Last night showed the result of a very long, difficult and emotional king crab season for the men of Deadliest Catch. If there was one phrase to sum up it up, My choice would be "Failure is not an option."
With rough seas, weak fishing and the absence of a beloved captain. Emotions were at an all time high, Career choices hanging in the balance. While two new boats were added to the Discovery Channel's family. Die Hard fans were faced with less air time of their favorites. Which made for some interesting comments on Discovery channel's message boards.
To our relief all of them eventually made an appearance. On last night's episode we watched as Captain Bill Wichrowski of the Kodiak struggled with an injured crew. Who showed dedication and sheer will power as the worked through their pain, doing what it takes to haul in their catch. Captain Keith Colburn of the Wizard kept pulling up blanks, until a bad ju-ju item from the previous season was thrown overboard. From that moment, the ship was back into their rythmn.
While the Northwestern faced mechanical troubles, weak fishing that caused tempers to flare between Jake Anderson and Edgar Hansen. Leaving Captain Sig Hansen to call Jake up to the wheel house, Reminding him that if he wishes to captain a ship, he will have to learn to deal with different personality and stress. All was well after Edgar, wrote out a large apology note stating "I am sorry and I still love you" which made Jake laugh and once again all was well on the Northwestern. That was until Edgar finally told his brother Sig that this was his last trip. After 22 years. Physical Injuries that never truly healed along with emotional ones. Knowing how many precious family moments were missed. While Sig reacted with anger, I believe his last sentiment to the camera sums it up. He has never ran the boat without his brother, never wanting to.
As one experienced fisherman was saying goodbye, a fresh new captain made his appearance. Elliott Neese of the Ramblin' Rose struggle to make the quota the boat's owner set for him. Because he worked his crew 20 hours straight without rest or food. That goal was met. However it almost came with a steep price, Mutiny. We will have to wait and see which crew members decide to return after the ordeal.
While Scott Campbell of the Seabrooke had better luck with the numbers. He had his obstacles when it came to the greenhorns. Two of them eager, confident in the beginning, only to learn quite early on, that fishing in the Bering Sea is not for the faint hearted. Luckily for Captain Scott, the third greenhorn was the charm. Making it through to the end of the King Crab season.
With the passing of Captain Phil Harris of the Cornelia Marie last season. We have been watching his two sons Josh and Jake try to pull it all together despite their grief. Along with financial difficulties, business decisions to be made, Jake's recovery from drug addiction to work through. Add to the mix a new captain who could not fill Phil's shoes, With no empathy to what the Harris men were dealing with. Not helping was the fact that the C/M went after the elusive blue crab, coming up short, way short. Losing money, patience,while tearing up what was left of the ship's family.
Many say that Jake and Josh will fail. Others say that they will make it despite the odds. You can count me in on the latter group. For when I met Jake and Josh at the Commercial Fisherman's Festival last September in Astoria, Oregon. They showed a real ccommitment, admiration for the people who supported them during their difficult time. They were there to honor their father, his passion, his legacy. It is bigger than a boat, or the crab, personal demons or even a television show. It is not even about making their dad's dream for them come true. It is about making their dreams become reality.
A wise man by the name of Vince Lombardi once said "The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall."
Not only have the Harris boys risen time after time. They have their sights set on a brighter horizon. Their new quest begins this June when they both begin Captain's school. For no one can really fill their father's boots, but them. I wish them only success in whatever path they choose. For us Northwest natives can weather any storm together. There are so many people that a long with me are in their corner. Who will continue to be long after this show wraps up.
I wish that I could share more about the Time Bandit's experiences. Unfortunately they received little air time during the first half of season 7. However they ended it with stellar prank on the Northwestern. Making Sig think he was seeing lights in the sky and sea. Is a boat? A plane? or a UFO? Rarely have I seen Sig so freaked out. It was priceless and once again Time Bandit showed us, why we fell in love with this show in the first place. Take a Bow men! Bravo!
You can catch the start of the Opilio crab season next Tuesday at 9 pm on the Discovery Channel. You can also catch up on the first part of season 7 on Discovery Channel's Deadliest fansite at http://bit.ly/ffD65N
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