Another 'Catch' Loss that Hits Close to Home

By LillyKat
PTR Senior Staff Writer

I realize this post is a wee bit late for my recap of all-things Deadliest Catch, but this past week's episode boiled down to one poignant and ever-so-sad moment: the Northwestern's Jake learning that his baby sister - who suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis - had passed away.

And by "baby sister," I do mean child - not teen, not young adult, not young woman.

It was one of those moments where as a television viewer, I felt as if I shouldn't be watching this young man go so numb with grief and sadness. Lke, I just wanted to let him have his space. But that's the thing about being on a crab boat: there isn't any space. You are right there in the moment with each other. You fight, you haggle, you laugh, you cry, you grieve.

And, in this case, you rally to support your youngest crew member in a time of a devastating family tragedy when you are so far FROM that family.

The way Captain Sig, Edgar, Matt and the rest of the Northwestern gang closed ranks to support Jake, thus, reassuring him he needed to be with his family and/or they'd hold down the fort without him was as touching a moment as we've seen since the Katmai episodes. I loved when Sig said he'd bust through the ice to get Jake into St. Paul Harbor so he could catch a flight home, and when he shared his story about the loss of his own father.

Go.Sig.

This past week's ep was truly a lesson in just how tight-knit these crews - these men - are. And it showcased once again just how much they sacrifice to do what they do. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jake and his family.

I'd also like to congratulate the Deadliest Catch/Discovery Channel gangs for being nominated for four Primetime Emmy awards this week: 1) Outstanding Nonfiction Series; 2) Outstanding Sound Mixing for Nonfiction Programming; 3)Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming; and 4) Outstanding Cinematography for Nonfiction Programming.

New episodes of Deadliest Catch air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Visit the official Deadliest Catch Web site for the latest on the captains and crews of the Northwestern, Cornelia Marie, Time Bandit, Wizard, Early Dawn and North American and the new boat, the Incentive. You can also catch up with Deadliest Catch folks on Twitter: fvnw_erin / CaptPhilHarris / northwesternpat / NorthwesternPR / captjohnathan / northwesternsig / DeadliestCatch (which is actually the Cornelia Marie) / DiscoveryChPR.