‘Attenborough’s Global Adventure’ Recap: ‘Episode One – Global Adventure’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Attenborough’s Global Adventure’.
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When it comes to the nature documentary business, there are only a handful of names involved with it that are outright recognizable. Simply because these stories focus on the world itself and the person talking about them tends to take a backseat in our minds. But the ones that do stand out, are the ones who truly teach us something special and present to us a dazzling story about our world that stays with us for ages on end. Plus, they tend to do a lot for conservation efforts as well, and one particular name that checks off all of those boxes, is David Attenborough. For he really is the father of the nature documentary and has done so much for nature, and when he was in his eighties, an age where he should have been retired, he surprised the world by working harder than ever.

Because he was laser focused on finding new ways to show us what mother nature is really like and how to make storytelling about our world fun and engaging and he was so eager to make this happen, that he spent a great deal of time shooting new footage to accompany his ideas… and he shot so much that BBC America has compiled that footage into a new three-part documentary entitled, Attenborough’s Global Adventure, which premiered on the network last night, and well, ‘Episode One – Global Adventure’ does not disappoint in providing us with a wonderful learning experience. One that holds your attention from beginning to end and takes us around the globe to unique and wonderful places.

Such as say… the waters of the Pacific Ocean. So, we could learn more about the Great Barrier Reef and see how the clownfish functions and lives in this part of the world… alongside the ultra-aggressive Mantis Shrimp no less. Since they too hang out in these waters and beat down anyone that gets near their territory, and when we weren’t enjoying the sheer majesty of the reef, we were spending time with David in the Galapagos Islands. To get an up close and personal look at the amazing tortoises that the islands are named after, and the wild lizards that have evolved over thousands of years to live in this isolated part of our world, to properly feed upon the seaweed that surrounds them. 

Speaking of evolution, that topic was so enthralling, that clearly it ignited something with David’s soul as well. Since the back half of this adventure, focused heavily on its role in how animals traverse the globe. Specifically, by way of flight. Since millennia of evolution allowed for so many different species to take to the skies and settle where the climate was comfortable and that in turn, led to an exploration on birds that we can no longer see due to extinction. Such as the Dodo, and what ancient birds might have looked like well before they took flight and that, combined with all the other elements we’ve talked about, and a cute segment involving the wondrous penguin, and a frog that can soar… made for one wonderful documentary.

One that truly reminded us just how much David loves nature and truly believes that our understanding of it is paramount to moving forward as a species and well… he’s right. Because we don’t appreciate anything in this life until we genuinely understand it through and through and his work here is helping to do that, in dynamic ways no less. For CGI is the perfect way to teach us about the world. Since such visuals ignite imaginations and motivate folks to seek out more knowledge about the incredible sights before them and what’s truly amazing… is that this is just the opening chapter of this stunning journey. And it will be quite amazing to see what other sights and lessons await us as we continue this voyage around the globe with the man that made this type of learning experience possible. Until next time.  

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