Below Deck Season 3 Episode 9 [Review]

When will the insanity end? Ok, so it's not that bad, but still, things are starting to get a little out of control. You'll see what I mean. It looks like this charter season is about to reach a breaking point, and I really doubt that we've seen the end of the firings for the year. Without any further distractions, let's find out exactly what happened this week.

There is a lot to break down this week, so why don't I start with the least annoying of it all? It looks like the whole Rocky and Eddie hookup is becoming more than just sex. The episode started out with the two of them flirting, and evolved from there. They were even spotted by Captain Lee and Leon, but neither of them seem to care. Eddie did go into detail with Amy about how he needed to break up with his girlfriend, but conveniently left out how he is hooking up with Rocky.

Actually I find it pretty funny how most people are oblivious to this. Kate, Connie, and Emile all make note of the drastic change between the two, but nobody puts two and two together. Actually, Emile actually feels like he still has a shot with Rocky, even though we haven't seen them so much as say hi to one another during the past two charters.

It was really Connie who stepped up to the plate on this episode, though. Not only did she totally take charge and step up for Dane being gone (who hilariously everyone is happy to have gone), but also she helped find a solution when one of the guests trip was canceled. She dressed up like a shark to entertain them after finding out that they couldn't go swimming with sharks due to low visibility. She's definitely one of the most solid people on the entire crew.

And then there is more Kate and Leon drama. When isn't there, though? The two of them cannot seem to be on the same page, and haven't for almost the entire charter season, but things got way worse this episode. We went through spouts of the two of them telling each other off (such as Leon saying they will never be friends), and Kate running her mouth. Things were really getting heated. They even had a fight over a cardboard box, which is probably the most ridiculous fight on reality TV of all time.

To make matters worth, both of them seem to be trying to divide the crew. Though it may not be intentional, or even obvious to everyone that watched the show, the lines have began to be drawn. Last week we saw Amy side firmly with Kate, and now we see that Leon has both Rocky and Emile on his side. Eddie and Connie have stayed neutral up to this point, with Eddie even warning his two subordinates not to get involved with their squabble. I guess Emile is just as bad a listener as he is a flirt.

Before things boiled over, Captain Lee stepped in to monitor the situation. Things seemed to get a bit better with the captain baby sitting them, seeing as most people act on their best behavior around him, but it didn't solve everything. By the end of the episode the two weren't even talking, and Kate resorted to writing the guests requests down on paper and sliding them over to him like in a diner. And with that, I've had about as much as I can take with these two.

As for the rest of the episode, we did get some positives. I really liked seeing Amy talking to her brother. He was super cute, and I hope that both he and Amy come back next season. I would like to see the working relationship between the two, as I started the show with this third season. I really like Amy, and I was glad that she got some screen time other than being Kate's backup.

She also had a heart to heart with Rocky, who had been neglecting her duties and partying with the charter guests instead of working. Amy really seemed to be wanting to do the right thing, but in the end her nerves got the best of her. The conversation really didn't do anything but leave Rocky upset and in tears. And thus we got our second Rocky breakdown of the season. Anybody betting on a third?

The episode is rounded out with a midnight celebration for the charter guest's birthday, which turns out to be a disaster. Both the popcorn burns as well as the pizza starting a fire in the oven. The episode ends quickly, so I'm sure the next episode will be all about the fallout from that situation. I really hope it's not Kate on the chopping block. She is still my favorite, even if she's been a bit annoying this week.

I really don't know how to feel this week. Things got crazy and so quickly. We have a new relationship, as well as another duo who are at each others' throats. We also have Amy struggling to stay positive in such a nasty environment. We have a "Pretty, Stupid" guy, and a girl who seems to be the only one focused on working. This crew is a bit of a mess, no?

I'm actually looking forward to next week for the first time since I started reviewing this show. I may complain a lot, but this episode had it all, and if it didn't hook you in, I don't know if it ever could. I am finally used to the staff, and I'm ready to see where this crazy ride ends up.