Parker Schnabel, the boy wonder of the Klondike, is apparently not content with merely mining gold. He’s aiming for a gold-plated hat trick, running three wash plants simultaneously in Friday’s episode of “Gold Rush.” This is a first for Schnabel, and it could either be a stroke of genius or a spectacularly expensive miscalculation. The pressure is clearly on, and knowing Schnabel, he’s either buzzing with adrenaline or on the verge of a caffeine-induced meltdown.
Meanwhile, Tony Beets, the perpetually scheming patriarch of the Beets crew, has acquired a new piece of equipment. Naturally, he’s handing it off to his son Kevin to use on his claim. Considering Beets’ history of passing down rickety machinery, it will be interesting to see whether this new toy is a blessing or a curse. Will Kevin strike gold, or will he be left cursing his father’s name and nursing a broken-down machine?
Adding to the drama, Parker’s cousin Mike encounters a setback when one of his plants malfunctions. This adds another level of pressure to an already high-stakes season. Will Mike be able to recover, or will this setback derail his entire operation?
This episode marks the tenth installment of “Gold Rush’s” 15th season on Discovery, a testament to the enduring appeal of watching grown men dig in the dirt. Whether or not this season will unearth any new nuggets of narrative gold, however, is still an open question.
“Gold Rush” airs Friday at 8/7c on Discovery.
