Ep 7. Backhoe Wars

As a third season addition to the hit reality show Bering Sea Gold, episode 7 titled "Backhoe Wars" presents a competitive edge to the already cutthroat world of underwater gold mining. The episode opens with the dredgers reflecting on their progress so far: Zeke and Emily are struggling with unforgiving weather while Shawn Pomrenke has obtained a valuable permit to explore a promising underwater area. Meanwhile, Vernon Adkison remains focused on his ultimate goal - a potentially massive gold deposit he has been eyeing for a long time.

With such high stakes in the game, it's no surprise that tensions continue to rise between the mining crews. In an effort to secure his own fortune, Zeke sets his sights on one of Shawn's most lucrative hotspots, causing a stir among the jewel miners. Emily, however, is growing increasingly anxious about the environmental impact of mining and contemplates getting out of the industry altogether. Against his better judgment, Zeke agrees to let JJ operate the backhoe despite his inexperience; it's a decision that will come back to bite them later on.

Meanwhile, on Shawn's boat, the Christine Rose, things are heating up between the crew members. They begin exploring a new site, one that seems promising based on initial readings. However, Shawn remains wary of the potential dangers that lurk beneath the surface. As the surface winds pick up, so too do the undercurrents, putting the team in danger. These conditions also prove to be a challenge for Emily and her crew, who are forced to abandon their dredge due to the turbulent weather.

As the episode progresses, tensions continue to escalate between Shawn and Zeke. In an effort to outpace each other, they both pile on the amount of equipment used to mine, but their respective crews struggle to keep up. Emily gets frustrated, feeling that the environmental destruction caused by the mining is not worth the reward. Despite this and mounting pressure from her family, she leans in and continues mining, determined to make a success of it.

Then, disaster strikes. While JJ is operating the backhoe, one careless mistake sends it toppling into the sea. In that moment, Zeke's dreams of a record-breaking haul come crashing down - quite literally. He must now find a way to recover his equipment from the depths before the harsh Alaskan winter sets in. For Emily, the event is a sharp reminder of just how dangerous and demanding the industry can be.

In the final moments of the episode, the focus shifts back to Shawn. Despite setbacks, he and his team persevere and find a significant amount of gold at the site they'd been exploring. Though the future remains uncertain for the other miners, Shawn's success gives hope to those who continue to risk everything in search of underwater riches.

Overall, Bering Sea Gold's "Backhoe Wars" delivers a gripping and emotional viewing experience that will keep audiences transfixed. From heart-stopping disasters to moments of triumph and hope, the episode provides a nuanced look at the ups and downs of mining in one of the world's most unforgiving environments.