Alex Wright isn’t having a great season on Below Deck. He’s made one mistake after another, leaving Captain Kerry Titheradge questioning whether he’s even the right man for the job. But while Alex is trying to get his act together, another problem is brewing on deck: Matthew Fitzpatrick-Buck.
Matt knows his stuff. He’s confident, experienced, and clearly thinks he could do a better job as bosun. Lately, though, he’s been spending an awful lot of time pointing out everything Alex does wrong. He’s overridden him on deck, complained about his performance, and even tattled on him in the wheelhouse.
Matt’s interest in the bosun position is getting harder to miss. But his behavior is starting to raise questions about what kind of leader he’d actually be.
Matthew Fitzpatrick-Buck is already eyeing Alex Wright’s bosun position
Photo Credit: Stephanie Diani/Bravo
Matt made his bosun-hungry intentions pretty clear in Episode 4. He went to the wheelhouse to tell Captain Kerry where Alex was falling short and offered to step up if the boat needed a replacement department head. No, he didn’t exactly ask for Alex’s job. But Matt certainly made sure the captain knew he was interested.
Alex’s string of mistakes isn’t helping his case, either. The jet ski incident, the forgotten towels, and his struggles with docking instructions have all put his job at risk. Unfortunately for him, Matt is watching it all play out on deck, and seems to be building his case with every mistake Alex makes.
Matt clearly believes he has the experience to handle more responsibility, and he may be right (he probably is, actually). However, while yachties often seek promotions on Below Deck, Matt’s approach to his hoped-for new title is shady (at best). His strategy is less “I’m qualified,” and more “Alex is not.” And that’s starting to make me think he might be putting the cart before the horse this season.
Matthew might be getting ahead of himself with his leadership ambitions
Photo Credit: Stephanie Diani/Bravo
There’s nothing wrong with wanting a promotion, especially when you think the person above you isn’t doing a great job. But Matt seems so preoccupied with Alex’s shortcomings that he’s starting to lose sight of how his own behavior looks. He’s far too quick to take over on deck, even when Alex is still in charge, and just as quick to make sure Captain Kerry hears about Alex’s mistakes.
Matt has the experience, and he certainly isn’t lacking confidence. What he hasn’t consistently shown is that he can put the team ahead of his own ambitions. There’s a difference between being good at your job and being ready to lead everyone else. Captain Kerry has heard plenty about Alex’s failures. Matt should spend less time pointing them out and a little more time showing what he brings to the table.
Matt may still get a promotion to bosun, especially if Alex keeps sinking on deck. But his eagerness to take over is becoming just as noticeable, and almost as problematic, as Alex’s mistakes are.
Alex Wright could still have the last laugh on Below Deck Season 13
Photo Credit: Stephanie Diani/Bravo
Matt may be ready to take over, but Alex isn’t out of the running just yet. He’s still the bosun, but yes, he needs to start acting like it. Taking control of his team, trusting his own judgment, and showing Captain Kerry some consistency would go a long way toward reminding the captain why he was given the position in the first place.
Meanwhile, Matt needs to stop treating Alex’s job like it’s already his. He’s made his interest in the position clear, but constantly pointing out Alex’s shortcomings will never do him any favors. A good bosun must earn the crew’s respect, not spend every charter waiting for someone else to lose theirs.
Matt may have the experience to take over, but he’s not making the strongest case for himself right now. Alex still has a chance to prove him wrong, and I’d love to see him do exactly that. But at this point, Matt seems awfully eager to celebrate someone else’s downfall instead of supporting his current leader, so he might want to focus his efforts on earning his promotion moving forward. Otherwise, Alex might have the last laugh on Below Deck Season 13.
Below Deck continues Mondays on Bravo at 8/7c.