Below Deck Mediterranean Season 1 premiered on Bravo in 2016, introducing us to Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier. During Season 2, Captain Sandy Yawn came on board, where she remains in the wheelhouse of this series. Now holding nine seasons to its credit, BDM has seen some epic years on the Mediterranean seas. In contrast, some of the seasons have also been a horrible energy suck for the fans of this franchise.
From wild guests and toxic crew members to hysterical yachties and lighthearted friendships, BDM is like a fever dream we cannot get enough of. But sadly, several years have given us their worst instead of their best. So, if I had to rank the current nine seasons from best to worst, the list below is how I would respond.
9. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 4
BDM Season 4 is hands down my favorite season. The drama was not dark since Hannah, Aesha Scott, and Anastasia Surmava developed a tight friendship in the interior department. These women remain close several years later.
Also, Jack Stirrup and Aesha enjoyed a hysterical, sweet boatmance. And, at their side was Colin Macy-O’Toole, my favorite rapping deckhand. Nevertheless, dramatic moments did enter the chat, but everyone was on the same side, minus the “absolute oxygen thief” in question.
If you enjoy licked and microwaved steaks with canned nachos, look no further than Mila Kolomeitseva. Chef Mila was a mess. But once Mila exited, BDM Season 4 thrived, making it my favorite yet in this series.
8. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 1
Season 1 introduced several fan-favorite stars in this franchise, like Hannah and Chef Ben Robinson. Ben is returning to Bravo shortly, which I love! During this premiere season, most of the cast remained drama-free.
But then we met deckhand Danny Zureikat, the first to get fired in this new spin-off. Danny made for excellent television. He kissed charter guests, wrote love poems about fish, chilled with naked guests in the hot tub, and argued with his superior, Captain Mark Howard.
BDM Season 1 was light and funny, making it the perfect introduction to this series. Sadly, Captain Mark passed away in 2021. But he will forever be remembered as the inaugural captain of BDM.
7. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 5
BDM Season 5 forever changed this series. Love her or not, Hannah was the face of this spin-off for five long seasons. However, she and Captain Sandy always failed to bond. After Malia White sneakily sent Captain Sandy an image of medications and a vape pen, Sandy fired Hannah, citing Maritime law as her reason.
Hannah’s firing was hard to watch. However, Season 5 marks a turning point for BDM, creating dialogue for years on the laws over international waters. This season was also highly watched and heavily dissected online, so it deserves a higher ranking for its service. Thankfully, Hannah and Captain Sandy are now in a great place, which, phew.
6. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 9
Once Hannah departed, BDM struggled via a revolving door of toxic leaders and crew. However, this narrative course-corrected in Season 9, as Aesha returned to her original series to serve as the new Chief Stew, where I hope she remains until she eventually decides to retire from filming. During Season 9, the friendship between Aesha and the always-twerking Chef Johnathan Shillingford was a hoot. However, the best aspect of BDM Season 9 was that Aesha brought positivity back to this series, leading her stews using encouragement while defusing stressful situations with her unique brand of quirky storytelling and filterless quips.
BDM Season 9 was peaceful, with a light smattering of drama, especially in the interior. I like light moments, so this season was a middle-of-the-road win.
5. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 2
BDM Season 2 introduced Captain Sandy, the first (and only, sigh) female captain on Bravo. This season also delivered our first love triangle for this series, courtesy of Malia, Adam Glick, and Wes Walton. It was messy.
Similarly, Bugsy Drake entered the chat with her barretts and table decor, making it known that she would be far better as a chief stew than Hannah. Luckily for Bugsy, she got her chance once Hannah got the ax in Season 5. Overall, the drama was high in Season 2, introducing us to vital characters in this franchise. However, the lighthearted moments were low, making BDM Season 2 a meh instead of a hell-no on this list.
4. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 6
When Season 6 began, many wondered if Bugsy might return as Hannah’s replacement, which she first undertook at the end of Season 5. Cue my relief when newbie Katie Flood emerged, ready to tackle this position instead. However, Katie had a rough season with one of her stews, Lexi Wilson, who eventually got sent home early due to her antics on board this season.
Also polarizing was Chef Mathew Shea, whom Lexi famously told, “Your parents should’ve aborted you.” It was gross. On a positive note, Malia presented well as the Bosun, showing females everywhere that girls can take on male-dominated positions. But, in general, Season 6 was not one for the books, though the toxicity was far less than the remaining seasons on this list, so cheers, Season 6.
3. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 3
Season 3 of BDM offered Chef Adam a redemption arc, minus any onions. However, this was also the season that many started seeing Captain Sandy as a micromanager, especially in the scenes involving her then-frenemy, Hannah. Once Hannah set her sights on a romance with Bosun Conrad Empson, Captain Sandy was less than thrilled, which she let them both know as this season progressed.
After Conrad turned into a sour cad with Hannah, later calling her a gold digger, he lost me. But I was found again by Colin, who first graced this series in Season 3. From love triangles involving a stew wearing a “grandmother’s one-piece” to the introduction of Colin and Joāo Franco, BDM Season 2 was decent, yet not a favorite.
2. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 7
Season 7 had a rough showing on BDM. Bosun Raygan Tyler loved taking smoke breaks, seemingly hating her job in almost every scene. As for the interior, Chief Stew Natasha Webb worked hard, but her romance on dry land was toxic, as was the one she tried to hide this season on Bravo.
Chef Dave White was all about Natasha. In private, she dug him too. But once their secret came out, poisonous exchanges began. In contrast, Kyle Viljeon enjoyed a crush on a charter guest, which brought several needed laughs to a season that quickly grew tainted by its ending.
Natalya Scudder and Kyle were hard workers (mostly). But their friendship took a turn for the worse, which we further saw in Season 8, AKA the only season of BDM that landed worse than Season 7.
1. Below Deck Mediterranean Season 8
Below Deck Med Season 8 was rough AF. Chief Stew Tumi Mhlongo came on board late, as did her stew, Kyle. Before they appeared, Kyle seemingly tainted Tumi against Natalya, who was on board, filling in for Tumi while she and Kyle sorted their way through customs.
Tensions between Tumi and Natalya were hot. But Kyle and Natalya did not fare any better. They were both gossips, and they each manipulated various truths to help pull others over to their way of thinking. The fights between these two were so bad that Natalya left this season early, as, between sparing with Kyle and worrying about her equally poisonous open relationship back on land, she felt fried.
BDM Season 8 was hard to endure. Hopefully, all future seasons will fare better than this. Otherwise, ew.
Below Deck Mediterranean is currently streaming on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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