Plot: What’s it about?
One of the most dangerous and deadly professions in the world, the crew aboard the crab boats in the Bering Sea face a constant battle of the elements. These crews race to haul in as much crab as possible, while enduring insane conditions and fierce competition from other crews. The Discovery Channel takes us inside this dangerous world in Deadliest Catch, which follows eight of these boats through their seasons. The waters are rough and the weather can be beyond brutal, but these crews push on and refuse to give in. In this third season, the show starts off with a tragic turn and the crews have to look inside themselves, to take stock of their lives and their profession. Things don’t ease up much over time, as the crews deal with personal problems, severe weather, and all kinds of other conflicts.
Deadliest Catch is a great show, an example of how good “reality television” can be. The concept of life on board a crab boat might not sound like an ideal series, but the show has more than enough drama, tension, and depth. You’ll get to know the men who risk their lives out on the water, see them in action and hear their thoughts on the lifestyle. The visuals can be memorable too, as the cameras don’t flinch and capture some harrowing images at times. Deadliest Catch is a series that shows us the highs and lows, so the ride isn’t often a smooth one. This third season is especially brutal, with even more setbacks than usual and it is riveting to watch as crucial decisions are made. If you’re a fan of this kind of show, Deadliest Catch provides ample drama and tension, so this third season earns a solid recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. These episodes look good, but keep in mind the nature of the series, as the visuals are sometimes rough. The show is real life as it happens, so the visuals reflect that “in the moment” nature, which means quick pans and movements are frequent. The image shows some grain and rough spots, but looks solid and never comes off as bad or harsh. The colors and contrast perform well, but this is real life, so lighting isn’t always ideal. So given the nature of the series, I think these episodes look quite good.
Audio: How does it sound?
As I said before, this is a series that follows real life and while the audio is good most of the time, the live nature of the show sometimes makes it hard to hear all the vocals. But that is unavoidable and for the most part, the microphones pick up all the pertinent dialogue. The sound effects come through well also, so the lapping waves, pouring rain, and other atmospheric elements are well handled. Mike Rowe’s narration sounds excellent, with no issues whatsoever to contend with. So all in all, the audio is more than up to snuff here.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The lone extra is a forty-two minute featurette that takes us inside the production of the series. I appreciated being able to see the behind the scenes material, as it shows how demanding this kind of shoot can be. You’re also reminded that when the crews face danger, so do the cameramen and other production staff members. A well crafted look inside Deadliest Catch that adds some good value to this release.
