Watch What Crappens – Episode #3054

Below Deck Med S10E05 Part 1: Double Dumped and Vegan Slumped

Date: October 28, 2025
Hosts: Ben Mandelker & Ronnie Karam

Overview

In this episode, Ben and Ronnie recap and hilariously eviscerate Below Deck Mediterranean Season 10 Episode 5, "Double Dumped and Vegan Slumped."
The discussion zeroes in on a tumultuous charter season, focusing especially on vegan charter guest drama, an unprecedented double firing of deckhands, leadership struggles, and the ever-glorious return of recurring character Joe. As always, the hosts deliver biting commentary, outlandish impressions of Captain Sandy and Norma, and plenty of witty banter that keeps the spirit of Bravo fandom alive.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Vegan Charter Guest Debacle

[02:39–06:38]

• Ben and Ronnie reflect on the plight of vegan guests on reality TV, noting how one particularly difficult vegan charter guest revives old negative stereotypes.
• Ben shares how veganism used to be "a crazy hippie thing" and laments seeing it reduced to "pushy, obnoxious, demanding, picky" due to this guest.
• Ronnie mocks, "I’ve never seen a vegan who's like, yeah, no salads, fresh greens, disgusting. How dare you? I’m a vegan. Like, really, dude?" [03:51]
• Both hosts agree that chefs can be clueless or lazy when accommodating vegan guests, but also criticize guests who treat chefs like personal nutritionists rather than creators of tasty food.

Quote:

“As a criticism of dinner, where are my minerals? I’ve literally never heard that.”
— Ronnie [05:01]

2. Crew Firing: Tessa and Christian Sent Packing

[07:43–16:12]

• The episode returns to Captain Sandy and Nathan debating which "dum dum" to fire, culminating in a double firing of deckhands Tessa and Christian.
• Ronnie, impersonating Sandy:

  “You gotta make a change, so get out. [...] I know you come from a big boat, your family’s a family, which is great, you know, but on this boat, you’re more like a catamaran, okay? And I don’t know how to drive those.” [15:36]

• Ben ponders workplace discipline: “Why isn’t there a sense of you guys didn’t earn your downtime tonight? We’re going to work on knots all night long.” [09:27]
• The hosts agree Nathan’s promotion to bosun felt abrupt and “unearned,” comparing him to other rapid risers in the Below Deck universe.

Quote:

“I feel like we never saw a scene of Nathan being like, ‘You guys need to get your s*** together!’”
— Ben [11:29]

3. Aftermath: Crew Reactions to the Firings

[22:02–26:28]

• Max is elated at losing “two person because, well, you know, with them, we would have sunk your boat.” [22:02]
• Kizzy pretends to be sad for Tessa, though Ben jokes, “I don’t think anyone’s talked to Tessa this entire season.” [22:12]
• Discussion pivots to Christian’s bizarre family background, including his father’s 20+ aircraft accidents, which the hosts lampoon as an odd form of family pride.

  “Can you let me know what airline your dad flies for?”
  — Ben [24:56]

4. Iconic Captain Sandy and Norma Text Exchanges

[17:35–21:43, 41:43–43:56]

• The Captain Sandy/Norma dynamic shines, featuring endless “bloop” texts, biting zingers, and workplace pettiness. This recurring bit lampoons the frantic quest to find substitute deckhands.
• Running jokes about Olive Garden, OnlyFans, and failed hiring practices are front and center.
• Example:

  “You don’t need sexual experiences, because you’ve got your hands. Unfortunately, you don’t have any hands. Deckhands, that is.”
  — Guest/Caller/Bloop Run [18:58]

5. Kizzy’s Unthrilling Boyfriend Subplot

[35:15–36:06]

• Brief coverage of Kizzy’s texts with her off-screen boyfriend Tommy, a classic “jealous boyfriend left at home" narrative, which Ronnie wants to see resolved by dumping Tommy.

6. Shifting Deck Assignments—V Contemplates Switching Teams

[30:35–38:52]

• V considers switching from interior to deckhand, encouraged by Kizzy (who wants her out of the way).
• Ben highlights Kizzy’s self-interested “planting a seed” to grow her own interior status. [31:28]
• Hosts riff on the absurdity of anyone being “intimidated” by the work, given the recent firings.

7. Introduction of Joe (“Sweeps Month!”)

[32:14–34:49, 53:28–55:23]

• The legendary Joe returns as the new deckhand, with extensive bro-mance foreshadowed.
• Jokes about his cryptic, emoji-like smile and physicality permeate the episode.
• Ben: “When he smiles, you can’t tell if he’s smiling or frowning—it’s just what you project onto him. He’s just like that one emoji that’s just like an oval teeth in it.” [33:02]

8. The Ongoing Struggle: Finding Crew and Leadership Turmoil

[38:53–54:26]

• Deck is still understaffed; recruitment mishaps and miscommunications abound, all through Captain Sandy’s endless texts.
• V gets her shot at deck, while Sandy and Aisha hash out shared custody (across departments).

9. Final Group Outing: Flirting, Exhaustion, and "Mediocrity" Mantra

[39:26–47:38]

• Cast goes out for dinner and drinks; Max and Kizzy flirt; Aisha advises chef Josh to strive for “mediocrity” to avoid burnout.
• “Here’s what I want you to concentrate on, alright? Mediocrity. That’s really what you need to get your arms around. Embrace it.” — Ronnie, as Aisha [44:45]

10. Closing Segment: Joe Arrives, Deck Gets New Blood

[54:26–55:55]

• Joe’s entrance is met with giddiness, and the male deckhands literally grope each other’s pecs in a bro-tastic moment.
• Ronnie notes, “This is a two-part recap. Just come back a little later for part two.” [55:55]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben: “I think some people just choose whatever it is—veganism or whatever the little, you know, niche is—to just have that control over people...” [05:14]
• Ronnie: “This is why unions were invented, Ben.” [09:52]
• Ben (on Christian’s dad): “Your dad’s been in 20 aircraft accidents... Can we just rewind that part?” [24:56]
• Ronnie (as Sandy): “Just pretend I say cute face. Okay, you’re hired.” [27:21]
• On Joe returning:
  “We have one of those infamous Below Deck bromances that we just can’t get enough of on this show.” — Ronnie [33:29]
• On deckhand hiring:
  “If your CV is a cute vase... I meant cute face. Okay, do you have a cute face? You’re hired.” — Ben [27:21]
• On Max’s priorities:
  “In two months, I have sex just one time.” — Max (paraphrased by hosts) [39:44]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 02:39–06:38 – Vegan guest drama and chef complaints
• 07:43–16:12 – Double deckhand firing sequence
• 22:02–26:28 – Crew reaction, Christian’s bizarre family history
• 17:35–21:43; 41:43–43:56 – Sandy & Norma’s texting hijinks
• 30:35–38:52 – Discussion about V potentially moving to deck
• 32:14–34:49; 53:28–55:23 – Introduction and arrival of new deckhand Joe
• 39:26–47:38 – Group dinner, Kizzy and Max flirt, “mediocrity” mantra

Tone and Style

The podcast delivers its signature blend of sarcasm, wild character impressions, Bravo in-jokes, and circular digressions. Ronnie favors irreverent Sandy and Norma riffs, while Ben takes a more analytical but equally mocking approach to both cast and guests. Their love for Bravo, however, is unmistakable beneath the roast.

For New Listeners

Even without watching the episode, this recap reveals:

• The personality quirks and flaws of both cast and guests
• The absurdity and chaos of yacht staffing on Bravo
• The iconic humor duo Ben & Ronnie bring to every Reality TV recap
• Key plot shifts: vegan chaos, the double firing on deck, new crew member arrival, and the undercurrent of flirtation/jealousy between interior and deck teams

End of Part 1 Recap.
Come back for more mayhem in Part 2!