colin’s attempts at making small talk. She looks half-baked.
In the van on the way back to Sirocco, Aesha and Jack indulge in a little facial spelunking, which leads Jack to decide it would be a hilarious moment to make a joke about rape. As a result, we hear a quiet protest from Aesha, “Don’t joke about rape, because I was raped.” This is utterly horrifying. I will give Jack credit for the fact that he appears genuinely flattened by Aesha’s statement and remorseful for his poor taste in humor. He is still beating himself up about it the next morning, which he should be. One gets the feeling Jack won’t be making that mistake again.
Aesha shares a little about her experience in her talking head. She just wants to educate people, and its working. Jack is genuinely distraught.
Joao indiscreetly questions both Hannah and Travis about the extent of their lip on lip activity the night before. Joao is sulky. “Hannah deserves more,” he states. We are to presume that in this case “more” means Joao. Ew.
Next, it’s time for the incoming guest meeting. The primary is a baseball star who has won the World Series with two different teams. Anastasia thinks a baseball star is gonna be easy pickings after the Queen of Versailles.
BLK Water
Meanwhile, a “Black Water Alert” alarm is going off on the boat. In my personal experience, black water is never a good thing unless you are one of the Manzos. The engineer is off duty, and Travis and Jack are lying in their bunks giggling and drinking beer. This does not go over well with Sandy, who orders them to deal with it, and mutters, “Enough. Jesus Christ.”
She discovers Jack peering into some kind of fuse box and begins lighting into him. I have a large supply of dubious adjectives to stick to Jack, but I’m honestly not getting what he did to inspire Sandy’s ire in this instance.
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This is strange. Hannah seeks out Sandy to make sure she’s not stressed. “I just want to make sure you know that we’re gonna be fine.” There’s a bizaarre second when Sandy just looks at her, then she glances toward the camera for a split second before opening her arms and saying, “Oh my god. Hannah. That is so sweet. Give me a hug.” What is going on with the Captain-Stew dynamic here? This is downright odd.
Meanwhile, Anastasia continues to discuss herself as if she’s just taken a Jordan Belfort Confidence Seminar. She has passion and skill and raw eggs or something. “I know how to make food tasty,” she says to Joao, who is practically squirming in his seat. “Sweet,” he responds. I’m not sure if that is an endorsement or a suggestion.
Colin says for some reason he finds it hard to talk to June. “I don’t know why.” I do, Colin! Let’s take this example at the laundry machine. June asks Colin if he had wanted her to toss some of his stuff into the dryer. “Yes,” Colin says. “You’re so weird,” June drawls.
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Aesha and Jack Sittin’ in a Tree
“Captain Sandy’s losing her shit,” pronounces Jack, forcing me to agree with him once again. Getting ready for his date with Aesha, he puts on a kind of jaunty three-piece suit and brushes his teeth with abandon.
Dammitall, the boy looks adorable. I am shipping Aesha and Jack so hard we are listing to port. Truly, I haven’t been this enthusiastic about a Below Deck Med relationship since Ben and Ems. (Last I heard, they got back together in 2018 and are still together. Is it true? What have y’all heard?)
Joao glowers in his talking head. “I can’t control people’s personal lives. But if it was me, I’d lay low because of the mistake I’d made,” he mewls. What mistake? Isn’t this the same man who derided Aesha for “slutting it up”? By Joao’s logic, he ought to be lying so low he’s eating ocean floor. Meanwhile, Hannah has nowhere to go since she date-fired Travis for having a beer before 5pm. Travis, gert bless him, puts on his date outfit anyway and goes to find Hannah.
Thank the stars, Hannah decides not to continue punishing Travis for the Great Barley Pop Transgression, and she snuggles up to him and they have a lovely Instagram moment.
Meanwhile, in the galley, Brooke attempts to chat with Colin and Joao. “Idinnahave nah bregfist nah dinnahave nah dinner.” She simply cannot enunciate. Has her tongue gotten trapped under something heavy?
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Jet Ski Malfunction
The deckies are kind of star struck at the approach of Ball Man. “Don’t freak out don’t freak out” Joao whispers breathlessly. The primary approaches, preceded by his bulging triceps.
The water gets choppy, and Joao and Colin try to get the jet ski on board themselves, but the waves are too rough. Ball Man brings his bulging triceps and helps the Colin haul the thing out. Which I am sorry to say, I rather enjoyed watching.
The guests aren’t happy with dinner, because the meat is undercooked. One by one, the plates go back to the kitchen for More Cookin’.
June kvetches to Colin about how no one likes her. “I dropped my life for them,” she bleats. “I treat people with respect and expect to be treated the same.” Okay, file June under “Unable to Distinguish Between Acting and Working”.
Back on deck, Colins seems to have broken the boat again. The boat is breaking a LOT. Joao and Travis are going to have to dive down under the boat to find out what the anchor chain is snagged on. Jack doesn’t like that idea at all. He thinks they’re not getting paid enough to risk their lives.
A Death in the Family
I can’t close without addressing the terrible news. For those of you who didn’t see Tamara’s post about it last night, Captain Lee’s son has died of an overdose. It is unspeakably devastating. Tamara knows Lee, so please read her post, which provides a few details and a statement from Captain Lee and Mary Anne Rosbach. RIP Joshua Lee Rosbach. May flights of angels sing him to his rest. Since Josh loved animals, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers donations in Josh’s memory be made to the Humane Society of Broward County. (https://humanebroward.com/donate-old/honor-memorial-donation/)
Next week on Below Deck Med: Bravo has posted a mid-season trailer, in which it appears that Anastasia is not going to remain chef for the entire season. We only hear two words from the new chef, but he sure sounds a lot like Ben Robinson.
Aesha
My fav character and really seems like she has a great heart! So sorry that someone raped her ;(
Jack
Really liked Jack’s caring reaction to Aesha’s rape and that he even checked in with her the next day, completely sober.
Joao
Never would have paired him with Hannah last
Season but it does appear he is catching feelings for her.
Collin
Poor, sweet Collin. The only reason June is talking to you is because no else will talk to her.
@Jen I wasn’t sure what to make of Aesha earlier in the season, but now I think she’s a marvelous person. I agree about Jack too.
My heart broke for Aesha and Jack seemed legit remorseful for his tasteless attempt at humor.
The black water/Jack/Captain Sandy/Hannah segment was confusing. Not sure how the editing was done.
June. No words 🙄
Captain Lee 😢
@Hihokermit Could not agree more. And still love your name.
Thanks Dalai Mama ☺️
The trailer second half trailer looks epic.
RIP Joshua
Thanks for the recap
Also I heard Ben’s voice in the trailer!!! Fingers crossed….
They NEED Ben. This season has taken a bizarre meander into the Scripted Sea and the Fjord of Forced.
And the Bermuda Triangle of Bullshit.
The way June acted on WWHL leads me to believe that Anastasia goes back to being 3rd strew hence the Cap. Sandy ‘you’re redundant’ comment. They probably let Ana..do it till his schedule was free for filming. No more caesar salads I hope and bring back Ben!
Anastasia needs to be taken down a few notches..
Show her how it’s done Ben!!!
And yes, seeing Johnny pull in that jet ski was hot!
Dalai Mama….don’t be sorry about watching Ball Man and his pretty muscles…I wasn’t. 😜👅
@SaraK You are wise and you are right. I’m not sorry! xoxo
I believe that Ben will take over for the rest of the season. It was a really feel good episode. Well, mostly. The boys looking sk handsome in suits & the girls smitten with their gentlemanly attire & attention. The rape comment was so hard to hear. Felt so bad for her. I do commend her for speaking up & sharing that. Such an awful experience yet it needs to be addressed & I thought it was done in a really healthy & balanced way. So many victims silenced when in fact they have done nothing wrong. Saddened by Capt & Mrs. Lee’s loss. Stoic & brave as always, Capt. Lee. I hope they can manage to get thru this awful occurence intact. My heart was so heavy when I read about the loss of their child. You are doing a great recap Mama, keep it up !
@Marc Hello friendsy! Totally agree with your comments about Ben, and about Aesha and her experience – well said! And my heart was as heavy as yours about the new of Captain Lee’s loss. Love your comments, Marc. Thanks for being so constant! xoxo
I always thought Jack was great on the show, and though there is no excuse for his bonehead comment he appeared to be generally very sorry. I like the two of them together and WHO, when dating someone, asks to see their “willy” while they are peeing? I cant get over it, they were both so cool about it.
I dont think we need to worry about Colin, I am sure he gets plenty in the off season, he has been a fan favorite for a while.
I commented on TT’s post about Joshua, it is beyond terrible.
@Ingrid, well said. And agreed in loving the Aesha/Jack relationship. I am worried about Travis, though. Whatever is going on with him does feel like it may stem from addiction. With this news of Captain Lee’s son’s death, it requires one to really soberly look at any burgeoning situations that are similar. I’ll say no more for now, and leave it at that.
The best part of this episode was at the “to come” when I THOUGHT I heard Ben say “Hello lovelies.” Anastasia was either acting or phoning it in for lunch AND dinner. Compare her food to Chef Ben or Adam’s or Adrian’s. I would think that Anastasia could go back to third stew and Bon Voyage to June. If Hannah had her druthers. Putting Anastasia back on stew duty would have solidified this crew — Travis could get out of the galley and the dickhands would be fully staffed too. But no … they have to create drama. At this point, I figure all of the guests are fully aware that anything could happen. For the chance to be on TV and a discount, they shouldn’t be shocked by any shenanigans at sea. Like in Hell’s Kitchen when Gordon closes down the kitchen or when it takes forever to get food, the diners SHOULD know it’s total freestyle. Another stellar recap.
@Nanette Another stellar comment! xoxo
Wow, thanks. And double thanks for First Tomato. Three Bunny Planet books are now in one volume I am sending to “my Claire and Max.”
@ Nanette, Oh, I’m so glad! I was working with Rosemary Wells when Bunny Planet came out. She sent an original piece of art from it on the day my daughter was born. My favorite is the lighthouse one. I have the French and Spanish translation editions too. We all have Bunny Planet days…
What a wonderful gift. A timeless treasure. I’ve been having lots of those Bunny Planet days lately, but the garden helps. Waiting for the first tomato after late start. Not including the tomatoes on the plant that is more than a year old. Belongs to the chickens now.
@Nanette, you said “dickhands”…. hehe 😜
Yes, I’m 12.
Aesha and Jack broke my heart. She was so brave sharing her story and he was truly gutted by his actions.
My ears perked up when I heard, “Ello, Loves!” at the end of the episode. It looks like #BenIsBack
I follow him on IG where he is fantastic and the food porn is beyond!! It looks like he and Ems are still together.
@Jr.Leaguer Totally agree. You are spot on.
I spied him in an IG post wearing a Sirocco crew shirt. Do believe #benisback #again.
I really like Aesha — good at her job AND gets along with everyone and has the best attitude! Truly heartbreaking hearing about her rape experience but glad she had a good detective who was sure to tell her girls should be allowed to go out drinking and not be attacked. Also glad to see the experience hasn’t broken her fun spirit. Jack has a girlfriend that he seems to have been seeing since last summer (via his Instagram page), so I wonder when this was filmed?
Also: I wonder if being on this show and being obnoxious has ever hurt the business of the charter guests. Like the doctor last night who says “I look at vaginas all day and go on yachts”. EWW.
I thought Travis was endearing last night with his suit…but I fear his days are numbered if he can’t get his drinking under control. I feel like he’d be a better deckhand if he wasn’t around Lazy Jack so much — or stuck in the galley with the “chef.” Can’t wait for Ben to come! I’d be mad if I paid as much as these people pay for a charter and got the food they are getting!
@RHmama I grok every single solitary thing you say. You are spot on.
My vocabulary word of the day is “grok” (verb). How did I not know this word? I grok daily! Is grokking the reason I can’t always put my feelings in to words or write the correct words?
The separation anxiety from my DVR will be recovering by mid morning tomorrow thank goodness! Thank you TT and DaliaMama for your recaps and your interaction with commenters.
I haven’t been a fan of Jack’s because of his laziness (which makes sweet Colin have to do so much more work), but his genuine apologies to Aesha and his concern for her even the next day have raised him a bit in my book.
Last season I couldn’t stand Joao, but I am amazed at how much I am liking him this season. This season it is all about his work ethic, not how he treats women. If I knew him only from this season, I would think he is great, but it is hard to totally forget his ways last season.
I don’t see the appeal of Travis.
I would be so happy if Ben came back!
I’m with you – I’m liking Joao and I don’t understand all the love for Travis.
I haven’t been a fan of Jack, but I felt bad for him at the end of the black water issue because I think he was trying to tell Sandy that he was helping the Engineer and had been asked to stay there, but she wouldn’t let him get a word in edgewise. Doesn’t excuse him and Travis ignoring the alarms. With such a small crew — they probably need to investigate any alarm. If I were Sandy, I would have been pissed at both of them too.
@SD and KaraW, you make good points, and from the previews it looks like we are going to learn Travis has a dysfunctional relationship with alcohol. Tonight, that makes me feel depressed because we’ve so recently learned that Captain Lee lost his son to addiction just a week ago.
So excited for the return of chef Ben Robinson! He is Everything!!!! Hoping they sent June packing and Anastasia stays on as a stew! She did a great job holding down the galley after the nightmare of Mila, but it was time for a truly fantastic chef to come onboard and who better than Ben? He’s an amazing 5 star chef, easy on the eyes, and his comments are always entertaining and comical!!! Yay yay yay!
June was on WWHL with Colin and Sandy on Monday. I suppose it could have been a red herring and they didn’t give too much away, but I think she stayed. Sandy let it slip that Travis and Hannah hooked up, which had not happened on TV time yet. Oops.
@Nanette Darn, I missed that! Please keep my poor addled brain informed!
@Carol Agree 100%!
Sandi thought Jack had been standing there all along doing nothing. She jumped to conclusions. Jack’s adorable!
The supposed doctor/gynecologist is disgusting! What a low class jerk. Perfect example of why I have never gone a a male ob/gyn.
I found him utterly offensive as well. It was the type of asinine commentary I’d expect from a twelve year old, not a medical doctor.
On WWHL, Captain Sandy said that the black water issue took over 9 hours to fix, and they had no toilets during that time. When Hannah went in with the weird pep talk, it was towards the end of this situation which was why Sandy was so grateful.
Dalia Mama, it is so thoughtful that you reply to everyone’s comments! That is why this is my favorite website.
Sorry, my phone auto corrected your name Dalai Mama.
Apples to apples: Spent time carefully perusing Ben’s IG for clues … because despite others hearing Ben’s voice, I hates waiting. Came across an image from Aug. 2, 2018. Check out the Caesar Salad from a true artist compared to Anastasia’s “chain restaurant” version. (Anastasia did a magnificent job filling in, I hope she doesn’t get axed.)
Thank you for your recap and mentioning Captain Lee’s son and where can may make a donation in his honour. I love animals. 😿 Going back to the recap, the food and portion sizes were subpar at best. How do you expect to serve men such tiny portions!?! Surprised because being “American” she didn’t try to server hamburgers and/or hotdogs!! Lol.
Did they ever get anything with Truffles? So freakin good. Thank you 😊