‘A Wild Year on Earth’ Recap: ‘A Time of Renewal’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘A Wild Year on Earth’.
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Spring is a special time for all of humanity. Because not only does it signal the end of a long and chilly winter, but it is also a time where beauty returns to the landscape and where new beginnings take place. For nature begins to thrive once again and blossom before our very eyes and that motivates us to venture out from our homes and back into the world. So that we can enjoy all the wonder that nature has to offer and also so that we can forge new memories and/or execute the resolutions we’ve held off on starting until the weather finally improved. But while we go about our carefully crafted springtime plan once we hear the birds begin to chirp and the temperature goes up, nature views this particular time of year in a far different manner, as was explored in last night’s episode of A Wild Year on Earth.

For ‘A Time of Renewal’ examined how spring is a signal for nature to begin to do what it needs to in order to keep the circle of life going. Which is why we see so many animals settle down and find a mate. All so that they can ensure the continuity of their line, and that allowed for us to watch in great detail, how various creatures around the world raise their young and teach them important life lessons, such as where to find food. Which is why elephants push their youth hard to make it to their respective feeding grounds, so that the route is engrained in their minds and speaking of food, that was another fascinating aspect of spring that this episode managed to delve into. Since animals seem to understand that the blossoming of the world is a signal to eat hearty and enjoy this bounty while it lasts.

But while it was fascinating to see just how quickly nature makes a push to get moving on reproduction and finding food and rearing their young once the temperature gets comfortable, what made this segment of the story supremely special… is that is also took the time to remind us that this pattern of renewal isn’t limited to the lush forests and grasslands. For new beginnings happen even in the most inhospitable places in the world, such as the dry and arid California desert. Because out there is a species of owl that lives underground and feasts on the various insects that thrive during this time of year, and they too are eager to find a mate and start a tiny little family. Which in essence, just goes to show that it is the planet, that drives all of us to get moving and live, and that particular epiphany allowed for this documentary to offer up quite the unique twist.

In that, this particular chapter felt the need to step away from its fascinating exploration of nature’s response to the wonder of spring, in order to focus deeper upon mankind’s unique response to it. Because we truly do celebrate this changing of the season in a more primal manner than we think, since we straight up honor this season of renewal with festivals around the globe as our ancestors once did, and of course… there's Easter. A holiday that shows our understanding of the importance of birth and re-birth since the eggs that children hunt for help us to teach them of how nature begins a new cycle of life during this season and of course, reflecting upon the Bible's teachings of Christ's death and resurrection speaks volumes to how much we believe that spring is all about new beginnings and renewal, where anyone can receive a fresh start if they choose.

Which at first glance, seems out of place to find in a documentary about nature, since one would expect that only the animals would be the focus. But this particular series is eager to point out one important fact about the Earth that we tend to forget. In that… humanity and nature share this tiny little blue world and we are in fact, all connected in some form or fashion. To the point where our evolved civilization still understands on a fundamental level that the shifting of the seasons means something quite powerful and that is honestly, a brilliant twist to inject into this documentary. For it gives it gravity and meaning, and it undoubtedly gives the audience pause as well, since a surprise in that vein really does get one thinking about their connection to nature and of course, if they’re doing enough to properly answer that call for renewal. And now that our exploration of springtime has come to a close, it should be interesting to see what other powerful and poignant lessons await us as our journey through a wild year on earth, continues along. Until next time.  

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