Ep 1. Battle of Kings

As the 15th season of Deadliest Catch begins, the captains and crews of the crab fishing vessels in the Bering Sea are facing new challenges and potential opportunities. In the season premiere episode, titled "Battle of Kings," the focus is on the competition between two of the veteran boats in the fleet, the Northwestern and the Cornelia Marie.

The Northwestern, helmed by Captain Sig Hansen, has been one of the top boats in the fishery for years, but this season they are facing stiff competition from the newly revived Cornelia Marie. This legendary vessel was once captained by the late Phil Harris, who became a fan favorite on the show before his untimely death during filming in season 6. Now, after several seasons of being out of commission, the Cornelia Marie has been brought back to life by Josh Harris, Phil's son, and a team of experienced fishermen.

The "Battle of Kings" in this episode refers to the race between these two boats to catch the most valuable and coveted species of crab in the Bering Sea - the king crab. These massive creatures have particularly thick and meaty legs, making them a favorite among seafood lovers and commanding a high price at market. However, catching them can be incredibly difficult and dangerous, as they live in deep waters and often in rough conditions.

The episode follows both boats as they try to outmaneuver each other, using their experience and knowledge of the fishing grounds to try and find the best spots to drop their pots. The Northwestern has a head start, having been working on the grounds for several weeks already, but the Cornelia Marie is not far behind, and they are determined to make a name for themselves in this competitive fishery.

As the crew of the Northwestern pulls up their first pots, they start to realize that this season might not be as easy as they thought. The crab they're catching are smaller than usual, and some of the pots are coming up almost empty. Captain Sig is frustrated but determined to push on, knowing that the king crab can be elusive and unpredictable.

Meanwhile, on the Cornelia Marie, Josh and his crew are dealing with some unexpected mechanical issues. The boat's engines are not running smoothly, and they're worried that they might not be able to keep up with the other boats in the fleet. However, they're not ones to give up easily, and they work together to try and fix the problems as quickly as possible.

As the episode progresses, we see both boats continue to battle it out for the most valuable crab. They face setbacks, challenges, and moments of triumph as they try to outdo each other. We also catch up with some of the other boats in the fleet, including the Time Bandit and the Wizard, to see how they are faring in this competitive fishery.

Throughout the episode, we witness the incredible skill and bravery of these crab fishermen, who put their lives on the line every day to bring us some of the most delicious seafood in the world. We also get a glimpse into the personal lives of the captains and crew members, learning about their motivations, fears, and hopes for the season ahead.

Overall, "Battle of Kings" sets the stage for another thrilling and heart-pumping season of Deadliest Catch, as we watch these fearless fishermen battle the elements and each other in the quest for the ultimate prize - the king crab.