Oh they're definitely getting some cash from Discovery. I really don't like how Porcupine Creek was handled tho. There had have been some sort of communication between Earle and the Hoffman's prior to them showing up. They did have a lease that they missed a payment on but Earl should have sent something that said that the lease was terminated for nonpayment or whatever. And for him to think that a rookie crew could set up and make any kind of find in a few months is unrealistic. For the Hoffmans to go into the Klondike 2 weeks into an even shorter season, they'll have to do the same thing that Dakota Fred did to land a claim.
But your right, there wouldn't be a 1 episode season 2 if they didn't have something favorable happen. Its going to be interesting to see what goes down.