Season 2 - Episode 17 - Below Deck Down Under
The guest’s behavior hits a peak during a beach picnic. He becomes belligerent when the crew has to pack up due to an approaching storm, screaming at deckhand Harry Van Vliet that the weather is "a convenient excuse for laziness." Harry, known for his comic relief, quietly tells the camera, “I’ve never wanted to leave someone on a deserted island more in my life.” The breaking point comes back on the yacht. After the guest berates a visibly shaken stewardess for spilling a single drop of red wine on his $500 shirt (a shirt he later admits was a knock-off), Captain Jason is called down.
Here’s a breakdown of the fiery final charter of the season. The episode opens with the crew of the M/Y Katina preparing for their final charter of the season. The energy is a volatile mix of exhaustion and "one last push" adrenaline. Tensions are already high between bosun Luke Jones and the rest of the interior team following weeks of leadership clashes, but the real story of this episode belongs to the guests. "Gimme More" and "Gimme Your Keys" The primary guest for this charter is immediately flagged as a problem. From the moment he steps on board, he is demanding, condescending, and dismissive of every crew member. He barks orders without a "please" or "thank you," snaps his fingers to get attention, and treats the luxury yacht like a personal fast-food drive-thru.
The camera captures the stunned silence of the crew before a wave of relief washes over them. Aesha is seen hugging the crying stew, whispering, “He’s gone. You’re safe.” While the guest drama takes center stage, Episode 17 also delivers a surprising romantic twist. Deckhand Adam Kodra and Stew Margot Sisson, who have been dancing around each other all season, finally share a passionate kiss in the galley after the guests are sent packing. It’s a rare moment of genuine sweetness amidst the chaos, though both acknowledge that with only one episode left, the timing is hilariously terrible. Below Deck Down Under Season 2 - Episode 17
Meanwhile, the tension between Bosun Luke and Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph boils over in the crew mess. Luke accuses Tzarina of being "too emotional" about the guest’s food complaints. Tzarina fires back, reminding him he once served raw chicken. The argument is so loud that Captain Jason has to separate them, warning that any more infighting will result in docked pay. Episode 17 is a cathartic watch for longtime fans of the franchise. It asks the question: What happens when a guest goes too far? And the answer, courtesy of Captain Jason, is simple: they go overboard (metaphorically).
Spoiler Warning: This article contains detailed plot points for Below Deck Down Under Season 2, Episode 17, titled “Yacht, You Son of a…” The guest’s behavior hits a peak during a beach picnic
Chief Stew Aesha Scott, normally unflappable and cheerful, is visibly rattled. The guest complains about the temperature of his champagne (too cold), the speed of the tender (too slow), and even the placement of the sun loungers (not "aligned with the sun"). His most egregious demand? Asking the deck team to move the yacht "a few meters to the left" for a better photo angle—a request Captain Jason flatly denies with a deadpan, “We don’t do parallel parking with a 50-meter vessel.”
The episode sets up a dramatic finale perfectly. With one charter cut short, the crew has a chance to breathe—and to deal with their unresolved interpersonal dramas. Will Adam and Margot survive the final night out? Can Tzarina forgive Luke? And most importantly, will the guests’ threat of a lawsuit stick? Here’s a breakdown of the fiery final charter
What follows is a masterclass in leadership. Jason doesn't yell. Instead, he calmly escorts the primary guest to the bridge and says the words every Below Deck fan has been waiting for: “You have five minutes to pack your things. We are returning to dock immediately. Your charter is terminated. No tip is worth my crew’s dignity.” The guest sputters, threatens bad reviews, and demands a refund. Captain Jason simply replies, “My crew’s safety and respect are non-negotiable. Goodbye.”