'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 Episode 1: Fans welcome back Johnathan Hillstrand aboard, want cheater Harley out

In the first episode of Discovery's long-running hit show, 'Deadliest Catch', one of the first captains to be introduced was Captain Jake Anderson of the Saga. Returning with him was Johnathan Hillstrand of the Time Bandit
Johnathan Hillstrand (Discovery)
Johnathan Hillstrand (Discovery)

Spoilers for 'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 Episode 1 'The Russians Are Coming'

In the first episode of Discovery's long-running hit show, 'Deadliest Catch',  one of the first captains to be introduced was Captain Jake Anderson of the Saga. Returning with him was Johnathan Hillstrand of the Time Bandit and fans welcomed him with open arms. Hillstrand was last seen in Season 13 and now he's back helping out his buddy and protege, Jake.

And the move already paid dividends as Hillstrand's gut instinct of dropping the pots at the outside of the raging storm saw them hit a jackpot. Their pots were reeled in, filled with the crabs and that was a major victory for Jake and Hillstrand. Needless to say, the fans were happy as they welcomed him back to the show.  

"So awesome that @captjohnathan knew exactly what happened. #welcomeback #HeZinchedYou #DeadliestCatch #blackpowdertherapy," tweeted a fan.

"So great to have @captjohnathan back! We missed you#DeadliestCatch," said another fan.

"Get him, Johnathan!!!!! Show the Southern Wind who’s boss!!!! #DeadliestCatch" tweeted a fan who saw through Captain Harley's trick of attempting to look at Jake's pots.

"I’ve been Hillstranded @JakeVAnderson #sagabandit@captjohnathan #DeadliestCatch," said another. 

"@JakeVAnderson you really didn't think that @captjohnathan was going to let you have the captain's quarters did you? lol #DeadliestCatch," teased a fan.

"#DeadliestCatch just got really good. Take care of that cheater Harley @captjohnathan. I would have cut his ropes but I like your way better!" opined one more fan. 

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction #SagaBandit@captjohnathan #DeadliestCatch," read one of the tweets while another said, "One of the best things @mikeroweworks has ever said: 'Johnathan goes full Hillstrand'. Hell yeah, he does! #DeadliestCatch".

And speaking of what Harley did, here's a fan who's summed up the thoughts of pretty much every Harley hater there is in her tweet. "Harley is a piece of SH#*! Obviously doesn't know how to Crab Fish! He's no better than thief checking other boat pots & setting down on them. He is either 2 stupid, lazy or BOTH! Harley should NOT be part of the show he is a BAD example for kids to watch!! #DeadliestCatch"

'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 airs Tuesday at 8 pm ET on Discovery.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

A flood, a potential building sale, vendors cutting them off - nothing can stop ‘The Bear’ crew from offering a Michelin-star-level fine dining experience.
2 hours ago
Tate is missing, Cal and Belle are injured, and Season 2 begins where the cliffhanger ended. How far will the team go to set things right?
5 hours ago
Peter McFerrin faced off against Kaylea Bowers and Alejandro Sobalvarro in Monday's episode of 'Jeopardy!'
7 hours ago
Netflix announced the return of the Omar Sy's gentleman thief coming back to screens after a lengthy hiatus.
18 hours ago
Netflix released the photo and teaser of the series currently on the floors in Atlanta, and pencilled for a 2027 release
19 hours ago
Season 3 of 'High Potential' is expected to release in January 2027, and the show's star shared her two cents on what she wanted to see
19 hours ago
In an exclusive sitdown with MEAWW, Darin Toonder also recalled the one fan comment that left him in stitches
20 hours ago
Supriya Ganesh's exit at the end of Season 2 drew a ton of backlash from fans, who suspected on-set drama was to blame for her unexpected departure.
21 hours ago
The third installment of the series is based on the second half of the video game 'The Last of Us Part II' and will focus on Abby's story
23 hours ago
Apple TV achieves EGOT status with ‘Schmigadoon!’s ‘Best Musical’ win at 2026 Tony Awards
1 day ago