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Below Deck Mediterranean, a popular reality TV series on Bravo follows the lives of crew members who work and reside aboard a luxury mega-yacht during the charter season. Below Deck Mediterranean provides viewers with a behind-the-scenes look at the crew’s dynamics and the challenges they face while catering to the extravagant lifestyles of their elite guests.
In the latest episode of Below Deck Mediterranean season 9, episode 16, titled Chain of Command-ment, Chief Stew Aesha Scott finally confronts Second Stew Ellie Dubaich about her behavior, putting an end to the power struggle that had been brewing within the interior team.
Disclaimer: The article contains spoilers for the show.
Aesha’s growing concerns with Ellie on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9 episode 16
Aesha notices Ellie's behavior
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During the September 16 episode of Below Deck Mediterranean, Aesha Scott began to observe how frequently Ellie Dubaich instructed stews Bri Muller and Carrie O’Neill on their tasks. This shift in dynamic inside the yacht did not sit well with Aesha, prompting her to address the issue.
Ellie, on the other hand, questioned the sudden change in how Aesha was interacting with her, highlighting a noticeable shift since Carrie joined the crew. Ellie expressed her feelings during a confessional, stating,
“There’s been a palpable shift in Aesha’s behavior toward me ever since Carrie got onboard. And I’m here, like, ‘What about me? Remember me?'”
This reflection from Ellie set the stage for the impending confrontation, as she started to feel sidelined and misunderstood.
Tensions rise on Below Deck Mediterranean
Aesha had her reasons for limiting her reliance on Ellie, particularly when Ellie began prioritizing leisure over her duties. A notable incident that exacerbated the situation was when Aesha caught Ellie lounging in the crew mess instead of cleaning the boat. Aesha addressed this lapse in front of the crew, clearly expressing her frustration. Aesha commented,
“Did you not listen to anything I’ve said to you? We are about to pick up charter and you are just flouncing around the crew mess,”
Ellie’s perception of Aesha's management style only reinforced her feelings of being unfairly treated, as she shared,
“I feel like I have to check out a little bit because I don’t like how I am being treated. I fully understand that Aesha wants the highest yacht standards but the way she is going about it — she is achieving the opposite effect.”
Carrie’s perspective
Carrie O’Neill, another stew, also noticed Ellie’s attempts to dominate. She observed Ellie’s behavior as an attempt to assert control within the team. Carrie mentioned,
"Ellie is definitely trying to be the alpha dog but I’ve had a really high-stress job for a long time and I’ve needed a break,”
As the episode progressed, Ellie’s attempts to exercise her perceived authority became more apparent. She resisted Carrie’s directives, sarcastically noting her frustration about being instructed in areas she felt confident handling. Ellie noted sarcastically to the cameras,
“That feels amazing. As a second stew having the floater tell me what to do at this point,”
A clash of orders in Below Deck Mediterranean
The tension reached its peak when both Aesha and Ellie began issuing orders simultaneously. Aesha requested Carrie to handle the pantry, while Ellie asked for help with decorations over the radio. This clash highlighted the underlying power struggle. Aesha took this opportunity to reiterate her leadership, stating,
“I do not understand what Ellie is playing at. I think she is doing it to try to show Carrie, ‘Hey, I do have a little bit of power here,’ but guess what Ellie, I will swoop in and I am going to put out your candle.”
Aesha recognized the need to address Ellie’s behavior directly, noting that Ellie seemed to misunderstand the scope of her role.
“I have noticed Ellie kind of overstepping her role. I think Ellie thinks that being a chief stew is just walking around the boat and telling people what to do.”
Aesha confronts Ellie
The confrontational conversation between Aesha and Ellie was inevitable. Aesha noticed Ellie’s ongoing attempts to overstep her role, which culminated when Ellie mirrored Aesha’s instructions to Chef Johnathan Shillingford. Aesha pointed out in a confessional, adding that this event was the final straw for her. She said
“She has not once this whole season said that we are clearing on the radio,”
Towards the end of the episode, Aesha decided to talk to Ellie privately to address the ongoing issues, saying,
“I think it is annoying because it has been a buildup. I feel like you have been overstepping as the second. The job as the second is to delegate when I am not around. But if I am on the floor, you are not delegating. I’ve noticed it quite a lot over the last few days. It is really frustrating and just can’t happen.”
Ellie’s response and reflections
Ellie, however, defended her actions, maintaining that she would “never disrespect” her boss. Flashbacks shown during the episode supported Aesha’s claims about Ellie’s insubordination. Despite these moments of reflection, Ellie questioned why she was being singled out.
As the episode 16 of Below Deck Mediterranean concluded, she remarked,
“I don’t know why Aesha is just blaming me for everything at this point and making me the scapegoat,”
Below Deck Mediterranean, season 9 continues to air on Bravo on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET, with new episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.
