Ep 6. Spider Pharm

Mike Rowe returns to the screen with all new adventures in Dirty Jobs season 5 episode 6 titled Spider Pharm. The fifth season has already witnessed Mike taking on some of the dirtiest, grimiest, and most dangerous jobs out there. In this episode, Mike has another unique and daunting job at hand, which is to collect venom from deadly arachnids, which will be used for various medical purposes.

As a professional host and narrator, Mike Rowe is known for his witty humor, raw honesty, and the ability to showcase his subject with a unique perspective. As he arrives at the Spider Pharm, he is welcomed by the team who will guide him through the process of venom extraction from the spiders.

The premise of episode 6 is riveting and exciting, as Mike gets to work with some of the deadliest creatures on the planet. Mike's first task is to milk a black widow spider, which, according to him, is one of the most dangerous arachnids in the world. The venom extracted from black widow spiders is used in developing anti-venom to treat a wide range of medical conditions.

Throughout the episode, Mike Rowe encounters other types of venomous spiders, including the Brown Recluse spider, Hobo spiders, and the Tarantulas. He works closely with skilled professionals to extract the venom from each spider species, and viewers get to learn about the structural makeup of spider venom and how it is used to develop anti-venom for treatment.

Aside from the spider milking operations, Mike Rowe also explores the other duties behind running a spider farm. The team explains the secrecy and security measures taken to protect the spiders from being stolen. Mike expressed his surprise about the number of spiders present on the farm and the level of care these spiders receive. As he walks around the spider enclosures, he is shown how the spiders are fed and cared for to ensure they stay healthy and ready for the milk harvest.

Given that this is a dirty job, it isn't all sunshine and roses. Mike grabs his gloves to help sort the venom so that it can be shipped off to labs worldwide efficiently. The venom is incredibly potent, and the extraction process is very nuanced to avoid any contamination.

As usual, Mike's humor and curiosity keep the show interesting throughout, providing some lighthearted moments amidst the dirty work. For instance, Mike discovers that some people have an unusual fear of spiders and use the venom as a cure. He tests this theory by jokingly exposing himself to minute amounts of the venom throughout the episode, hoping that it will cure his comically exaggerated fear of spiders.

The episode covers the entire spider venom extraction process, from the careful selection of arachnids to the milking operation itself and the final product shipped worldwide. The spider farm's head, who shows Mike around, also discusses the financial incentive of being in the spider milk business. According to him, black widow venom sells for approximately $2000 per gram. With over 1000 spiders on their farm, it is easy to see the financial potential of being part of the spider milk business.

Overall, Dirty Jobs season 5 episode 6 Spider Pharm, is a thrilling episode that captures the challenging and little-known job of spider venom extraction. Mike Rowe's narration and wit make the episode exciting, and the behind-the-scenes look at spider farm operations gives viewers unique insights into work that few people are aware of. The episode is an amazing blend of entertainment and education, which makes it worth watching.