Below Deck season 12’s bold new editing techniques have disastrously backfired, potentially ruining the viewing experience of the once-untouchable yachting drama. After over a decade on the air, Below Deck’s production style appeared to take inspiration from Below Deck Down Under season 3, which employed several experimental methods to orient viewers. But the franchise’s flagship series took things to a new level, returning in nearly unrecognizable form and renewing concerns that overproduction is moving the show in a troubling direction.
Season 12 sees Captain Kerry Titheradge return to the St. David for his second year alongside veterans Fraser Olender and Kyle Stillie. Just moments into the first episode, Below Deck tradition was broken when an overwhelmed Chef Lawrence Snowden directly addressed the cameras, asking producers to cease filming. Lawrence continued to break the fourth wall as he spiraled and eventually quit before the first charter was over. His outburst paved the way for the arrival of a beloved chef from the show’s recent past, and it also laid bare just how drastic this season’s production changes will be.
Below Deck Season 12 Feels Disorienting
Excessive Fast Cuts Result In A Choppy Feel
Below Deck season 12 has an entirely different feel from previous seasons with a stream-of-consciousness production style that mimics the chaotic feel of social media. While the new editing techniques initially felt flashy and fun, they turned out to be more distracting than anything else. The quick cuts and random close-up shots quickly became disorienting as they pulled viewers away from the actual events taking place.
Like Below Deck Down Under, Below Deck season 12 is leaning into the use of out-of-order footage.
In the second episode, the final scene jumped ahead sixteen days to tease the impending conflict between Fraser and Chef Anthony Iracane.
This production technique is useful for creating suspense, but it creates a very disjointed feel. The inclusion of potential spoilers is also a risky choice that can backfire if overused.
Below Deck also made bold choices regarding season 12’s music. Several scenes included background music with audible lyrics, which made it hard to hear the dialogue. In combination with the new filming techniques, the audio shift added to the overwhelming feel of the season’s first episodes.
The end result leaves the highly anticipated season feeling nearly unwatchable. Following the season 12 premiere, viewers took to Reddit to voice their frustration, with many complaining that the show’s flow is unbearably choppy. u/kittyspice98 complained that “it’s starting to feel less like we’re watching the charter unfold naturally and more like we’re just getting a highlight reel out of order.” Many fans lamented Below Deck’s resemblance to TikTok, with Reddit user u/onthefloatingprison comparing it to “a TikTok musical theater dream.”
Below Deck Season 12’s First Episodes Disproportionately Focused On Fraser
Are Producers Chasing Drama?
Fraser’s role as Chief Stew makes him one of the most important crew members on the St. David, and season 12’s early episodes have placed Fraser front and center. Fraser is now in his fourth season of Below Deck, giving him unmatched experience and seniority. Moreover, his direct approach and sharp tongue make him a controversial figure who gets his job done but also stirs up plenty of drama.
The season opened with the crew gathering for drinks onshore, a meeting that appeared to be led by Fraser. As they arrived on board, Fraser showed the new crew members around the boat and helped get them acclimated. Later, when Chef Lawrence was unable to handle his duties, Fraser approached Captain Kerry with the suggestion to hire season 11’s Chef Anthony. This gave the impression Fraser was directly responsible for Anthony’s hiring, which will likely stir up more drama due to Fraser and Anthony’s troubled history.
While it makes sense that Fraser has a prominent role in Below Deck season 12, the attention given to him feels disproportionate. It doesn’t feel like viewers are getting a true feel for the dynamics of the crew but rather an experience filtered through Fraser’s perspective. The focus on Fraser feels like a production tactic to lean into potential drama. Although this makes for enjoyable viewing, it continues to harm the authenticity of Below Deck season 12.
Below Deck’s New Editing Techniques Are Distracting
The Show Is Losing Its Organic Feel
Below Deck was unique in its depiction of the yachting world, which is completely foreign to the average viewer. Most of the population could never afford the exorbitant costs of chartering a yacht, and being a yachtie is an incredibly niche profession. Part of the allure of Below Deck was how it allowed its audience to become seamlessly immersed in this distant world.
Below Deck season 12’s new editing techniques run the risk of removing viewers from the setting. The more direct production style of earlier seasons was successful at minimizing the barriers to the viewer’s immersive experience. Season 12’s flashy editing style has the unwanted effect of pulling viewers out of the natural flow of the yacht and constantly reminding them that they’re merely watching a reality TV show.
Is Below Deck Becoming Overproduced?
The New Techniques Will Take Some Getting Used To
Below Deck has often fielded accusations of producer interference when it comes to drama and casting. However, those closest to the show have insisted that the drama is entirely self-made, resulting from the high-pressure environment on the yacht. Close quarters and unpredictable conditions create the perfect storm for conflict, which is what made Below Deck so entertaining.
The new editing techniques, though, raise new concerns about overproduction. The way the footage is manipulated in post-production inherently changes how it’s received by viewers, and season 12 may have pushed the limits too far. With so many unnecessary elements added, it’s becoming impossible to portray the yachties’ experiences authentically.
At the same time, Below Deck has been on the air for 12 years, and its numerous spinoffs have created an endless supply of episodes that make providing fresh content increasingly challenging. It makes sense that production needs to change things up to keep it interesting. I’m convinced that while the new production techniques seem jarring at first, viewers will soon get used to them. The franchise was right to make a leap of faith, and despite the initial pushback, it will benefit the series in the long run.
Source: u/kittyspice98/Reddit, u/onthefloatingprison/Reddit