Another week has come and gone, making it time for our Below Deck Down Under Season 3 Episode 12 recap. “Across Frenemy Lines” brings us back to the super yacht Katina, where, starting last week, two new men are turning the tide for the exterior team. In contrast, relations between the interior team and the galley are sinking. Lara has clear visions for how things must run, so last-minute change-ups and requests are not her bag, even though this narrative is starting to frustrate Marina, Tzarina, and Captain Jason. Here is a breakdown of everything that transpired on Below Deck Down Under Season 3, Episode 12.
What happened in Below Deck Down Under Season 3 Episode 12?
Nicolas has already messed up royally, drinking with the guests during his first charter. But, unlike those who came before, Nicolas owns his mistakes. Now, Captain Jason has appreciative eyes trained on his newest deckhand, who remains safe (for now). Meanwhile, trouble is also brewing in the galley. Frustrations, pride, and misunderstood narratives are mounting, resulting in a conflict-filled episode of BDDU.
Captain Jason wants Marina in service, but Lara remains unsure
The crew awakens for another day, but Alesia remains tired. Tzarina notices.
Internally, Nicolas is struggling. He knows he messed up and that ignoring his actions might fly, yet Nicolas is not that kind of guy. As soon as he can, Nicolas plans on reporting his drunken shot to the captain.
The guests planned an excursion to a rum tasting and distillery tour, followed by a picnic lunch. A storm blows in, but this will not cancel their plans. In contrast, Captain Jason has a new plan to throw at Lara, asking her to place Marina on service during this outing. But Lara disagrees, telling her boss that Marina cannot “do service on her own.”
The camera pans to show Marina excelling solo with the guests as they eat breakfast on the sundeck. Back in the galley, Lara tells Captain Jason that Marina has never done service alone, so he asks her to give Marina a chance. In his interview, he notes that Lara needs to step outside her comfort zone.
The guests and first round of crew members (including Marina) depart, escorted away by a covered tender to help avoid the storm.
Lara and Tzarina butt heads as Nicolas comes clean with Captain Jason
Lara heads to the galley, telling Tzarina to attend the picnic lunch. Tzarina, however, notes that the dishes for this excursion only need to be unwrapped and served, so the crew members in attendance do not need her nearby. Even still, Lara is adamant that Tzarina must attend. Tzarina relents and accepts, noting that she must be back on board early to prep dinner.
Lara suggests Alesia also attend to “help build” her confidence. Heading up to the sundeck, Lara next encounters Harry. She tells Harry that something is off with Tzarina.
Nicolas practices his shots-related speech using a Pirates of the Caribbean reference. He then explains that he got into yachting courtesy of his father, a professional windsurfer and kitesurfer who now works as a captain in the Mediterranean. His equally attractive father hates rules, but as he admits, Nicolas moves oppositely. Proving this point, Nicolas heads to the wheelhouse to turn himself in.
On the excursion, Marina busts her tail to wow their charter guests. Tzarina and Alesia arrive. As Marina serves rum, Tzarina uncovers her dishes and runs. As she explains, the boat is over an hour away, so Tzarina must head back now to ensure everything runs smoothly later.
After Tzarina bolts, Adair asks Alesia if she is okay. In response, Alesia states that she can uncover dishes. This response is what Tzarina tried to state to Lara earlier. But Alesia remains bothered, and Tzarina seems to be the one she feels annoyed by.
In the wheelhouse, Nicolas tells on himself. Thankfully, Captain Jason repays his honesty with grace. His job is safe.
Tzarina returns to the yacht following the excursion, frustrated with Lara
Back onboard, Tzarina tells Lara that this excursion was the “biggest waste” of her time. Lara asks if Tzarina went before the “food got taken out?” Confused, Tzarina answers yes. In her interview, Lara quips, “I wish Tzarina had been more passionate about serving the guests lunch than serving me this sh*tty attitude.”
The guests return. They loved their expedition. Alesia heads to the galley, where Tzarina is extra quiet. Alesia wants to help, yet the only reply she gets from Tzarina is a nod and a saying that all is well.
Nicolas tells everyone what he did and how the captain reacted. This crew likes Nicolas, so everyone feels thankful he kept his gig.
Lara enters, praising Alesia for her service during the excursion. Alesia was glad to go, yet she knew a lot needed to happen back on the yacht. Lara waves her concerns away. In her talking head, Tzarina states that Lara seems to be “grooming” Alesia to turn against her in the galley.
Several beats later, Harry asks Tzarina if she and Lara are getting along. Tzarina answers that she thinks all is well, but when she asks Harry why he questioned her about this friendship, Harry fibs, telling her no one brought this to his ear.
As the guests head to the dinner table, Alesia attempts small talk with Tzarina. Tzarina answers her questions kindly, but her words are few. Alesia somewhat snaps, telling Tzarina she cannot go an entire night like this “because it’s depressing.” Tzarina looks confused but tells Alesia that she is exhausted, nothing more or less.
Nicolas has his eyes on Marina while Harry keeps his ears attuned to the drama
In the crew galley, Marina encounters Nicolas. Nicolas finds Marina “adorable,” he admits, joking in his talking head that he never approached women while growing up. Laughing, Nicolas gives God thanks for feminism because bold women helped him out with his game.
The crew lines up to grab plates from Tzarina. Tzarina goes over what the guests are about to eat so they can parrot these words back to their guests. However, her explanation is wordy, causing Lara to roll her eyes.
Alesia retreats to her cabin for a moment of silence. Shortly after, thanks to editing, the guests also head to their rooms for bed.
Alesia heads to the galley in the morning. Tzarina gives her a task, which Alesia seeks clarification on. Alesia explains that she has “no idea” what is happening in Tzarina’s head, yet she feels like she is walking on eggshells at work now. Tzarina listens, stating she will tell Alesia more moving forward.
Lurking in the next room, hearing everything, Harry smiles, amused at their low-stakes drama. On deck, Nate teaches Adair as a capable bosun should. Speaking of capable, Tzarina is in the galley, licking water from her tumbler like a competent cat. I, too, wish to lurk inside her brain.
The guests depart. They loved their charter.
Marina finds Nicolas cute, but Adair reveals a secret that gives Marina pause
While turning the boat over, Marina tells Adair that she finds Nicolas cute. But this deck/stew has a secret. Nic has already started to “party with a guest,” Adair reveals. Shocked and disappointed, Marina listens as Adair continues, telling Marina that Nicolas already confessed everything to the captain.
Once Adair gets to the part of his actual sins, AKA drinking a shot with this guest in question, Marina looks relieved. Words matter, all. In her interview, Marina labels Nic a nerd, admitting she loves his honesty.
The crew, however, does not love their 15k tip. But Nicolas treasures the disco ball helmet, which Captain Jason hands him following his authentic showings. In their talking heads, the crew also applauds Nic while joking about how he presents. Nicolas is new, but he is already a winner on BDDU.
Similarly, Harry is winning on deck. Nate makes Harry the lead deckhand.
Tzarina walks in on a heated conversation while Marina and Nicolas bring the heat to the dance floor
Bri pulls Alesia into her cabin. Once there, Lara asks Alesia how work is going. Alesia says that communication is lacking. Tzarina enters, catching their gossip session red-handed. She reflects in her confessional, slamming Lara for her “b*tchy schoolgirl attitude.”
Tzarina exits. Lara tells Alesia that a good leader cares about others. Interjecting, Alesia concedes that Tzarina does care for her.
Bri climbs into bed with Harry. A few floors above, Alesia and Nate chat in the hot tub. Nate leaves, giggling with Nicolas in their cabin about how big a fan he is of Alesia.
The crew heads out. Nicolas sits by Marina, admiring how her feet swing instead of reaching the floor. Also sitting side-by-side are Alesia and Nate, but Alesia misses Johnny, she divulges. When Alesia gets up for a smoke, Tzarina follows.
Alesia finally tells Tzarina how bothered she is. Hearing her, Tzarina explains her stressors before apologizing to Alesia. For now, the galley team is okay. Also okay are Marina and Nicolas, kissing on the dance floor as their fellow yachties cheer.
Lara approaches Alesia, asking her how her talk with Tzarina went. Alesia answers, telling her all is fine, but, as Tzarina clocked, tensions are typically high in this industry for chefs. Lara shuts this narrative down, telling Alesia, “It doesn’t have to be like that.”
Lara finds Tzarina next. Tzarina states that she has to say yes to Lara to make her back down, like with the plates issue. As Lara repeats that she was right about that, Tzarina announces that she feels “done.”
Below Deck Down Under continues Mondays at 8/7c on Bravo and streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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This story originally appeared on Realitytea
