Captain Jason Chambers just sent Johnny Arvanitis packing. Johnny was a dedicated deckhand on Below Deck Down Under Season 3. But his temper flared one night, causing his exit from filming shortly after.
Despite this one night gone wrong, Johnny excelled in his position. He respected boundaries, listened to authority, and owned his wrongdoings as needed. Johnny also experienced a sweet boatmance with Alesia Harris, making his scenes light but fun for 11 episodes on BDDU. Now that Johnny is gone, we already miss his presence in this series, as does Alesia, who remained glued to her phone after he departed.
In my opinion, Johnny deserves another season of BDDU. He understands that he messed up. But, if given another go, I strongly feel like Johnny would present in a gentler light. So, what say you, Bravo?
Why Johnny Arvanitis was fired from Below Deck Down Under
Johnny worked underneath Wihan du Toit. Most of his fellow crew members struggled with Wihan, but Johnny consistently gave his bosun the benefit of the doubt. However, Johnny often clocked Wihan, suggesting that his boss tone down his flirtations with multiple women on board. Wihan brushed Johnny off, but one night, Alesia drunkenly crawled into Wihan’s arms, thinking he was Johnny. When Johnny saw this, he flipped and had it out with Wihan.
Once Alesia exited their cabin, feeling awful for her misstep, Wihan acted innocent, asking Johnny to talk to him. But Johnny snapped back at his bosun, locking their door before yelling, “DON’T F*CKING TALK TO ME,” while punching his overhead cabinets. The girls huddled in fear in their cabin next door as Captain Jason emerged, eager to shut this heated fight down. Ever a wise boss, he sent Johnny to a hotel for the night, and when he returned in Episode 11, Captain Jason fired Johnny.
Johnny took his firing like a champ. He understood why he had to go. If given this scenario again, he would react differently, he stressed. Johnny then apologized to Captain Jason for having to see this ugly side of him, further making me believe that Johnny would present as accountable and slower to anger via another season on Bravo.
Johnny Arvanitis should be allowed a Below Deck comeback to show his growth
Firings are nothing new in the Below Deck franchise. We see at least one early exit in almost every season. Most of these firings bring a sense of relief, as the yachties within were either toxic or lazy. But in rarer times, other firings have been sad, as these early exits felt unjustified.
Johnny falls into the latter category. That said, there was a justifiable reason for his firing. These hired hands work in small, shared spaces. Once signs of aggression form, these walls cave in all the more, making other crew members uncomfortable and fearful that a second over-the-top response might be brewing.
However, one terrible night does not paint a complete picture of who Johnny is. Wihan consistently, although seemingly unknowingly, stirred the pot this entire season. Through it all, Johnny remained calm, often encouraging Wihan to take on this same tactic. Then, as I stood and screamed at Wihan from my couch, I began wondering how heated those in his orbit must have felt.
I got my answer shortly after when Johnny, the last human on board to lose his sh*t on Wihan, finally activated. His heated response is a far cry from his norm. But, as he stressed with Captain Jason, Johnny owns his behaviors and feels sorry for his outburst. If given a redemption season on BDDU, I firmly believe that Johnny would take that gift horse and run, peacefully quelling every wave that arose on deck.
Below Deck Down Under is missing some sparkle without Johnny Arvanitis
Johnny is a self-described Greek God. His muscles ripped, yes. But his wit and laid-back demeanor were the aspects most of us enjoyed. And now that he is gone, BDDU Season 3 feels a little less sparkly.
The guests also saw a spark in Johnny. After Wihan failed to drain a jetski that, not shockingly, then capsized, Johnny jumped into the water, holding their frightened guest tightly to help her keep calm while awaiting rescue. Later, Captain Jason gave Johnny the disco ball helmet. Johnny accepted it with a grin, even though he was the hero, not the zero, of this episode.
Additionally, Johnny is funny and supportive as hell. In helping a guest off their ski, he quietly quipped, “One small step for you, one giant leap for mankind.” Likewise, when Tzarina Mace-Ralph grew frustrated in the galley, Johnny was there, ready with a back rub and a calming note of support in her ear. Similarly, when Alesia placed boundaries on the lovesick Johnny, Johnny listened and changed his behavior, remaining respectful to his crush.
Johnny was many things for many people this season. But sadly, his spark is gone, leaving big boat shoes to fill on deck. Even still, Johnny needed this wake-up call. Soon, I hope Johnny gets the chance to redeem himself on Below Deck using only his words, which, nine times out of ten, were lovely this season on BDDU.
Below Deck Down Under is streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE JOHNNY BACK ON BELOW DECK DOWN UNDER? DO YOU THINK HE DESERVES A REDEMPTION SEASON?
