The End of Captain Phil Harris on 'Deadliest Catch' (VIDEO)

We all knew that it was coming to this. But it remains a bit shocking, nonetheless. Captain Phil Harris passed away on February 9, 2010. But 'Deadliest Catch' (Tue., 9PM ET on Discovery), the reality show which chronicled his exploits, has taken some time to cover his final days. This is due, of course, to the natural lag in time between real life and television production. And for the record, Captain Phil himself requested that the cameras keep on rolling -- even when he was lying in his hospital bed.

On this episode, Phil says farewell to his sons Josh and Jake Harris. Or rather -- they say goodbye to him.

While lying on his deathbed, Captain Phil apologizes to son Josh for not being a better dad. Josh simply replies that Phil could not have been a better dad, and tells his father that he loves him. Although Josh does not want to cry around his father, he eventually breaks down into tears.

Meanwhile, Phil's other son Jake has checked himself into a drug treatment center, in order to get help for substance abuse. So he is away when his father dies, and Josh has to call him with the news. "I don't know how to tell you this, Jake," he says. " ... We lost dad."

It is all very sad. Reality shows deal with many things -- but they have never followed an actual death before. In our opinion, this series covered the last days of Captain Phil -- and the reactions of his family and friends -- with real grace and tact.