Below Deck Mediterranean: The Unraveling of a Friendship

In the emotional roller coaster that is Below Deck Mediterranean, the penultimate episode of the season has finally revealed the breaking point in Joe Bradley and Nathan Gallagher’s once-solid friendship. What began as camaraderie between two yachting professionals has deteriorated into a dramatic confrontation that leaves viewers wondering if their bond can ever be repaired. The tension, which has been simmering beneath the surface throughout the season, finally boiled over during Monday’s episode when Nathan called out Joe for his behavior toward Kizzi Kitchener, particularly given the presence of Victoria SanJuan, Joe’s former flame. When Joe admitted he planned to kiss Kizzi again and was in a mindset where he would “make bad decisions,” Nathan felt compelled to intervene, telling him plainly, “You need to chill out with the flirting with Kizzi. It’s so disrespectful.” This moment highlighted the growing divide between their values and approaches to relationships.

Nathan’s frustration runs deeper than just this single incident, as he revealed in a heartfelt confessional. “I have grown since last season and I can see the distance it has created,” he shared, suggesting his own personal evolution has made him increasingly uncomfortable with Joe’s behavior patterns. “To see him down the same s time and time again shows me that he has no consideration for anyone apart from himself. I just think it might be time to move on from that kind of friendship.” These poignant words signal a profound shift in how Nathan views their relationship, suggesting that what once seemed like harmless fun now appears to him as thoughtless and selfish behavior. The preview for the season finale ratchets up the tension even further, showing Joe and Kizzi kissing in front of Victoria, followed by an explosive confrontation where Nathan, after comforting a distressed Victoria, appears to threaten Joe with physical violence, saying, “Don’t act the big man or I am going to smack the s out of you. Do you want to go right now? I’m this close with you. I’m this close.”

The deterioration of their friendship seems to have continued well beyond filming. In an exclusive November 2025 interview with Us Weekly, Joe revealed that he has “yet” to meet Nathan and Gael Cameron’s baby, born in June 2025, despite making efforts to reach out. “Don’t get me wrong, I did try to send a few messages to Nathan,” Joe explained, attempting to downplay any suggestion of a serious rift. He chalked up the lack of communication to Nathan’s new responsibilities: “He’s a dad and he could be on a boat somewhere — I’m not too sure. We’re just not really socially inclined [and] we don’t really speak but for what I’ve seen, what a gorgeous little baby that is.” His careful wording suggests an attempt to maintain public cordiality while acknowledging the reality of their estrangement, a stark contrast to their once-close bond that viewers witnessed during season 10 when they first worked together and became fast friends.

The dynamics of working under Nathan’s leadership this season presented a new challenge for Joe, who had to navigate the shift from friend to subordinate. “Having Nathan as my boss was nice to see because you can see a person grow,” Joe reflected in his interview, before adding a telling caveat: “But don’t get me wrong, you do see a very different side of Nathan this season.” He hinted at organizational issues that created tension, saying, “If you’re a bit more organized, things will work out better,” while also emphasizing his respect for Nathan’s position regardless of their personal relationship. “He’s the boss so I am going to respect his position,” Joe stated, suggesting that he tried to approach their working relationship professionally despite any personal tensions that may have been brewing beneath the surface.

Joe seemed particularly mindful of the delicate balance required when joining the yacht Bravado, where Nathan held a position of authority. “I want to be there. I want to be there for a dear friend and respect a professional position regardless of who it is,” he explained, suggesting his intentions were initially to support his friend’s career advancement. “So was I nervous? Not one single bit. I just want to be there for someone. That’s my take on it.” This perspective paints a picture of someone who entered the season hoping to maintain a friendship while respecting professional boundaries, though the reality appears to have been much more complicated as personal choices and different values ultimately drove a wedge between them.

As Below Deck Mediterranean approaches its season finale, which airs on Bravo Mondays at 8 p.m. ET with new episodes streaming the next day on Peacock, viewers are left to wonder whether this confrontation marks the definitive end of Joe and Nathan’s friendship or if reconciliation might still be possible. The show has documented not just the glamorous and challenging aspects of yachting life, but also the very real and relatable ways in which friendships evolve, sometimes growing apart when values and life choices diverge too dramatically. What began as a strong bond forged in the pressure cooker environment of luxury yachting has transformed into a cautionary tale about how quickly relationships can change when personal growth leads people in different directions. For Nathan and Joe, the waters of the Mediterranean may have brought professional opportunities, but they’ve also revealed the choppy seas of friendship that sometimes prove impossible to navigate together.