If you've been scrolling through Bravo threads lately, you know the vibe is... tense. Usually, by now, we’d be deep into the mid-season rhythm of anchors dragging and white-pants parties. But Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 5 hasn't had a normal rollout. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a mess behind the scenes, and I’m not just talking about the typical engine room failures or the way the Parsifal III occasionally decides to lean 45 degrees while the soup is being served.
People are confused. Why did it take so long? Who’s actually on the boat? And why is the energy so different? Basically, the show hit a massive roadblock that had nothing to do with the wind and everything to do with off-camera drama.
The Gary King Elephant in the Room
Let's get real. The primary reason the internet has been on fire regarding this season is Gary King.
For years, Gary was the "lovable" rogue—the guy who couldn't keep his shirt on and somehow ended up in a different bunk every week. But things changed drastically when sexual misconduct allegations came to light. A former makeup artist, Samantha Suarez, alleged that Gary was inappropriate with her during the filming of Season 4.
This created a massive headache for Bravo.
Why? Because Season 5 had already been filmed when these allegations went public.
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Bravo found themselves in a "lose-lose" situation. If they aired it as planned, they’d be accused of platforming someone with serious allegations hanging over their head. If they scrapped it, they’d lose millions in production costs and screw over the rest of the crew who worked their tails off.
Ultimately, they chose to move forward, but you’ve probably noticed the editing feels... off. There were rumors they tried to "edit him out" as much as possible, similar to what happened with Pete Hunziker on Below Deck Med years ago. But Gary is the First Officer. He’s in almost every shot. You can’t just erase the guy in charge of the deck without the whole narrative falling apart.
Where in the World is the Parsifal III?
This season, the crew is navigating the waters around Ibiza, Spain.
It’s a gorgeous backdrop, but Ibiza brings a specific type of chaos. We’re talking about "party-until-dawn" charter guests who expect the crew to be just as high-energy as the clubs at 4:00 AM.
Captain Glenn Shephard is back, of course. He’s still the most chill captain in the franchise, usually seen eating a giant sandwich or reading on his iPad while the world burns around him. But even Glenn has his limits. This season, the "two-drink maximum" rule for the crew becomes a major sticking point.
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The Crew List (The Good, The Bad, and The New)
- Daisy Kelliher (Chief Stew): She’s back and, frankly, she looks exhausted. After the whole love triangle disaster with Colin and Gary last year, Daisy is trying to reclaim her "boss" status. She’s focused, but her stews—Diana Cruz and Danni Warren—don't exactly make it easy for her.
- Cloyce Martin (Chef): Every season needs a polarizing chef. Cloyce is young, talented, and maybe a little too confident? The trailer literally shows Daisy worrying if he can handle the pressure.
- The Deck Crew: Along with Gary, we have Keith Allen and Emma Crouch. Keith ends up being a major distraction for Daisy, which is a nice change from the Gary/Colin drama, but it definitely ruffles some feathers on deck.
- Davide Morosi (Chief Engineer): With Colin MacRae officially out of the picture (more on that in a second), Davide has some big shoes to fill.
The Colin-Sized Hole in Our Hearts
We have to talk about the fact that Colin MacRae is not here.
It’s weird. It’s like watching Friends without Chandler.
Colin was the voice of reason. He was the guy who could fix a generator while simultaneously giving the best "can you believe this?" look to the camera. After the fallout of the Season 4 reunion—where we learned that things between him and Daisy went south fast—he decided to stick to his own catamaran and skip this season.
Honestly? Good for him. The drama was getting toxic. But for the viewers, the absence of the "Three Amigos" (Glenn, Gary, and Daisy) dynamic makes the show feel fundamentally different. It’s less about a family working together and more about a group of strangers trying not to drown in Ibiza.
What You Should Actually Expect
If you’re watching this season, don't expect the lighthearted fun of Season 2 or 3.
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It feels heavier.
The tension between Gary and Daisy is palpable, and it’s not the "cute" kind. It’s the "we actually don't like each other anymore" kind. There are broken dishes, literal blood, and a fire that keeps everyone on edge.
Pro Tip for Viewers: Keep an eye on the editing transitions. You can tell where the production team had to cut around certain interactions to minimize Gary's "hero" moments. It makes for some jumpy storytelling, but it’s the only way Bravo could get this season on the air without a total PR collapse.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the "After Show": If you want the real tea that didn't make the edit, the digital after-shows on YouTube and Peacock are where the crew actually vents about what we didn't see.
- Follow the Newbies: Emma and Keith are much more active on social media than the seasoned pros right now. Their behind-the-scenes stories give a lot of context to the "Ibiza lifestyle" that the show sometimes glosses over.
- Check the Charter Dates: Fans have been tracking the Parsifal III's movements via AIS (Automatic Identification System). This season was filmed in the summer of 2023, so when you see the crew reacting to "recent" events, remember there's a significant time lag.
The reality is that Below Deck Sailing Yacht is at a crossroads. Whether the franchise can survive without its original core dynamic—and with the shadow of these allegations—is still up in the air. For now, we're just along for the ride, even if the waters are a lot choppier than we’re used to.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the mid-season trailer drops; they usually hint at whether a "mid-season replacement" is coming, which often happens when the deck crew dynamic becomes untenable. Additionally, checking the official Bravo casting pages can give you a clue if they're already looking for a new "lead" personality for a potential Season 6. Article ends here.