As of last night, Max Salvador is back on Below Deck Mediterranean. Frenchie is one of the most chaotic deckhands this franchise has ever seen, so if his usual patterns hold, this might be another choppy (albeit entertaining) season. So, all eyes are watching Max’s next moves. Mostly because his antics, or lack thereof, could determine his tenure moving forward.
Max first rocked the boat in Season 8, when he came on as a replacement deckhand following a restructuring. After a brief pause, he returned for the entirety of Season 10, proudly declaring, “I’m the new Max. I’m the new brand.” Even still, Max messed up.
Now, Max is back on our screens once again in Season 11. Will this be the one where he finally proves himself? Or, will Season 11 be the one where Bravo decides three tries are enough?
Max Salvador is running out of chances on Below Deck Med
Below Deck Med fans met Max in Season 8. As he told the camera, he had been fired from “all the jobs” he’d ever held. But that might be because he was “misunderstood,” he explained. Within the first few episodes, however, his work ethic was already being called into question.
Max also got into it with Captain Sandy Yawn. She accused Max of lying after he reported a lack of food on board, which contributed to his waning energy. There was, but the food was not in line with his dietary preferences, Max explained once confronted.
And then came Season 10. At first, he lived up to his “new Max” claims. But when the rough seas came, Max went into the water to secure a jet ski. Nathan Gallagher accused him of handling it in a way that might capsize it, but Max defied his orders and refused to step away.
Nathan also ordered Max not to let a drunk guest go out on a jet ski, and also to slow down when pulling guests on a float. But Max ignored these commands as well. He also let a guest drive the tender, which is a major safety faux pas. And yet, Max was still asked back for Season 11, for what might be his final chance to prove himself in this franchise.
Max Salvador’s Below Deck Mediterranean Season 11 comeback could be make-or-break
This season, desperate times called for desperate measures. Luke Brumer quit, and yacht services failed to find a new deckhand to fill his shoes. For two charters, Aesha Scott took on this task instead, proving for the millionth time that she is a godsend on this series. Needing things to go back to normal, though, Captain Sandy reached out to some of her former yachties, and finally, one became available.
That person just so happened to be Max. But if Max does not come correct this time, his odds of receiving any more chances on Below Deck Med are likely very small. To explain, Max was not cast for Season 11. He was only called up because the yacht was in trouble, which is a very different situation than showing up with something to prove on day 1, as he did in Season 10.
This time around, there’s no “new Max” narrative to hide behind. He’s not the newcomer from Season 8 either. Slip back into old habits, and that’s strike three. This is his make-or-break run on Bravo, but with Nathan back as his bosun, will Max sink, or will he finally swim?
What to expect from Max on Below Deck Med Season 11
The midseason trailer already gives fans a preview of Max’s return. On one hand, Chef Joy Lefaucheur, also French, is less than impressed. French people are “very annoying,” she says, in French. Aesha is very excited to see Max, though.
So is Joe Bradley, the current acting bosun. The same goes for Nathan, shockingly. You see, Nathan hates Joe more. So, as the teaser for next week’s episode shows, Nathan is about to turn his former enemy, Max, into his friend.
Max has since earned his yachtmasters certificate. Yet, he supports Joe’s higher ranking, he promises. But then, in a subsequent clip teased by The Daily Dish, Max receives a text from Nathan. It reads, “Have my back, and I’ll make you lead deckhand. Swear.”
In his confessional, Max explains, “My dream, one day I’m gonna be the bosun. But I don’t want to, like, betray my friend Joe.” Sounds like some major decisions lie ahead for Max. The only question is, will Max swim and buy himself another season, or will his next move forever sink his time in this franchise?
Below Deck Mediterranean is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WILL THIS SEASON BE ONE OF REDEMEPTION FOR MAX? IF NOT, WHAT DO YOU FORESEE HAPPENING INSTEAD?
