Below Deck Season 12 Episode 8 recap: Trouble brews between hookups and head chefs

In Below Deck Season 12 Episode 8, "Bad Romance," the superyacht crew swaps charter duties for romance—and chaos. The episode kicks off with a peaceful break, but when the stews and deckhands trade chores for romantic drama, it quickly turns into a soap opera-style showdown. As she juggles several flirtations with Jess, Kyle, and Damo, Solène becomes the focal point of controversy, turning a boat trip into a reality TV love triangle with exaggerated drama.

Fraser and Anthony, the head cooks, argue about loyalty and leadership in the meantime. Following Fraser's apology for previous transgressions, Anthony challenges him on restaurant-style standards aboard the yacht. This heated argument uncovers long-standing professional tension. In addition to Rainbeau feeling neglected with indoor tasks, Episode 8 turns into a furnace of strain both personally and professionally.

The deck and galley each face their own challenge due to the worsening state of many relationships: can they survive when timing and trust fail?

What happened in Below Deck Season 12 Episode 8?

Yacht drama reaches new heights in Below Deck Season 12 Episode 8. Along with disrupting schedules, romantic interactions among crew members—especially stewards and deckhands—also threaten to undermine friendships and personal relationships.

Meanwhile, the galley faces its own issues as Fraser's handling of mistakes conflicts with Anthony's expectations. Under the luxurious sun, the situation becomes a pressure cooker where both emotional well-being and culinary standards are tested.

Solène’s spiraling love connections

This episode, Solène takes center stage. She navigates several budding romances with ease, despite insiders accusing her of playing the field.

"It’s like Survivor meets Love Island,” one castmate observes, highlighting how Solène treats love and alliances as interchangeable strategies.

She masks her behavior with self-love, but crew members see manipulation in everything from strategic kisses with Kyle and Damo to hot pool sparks with Jess. Solène's bold involvement is intensified by Jess and Barbara's desire to stay away from concerned onlookers. Damo, however, openly warns against her actions, saying that she "wants her hands in everything." With each new relationship, her cabinmates wonder if love is just a cover for ambition. Her power plays aren't subtle.

Head chefs clash over leadership and respect

On the other side of the cruise, Anthony and Fraser argue separately in the kitchen, revealing issues that go beyond romantic relationships. Using the villa vacation as a chance to express deeper dissatisfaction, Anthony snaps at Fraser for doing his job poorly.

"I’m not happy with you,” Anthony says during a tense post-charter moment, expressing lingering resentment toward Fraser’s past errors.

Fraser's loving answer, "That's your problem," reveals a deeper divide driven by perceived leadership failures. Their emotional exchange highlights issues of challenged authority and broken trust, going beyond typical kitchen disputes. The result leaves neither chef fully satisfied but sets the stage for ongoing tension that could shape crew unity.

The drama in Below Deck Episode 8 escalates rather than just appears: While Anthony and Fraser's argument in the kitchen threatens the stability of the workplace, Solène's romantic relationships threaten teamwork. Below Deck reminds us that controlling emotions can be harder than controlling a yacht when loyalties weaken and expectations fall apart.

Trending

Fans can binge Below Deck Season 12 on Bravo.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback