Summary
The return ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5 may be a big disappointment after the anticipation of previous seasons. The third spinoff in theBelow Deckfranchise premiered in 2020 and takes nautical adventures to the next level on the sailing yacht Parsifal III under the leadership of Captain Glenn Shephard.Below Deck Sailing Yachthas featured charter seasons in Greece, Croatia, Spain, and Italy and maintains the franchise’s focus on the yacht’s crew and their guests.
After a dramatic fourth season,Below Deck Sailing Yachtseemed to have a promising future.Series regulars Daisy Kelliher, Colin Macrae, and Gary King kept tensions high with their love triangle. However, negative headlines have dominated the show’s absence. While Bravo has not announced the official premiere date, there has been speculation about the return ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5 and whether it will live up to expectations.
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The Gary King Scandal Tainted The Show
Viewers Are Disgusted By Revelations About Gary’s Behavior
Gary had a strong presence onBelow Deck Sailing Yacht.He has served as the first officer since joining the show in season 2. Gary was popular with viewers, but his reputation declined as he became known for his aggressive behavior towards women. While he has been involved in high-profile boatmances and shown questionable judgment with his rampant flirtation, following season 4, Gary made headlines with even more problematic behavior.
Samantha alleged Gary’s behavior became erratic after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol.
An August 2023 article inRolling Stonerevealed damaging accusations against Gary. A makeup artist, Samantha Suarez, spoke out against Gary, accusing him of sexual misconduct in 2022. At the time,Below Deck Sailing Yachtwas filming its fourth season in Sardinia, Italy. Samantha alleged Gary’s behavior became erratic after consuming an excessive amount of alcohol.She described how Gary attempted to assault her and prevented her from leaving his room.Samantha escaped, and she told production about her encounter with Gary. Although they took steps to separate Gary from Samantha, Gary was allowed to continue filming.
Samantha’s allegations were supported by other members of the crew, who confirmed hearing Samantha’s story and detailed witnessing Gary acting inappropriately in other situations.The allegations against Gary are particularly startling, considering the commendable action of producers on anotherBelow Deckfranchise.InBelow Deck Down Underseason 2, producers stepped in to prevent a potential sexual assault. The infraction was handled admirably, with the firing of the offender, Luke Jones, as well as Stew Laura Bileskalne. With the crew and production receiving praise for their quick action in Luke’s situation, the allegations against Gary are even more disturbing.
Below Deck Sailing Yacht Hasn’t Aired In A While
Fans May Have Lost Interest During The Show’s Absence
Questions remain about the future ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtduring its prolonged absence from the air.The last season ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtconcluded in June 2023. Historically, new seasons have aired through spring into early summer every year. This was not the case in 2024, and the season 5 premiere date still has not been announced as of August 2024. The accusations against Gary likely play a role in the delay as production ponders how to move forward.
In the case ofBelow Deck Sailing Yacht,absence may not make the heart grow fonder. Following the drama-filled fourth season, the return ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtwas highly anticipated. However, interest waned as time dragged on.The negative stories surrounding Gary consumed headlines, overshadowing the success of previous seasons.Now, after such a long absence, viewers have likely forgotten aboutBelow Deck Sailing Yachtas other iterations ofBelow Deckcontinue to air. When the show finally does return for season 5, viewer interest will probably be lackluster.
Below Deck Already Has Two Staples In The Franchise
Below Deck And Below Deck Mediterranean Have Established A Strong Presence
AlthoughBelow Deck Sailing Yachtlost its usual spot in the rotation, the franchise remains as popular as ever. The originalBelow Deckhas aired for 11 seasons since beginning in 2013.With over a decade of history, there is something for all viewers to love throughout the run of the original series. The show has introduced countless memorable crew members and featured idyllic destinations, making it the clear star of the franchise.
Bravo would be wise to consolidate the franchise and stick with only the most popular iterations.
Meanwhile,Below Deck Mediterraneanhas also become a fan favorite.Below Deck Mediterraneanis filmed in the same region asBelow Deck Sailing Yacht, and both have featured the same countries, including Italy and Greece.With a similar landscape,Below Deck Mediterraneancould fill the voidSailing Yachtleft behind. As each spinoff continues to film, it will become more difficult for viewers to keep track of the various crews and their histories. Bravo would be wise to consolidate the franchise and stick with only the most popular iterations.
Fans Won’t Want To Watch If Gary Is A Cast Member
Gary’s Presence In Season 5 May Be A Dealbreaker
Fans ofBelow Deck Sailing Yachtare understandably upset about the allegations against Gary. Bravo has yet to take any official action against Gary, which raises the possibility that Gary will appear in season 5.Gary is rumored to have filmed season 5 last summer before the publication of theRolling Stonearticle.If the rumors are true, it would be impossible to edit him out of the show. Gary will probably appear to some degree in the next season unless they reshot the whole season.
Gary’s presence is likely to drive viewers away from watching season 5.While his behavior may have been cringe-worthy in the past, it would be downright uncomfortable to watch in light of the allegations against him. Furthermore, Bravo and production must prove they are taking action to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. If Gary returns and faces no reckoning, viewers will shift their loyalty to otherBelow Deckiterations.
Below Deck Sailing Yachtis available to stream on Peacock.
The delay inBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5’s return may have irreparably lost the interest of faithful viewers. However, the delay would pay off if production was working to scrap all footage of Gary and remove him from the season while also improving their protocols to protect all employees. After the poor handling of his misconduct, the only wayBelow Deck Sailing Yachtseason 5 can be a success is if Gary’s offenses are addressed and punished.
