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

[ayme]

Josh and Jake,
your comment was right josh, you have become part of our families, but know that you all were a part of our family long before you lost your dad. your dad will be missed by all of us, im glad you and jake will keep his dream alive and return to fishing again. we will all be watching and are here for support. Good Luck and God Bless.

[goalie1131]

for ddsq, the reason why discovery is showing as much of the end of phil's life as possible is because he asked them the keep filming right before his passing. it was essentually in his will and his sons didnt want this gesture to be forgotten.

[Patti Dougherty]

My prays are with you and in time your heart will heal.I know what you guys are going threw .I lost my mom in a simular way .May God Bless you both and the rest of your family.

[kevin]

Having just watched the episode of the sad loss of Phil Harris here in the UK , I was not expecting that......what an emotional roller-coaster , my heart goes out to Josh and Jake and of course to the rest of the family and friends, I have watched the series from the start and seen the boys grow into men.

How I'm going to watch the rest of the season I don't know. I lost my father to cancer 2 yrs ago and I miss him everyday, I hope the boys and the family are doing well, my love from the UK goes out to you all and all the other fishermen on the Cornelia Marie and of the other boats featured in this series............

Gone but not forgotten, lost but never far away....... RIP Captain Phil Harris.

[Michelle Kamyszek]

My Prayers to all the crew of The Cornelia Marie
Phill died doing the one thing he lived and loved to do, right up to the end. He was a man's man and a great father to his sons. I hope his journey continues on this earth thru his boys and his girl of the sea. Im very pleased to find that the sons are gonna continue, and hope one day they can pass along the greatness of their father to their sons. God Bless You All Out There Be Safe and Push On Phill will always be watching over you.

[gypsy rick]

to the harris family im sorry for your loss

[lyndyb]

My condolences to the Harris family. I can't help but think that however painful it has been to watch the season unfold with the tragic ending in the loss of your father, you will have seasons of footage to watch and help you preserve his memory.

I've been particularly impressed with the maturity and the love Josh Harris showed his father and the touching scenes between them. May God help his brother, Jake, overcome his problems and give Josh the strength to help him and to keep the business going. Good luck!

[Claire Medlock]

Jake and Josh, so sorry for the loss of your Dad. No other like him. Man please do not let the story end now. You guys are like family in my home. Looking forward to seeing both of you on upcoming episodes. Would love to hear more about your Dad, like the seven songs he listened to, more about his love for Harley Davidson motorcycles. Keep those baskets full of crab in memory of your awesome Dad.

[steve & maureen]

Caption Phil Harris & his sons seem like really good people
& just from watching after the catch & when they said that
he liked to watch the meercats (manor) on animal planet &
ride his motorcycle... He will be missed. I lost my mother
a couple months ago & she also had a stroke & my father also
had a stroke & passed away in 2002, but before that he loved
deep sea fishing & even though the doctors told him that he
shouldn't go, he loved it to much so half of his ashes are
in the ocean & the other half are with my mother.Rest in peace Caption Phil. Sincerely , maureen & steve

[Rissa]

Phil you did a great job raising your boys. you were the best on the show. i will still watch to see how your boys will keep your dream alive. The world needs more people like Phil :)

[Rissa]

My heart broke when phil was in the hospital and he told josh "im sorry... when you were growing up i should have been a better father". Josh couldnt take that. i felt a little better when Jake went to rehab. He made the right choice. Phil you were the best! i will always remember you. Josh and Jake dont forget your dad will always be with you. You two are in my thoughts. caint wait to see how well the boys do with keeping up on their dads dream. the world needs more people like Phil. :)

[Allan Sidney]

To Josh and Jake
and all of Phil Harris family, My sincere condolences, God Bless you and your father.
As time goes by my hope is you will realize just what a blessing the show and
all that happened when it happened was? as you look back. The Cornelia Marie was Phil's dream. The Cornelia Marie may someday be your dream? Or Not??
Either way the legacy of Phil is: 1. Chase your dreams with passion!! The show and Phils life were passion and dreams and the persuit their of!! That is how I see it. So weather or not you boys adopt his dream or not he really has shown you the road to follow: Find a Dream that you are passionate about and chase it down with all you have and you will be happy!!

I wish you peace happiness and love
as the story of your lives reveals itself
God Bless you all!!

A passionate viewer of the Deadliest Catch, Allan Sidney

[Donna]

Deadliest Catch is a documentary of the lives of the people in one of the most hazardous occupations next to that of the bomb disposal units or sappers. It has been both an honour and a pleasure to get to know these folks. I am honored that Jake and Josh ALLOWED Discovery to air the very private moments and share with us one of the most tragic events of their young lives. I have come to know and care for the people on the show. I think Discovery handled the airing of the episode with the utmost sensitivity. Captain Phil was a giant of a man and I will never forget this gentlemen tough guy. Josh and Jake, you and your sister are in my prayers.

[Melissa]

My heart goes out to the Harris Family. I think it's great Josh & Jake are going to keep the Cornelia Marie & continue Fishing, "to keep the old Man's dream alive". Captain Phil will be missed more than you can possible imagine. I will contine to watch Deadliest Catch to see the Boy's keeping the dream alive. However with great saddness that one of the best will be missing. R.I.P. Phil Harris

[Dawgswife]

I have watched this show since the start, and I feel like you are all part of my family. My heart breaks for the Harris family. I pray that God will hold you and keep you strong as Phil.

[Kate]

Isn't it funny how death can unleash feelings you didn't even know you had? I have been watching Deadliest Catch since the beginning and never thought I would begin to care so much for these men out there braving it out to supply the world with delicious crab. Captain Phil was a dead ringer for my Dad and I lost him almost four years ago. Watching this season was extremely difficult for me especially since I couldn't climb through the television screen and hold those boys close to my heart and take some of the pain away. These are normal people like you and I and yet in some ways they are so very different being a part of an elite group of men and women who work in this profession. Stay strong Josh and Jake and all the crew of the Cornelia Marie, Phil is right there with you every step of the way, that's a damn fact! I love you all so very much and pray every night that you will all find some peace in your hearts and I am cheering you on from the sidelines! Josh, YOU should be Captain and Jake should be deck boss.....sound about right? Can't wait for season 7.
Love Kate

[Patricia Main]

I just wanted to say my family and I love your show.....BUT miss Phil we are all the way in New Brunswick, Canada and don't miss an episode....hope all is well with Jake and Josh...they are strong boys they will make it take care ....with all our love to you...R.I.P Phil

[Viera George]

Me and my family really really like the show and we miss captain phil very much. The show it's not the same with out him. May he rest in peace. And to his boys all I can say is stay strong, and remenber the good times with your day.

[Joyce]

just was now able tosit down and watch the full season. My heart goes out to you, Josh & Jake. You are the men your father and mother raised. They are sure to both be proud of you. Jake, Make your promises to your dad come true. Keep up the good work, the faith, and we are all looking forward to seeing you again.

[Donna ward]

Josh and Jake you are both in my thoughts and prayers. Your father will be deeply missed. I loved him alot and he will always be my favorite Captain.