Fletcher is a surly anomaly; he is as old as the more numerous senior-juniors, but has less shipboard knowledge and experience than the junior-juniors. JR, the leader of the senior-juniors, finally tries putting him in charge of the three youngsters. Despite a botched, unofficial initiation that results in a fistfight between Fletcher and Chad, a senior-junior cousin, the responsibility (and implied trust), as well as his friendship with Jeremy, gradually reconcile him to his new life. Even the initially hostile Vince and Linda look to him for leadership and approval.