Below Deck Down Under: After Johnny Arvanitis Punched The Wall, I'm Convinced He'll Be Fired Next, Not Wihan Du Toit

Deckhand Johnny Arvanitis’ Below Deck Down Under redemption arc came to a shocking end with an explosive outburst that changed the course of his once-promising future. Early episodes made Johnny out to be the villain after he falsely claimed to be the lead deckhand. However, Johnny ultimately proved himself to be a sweet, respectful gentleman. He refrained from entering boatmances to avoid the complications involved with mixing his personal and professional lives. But that all changed with the arrival of Sous Chef Alesia Harris.

Johnny was immediately drawn to Alesia, and the two began flirting on a night out. But when Johnny leaned in for a kiss, Alesia turned away, not wanting to rush into things. He took her feedback to heart and slowly wooed her, taking her out on a date and making sure he was respecting her boundaries. At the same time, Johnny was wary of Bosun Wihan Du Toit, who was making his rounds among the female crew members. Wihan’s toxicity was turning the deck team against each other, and tempers erupted as Johnny’s anxieties got the best of him.

Johnny Got Upset When He Found Alesia In Wihan's Bunk

His Mistrust Of Wihan Fueled His Anger

During a wild night between charters, there was already trouble in the air, along with heavy drinking. Tension was mounting between Wihan and Deckhand Harry Van Vliet, and a brutal tirade from Wihan left Harry in tears. Alesia, shaken by the situation, went searching for Johnny in his bunk. But in the dark, she climbed into bed with Wihan, thinking he was Johnny. At that moment, Johnny walked in and discovered Alesia in Wihan’s arms.

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Although Alesia had made an innocent mistake, the optics were admittedly terrible. Johnny had already spoken to Wihan about being too flirtatious, even voicing his concern about Alesia, and at that moment, his worst fears were realized. Johnny at first appeared calm, telling Wihan he quit as he packed his belongings. But when Wihan ignored Johnny’s pleas to stop talking, Johnny lashed out, punching the cabin wall opposite Wihan’s bed. He began screaming, telling Wihan, “This boat is f***ing mental,” and attempting to cover the camera as the episode ended.

Johnny Showed He Could Be An Aggressive Person

His Personality Took A Dramatic Turn

Johnny’s violent outburst was especially startling, considering he’d been so mild-mannered all season. Johnny, along with Harry, had brought a much-needed air of decency to Below Deck Down Under season 3. He won me over with his calm reaction after capsizing a jetski with a guest who couldn’t swim, putting her at ease in a potentially dangerous situation. As the rest of the crew took issue with Wihan’s leadership, Johnny stayed loyal to the bosun, but he also stood up for the women on board by warning Wihan to rein in his displays of affection.

However, after discovering Alesia and Wihan in bed together, Johnny’s entire demeanor changes in an instant. He suddenly became unpredictable and aggressive, and the crew appeared genuinely concerned for his safety and their own. Johnny’s dramatic shift from calm to unhinged made his outburst even more chilling.

Johnny’s potential for aggression changes how I perceive him. He’s no longer a steadying presence, and I worry about what else could set him off. I believe Johnny was right all along to avoid boatmances. His feelings for Alesia overpowered him, and when combined with his distrust of Wihan, he turned into an entirely different person.

I Think Johnny Might Be Fired For This

He’s No Longer A Reliable Employee

While Captain Jason has been relatively tolerant in Below Deck Down Under, I believe Johnny’s violent behavior will push the captain past his limits. Johnny didn’t hurt anybody, but his actions felt threatening, which is unacceptable. While Wihan has been overly flirtatious and condescending to the crew, he’s never crossed the line into being physically destructive.

I would be sad to see Johnny go, but I believe Captain Jason has no choice but to fire him. However, Johnny also seems ready to leave. His rant alluded to the mental pressure of working and living in a high-stress environment, which only worsened with cameras were involved. Johnny’s outburst may have ended his Below Deck Down Under career, but I believe he will learn from his mistakes and continue to thrive in his career outside the show.

Below Deck Down Under airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on Bravo.