"Deadliest Catch" Season 6: Recap and 5 Most Gripping Moments

"Deadliest Catch" Season 6 was filled with 16 episodes of on-the-edge-of-your-seat drama and excitement. The new season kicked off with Captains Phil Harris, Andy Hillstrand, Sig Hansen, and Keith Colburn gathered around a burn barrel located inside the carcass of an abandoned ship.

The scene shifts to Captain Jonathan Hillstrand driving toward the meet-up destination. He is irate that Colburn tried to recruit one of his crew members. Once Hillstrand arrives, tempers flare and Hillstrand shoves Colburn across the floor. Colburn loses footing and falls on the floor as the other Captains look on. Colburn recovers as Hillstrand snarls, "Don't even call my boat unless you're (expletive) sinking."

"Deadliest Catch" season premier also set the stage for one of the most gripping moments to follow later in the season. Harris' sons, Jake and Joshua, have a bad case of sibling rivalry. Although Jake is younger, he's been working the boat with his dad longer than Josh.

Northwestern Captain, Sig Hansen is experiencing attitude problems with deckhand Jake Anderson. Hansen and Harris walk down the docks to discuss trading their two Jakes to give them a taste of what it's like to work on another crabbing vessel. Once the decision is made, the young men are informed of the trade and told to gather their belongings.

Bearing Sea Swim Club

Four episodes later, one of the most gripping "Deadliest Catch" scenes of the season occurs when Captains Hansen and Harris return their two Jakes in a daring transfer at sea.

Hansen declares, "We've pulled hundreds of thousands of pots, but pullin' a person is a whole different ballgame." Facing 10 knots of current, the boats are heaving 10 feet with every wave which could pull the boys toward the hull and into the props.

Donned in survival suits, the boys are tethered to a buoy, hoisted by a crane, and deposited into the frigid Bering Sea. The transfer of Jake Harris goes off without a hitch, but conditions change with Jake Anderson enters the water. Seen bobbing around in tumultuous waters, Anderson suddenly disappears. Crew members of both boats are shouting, "Do you see him, do you see him?" when Anderson reappears in front of the Cornelia Marie.

Anderson is finally retrieved from the glacial waters with the hook used to retrieve crab pot buoys. Anderson's face is full of fear and relief as his feet hit the deck of the Northwestern.

Darkened Seas

As Jake Anderson lies on the deck of the Northwestern making snow angels and proclaiming, "I don't even know where I am right now. I'm just trying to make it through the next 14 pots", Captain Sig Hansen is on the phone with Jake's mother. Unbeknownst to Anderson, his father has been reported missing. His truck was found parked alongside a remote logging road with no sign of him anywhere.

Aboard the Cornelia Marie, Jake Harris is mumbling to himself and walking around in a fog. Moments later, he falls into water catch basin as he father shakes his head in disbelief and asks, "Are you okay?" Ego bruised, Jake nods yes.

Cameras pan to Phil Harris, who has been experiencing excruciating back pain. In need of pain relief, the Skipper heads to his room to retrieve prescription pain medication and discovers Jake stealing the pills. Jake apologizes, but the Captain doesn't want to hear his excuses and shouts, "I want you out of my life."

As the Captain continues to unleash his wrath, calling Jake a liar and a thief and telling him they will go their separate ways once they dock, Jake reveals his secret. "Dad, I'm an addict."

Blown Off Course

Northwestern Captain, Sig Hansen summons Jake Anderson to talk about his missing father. Anderson calls his mother via satellite phone, but the call keeps getting disconnected. After several attempts, Anderson finds out the family is searching the area and has put out a reward, but there is still no sign of his dad. Holding the phone in one hand, and his head in the other, Anderson proclaims, "I need to get home."

The Cornelia Marie has docked at St. Paul Island and Engineer, Steve Ward has found Captain Phil Harris lying face down on the floor in his room. Josh Harris calls 911 stating, "I think my dad just had a stroke." As the sirens wail in the background, Cornelia Marie crew members frantically try to help the Captain until paramedics arrive.

As Harris receives medical attention, Joshua realizes how dire the situation is and decides to call co-owner of the boat, Cornelia Marie Devlin. The rest of the crew tries to calm Josh and request he not call anyone until they find out what is going on.

Jake breaks down in the galley, as Josh helps the medical team prepare to evacuate Captain Harris. Although semi-conscious, Phil is unable to feel the left side of his body and the crew is left wondering if their beloved Skipper will survive.

Redemption Day

With son, Josh by his side, Captain Phil Harris is recovering from surgery after suffering a massive stroke. To demonstrate his recovery, Harris squeezes Joshua's hand until he moans in pain. Harris whispers, "I'm sorry" and Josh asks, "Why?" Harris responds with, "When you were growing up, I should have been a better father."

An emotional scene unfolds with both men proclaiming their love; rarely seen on the high seas adventures of "Deadliest Catch."

Jake Harris stops by to tell his dad he is keeping his promise and will check into rehab. Although entering rehab will prevent Jake from being by his father's side, Phil assures Jake this is for the best and states, "This makes me happy." The two men hug and Jake exits the room stating, "I love you Pops."

Valhalla

Season 6 ends with what is perhaps the most emotional episode of "Deadliest Catch." As news of Phil Harris' death spreads throughout the fleet, the tears begin to flow. It is now, viewers see the camaraderie amongst these sea faring friends. Through all the fights and disagreements, there is a bond that ties these men together for life.

Sig Hansen hears the news of Phil's death after stopping by the Cornelia Marie to meet the interim Captain, Derrick Ray. Later in the season finale, Hansen is seen sitting in the wheelhouse watching a seagull sitting on the bow. Pointing to the seagull, Hansen states, "Sailors would say if you see the seagulls those are the remnants of the sailors that are gone. For all I know, that could be ole' Phil sitting right there on the bow."

Discovery Channel has received abundant praise for the way they presented Phil's passing. His infectious laugh, outbursts of anger, passion for the sea, and plentitude of 'Phil-ism's' will be greatly missed. Only time will tell how "Deadliest Catch" will survive without the bigger-than-life Captain.

Source:
Discovery Channel - "Deadliest Catch"