'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 Episode 9 Review: Crab-valanche for the Cornelia Marie, a shaky start for the Saga
Spoilers for 'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 Episode 9 'Cold War Heating Up'
The episode sees deckhands retching. Getting seasick might be a normal affair for the crabbers, but for the ones holed up at home and watching the latest chapter of the show, it comes as a shock and probably gross. And as far as the gross factor goes, there's more in store as the injuries in 'Cold War Heating Up' does cause more than flinches. They look painful and the troubles don't end there. However, for a couple of skippers, the hard work at sea pays off as they have a crab-valanche incoming.
Jake Anderson is without Johnathan Hillstrand this time around and his only trusted deckhand, Matt, is carrying a knee infection that's sapped his energy by half. But he still manages to get back on board as the onus on training the new greenhorns rests on him. It doesn't go exactly as planned as the Saga gets tested by the rough seas and so do the new arrivals. One greenhorn risks being dragged out to sea much to Anderson's chagrin.
There's also trouble for Sig Hansen, Mandy and the Northwestern. They have a short caused by a wire that leaves them dark in the sea. A temporary fix is rendered useless as they face an engine issue less than 20 hours later. They manage to put out the smoke, but lose an engine in the process forcing them to abandon their crabbing and return to town. It is unfortunate as Sig & Co. were actually in the middle of pulling up pots filled with Opilio crab.
Things don't seem to be too bright for the Lady Alaska either. Scott Campbell Junior is the other captain who has double responsibilities— making sure he guides the crew and also hit the jackpot with his cod and crab operation. While they continue their good run with the cod, the greenhorns' lack of experience sees them running into trouble that sees an irked Junior swear at the drop of a hat.
The winners of the episode have to be the two young skippers, Casey McManus and Josh Harris, of the Cornelia Marie. They venture closer and deeper into the Russian territory and hit paydirt. Their first haul is a potful of Opilio crabs and the ones that come after are more than just decent returns. They manage to get the location of the biomass just right as the purple patch continues.
After last week's 90-minute special that captured the tragedy of the Scandies Rose, 'Deadliest Catch' refocuses on the skippers and the crew. The Saga and the Cornelia Marie replace Summer Bay and Wizard from the previous episode. And while it may be premature to write off Jake Anderson, considering he was slow off the block and has major challenges this winter season, fans will still be optimistic about the Saga's chances.
The ninth episode is quick and crisp. It ensures that there's not much time wasted in re-introducing old characters and trains its crosshairs on the action and the crabbing adventure. 'Cold War Heating Up' has just one question: Can the US beat Russia in the quest for Opilio crab?
'Deadliest Catch' Season 16 airs Tuesdays 8 pm ET on Discovery.
