Summary
- The addition of stew Carrie O'Neill is set to bring a fresh dynamic to the Below Deck Mediterranean crew.
- The new crew member may lead to potential firings, with Sandy becoming less tolerant of crew performance.
- Carrie's arrival will shift the focus from the Joe love triangle, providing a much-needed change in dynamics for season 9.
Below Deck Mediterranean is facing a mid-season shakeup with the addition of a new Stew Carrie O’Neill. The superyacht Mustique has been limited to three stews all season due to a leaky cabin ceiling that prevented a fourth stew from bunking on the ship. In the mid-season trailer, Captain Sandy Yawn introduced the addition, asking Chief Stew Aesha Scott whether she would like a fourth stew. Aesha jumped for joy, optimistic that the new addition would solve some of the problems the crew has faced throughout Below Deck Med season 9.
Most of the season 9 cast consists of newcomers to the Below Deck franchise who have struggled to find their footing. Carrie's presence will undoubtedly shake things up within the cast. According to the trailer, Carrie’s self-described flirtatious personality will draw her into an existing romantic rivalry, likely impacting her relationship with the other women aboard the Mustique. Despite any drama Carrie brings along with her, her addition to the crew will be a breath of fresh air for season 9.
Related
20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now
Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.
The Current Crew Has Been Criticized For Poor Performance
Several Members Of The Mustique Crew Have Made Sloppy Mistakes
Many of the Below Deck Med season 9 crew members have faced criticism for their performances. Notably, Chef Johnathan “Jono” Shillingford made several costly errors that forced charter guests to bring their complaints to Captain Sandy. Sandy was mortified at the quality of Jono’s presentation and his choice of ingredients. Although Jono worked hard to improve, Sandy has already arranged for a backup chef in anticipation of Jono’s next mistake.
Bri drew the frustration of all on board as she struggled to keep track of her crewmates’ clothing and wasted critical time searching the ship for lost items.
The interior and deck teams have also made repeated errors. Bosun Iain Maclean frequently lost control of his deck crew, and his lackluster management and inattention to detail irritated Sandy on several occasions. Meanwhile, Third Stew Bri Muller turned laundry duty into a problem for the entire crew. Bri drew the frustration of all on board as she struggled to keep track of her crewmates’ clothing and wasted critical time searching the ship for lost items.
The addition of a new crew member will raise the bar for the entire Below Deck Med season 9 crew. Carrie will bring her own experiences to the yacht, hopefully increasing the interior team’s productivity and accuracy. As the existing crew adapts to the reorganization, they can reassess their work and find motivation in the new dynamics.
A Fourth Stew Increases The Possibility Of A Midseason Firing
Sandy May Become Less Tolerant When She Is No Longer Short-Staffed
A fourth stew was standard for the Mustique and sorely needed; however, having the extra employee also offers some flexibility to terminate some of the current crew. Sandy has talked about firing Jono, Iain, and Bri, possibilities that remain on the table going into the final five charters. Bri has allowed her feud with Second Stew Elena “Ellie” Dubaich to distract her from her work, leaving Sandy to threaten to fire them both.
Carrie’s addition would make a termination less detrimental and even seamless. The Mustique was already understaffed, making each crew member critical. Operating with a full staff will make each crew member slightly less valuable and raise the stakes for them to improve their performance or face termination.
Tension Resulting From Joe’s Love Triangle Has Dominated Season 9
The Season Is In Dire Need Of A New Focus
Bri and Ellie’s working relationship began to suffer when they clashed over their shared pursuit of Deckhand Joe Bradley. Joe led Bri and Ellie on, flirting shamelessly with each of them. When Bri hooked up with Joe first, she faced the scorn of Ellie and the loss of her mentor. Ellie then hooked up with Joe, fueling Bri’s jealousy.
It is obvious Joe is not interested in a real relationship with either Bri or Elli.
The love triangle, while juicy, has dominated the Below Deck Med season 9 cast dynamics. It is obvious Joe is not interested in a real relationship with either Bri or Ellie, and the fighting between the stews has run its course. Meanwhile, the rest of the crew has settled into complacency, and there are no other sources of tension to balance the coverage of Joe’s dueling romances. Carrie’s addition will provide a much-needed shift in the season’s focus. The trailer teases that Carrie may find herself involved with Joe, putting a new spin on the existing drama.
Carrie’s Addition To Season 9 Brings Necessary New Energy To The Cast
A Recharged Cast Promises Improved Dynamics For The Remainder Of The Season
Below Deck Med is beginning to feel redundant as the current cast settles into their roles within the ship. The energy of a new stew will bring a welcome change to the Mustique. There are currently no strong friendships onboard, and it would be refreshing to see some moments of bonding or lighthearted playfulness. Carrie appears to have a bubbly personality that will recharge the mood aboard the ship.
Below Deck Mediterranean airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
Although Sandy has repeatedly threatened to fire several crew members, the original cast remains intact at the midway point of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9. Carrie’s addition increases the odds that Sandy will finally draw the line and let an existing crew member go. The mid-season cast shakeup will provide a new wave of much-needed tension, which will hopefully motivate the remaining crew to step up their game for a strong finish to the charter season.
Below Deck Mediterranean
TV-14
Reality-TV
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US
- Cast
- Sandy Yawn , Hannah Ferrier , Malia White , Mzi Dempers , João Franco , Colin Macy-O'Toole , Kyle Viljoen , Christine Drake
- Release Date
- May 3, 2016
- Seasons
- 7
- Network
- Bravo
- Franchise(s)
- Below Deck
- Showrunner
- Mark Cronin , Courtland Cox , Nadine Rajabi
- Main Genre
- Reality-TV
- Creator(s)
- Mark Cronin , Doug Henning , Rebecca Taylor Henning
