Ep 10. Frontier Medicine

As the tenth episode of season seven of Deadliest Catch, titled Frontier Medicine, begins, tensions at sea are high. The weather is unpredictable, and the risks of the job are mounting. The captains of the various fishing boats are facing tough decisions as they try to navigate the stormy waters of the Bering Sea. But for one crew member, the danger comes not from the environment, but from his own body.

The episode follows the crew of the Time Bandit, a fishing vessel that is one of the most successful in the fleet. But as the boats head out to sea, crew member Mike Fourtner begins to experience severe abdominal pain. Unsure of what is causing the discomfort, the captain of the Time Bandit decides to seek medical advice from a remote Alaskan clinic.

The episode chronicles the crew's journey to the clinic, which is many miles from their current location. The waters are rough, and the journey is perilous, but the crew knows that they need to get Fourtner medical attention as soon as possible. In the meantime, they try to keep him as comfortable as they can.

Once they arrive at the clinic, the crew is met by Dr. Pam Miller, a physician who has spent many years practicing medicine in remote areas of Alaska. She examines Fourtner and quickly realizes that his condition is serious. He is suffering from a ruptured appendix and needs surgery immediately.

The crew is faced with a difficult choice: leave Fourtner behind to receive medical treatment, or take him back out to sea where he can continue to fish but risk further complications. Ultimately, they decide that Fourtner's health is too important to risk, and they leave him at the clinic to undergo surgery.

The rest of the episode follows the crew of the Time Bandit as they continue to fish without Fourtner. The weather grows more unpredictable, and the seas more dangerous, but the crew perseveres. They are a tight-knit group, and they are determined to bring in a successful haul.

Throughout the episode, viewers are reminded of the risks that these fishermen take every day. The work is grueling, and the environment is unforgiving. But for these men, it is a way of life. They are bound together by a common purpose, and they rely on one another to stay safe and succeed.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers learn that Fourtner's surgery was successful, and he is on the mend. The crew members of the Time Bandit breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that their friend and colleague is on the road to recovery. But they also know that the dangers of the Bering Sea are never far away, and they remain vigilant as they continue to fish.

In Frontier Medicine, viewers are given a glimpse into the world of commercial fishing in Alaska, a world that is as dangerous as it is captivating. The episode is a reminder of the risks that these men take every day, and the sacrifices that they make in order to provide for their families. But it is also a celebration of the human spirit, and the determination of these fishermen to overcome whatever challenges come their way.