Below Deck Mediterranean Season 10 Episode 5 Recap: Firings and Flirtations.
It’s all hands on deck (literally) as Captain Sandy reshuffles her crew.
Trouble on Deck Before the Guests Even Arrive
The crew shuffle starts off with a bang as Nathan does the unthinkable… recommending that both Tessa and Christian be fired. Captain Sandy agrees, proving once again that she has no problem making the hard calls. Christian takes the firing like a champ, but Tessa? Not so much. She storms off blaming Nathan and cursing Sandy under her breath.
As the dust settles, Nathan’s already got reinforcements in mind. He pitches bringing back Joe Bradley from last season, his “best friend” and partner in Bravo-level chaos. Cue the dramatic music because Joe’s return means only one thing: things are about to get messy.
And just like that, Captain Sandy makes it happen. Joe’s back on board, Nathan’s thrilled, and the deck crew finally gets a much-needed morale boost.
Boatload of Flirting
While the deckhands are adjusting, the interior gets a surprise shakeup of its own. V suddenly decides she’s ready to trade laundry duty for lines and fenders. Production magic or genuine ambition? You decide. Captain Sandy agrees to let her try out a deck-stew hybrid role, which has Aesha smiling on the outside and silently screaming on the inside.
Enter Joe, literally running into Nathan’s arms like a scene from a rom-com. Within seconds, sparks fly between him and V, but the real twist comes when Kizzi decides she’s interested too.
Before anyone can say “boatmance,” we’re already watching a potential love triangle forming between Joe, V, and Kizzi. Nathan’s trying to hold his team together, but let’s be honest… this is Bravo. Drama on deck is basically a job requirement.
Vegan Nightmares and Galley Meltdowns
While the deck crew flirts, Chef Josh faces the real nightmare: the incoming charter guests. The group arrives with enough dietary restrictions to make Whole Foods sweat — and they’re led by Carlos, a self-proclaimed vegan who quickly establishes himself as the most demanding guest of the season.
Captain Sandy has to break the news that the yacht can’t leave the dock due to a storm, which sets the tone for an already tense charter. Josh puts together a gorgeous vegan-friendly lunch spread, but the guests are unimpressed. Apparently, salads and chickpea stew don’t cut it for this crowd. They demand wraps, fries, and “something more creative,” with Carlos even tossing his food in the trash on his way out.
By dinner, Josh is hanging by a thread but still pulls out an impressive family-style feast: steak, fish, pasta, vegan options, and everything in between. Everyone’s thrilled — except Carlos, who now complains there aren’t enough greens. The man’s stomach may be empty, but his complaints are full.
Eventually, Josh reaches his limit and storms off the yacht to clear his head, leaving Aesha and the team scrambling to keep the peace. If you thought service at sea was easy, think again.
Rising Tensions
While Josh battles in the galley, Joe and V take the guests out for a land excursion, bonding over sightseeing and light flirting. Kizzi, meanwhile, is back on board plotting her next move… because apparently, her boyfriend back home isn’t enough to stop her Bravo storyline.
By the time the guests return for dinner, everyone’s walking on eggshells. The food drama cools down (for now), but with Joe’s charm, Kizzi’s wandering eye, and V’s new deck duties, this yacht’s about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Jason’s Thoughts
Only on Below Deck Med could you fire two crew members, hire back an old favorite, and somehow still have the biggest drama come from a plate of vegetables. Joe’s return has shaken up the crew in all the right ways, and the wrong ones, while Captain Sandy continues proving why she’s the queen of calm amid chaos.
As for Josh? The man deserves a Michelin star just for surviving this charter without throwing his pan overboard. Between vegan tantrums, flirting gone wild, and deck drama brewing, this might be one of the most entertaining episodes of the season.
