The family of Capt. Phil Harris braces for the end of the 'Deadliest Catch' season [Updated]

When Josh and Jake Harris were faced with the biggest loss of their lives, they couldn't just sink into their grief. Their father, Capt. Phil Harris, had never lost sight of the responsibility he felt toward the viewers of "Deadliest Catch," and now neither could they.

"In our profession, death is not an uncommon thing," said Josh Harris during a telephone interview. "That's why the show was created the way it was. In the beginning, it was about death and carnage, and then it evolved into a story about our lives, following the families and seeing how they deal with their problems. This is what we plan for — keep filming if something happens. It's a weird concept, but Jake and I talked about it and we continued what we signed up to do. I'm nervous and scared to relive this again. It's hard enough going through it the first time."

For six seasons, Capt. Harris had let the cameras film his life's purpose, his commanding of the Cornelia Marie and his sometimes volatile relationship with his two sons. With only three episodes left to produce when he suffered a stroke Jan. 29, Harris wasn't about to let his medical problems get in the way of the story. Unable to speak after part of his skull had been surgically removed, Harris scribbled on a note pad, "Keep filming. There has to be an end to the story."

The end was not what anyone wanted or expected. Even though Harris' health seemed to be improving, he died Feb. 9 as a result of a second pulmonary embolism. (He had survived one two years prior.) But his sons did as he had asked — they let the cameras keep rolling.  Beginning with Tuesday night's episode, the rest of the season will cover Capt. Harris' stroke, hospitalization and death. (A special tribute episode will air July 20 and the season finale will air on July 27.)

"It was my dad's want and will to have all this filmed and aired," Josh Harris said. "The show is a story about our lives. And nine or 10 months out of the year, we're up north in Alaska on a boat together, and it's just what we've done. My dad couldn't speak so he wrote on a piece of paper and those were his wishes and he wanted the story to be told. It's going to be really hard because I don't remember any of the last two days. I blocked it out. So I know it's going to be extremely hard to go back and watch this, but at the same time I'll get to see what I said to my dad, the last little bit."

Original Productions, which produces the show, treated the Harris family with respect and sensitivity, Josh Harris said.

"They wanted to get the initial reaction between us and that was the hard part — the first time we talked with my dad when he came out of the induced coma — and all that stuff," Josh Harris said. "They wanted initial reactions and then they just let us do our thing and hung back. They let us be who we wanted to be and let us talk about what we wanted to talk about and didn't bother us. They were real sensitive about the whole situation but still documented everything. They've done as tasteful a job as you can possibly do in a situation like this. It's just very strange."

Because he is at sea for most of the year fishing for opilio crabs, Josh Harris, said he had no real sense of the "Deadliest Catch" audience until now.

"Some people come up to me, crying and give me a hug and tell me they're sorry," Josh Harris. "The most respectful fans, I must tell you. We've gotten a lot of support from people who have been in similar situations and it does help. What is the right way to grieve? Those are weird questions. You don't know what you're supposed to do when you're put in the situation. And we're working through it and a lot of people have been through it. And they've all helped us out in many ways. The American people have taken us in as a family of their own. So watching this is going to upset a lot of people, watching what we had to go through. And it's not easy. I've lived it already, but they don't know what to expect. I know what to expect and I'm telling you, it's going to be very, very powerful footage."

Josh Harris says he has stopped smoking and is on a "wellness kick" to spread awareness about the dangers of cigarette smoking, which ultimately killed his father.

"I just want people to know they need to take care of themselves in every way because there's a lot of good people out there who are cared about and loved," Josh Harris said. "I wish he could have seen his grandchildren someday. But we're fortunate we have all the episodes. I got to be on TV with my father and that's something nobody else gets. A lot of good memories."

Josh and Jake Harris also have decided what they will do with the Cornelia Marie.

"We're going fishing, baby," Josh Harris said. "We're going to keep the old man's dream alive."

The following are clips from Tuesday night's episode:

— Maria Elena Fernandez
twitter.com/writerchica

Photo: Capt. Phil Harris and the crew of the Cornelia Marie. (Capt. Phil Harris is in the center; Josh and Jake Harris are right of him.) Credit: Discovery

Videos: Discovery

[Update: 9:18 am: Discovery released a second clip from Tuesday night's episode.]

RELATED:

The rest of "Deadliest Catch' season devoted to Capt. Phil Harris

Discovery to air 'Deadliest Catch' marathon; producers plan tribute to Capt. Phil Harris

'Deadliest Catch' executive producer talks about the show's soaring sixth season

The death of Alaska fisherman Capt. Phil Harris is met with tributes

Comments

[nolan addison]

phil rest in peace, you will always be remember in my family, and for the family just remember that your dad will always be there watching over you. god bless you

[Donny Boucher]

I've been with the show since the first episode and I came to like and respect Cpt. Harris. I was extremely saddened to hear of his passing, and two days after my 40th birthday, I shed tears for the family. He was a great man. The world is poorer for his passing. I don't know if I can watch the tribute. I want to, but I don't know if I can.

[katreeena mabe]

Jeff:
Are we reading the same article? Because, from what I read, the Discovery Channel was following the wishes of Capt Harris and his family. Josh Harris said in the article that the camera crew filming their tragedy was very respectful. They are taking 2 weeks worth of events and condensing it down to only a couple of hours of actual air time, 6 at most. The Harris family could have stopped filming at any time. They choose not too. I would like to thank the family for letting the viewers of the show have a chance to say good-bye as well, and tell them how sorry I am about their loss. RIP Capt Phil, you will be greatly missed.

[Wow Really?]

To respond to your post: "Commandeering?" I doubt he took over the vessel in light of an official emergency. The word to use would have been helming, or management, or captaincy. Get thee to a thesaurus.

Posted by: anthrodiva

Really? Was that totally necessary???? What a douchebag.....this has to do with 2 sons losing their Father and you have the audacity to sit here at check grammar. Wow.

[bruce fahnestock]

Capt phil was a man which we see less and less of these days. i agree with his request to keep filming and discovery chanels desicion to do so, capt phil is from the school that you finish what you start, i feel he is a man of integerty in life and death. he was a fisherman from birth untill death thIS IS a story was of the life of a fisherman, and he just showed the world the true life and death of a fisherman. he gave a land locked midwesterner like my self a new respect for what sits on my dinner table. i am not a religious man so i cant send my prayrs to the family, and all the heros working the oceans so we can dine with our familys, but i can and will send my RESPECT

[The Faust Family of Levittown Pa]

Josh an Jake I was taken back by the loss of your dad to the day when I loss my father.
I miss him dearly just my own father you will over come this.
The hurt will never go away but the memorys will last your life time.
Your father was the best what did for a living I 'am a better man for the time I
had watch him do his thing an better two boys aboard his vessel.
Josh you must have the faith in the lord an all the family around you to help you an jake through this time be strong an do your father proud he is looking down you two for sure.
Jake please don't let this get to you as well PLEASE take action an get some treatment I have gone through this same thing with my son an still have been its a long road to the top to over come.
I love all you guys in this fleet an will be watching this Tuesday.
I'am your friend an you are part of our family love you guys take care .
Lawrence R Faust Sr an family

[Angel]

good by good friend,save me a spot.

[gulf coast rob]

RIP - Phil Harris

Our prayers go out to Josh,Jake and the whole Harris family.
i look forward to seeing Josh and Jake carrying on the family business!
"may the Cornelia Marie bring the Harris family wealth, happiness and love!"

[Joy Arnett]

God bless you for sharing with us the American public the tragic ending of a great man's life. Watching all the seasons of your family makes my family feel like we know you a little bit. May Captain Phil Harris rest in peace and may Jake and Josh find healing and strength while they carry on their fathers legacy. I can only imagine how hard this has been for Phils family. You are all in my families thoughts every day.

[David Hall]

I didn't know Capt' Phil as a grown man, but I knew him as a teenager in the town
where we grew up. He was a good kid with a good positive attitude. Even as a young person he was a hard worker, going in and out of Alaska with the seasons. The last time I seen him he was 17 or18 and had just gotten back from up north and bought a white Sportster and a white and brown VW bug . It was the year they stopped the helmet law in Washington and we were really really happy. A good man , good memories, Thanks Phil. Dave Hall

[karly]

it says "commanding" not "comandeering"... get thee to an eye doctor

and is this really the time or place to be criticizing?

phil we will miss you

[Susan]

I have watched Deadest Catch for years, Capt Phil is my favorite, not sure how I will make it thru tuesdays episodes without crying, Phill you are truely missed at our house.
To Josh and Jake, I know what you are going thru,I to have lost my Dad and 3 sisters. Hang iin there.

[Mike]

Capt. Phil was a good soul doing what he loved. Most have a tendency to grieve not celebrate the lives of those we love. I look forward to see the crew move on, and finding a way to mark his death at sea. I was just talking to friends about how the show is not a plug and play of vessels, and that you find yourself looking at the crews as favorites. You want to see these men succeed...nothing has changed.

[George Courtney]

Josh and Jake!! Keep the memory alive!! Keep the boat afloat and God Bless you and yours and God Bless your father!! I have lost a Father and a son and the memories are with me forever! Never let him die in you hearts and minds.. God Love you guys and your memories..

[Ladyrider]

When I heard Captain Phil had passed away back in February I was shocked. I have been waiting all year to finally be able to see the tribute that you Discovery and Harris brothers have included us by airing such a personal moment in your lives. We will all miss our beloved Captain Phil.

Thank you Josh and Jake for keeping your fathers dream alive.

[CAnn]

Phil Harris will live on forever. Our love & prayers go to Jake & Josh & The the whole being of Deadliest Catch, Crew, Family, Friends,& All. Goodness, what a tragic loss. So much laughter, tension, tears, love, & memories it's over whelming. What a blessing for him to have given & shared so much of his life with us all. Forever loved & never forgotten.........Josh & Jake, as you grow for years to come, may all your day's be filled with strength, courage, & joy from all you have learned from your father. Your journey may be long, but rewarding........God Bless You All

[jamie scott]

RIP captain Phil.....

I just have to say that asa cold as it may seem his son Jake has to take some responsibility for how things went down that day. Stealing his dads pain medication sent Phil into rage and defiantely put him under way to much stress. His system couldnt take it.

Jake, Get your self together for your fathers legacy.

[Mike McCoy]

Phil, buddy, the ain't gonna be another like you. It's like losing a brother.

Please, please, when is someone going to print teeshirts like the ones worn at his wake?!?

[darkshadow]

to jake and josh..... im so sorry to have learned about the loss of your father. i have been a fan of your dad for a long time.i know how the two of you must have felt,because i lost my father a few years ago. keep your heads up and know that he is in a better place now and still crabbing.your family is in my heart and in my prayers and have been there the whole time. GOD BLESS THE BOTH OF YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY AS WELL. PHIL HARRIS YOU ARE,WAS, AND ALL WAYS WILL BE THE BEST THERE IS.

[steve p]

you're the greatest capt. phil.... I've fallen in love with the show, the captins, and the crews... I don't know any of you personally but the show helps avid viewers create a unique bond... It brought tears to my eyes as i saw you tonight... May you always sail the seas and watch over the flet... you're missed by all. you're the greatest, josh and jake are in good hands it seems