Entertainment
Are Kelley Johnson & Jennice Ontiveros a Good 'Below Deck' Couple? Let's Weigh the Pros & Cons
This season on Below Deck, there were flirtatious hot tub dates and charter soul mates, but only one bona fide romance: Kelley Johnson and Jennice Ontiveros finally hooked up for real in the latest episode, just in time for the fallout to dominate the Season 2 finale and reunion.
Kelley & Jennice. Jennice & Kelley. The two have been circling one another all season long. And it's been alternately annoying and likable as every episode has sailed by. For every moment where they're teasing one another and being likable, there are 10 more where they give long speeches about whether or not these "feelings" are "something" "real" and "meaningful" and I'm bored. But I can't decide if I enjoy these two together or if their union is doomed, so I turn to the decision maker of Type-A people everywhere: the pros and cons list. While Kelley and Jennice sound bland on paper, terrible out loud, and surprisingly entertaining when edited down to a 35 second trailer, breaking down the pros and cons is the only way to ensure total mathematical proof as to whether this couple should stick together 5-eva or break up offscreen and never be mentioned again.
Image: Bravo (screenshot)
PRO: It Won't Ruin Jennice's Girl Power
At first, it seemed like Jennice was becoming just the token girl on deck. But since she’s already outlasted total wimp Andrew and more than earned the respect of her boss, Eddie, and the new guy, Luke, it seems like this relationship isn’t standing in the way of her owning her position as a strong woman on deck.
Image: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo
CON: Kelley's Cheesy Romantic Gestures
For a good-looking Marine, you’d think Kelley would have a little more game. But his only move is heartfelt, awkward declarations of like-likeness. Come on, dude, you’re on a BOAT. “King of the World” her if you have to.
Image: Charles Sykes/Bravo
PRO: Their Super-Awkward Date
Their date wasn’t romantic at all. In fact, it was the exact opposite. And it was hilarious. Sorry, Jelley shippers, but watching that waiter accidentally throw Jennice’s dessert on the ground was priceless.
Image: Bravo (screenshot)
CON: They're Both on the Rebound
The whole idea of reality TV is that it’s a guilty pleasure, but I don’t want to watch these two get themselves into hot water. Jennice just broke up with the long-distance boyfriend she had at the beginning of the season, and Kelley admitted that this is his first casual relationship in five years… it’s time to pump the breaks.
Editor’s note: A previous version of this slide accused Jennice of cheating on her long-distance boyfriend, but Jennice confirmed via Twitter that she was single when she started dating Kelley.
Image: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo
PRO: Kelley's Dance Moves
Hey, it’s Magic Mike XXS! (And I’m referring to the size of his dance moves, here, not the size of his abs.) If The Bachelorette has taught us anything, it’s that the more guys on reality TV try to seduce a girl, the more they think that stripping is a good idea.
Image: Bravo (screenshot)
The Ultimate CON: Won't Someone Think of Eddie?
Look, my former favorite Below Deck-er, Captain Lee, has gotten a little too salty for my taste this season, making way for my new favorite: Eddie, the bosun. He’s a laid back boss, he’s way funnier than Season 1’s bosun, he looks like a factory-made yachtie, and if these two were to break up, he’d be the one left with a pair of exes in his employ. That’s a human resources nightmare! I’m sorry, Kelley and Jennice. But so long as my beloved Eddie is in jeopardy, the CONS just barely have it: this relationship cannot stand.
Image: Virginia Sherwood/Bravo
