‘Attenborough’s Global Adventure’ Recap: ‘Episode Two – Home Planet’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Attenborough’s Global Adventure’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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One of several beliefs that humanity shares in, is that mankind is the true ruler of Planet Earth. For we are the beings that have figured out how to make use of the environment to create grand communities that thrive and protect and nurture generations of humans to come, and we also believe… that our world does not resemble the animal kingdom in the slightest. Because of our advancements and because we harbor no natural predators and well… those are beliefs that are completely and utterly wrong. For we are but partners in this world, and not its masters and our lives resemble the animal kingdom more than we know and it just so happens that last night’s episode of Attenborough’s Global Adventure, took the time to prove those points.
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For ‘Episode Two – Home Planet’ brought us back to the Great Barrier Reef to show us that community is something that is a fundamental understanding on this planet. For this part of the world mirrors ours to a tee. Because the Great Barrier Reef can be seen as something akin to a rest stop or a tourist attraction in our world. Since so many animals travel thousands of miles to swing by the reef for food and protection and whatever else they need… including grooming. Because there are fish in the Reef that are happy to service other aquatic life akin to a barber or a spa, since they clear out all of the parasites and other unsavory flotsam that have attached themselves to a manta ray or a turtle, and it was just incredible to learn how much this part of the world, resembles our own and how much we’ve learned from animals in regard to caring for one another and the magic of this exploration didn’t end there.

Because David was also keen to point out how animals make use of their environment in the same manner as we do. Since they know as we do, that there are only certain places in the world to go, to get what one needs, and that’s why there are birds galore on Heron Island near the Reef, so they can care for their young and provide them with what they need. An act that is no different than us swinging by a hospital to bear our young since everything we need to ensure a healthy birth and post-birth are there. Not to mention, the bats of Borneo have outright evolved to make use of their dark environment through echolocation, so that the caves on that island become their perfect property and the best comparison there is how mankind builds homes in environments that are normally not hospitable to us, but we too know how to adapt, and it was just fascinating to see how many parallels to our world there are in nature.

But while it was indeed powerful and engaging to learn that how humanity functions is more in tune with nature than we know, what would an episode of this unique documentary be without moments that break away from the central theme to celebrate the majesty of the world and how innovative it is at surviving? And we enjoyed those moments through offshoot vignettes that showed us how mangroves that grow near several islands near the Great Barrier Reef, support, and nurture young aquatic wildlife so they have every chance to grow. Plus, we learned a great deal about various butterflies and lizards that stick to unique mating habits because of how they’re built and of course, we had another look into the past, via CGI, regarding birds that once soared and dominated the skies.

But what matters most here, is that we genuinely learned that places like the Reef are no different than say Los Angeles or New York City, since they are teeming with diverse life that depend upon one another to function properly. Making it clear that we share so much with nature and taking the time to learn that… is a powerful way to help us to understand that our role here can go beyond boasting about our ability to conquer a land quickly, and colonize it, and establish an economy and the like. No instead, this lesson informs us, that we are the only species on the planet in a unique position to help all life on Earth and give back to it for providing us with so much, and that is some beautiful and powerful wisdom to impart here. The kind that not only gives the viewer pause but leaves one eager to see what other stunning lessons await us, when we wrap up this journey come next Saturday.

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