Welcome back, land dwellers! Finally, Below Deck Down Under Season 4, Episode 1 is here, led once again by Captain Jason. At his side are several returning yachties, including Chef Ben, Chief Stew Daisy, Second Officer João, and Sous Chef Alesia. Several new characters are also coming aboard to work alongside this “A team.” So, let’s dive right into this first, supersized episode, shall we? Here’s what went down in BDDU Season 4, Episode 1.
What happened in Below Deck Down Under Season 4 Episode 1?
After the originally hired chef backs out, Ben exits his years-long Bravo hibernation to save Season 4. But can he survive his first charter group, featuring the ever-messy and always iconic cast of Real Housewives of Salt Lake City? Not really, as his cast is already facing a boatload of troubles with these women. So basically, we’re “BACK BABY!”
The cast of BDDU Season 4 boards the motor yacht Katina
Captain Jason “can’t have” another season with his “heads of departments at each other.” So this season, he’s bringing on four well-seasoned yachties, Ben, Daisy, João, and Alesia. As he notes, Canouan is their new setting. And no, that’s not in Australia, but he’s Australian, so “Down Under is wherever” he decides to be.
Daisy, Ben, and João board first. Ben hasn’t worked on a yacht in “six years,” but a week before Season 4’s cameras picked up, he ran into Captain Jason. Ben “took him to lunch at the Outback Steakhouse, because he’s Australian.” And when Captain Jason revealed that his chef had dropped out, Ben decided to return, mostly because “he needed an escape” from his failed engagement.
Deck/stew Mike arrives next. Thankfully, Daisy and João are already working well together. They plan to use Mike on deck in the morning, and in the evening, he’ll work in the interior. João’s “grown up,” he states, and even though he’s a captain, he’s happy to put his ego aside and work as the second officer for Captain Jason.
Stews Jenna and Joe arrive next, followed by deckhands Eddy and Betul, and finally, Alesia. The galley will “have a great vibe” this season, Captain Jason tells Alesia. Is this … false foreshadowing?
The crew heads to their first preference sheet meeting. The ladies of RHOSLC are their first charter guests, Captain Jason reveals, as his OG’s faces immediately register a solid mix of excitement and horror. Then, Daisy designates Jenna as her second stew.
One crew member exits, while the cast of RHOSLC enters
The next morning, Ben and Alesia prepare brunch for the crew, but Alesia uses the wrong pan and burns the eggs. Ben shows her an easier route, but as he’s talking, Alesia burns her hand. Feeling big emotions, she excuses herself for a cathartic cry. Her mom convinced her to pass on culinary school, so now, all Alesia wants to do is prove her wrong.
Next door, a cell phone rings insistently. And nearby, a private plane lands, depositing Lisa Barlow, Mary Cosby, Heather Gay (the primary), Angie Katsanevas, Meredith Marks, Whitney Rose, and Britani Bateman in Canouan. Later, Bronwyn Newport will also join them.
While changing into her whites, Joe finally answers that phone. It’s her dad. Her grandfather is in the hospital, and things aren’t looking good. Joe falls to the ground, and when Daisy enters, Joe admits that she’s leaving.
“We’re f*cked,” Daisy states. Captain Jason calls his crew together, urging everyone to “pitch in” for this likely demanding charter.
Speaking of these devils, the Housewives have arrived. As they start drinking and touring the yacht, Captain Jason sneaks Joe off, reminding her that she is “doing the right thing.” Finally, the first charter of Season 4 leaves the dock, right after the Housewives argue over the cabins.
Typical.
Tensions rise across the yacht
Ben cheekily critiques Alesia’s cutting techniques. I don’t think his wit lands well, though, so this might be a long season for the pair. Likewise, this might be a long charter for the men, because Britani is on a “thirty-day break” from her on-again, off-again, frustrating man, Jared Osmond, and her eyes are already set on Captain Jason.
At the table, Whitney warns Britani that if she says her man’s name, she’ll get splashed. She accepts Whitney’s challenge and immediately gets doused by Heather, Meredith, and Whitney. “These are the friends I need,” Jenna jokes. Right after, Meredith dumps an entire pitcher of water over Britani for referencing “a certain someone.”
Bronwyn finally arrives via a water taxi, wearing a ridiculously-her outfit. In the galley, Alesia’s salad isn’t up to Ben’s standards. But neither is Britani’s stuffed unicorn, which Bronwyn jokes about “throwing overboard.” Additionally, Angie’s seasick, certain women want help unpacking, one’s lost a nipple-cover, and the others need another drink, leaving Daisy exhausted with these “unhinged” women.
In the galley, Ben and Alesia misunderstand each other. Back at the table, Bronwyn suggests that someone is leaking stories. “Nobody would do that here,” Lisa responds. Down below, Jenna finds a cucumber in Whitney’s luggage while poor Mike works solo with these “f*cking nutjob” women.
The Housewives spiral into chaos
The ladies head down to the water toys. Captain Jason joins them, riding tandem with Heather on a Seabob. Whitney jokes, “You’re riding him, finally!”
Ben and Alesa start prepping a cheesecake. In the ocean, Angie serves the fish a nice serving of vomit. Poor Angie.
Poor Alesia as well. Her pan is overflowing, making Ben sigh. Her “passion for cooking” isn’t translating well, he notes.
Angie is still down for the count. Mary’s concerned for her friend, so she eats her dinner by Angie’s side. Back at the table, Britani breaks a rule by talking “sh*t” about Mary in her absence. But once Britani accuses Meredith of faking seizures, all hell breaks loose.
As the ladies argue, Ben radios for Daisy, who’s in over her head with these guests. Right on cue, Meredith stands, once again dousing Britani with water. Britani repays her non-kindness, breaking her glass in turn. Daisy calls for Mike to clean up the shards, as Ben grows angrier by the second in the galley, waiting to plate his dishes for timely service.
“These b*tches are next level delulu,” Daisy states, adding, “I’m over this.”
Below Deck Down Under continues Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock.
TELL US – DID YOU WATCH BELOW DECK DOWN UNDER SEASON 4 EPISODE 1? WHAT ARE YOUR PREDICTIONS AFTER WATCHING THIS CHAOTIC CROSSOVER DEBUT?