The past few weeks I’ve caught Deadliest Catch fever. Watching the fisherman navigate through ice cold water to yield pots of crab is one thing, but to watch how the show has dealt with the sickness and eventual death of a prominent cast member has been something else.
I have to congratulate the writers, story editors and producers of Deadliest Catch in the delicate and poignant way they’ve portrayed the loss of Phil Harris, Captain of the Cornelia Marie. It was not only great TV, but it was great storytelling. From the hospital scenes to the receipt of the news by the other ships to Phil’s sons publicly dealing with not only the demise of their father, but their own mortality, Deadliest Catch has been an affirming experience and a brilliant testament to how good television can actually be.