In a surprising Deadliest Catch Season 21 premiere twist, Captain Sig Hansen is teams up with Captain Johnathan Hillstrand on FV Time Bandit to work smarter instead of harder. The boisterous personality mash-up is both brilliant and hilarious and is exactly what fans have been waiting for! Setting their egos aside for the betterment of both their crews, their ability to explore new waters without the risk of complete and total loss proves that their time and experience are more important than their egos. To say its genius is an understatement.
‘Deadliest Catch’ Season 21 Debuts Risky Adak Island Team-Up Sparks Fierce Rivalries
The lure of Adak Island has drawn every fleet away from Dutch Harbor this season. Heading further west, into more dangerous conditions, is a massive risk. Still, after a viral video of a cod fisherman catching a massive pot of Alaskan king crab, there was no other choice but to head to his desolate locale. But with nothing but rumors, the unknown could have been costly, as safety concerns and general unfamiliarity were top of mind. Using decades of experience and wisdom, Captain Sig hopped on board Captain Johnathan’s infamous ship to test the waters.
Willing to pool their resources allowed the brilliant minds to combine. With old tales shared by his father, decades earlier at top of mind, Captain Sig had a man on the ground to guide him on what to expect near Adak Island, allowing Captain Johnathan’s crew to find prime real estate to catch. Furthermore, for Captain Sig, it also allowed his own ship, F/V Northwestern, to go out into Dutch Harbor where they knew there was crab to begin their season. This gave a chance for his daughter, Captain Mandy Hansen, to go ‘Sig-less’ for the first time in her career.
Willing to combine their quota, both captains got a jump start on every other fishing vessel before they finally arrived. With a race for potential, joining together allowed a two-on-one between the Time Bandit and Northwestern to take on Captain Keith Colburn‘s Wizard. This after Captain Mandy had already broken Captain Keith at Dutch Harbor when he stole her refueling spot. With some light ribbing, they were eager to continue to push Captain Keith to the brink when he encroached on their territory, though they lost this battle. The war is certainly not over, and this new alliance is about to dominate the crabbing season.
‘Deadliest Catch’s Season 21 Premiere Delivers Epic Team-Up and Unexpected Humor
Deadliest Catch tends to be known for its scenes of action adventure, but thanks to this epic team-up, the Season 21 premiere had a much-needed element of levity and humor. Being a seasoned captain, there may be some pride attached to the profession, but both men took it on the chin to have fun. Especially Northwestern’s figurehead. Reminiscent of his early days, Captain Sig is proud to hit the deck and partake in the Time Bandit tradition as if he were a deckhand again. The best part? Captain Johnathan, watching from the wheelhouse, as he turned to the camera to tell us that drinking cod blood is not tradition, it’s just the hazing of the beloved captain.
When it was time to work, their temporary setback of missing out on the first major catch near Adak Island didn’t break their spirit. They accepted defeat and continued to enjoy one another’s company, with Captain Sig mocking Captain Johnathan’s wheelhouse set up. They have become a formidable team that Deadliest Catch needed. But what do we call them? As Captain Johnathan said, “Do you know what you get when you cross a Hansen and a Hillstrand? One damn handsome man.” Not terrible. Captain Sig, on the other hand, has decided that they’re the “Hanstrands.”
Deadliest Catch airs Fridays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on Discovery Channel. All episodes are available to stream on HBO Max.
Deadliest Catch
- Release Date
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April 12, 2005
- Network
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Discovery
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Bill “Wild Bill” Wichrowski
Mania’ Monster (archive footage)
