'Below Deck Down Under' producers go from sexual-assault-stopping saints to porn-star purveyors in one week
From concerns of sexual assault to an all-out assault of sex, there was a sudden sea change on the reality show.
What a difference a week makes.
It was just days ago that the internet was buzzing with shock and consternation over an alleged sexual misconduct situation on the Bravo reality show Below Deck: Down Under, which follows the crew of a luxury yacht and the clients they cater to in episodes that are awash in drunkenness, nudity and hook-ups aplenty.
In the episode in question, naked bosun Luke Jones was seen on camera entering the cabin of intoxicated steward Margot Sisson apparently without her consent and camera crews intervened. The moment was hailed by many for averting a potential sexual assault. Simultaneously, inebriated third steward Laura Bileskalne was seen persistently coming on to deckhand Adam Kodra in a hot tub and then in his berth. He was not interested in her advances and said as much. In both instances, the ship’s captain was made aware of the situations and eventually both crew members were terminated and forced to leave the show.
Some viewers and sexual-assault experts hailed the producers for their sensitivity, boundary setting and zero tolerance. But that was last week.
In a puzzling example of programming choices, this week’s back-to-back episodes, entitled "Great Sexpectations" and "Angel Nude Cake" were back to monkey business as usual.
The yacht guests in these episodes were a “sex journalist" and a gaggle of adult film stars who cavorted naked and made endless sexual innuendoes to the crew and each other. There was topless chicken fighting and bare-breast-grabbing onshore, references to all-night orgies, food service that involved sexually suggestive items and a final-night grand finale dessert service that involved one of the guests reclining naked on the dining table becoming a living, breathing chocolate-and-syrup slathered platter that fellow passengers supped on.
Some of the crew seemed to enjoy the bacchanal, while others were clearly uncomfortable.
But this time, the internet barely noticed.
Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline is here for survivors 24/7 with free, anonymous help. 800.656.HOPE (4673) and online.rainn.org.
