Swords: Life on the Line Season 1 Episode 5 Homesick
- September 8, 2009
A group of commercial fishermen embark on a challenging journey fraught with physical and emotional hurdles in episode five of “Swords: Life on the Line” entitled “Homesick”. The episode kicks off with the boat captains; Brad Martin, Travis Larson, and Joe Laurino, all expressing their mounting frustration over their inability to find a profitable swordfish fishing spot. With general enthusiasm waning within the crew, the captains decide to try their luck in a distant location known as the “Western Grounds”.
As the cluster of vessels powers through the rough seas, the fishermen start experiencing a sense of homesickness. Away from their loved ones, they let their minds wander to what they left behind and the challenges they’ll face when they return. For Deckhand Scully, his long-term relationship is on the rocks, while Deckhand Chris is struggling to make peace with the fact that his girlfriend just left him. For everyone else, it's the simple things they miss, like sleeping in their own beds or gathering around their family dinner table.
On the other hand, the captain of the Fish Hawk II struggles to keep his crew motivated with his leadership skills as doubts and tension begin to creep up. Unfavorable weather conditions make the already strenuous job overwhelming and nerve-wracking for all on board, yet the Fish Hawk captain remains tenacious about finding their bounty to earn some longed-for cash.
Meanwhile, on board the Dark Knight II, a series of challenges hit the crew, as power issues and failed equipment create doubts and put their mission at risk. The team is forced to quick thinking and action to stay afloat, literally and figuratively.
As the journey wears on, the crew of all three vessels experience a range of emotions; grief, nostalgia, homesickness, and frustration. Despite the mounting challenges, Captain Brad of the Avalon continues to exude a sense of camaraderie and good-heartedness, making his team forget about their problems if only for a few moments.
Eventually, the Fish Hawk II manages to find a spot with bites, but the skipper’s unorthodox methods of catching the fish nearly put the crew in danger. The situation escalates, and the captain loses his cool, leading his irate crew to contemplate quitting the job altogether.
Throughout the episode, home takes on a symbolic meaning. It’s a sanctuary from the challenges of life at sea but also a place of longing and desire. By the end of “Homesick”, we’re left with more than a few cliff hangers, wondering if the teams will recover from their tough journey and whether they'll dig deep to catch those valuable swordfish that they so desperately need.
Overall, the episode perfectly captures the physical and emotional demands of commercial fishing. It showcases the human side of commercial fishing; the sacrifices and struggles of the Fisherman's daily lives. Its realistic portrayal of life on the high seas infuses the episode with a sense of poignancy that is both captivating and at times heart-breaking. "Swords: Life on the Line" season 1 episode 5 "Homesick" is an entertaining and thought-provoking episode that is sure to keep you glued to your screen.
