Well, it’s about that time! Below Deck Down Under Season 3, Episode 1 is here, and thankfully, we’ve got Captain Jason Chambers leading the charge all over again. There are a bunch of new faces joining him – and a couple of familiar ones – all aboard a brand new yacht. So, let’s dive right in, shall we? Here’s what went down in BDDU Season 3, Episode 1: “Seychelles, By the Seashore.”
What happened in Below Deck Down Under Season 3, Episode 1?
Below Deck Down Under Season 3, Episode 1 saw Captain Jason and his new crew headed to the Seychelles, on the Below Deck franchise’s biggest yacht to-date. It’s even got an elevator. Some of the crew’s personalities immediately clashed, and with bubbling tensions set to boil over before the charter season is even fully underway, it’s going to be bumpy waters ahead.
Welcome to the Seychelles
For the first time, Below Deck Down Under has moved away from Australia. This time around, we’re in the Seychelles, Africa; plus, we’ve got an almost all-new team. Captain Jason is back though, and after her Season 2 success, chef Tzarina has also returned. Deckhand Harry has made a comeback, but everybody else? They’re fresh to Bravo viewer eyeballs. Speaking of which, Captain Jason is having to put his own contact lenses in this year – we’re going to miss Aesha!
Tzarina is first to board yacht Katina, which is the biggest in Below Deck franchise history. There’s a piano, a tonne of space, and even an elevator. Many of the other yachts we’ve seen pale in comparison.
Next to arrive is chief stew Lara, from the UK. She’s been in the industry for 13 years, and will have two stewardesses, as well as a deck-stew. Tzarina’s got experience working with Lara, and describes her as “fantastic.” Then, Captain Jason delivers his surprise: a sous-chef!
“To be honest, so long as he can clean and heavy lift stuff – and hold me while I cry – that’s all I need,” Tzarina says. Plus, he’s British! “This could be really, really awesome.” Oh, how I wish that was true. The teaser trailer promised something else entirely…
As soon as Tzarina and Lara saw one another, Tzarina decided they should room together. Lara wasn’t entirely convinced, and said in confessional that Tzarina’s an acquired taste. “We are much better as off the boat friendships, but we’ve matured,” Tzarina admits. Gulp.
The final team lead to turn up is bosun Wihan – pronounced Vian. He’s from South Africa, and once worked as a shirtless server at a gay bar. Instant legend. The underlings then arrive, and we are officially underway!
In getting to know her sous-chef, Tzarina asks some tough questions. So she can figure out how best to work with Anthony, she wants to know about his strengths and weaknesses. The problem? He’s not entirely sure how to answer; and gives a tiny bit of attitude rather than just admitting his flaws. We all have them, no chef is perfect; especially not one whose resumé isn’t up-to-date. As Tzarina says, “my weaknesses list is bigger than my strengths list.” She’s not trying to catch him out; she’s simply trying to ensure they work together in the best way possible. But Anthony doesn’t take it that way.
“What’s with the interview process here?” he asks. Yikes. Not exactly how I would talk to my superior upon meeting them; or even at any point down the line. Anthony better learn some respect, and fast. “This is a huge red flag,” Tzarina says in confessional. And to Anthony’s face, she warns him, “I don’t do egos. If it ever happens … get out.” There are 25 hours until the first charter, so hopefully these two can get on the same page.
“If Anthony plays his cards right with me, I’m more than happy that by the end of the season, he can make some guest food. But as a head chef, I’m not gonna trust any random person I’ve just met cooking for guests. Prove yourself to me and your skill, and then once trust is earnt, then of course, let’s go for it,” Tzarina says. Something tells me Anthony isn’t going to like sticking with salad preparations for the crew…
Jason calls the crew for their first meeting, and demands respect for and from everybody. After the horrific events of Season 2, it’s a necessary conversation.
The deck crew may also have an ego problem
Wihan has his deckhands together to chat about the plan of action ahead of charter one. Unfortunately, he’s immediately being undermined by his lead deckhand, Johnny. “Four people here, I think it is too much. Do you wanna split?” he asks his boss. “Because of experience, maybe I can go forward alone?” There’s no I in TEAM, Johnny! Fortunately, Wihan is receptive.
“As a bosun, I’m all about team mentality … if your ego is just about making a name for yourself, that’s not gonna work for me,” he says in confessional. And later, when Harry tells Wihan that Johnny claimed he was lead deckhand, it’s denied. “I will address it,” Wihan promises.
Meanwhile, Lara isn’t going to assign a second stew role. She wants no “bitchiness,” and asks her stews to work together so that they can mix things up in the future. We’ll see how that goes – hopefully better than it did for Daisy Kelliher over on Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5.
Lara’s first frustration isn’t with her crew, but with the yacht. “Logistically, it’s a nightmare. There’s like four flights of stairs.” She worries about service, and does a walk through with Captain Jason. “If I forget something, then I’m gonna have to run all the way down the stairs, and then all the way back again.” The service team are about to become cardio masters.
Down in the galley, Tzarina discovers something truly disgusting. There’s a weevil and maggot infestation. Whoever was on board this yacht last did a terrible job of cleaning it up before departing. I hope they got a mighty big fine. With 12 hours until the guests arrive, a lot of food must be thrown away, and a deep clean delivered.
The first Below Deck Down Under Season 3 preference sheet meeting
The first primary of the season is Mark, an investor from Australia. He’s bringing along his partner and close friends, loves his meat, but warns his partner is vegan. Tzarina seems confident, as she’s just spent a month trying veganism. That confidence is shattered a little when Captain Jason jokes that Mark’s requested global tasting menu will have to consist of a dish from every single country in the world. Don’t worry, Tzarina. Nobody’s that hungry.
Brianna and Marina are bonding while getting cabins ready. Marina quickly breaks the ice by asking if Brianna has her sights set on anyone on board. She thinks Harry is “cute,” and loves his “energy.” Marina meanwhile has her eyes on Wihan. “His smile is just drop dead gorgeous,” she says. “Maybe I’ll find my love in Seychelles.” Lara interrupts the love sesh, and gives some tips on how to improve their cabin prep.
Up on the top deck, Wihan lets the crew know that he’s not going to run with any lead deckhand just yet. Johnny is pissed, but “time will show,” he promises. It’s time for bed, but Anthony is still working on clearing out the kitchen. He’s already questioning his decision to join the crew…
It’s time for charter number one
“You are a legend with a capital L,” Tzarina tells Anthony after seeing the galley. Everybody’s starting the day on the right foot, despite the blistering heat. But when Tzarina gives Anthony some pointers for the crew food, he sees it as “micromanaging.” She tells him she doesn’t mean to be “patronizing,” but I’m not sure he’s convinced. “I’m just guiding you because I’m a Jedi master.” She’s trying her best to make this work, bless her heart. But I’m just not sure Anthony is someone who likes being told what to do. Still, the food’s a hit. Now, time for guest arrival!
Lara gives the new arrivals a yacht tour, and it’s also our first chance at getting to see everything available. Honestly, this vessel is breathtaking. While I love this show, it depresses me to know I’ll likely never be able to afford such a luxury vacation. But I digress.
The primary jokes with his partner that she can use the bidet after her “beads.” But then, as the stews unpack her belongings, they find some toys, and aren’t entirely sure where to put them. “Maybe just put it in the side table,” Lara suggests, while the primary makes crude comments to his other half on the top deck. This is going to be a long charter.
As Captain Jason anchors, the deck team put together some very different toys for the guests to enjoy on the water. Meanwhile, Tzarina is prepping the global tasting menu, while Lara questions how they’re going to serve. Their history is an interesting one, and Tzarina wants to make sure that this time around, Lara realizes they’re a team, and she’s not in charge.
A jet ski without a key
While helping pack the water toys away, Johnny leaves his radio on the yacht and swims out to one of the jet skis. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the key. Without a way to signal back to the yacht that he needs help, he has a decision to make. Whistle and try to get some attention, wait it out for someone to see he needs help, or abandon the jet ski and swim back to the yacht. Thankfully, Harry and Wihan realize he’s missing, and go to his rescue. Harry laughs it up that “Mr. Lead Deckhand” made such a silly mistake.
“Embarrassing as it is, I’ll let it slide,” Captain Jason says. “As long as it doesn’t happen again.” Johnny feels embarrassed, but perhaps he needed this tiny knock to his ego so that he could remember he’s a part of a team.
In the galley, Tzarina and Anthony have put together some dishes that look delicious. The first course is a twist on an Italian gazpacho, and it’s a hit. Next up, an Indian onion bhaji, and the guests love the sauce especially. But now, service is hitting a snag. Tzarina’s third course is ready, but Lara’s not, and when it becomes clear that a spoon may also be needed for the guests, they butt heads. They’re both playing the blame game, but the truth is they should cater to the guests, and work out what went wrong after service is complete. A flashback to their earlier conversation sides with Lara; Tzarina only requested a knife and fork.
Over in the crew mess, Brianna reveals what she found in the guest’s luggage to Harry and Wihan. Harry finds her “stunningly gorgeous,” so could we have our first boatmance brewing?
Anthony wants more responsibilities
Anthony has said he’s had a “pretty chill” charter so far, and in confessional complains that he needs to be doing more. I get his point entirely, but he’s got to remember that the season has only just started, and as a sous-chef, he’s going to have to prove himself to his head chef.
With the night a success, everybody goes to bed, but Harry’s not impressed when he gets up early to find no one on deck, and guests waking up without a clean boat or anybody on service. As the stews begin to wake, coffee requests come in, while the breakfast table remains unprepared. It’s all becoming a bit of a nightmare, and Harry recognizes that the primary is awaiting his morning meal.
Lara’s beginning to have a bit of a meltdown in the elevator, which appears to malfunction. She’s trying to deliver a coffee, and the guests are growing impatient. “It’s coming apart the whole place. Can we get another boat?” the guests joke between themselves.
Now, all the breakfast platters must be walked from the very bottom of the yacht, all the way up to the top, but the guests want eggs. They make specific orders, which upsets Tzarina who was hoping to set out how breakfast would go. As much as I love Tzarina, she’s coming across a little bratty here. The guests get whatever they want; it’s what they pay for. Lara is doing her job and delivering the guest’s requests, so to see her brought to tears in her cabin is sad.
Anthony uses this moment to ask Tzarina to work more like a team. He explains how he hopes he can be “utilized,” but Tzarina doesn’t seem too receptive. This is going to get messy…
Below Deck Down Under continues Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo, and streams next day on Peacock.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY BELOW DECK DOWN UNDER SEASON 3, EPISODE 1? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW CREW MEMBERS? ARE YOU EXCITED FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?