Summary
Below Deck Sailing Yachtis set to return in the fall of 2024, but with some controversy surrounding the show during its hiatus,there are some ways I believe things could be reworked and revampedfor the upcoming season. WithBelow Deckone of the most popular franchises on Bravo, the spin-off series have been a major part of the franchises’ success through the years. Forshows likeBelow Deck Sailing Yacht,which have been met with success and controversy in equal measure, there’s been some question about the future of the series.
Beginning in 2020,Below Deck Sailing Yachthas slowly become one of the most popular spin-offs in the franchise. Following a sailing yacht, Parsifal III,headed by Captain Glenn Shephardthrough the waters of the Mediterannean, the series focuses on similar elements of charter season life as otherBelow Deckshows, but highlights some of the complexities of working on a sailing yacht as opposed to the standard superyacht. With a large, dynamic crew working on Parsifal III,Below Deck Sailing Yachthas the best of both worlds.
ThroughoutBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 4, the show’s most recent season, many began to feel like there were cracks developing in the foundation of the cast. While the crew, comprised oflong-time members like Chief Stew Daisy Kelliherand First Officer Gary King, has had some issues through the years, they’ve also been able to come together and get their work done, keeping the charter season running smoothly. The most recent season of the series sawthe dynamics of the crew shaken up entirely when Daisy and Chief Engineer Colin Macrae chose to act on their longtime feelings.
WhileBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 4 saw Daisy and Colin finally acting on their long-time feelings for one another,things quickly got murky between the pair and their friend Gary, who’d been a proponent of their connection until it was actually happening. Gary, who had been casually flirting with more than one woman on the charter season’s crew, seemed to be interested in Mads Herrerra during the season. Even so, Gary’s jealousy over Colin and Daisy’s relationship was a struggle that neither knew how to tackle. By the season’s reunion episode, their relationship had come to an end.
AfterBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 4,allegations against Gary came out with aBelow Deckfranchise makeup artist explaining that he’d been sexually aggressive with herduring their time filming the series. While Gary denied the accusations, it was clear that something had gone awry. Bravo quickly took Gary off the schedule for the next BravoCon and seemingly shelvedBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5until late this summer, when it was announced the show would be returning. I believe that even with Gary potentially ruining the series, there are ways to revamp the next season of the show.
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8A New Captain Might Be Needed
Captain Glenn Is Too Close With Gary
Although Captain Glenn has been working aboard Parsifal III for years and has been the captain on the first several seasons ofBelow Deck Sailing Yacht,I believe it could be time for the show to find a replacement.Captain Glenn is one of the less present captains in theBelow Deckfranchise, meaning viewers spend very little time with him. Rather than bringing the captain into their issues, the crew typically works around him instead.
WithCaptain Glenn being featured less than the traditionalBelow Deckcaptain, it could be time for the show to find someone more dynamic to fill his role. While the captain doesn’t need to take up much screentime, it’s likely that having a captain who has a less skewed perception of the cast, the way Glenn does with his longtime First Officer Gary, could be a bit more impartial.Captain Glenn being replaced would pave the way for newBelow Deckcaptainsto be featured on the show.
7Love Triangles That Don’t Involve Gary
He Doesn’t Need To Be Involved In Romantic Relationships
Although there have been romances onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtthat don’t feature Gary, the predominant boatmances and love triangles have typically had Gary involved or in the middle. DuringBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 4, there was a major love triangle that had viewers waiting impatiently for more information, but Gary’s involvement wasn’t the draw.Colin and Daisy, who had been friends for years and had also been friendly with Gary independently,gave into their feelings for one another and got into a boatmance that quickly turned into more.
The love triangle between Colin, Daisy, and Gary sparked because Gary was jealous of his friends getting into a relationship aboard Parsifal III. While Gary and Daisy had been friends who flirted occasionally over the years, she’d expressed that she didn’t have genuine romantic interest in him early on inBelow Deck Sailing Yacht’s run. Whileher relationship with Colin ultimately didn’t last, she wasn’t interested in Gary, either. Featuring love triangles can be fun, but onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht,they shouldn’t involve Gary in the future.
6A Location Outside Of The Mediterranean
Changing Up The Location Could Refresh The Show
Although the majority of the time thatBelow Deck Sailing Yachthas been on the air has featured the sailing yacht in the Mediterranean, a change of scenery could be great for the series moving forward. Throughout the show’s run,the Parsifal III has visited several countries on the coast of the Mediterranean. WithBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 1 exploring Greece, the second season’s charter traveled through Croaitia, then Spain, and finallyBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 4 chartered through the waters of Italy.
Even though the locations have changed from season to season and remained consistently beautiful, there’s something to be said about the location potentially changing inan upcoming season ofBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.Rather than continuing to travel the same style of waters, the sailing yacht crew should travel somewhere new. This worked well onBelow Deckseason 7, shaking things up for the crew and viewers alike.
5Bring Back Some Fan Favorite Below Deck Sailing Yacht Cast Members
A Returning Cast Member Can Bring A Charter To Life
WhileBelow Deck Sailing Yachttypically has cast members who return season after season, there have been some crew that have been on the show for a short time and left the series entirely. Typically, the crew members who tend not to return for charter after charter are the chefs of the franchise, andBelow Deck Sailing Yachtwould benefit from the return of an incredible chef in the future. While it’s unclear who will be working in the galley onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5,bringing back Chef Marcos Spaziani would be a great choicein the future.
WhileChef Marcos leftBelow Deck Sailing Yachtwith a heavy heart after the show’s third season, it’s possible he could return in the future and create more culinary magic aboard Parsifal III. There are other cast members I feel would be fun to have return to the show, as well. Though it’s not clear which stews will be returning onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5,it would be great to see Lucy Edmunds and Mads Herrera backaboard Parsifal III. Many would likely enjoy seeing previous cast members return ot the series.
4Shake Up The Core Three: Daisy Gary, & Colin
Which Of The Core Should Return?
Although the core ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtwill be shaken up during season 5 withColin Macrae not returning to the series, it’s possible he could come back to the show in the future. With just Daisy and Gary left,there’s still potential for two thirds of the trio to return to the series and overtake the storylines.Though their love triangle was enjoyable onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 4, it was difficult to watch for some viewers and left a sour taste in their mouths.
Moving forward, Daisy should be the only member of the core to return toBelow Deck Sailing Yachtin the future. Colin, though a great member of the crew, wasn’t always a dynamic member of the cast himself. Though he had a wonderful work ethic, his story was heightened by Daisy and Gary, who bring a bit more drama. WhileGary has been a dynamic cast member of the series, his life outside the show is proving too tumultuous for him to continue to be part of the series long-term.
3Bring Back Former Charter Guests
Returning Guests Could Create Fun Charters
While the majority ofBelow Deckshows have interesting charter guests,Below Deck Sailing Yachthas had some of the most interesting guests in the franchise. With such interesting guests having been on the show in the past,it would be fun to see returning charter guests onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtin the future. With some of the crew members likely already familiar with the guests, the charter itself may be easier, or may prove to be more difficult when the guests already understand the standard of service expected on Parsifal III.
Though I feel there are many charter guests I’d like to see return for another trip with theBelow Deck Sailing Yachtcrew, the guests I’d like to see back the most areBarrie & Tony Drewitt Barlow, who were the most interesting people to watch on the show.Barrie and Tony’s relationship has changed drasticallysince their time on the series, butBelow Deck Sailing Yachtwould welcome the pair back and enjoy seeing what they got up to on another charter. With returning charter guests, the crew could focus more on reconnection and fun surprises rather than standard service.
2Bring On Cast Members Who Bring Drama
Below Deck Vets & New Cast Members Could Change Things
Although there areBelow DeckSailing Yachtcast members who seem like they’re sure to bring the drama, the majority of the crew members who are still with the show are more low key. With Daisy and Gary being the only two remaining members of the core trio in the cast, Gary could bring some drama toBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5 that many aren’t looking forward to. Instead,it would be great to see veteransfromBelow Deck Sailing Yachtand otherBelow Deckshows join in on the fun and create new drama.
Like Aesha Scott crossing fromBelow Deck MediterraneantoBelow Deck Down Underand back again, it would be fun to see yachties from other shows in the franchise make the leap toBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.Personally, I think it would be interesting to seetroublemakers like Ben Willoughbyor Barbie Pascual fromBelow Deckmake their way to Captain Glenn’s sailing yacht onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.Cast members from other shows in the franchise would also be interesting.
1Get Rid Of Gary King
He Doesn’t Deserve The Spotlight
While there’s likely nothing that can help Gary being featured onBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5, his future on the series shouldn’t be a guarantee. Though there hasn’t been any word on what could happen in the future,Gary’s removal fromBelow Deck Sailing Yachtmoving forward would be a great stepin the right direction. Despite there being no confirmation ifthe sexual misconduct allegations against Garyare legitimate, treating them as though they are would be the best move for Bravo rather than siding with someone who already has a reputation.
Even without the sexual misconduct allegations plaguing him, Gary has been one of the worst parts ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtthroughout the years. His playboy nature and casual stance on his relationships with women isn’t charming or cute, especially when he’s well into his 40s. Gary’s immaturity has made it difficult to watchBelow Deck Sailing Yachtat times, and his removal from the show would be the right move for the show’s future.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht
Cast
Below Deck Sailing Yacht is a spin-off of the Below Deck reality television series. Premiering on Bravo, the show follows the life of a Yacht crew as they attempt to navigate a busy Charter season in which many customers make use of a 177-foot sailing yacht. Over the first three seasons, the yacht has been to Greece, Croatia, and Spain.
