Captain Jason Chambers got a villain editearly on inBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, but it’s become obvious it’s because of producer interference. The Australian Captain has been a fan-favorite in the past, playing off of his often-flirty relationship with formerChief Stew Aesha Scottand providing an entertaining yet solid leadership style. However,Below Deck Down Underseason 3has given Captain Jason a run for his money due to dramatic cast situations.
Early on, Captain Jason was forced tofire Sous Chef Anthony Birdwhen he chose to leave the yacht due to Chef Tzarina Mace-Ralph’s leadership. However, it didn’t end there. Bosun Wihan Du Toit seems more focused on his romantic escapades than leading the deck team, leading to an emotional confrontation with Deckhand Harry Van Vilet and Johnny Arvanitis. Here’s why Captain Jason got a villain edit early on.
6Captain Jason Is Micromanging More
He Irritated Marina With The Suitcases
Captain Jason hasn’t exactly been known for micromanaging, but production chose to highlight some behavior that suggests he may have changed his tune. A simple luggage task with Stew Marina Marcondes de Barros quickly turned into a power struggle. While Marina wanted to label the bags before taking them to the rooms to avoid confusion, Jason insisted on bringing them directly to the cabins.
“I don’t micromanage anyone, but, if you can’t manage yourself, that’s where I gotta step in. Don’t talk to me like that again.”
Marina confronted Captain Jason, saying, “What? You get cranky and you start micromanaging everybody?” Captain Jason immediately pushed back, saying, “I don’t micromanage anyone, but, if you can’t manage yourself, that’s where I gotta step in. Don’t talk to me like that again.“Marina’s commentary was totally out of line for a low-level stew, but at the same time, Captain Jason’s suggestions didn’t help and got in the way of Marina doing her job.
5Captain Jason’s Lounging In A Robe Backfired
It Undermined His Professionalism
InBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, episode 6, Captain Jason provided a creative solution to the lack of nightlife in the Seychelles. With smooth jazz playing and mood lighting setting the tone, Captain Jason made a theatrical entrance in a short, black-and-gold silk kimono that instantly caught the guests’ attention. It was all super over-the-top, but it felt a little unprofessional from the Captain.
20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now
Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.
Guests were treated to an impromptu show, including a striptease from Wihan, all in good fun. While it was an attempt to boost morale and elevate the charter experience, Jason’s lounging-in-a-robe aesthetic was probably better saved for the crew members. It’s a little too cringey and casual for someone meant to command authority to be at risk of exposing himself to guests. Producers likelyframed it as try-hard behavior even thoughCaptain Jason was trying to be fun.
4Captain Jason’s Dynamic With Aesha Made Him Likable
He’s Less Relatable Without Their Camaraderie
Before producers gave him a villain edit onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, and a huge part of that had to do with his natural camaraderie with Aesha. They had a big brother-little sister dynamic that made the show super engaging. While many captains in theBelow Deckfranchise take a more hands-off approach, Captain Jason was refreshingly different. Whether he was helping Aesha do dishes, taking out the trash, or even letting her put in his contact lenses, Jason showed he wasn’t above getting his hands dirty.
Captain Jason is still figuring out the vibe without Aesha.
Unfortunately, Captain Jason doesn’t have that relationship with Chief Stew Lara Rigby, and it ultimately has made him less relatable. It’s possible they’ll have a closer bond over time, but they just don’t know each other that well yet. Lara is also a lot more serious and no-nonsense than her Kiwi counterpart. This opened the door for producers to frame Captain Jason as a less likable figure.
3Captain Jason Is Getting Involved With The Crew Drama
He Used To Be Above Such Pettiness
Captain Jason is no longer sitting on the sidelines when it comes to the mounting crew drama onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, but it ends up making him look like a villain. Known for his laid-back leadership,Captain Jason has clearly had enough of the nonstop tension between Lara and Wihan. The two have clashed repeatedly over who’s in charge and how things should run, forcing Captain Jason to step in before things spiral out of control. In a recent episode, Captain Jason didn’t hold back, warning that he was ready to fire one of them.
Captain Jason is still one of the more “hands-off” leaders in theBelow Deckfranchise.
Captain Jason’s shift this season helped add to his villain edit, but it seems unwarranted. He was visibly annoyed with the fallout from the foam party drama, forcing Lara, Chef Tzarina, and Wihan to work it out on their own. Captain Jason traded in his laid-back nature for a more cutthroat leadership, and it’s throwing everyone for a loop.
2Captain Jason Is More Outspoken This Season
He’s Providing His Opinion More Freely
Captain Jason has taken a noticeably firmer stance in the newest season ofBelow Deck Down Under, and while his intentions are to keep the crew safe, it has sparked an unearned villain edit. FollowingBelow Deck Down Underseason 2’s shocking incidents with former Bosun Luke Jones and Laura Bileskalne, Captain Jason made it clear that things would be different moving forward.
Luke Jones engaged in serious misconduct and attempted assault, likely leading to Captain Jason’s desire to run a tighter ship.
This season, he’s laid down stricter rules, especially around alcohol consumption and maintaining professional boundaries to prevent similar situations from spiraling out of control. However, producer edits suggest he’s veering into authoritarian territory. Quick firings and stern lectures may have been necessary from his point of view, but it sort of painted him as the bad guy. With Bravo known for leaning into dramatic edits for the sake of ratings, it’s not surprising thatCaptain Jason’s increased assertiveness is being framed negatively.
1Producers Made Viewers Believe Jason Was The Villain When It’s Actually Wihan
Producers seemed to want to allude to Captain Jason’s villainy onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3, butthe real bad guy is actually Wihan. The edit leans heavily into Captain Jason’s newly strict leadership style, emphasizing his no-nonsense approach and tough calls, especially early in the season. However, the real issue lies with Wihan, whose behavior and leadership style are way worse.
Lara has said working with Wihan is frustrating, calling out his defensiveness and inability to take feedback seriously. Wihan has also pursued three female crew members, including Deck/Stew Adair Werley, who received a love letter from Wihan. While Captain Jason may come off as intense, his actions are rooted in professionalism, unlike Wihan, whose conduct clashes with any semblance of professionalism. The edit may have tried to sell a Captain Jason villain arc, but Wihan’s behavior tells a different story entirely. He’s the villain onBelow Deck Down Underseason 3.
Below Deck Down Underairs on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo and streams the next day on Peacock.
