It’s the tail end of the very last charter and they’re soooo close to the finish line. Except Aesha Scott has finally had enough of second stew Elena Dubaich stepping in when she’s not wanted. She explains that Elena has inserted herself numerous times into her instructions for the other stews, Bri Muller and newbie Carrie O’Neill, and it just can’t happen.
Elena bobs her head like a confused bird and says that it wasn’t intentional. However, Aesha feels like Elena has to know what she’s doing and feels gaslighted. Meanwhile, Elena thinks that she’s just taking the initiative so that Aesha can see what a good chief stew she can be. So many opposing feelings.
Thankfully, drag queens come on board to break the tension — for a little while. When Aesha asks Elena if it takes long to make lemon drop shots for the guests, the second stew misunderstands and says, “I was not told anything about the lemon drop shots.”
“Don’t be so defensive, I said ‘Does it take long to do them,'” Aesha says. “I’m not getting defensive,” Elena says, defensively.
Elena Duabaich is offended and water is wet
It’s the last day of the charter season and no one has gotten fired! However, that has more to do with the fact that Norma couldn’t find a replacement for Chef Jono Shillingford and that Captain Sandy Yawn gave Bri multiple chances despite her laundry flubs.
The final guests have departed and everyone’s in good spirits for their last tip meeting. Sandy praises the crew for getting through the season without too much drama. She then tells them that she’s planning on proposing to her girlfriend Leah Shafer and she’s relying on everyone to help her pull it off.
Aesha has chosen deckies Gael Cameron and Joe Bradley, along with her stew Carrie to help her set up the proposal site. Everyone else will get picked up by a van and be driven there to witness the event.
Of course, Elena is offended that Aesha didn’t choose her to help set up and takes it personally. However, Aesha’s reasoning is that she needs people who are fast because the proposal has to take place before sunset. Also, Elena is the second stew so she needs to be in charge of the interior while Aesha’s away. Doesn’t seem too unreasonable but try telling that to Elena.
During the van ride there, all she does is complain about how offended she is about being tossed aside by Aesha. Good thing she can’t see Nathan Gallagher and Iain Maclean rolling their eyes at each other in the back seat.
Captain Sandy’s proposal almost goes awry
Joe is tasked with driving Sandy and Leah in the tender to their destination but a line has been caught in the engines. He tries to cut it off with a knife and time is running out before the sun sets.
Sandy frantically texts Aesha to let her know of the delay and Joe is working the knife on the lines until they’re finally clear, and they have less than 15 minutes until sundown.
As they walk down the dock, the violinists are playing Canon like it’s a wedding and there are candles everywhere. There’s no way Leah doesn’t know what’s going to happen but she plays along. Sandy is super nervous but gives a sweet speech about how she had a list that Leah checked off. “I felt for the first time my heart beat as one and it was with yours.”
She then gets down on one knee and asks, “Will you marry me?” Leah says, “Baby!” and of course, the answer is yes.
The “Below Deck Med” crew are so excited but they leave to give the newly engaged couple privacy. “Are you happy?” Sandy asks Leah, who is crying. Leah nods and answers, “I love you.”
“Oh god, I’m going to vomit with happiness,” Aesha says as she walks away.
The Below Deck Med Season 9 Season ends with a bang … almost
The crew is having their last night out and Joe is flirting heavily with Carrie, which pisses Bri off. After their little dalliance, she made it clear that he needs to respect her and not flirt with another girl in front of her but here we are.
Everyone is living their best lives at the club and partying it up like they don’t have a charter the next day.
When they get back to the boat, no one can walk in a straight line and Joe can barely keep his eyebrows on his face. Carrie goes searching for him and he says, “I just want to die alone.” It’s unclear if he’s having a drunk existential crisis or just needs to throw up in peace. Either way, we’ve all been there.
Joe goes inside the bathroom and Carrie joins him. After some fumbling, it’s clear that he’s not, “up” to getting busy and she leaves. Disappointed stew number three, check.
Everyone says their goodbyes the next day and goes along their merry ways. Nathan and Gael are off to travel together and explore their new love. Meanwhile, Nathan and Joe say goodbye to their bromance, at least for now.
The episode ends with clips of Sandy and Leah’s wedding. “Below Deck” alum Kate Chastain is there, along with Norma, the one Sandy always calls for crew replacement during charters. “So happy to be here,” she says in a surprisingly American accent. Who knew.
After a tumultuous season, it’s nice to finish it off with a happy ending. Lord knows Joe couldn’t have given one, otherwise.
