Bri Muller hooked up with Joe Bradley on Below Deck Mediterranean, but did she really break the girl code with Elena Dubaich? The third stew was getting along fairly well with her second stew, but after hooking up with Ellie’s crush onboard, the gloves came off in their relationship. Issues have been present between the stews for the entire season, with Ellie focusing on crew hierarchy and asserting her dominance over Bri. However, they reached an understanding before Bri effectively betrayed Ellie by pursuing Joe.
Aesha Scott sought treatment for a medical emergency in the latest episode, and her leadership was missed when the feud between Ellie and Bri began. While she arrived back just in time for the guests, including The Traitors’ Trishelle Cannatella and primary guest Brittany Bower, the drama between her stews was already well underway. Drama isn’t uncommon onboard the Mustique, but as this feud bubbles to the surface, Aesha may find herself in a mediating role. Is Ellie’s anger warranted on Below Deck Mediterranean season 9?
Ellie And Bri Developed An Understanding On Below Deck Med
Ellie Helped Train Bri As The Third Stew
Bri and Ellie seemed to work together well during the first few days of the charter, with Ellie instructing Bri on how to do things correctly as the third stew and developing a camaraderie as roommates. While Ellie’s exacting and demanding nature could be condescending, Bri seemed fine with learning from her second stew. Unfortunately, their dynamic began to change after becoming close to the deckhands, especially Joe. Both women developed a crush on the charming exterior crew member.
Love triangles in the Below Deck franchise aren’t new. Daisy Kelliher found herself entangled with Colin MacRae and Gary King in Below Deck Sailing Yacht, and Chef Malia White had a love triangle with Adam Glick and Wes Walton in Below Deck Mediterranean season 2. When young, adventurous people work together, drama and romance will ensue. However, the issues between Bri and Ellie are just beginning, with Ellie using her position onboard to control Bri and make her miserable.
Bri And Joe’s Alleged Hookup Explained
They Kissed After A Night Out
After a night out, the crew drunkenly returned to the boat, ready for sleep. Despite a flirty night with Joe, Ellie decided to go to bed. Meanwhile, Bri and Joe hit the hot tub, and the pair began to make out, with Aesha taking her leave. While it was assumed that Bri and Joe hooked up, she chose not to take things too far.
” It’s like breaking girl code over a random f*cking guy. That’s what I’m upset about. ”
In the morning, Bri immediately told Ellie about what happened, wanting to be forthright with her superior. Ellie assumed they had sex, which they didn’t, and felt betrayed by Bri. “You give zero f*cks about me,” Ellie expressed, “It’s like breaking girl code over a random f***ing guy. That’s what I’m upset about.” This assertion seemed unfair, given that Ellie would have gladly pursued something with Joe if she had the chance.
As the next charter unfolded, Ellie continued treating Bri poorly. She asserted her dominance as the second stew and picked on every action Bri took. Bri at her wit’s end, went to Aesha, alerting her to Ellie’s treatment. She also chose to sleep on the floor in Joe’s cabin, adding to the tension between Bri and Ellie. While she repeatedly apologized to her superior, Bri and Ellie seem poised for a full-on feud as the season continues.
Why Ellie Doesn’t Deserve To Be Upset
Bri Didn’t Break Girl Code
While Ellie’s feelings are undoubtedly valid, she doesn’t deserve to tell Bri that she broke the girl code. Joe showed interest in Bri and Ellie; he didn’t have strong feelings towards either. Ellie and Bri also weren’t close friends and merely tolerated each other onboard the Mustique. Bri wasn’t going behind Ellie’s back and stealing her boyfriend or even a casual situationship. They’re both working onboard the same yacht with limited options for romantic interactions. Alcohol was flowing after the charter, which likely impacted Bri’s decision to pursue a romantic connection with Joe.
Ellie is allowed to be upset that another woman made out with Joe, but it’s unfair to say that Bri broke the girl code.
Ellie chose to go to bed and not pursue anything further with Joe, explaining, “I don’t want to do something I’ll regret … He needs to take me out for dinner [and] treat me like a lady.” However, that’s not something Joe would have considered. Joe is onboard the Mustique to work as a deckhand and potentially enjoy a boatmance or two, not find the love of his life. Ellie seems to misunderstand what Joe’s interest in her is.
While Bri and Ellie agreed not to let a boy get between them, Bri doesn’t owe Ellie anything. Her decision to make out with Joe certainly doesn’t give Ellie the right to belittle and mistreat her onboard during their professional tasks. Ellie is hurt, but Bri didn’t break the girl code. She and Ellie were never friends on Below Deck Mediterranean in the first place.
