‘Blue Planet Now’ Recap: ‘Wonders of the Reef’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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Our modern society forces us to look at things a little differently in life. In fact, it forces us to compartmentalize and separate much of what we deal with and observe. Because it’s just a little easier for our minds to see a task or a problem in smaller doses so that we can deal with it properly. But there is a downside to that, in that we tend to apply such thinking to everything and that separates us from the bigger picture. For everything in our lives and our world is tied together and stepping back and looking at the whole helps to remind us of that, and this is a concept that is also applicable to nature. Because we sometimes forget that our world is a living and breathing eco-system, one where every creature and plant has a role to play and that’s why it is always wonderful when a documentary takes the time to remind us of the fact that everything in this world is connected.

Which is why I so thoroughly enjoyed last night’s episode of Blue Planet Now. Because ‘Wonders of the Reef’ was all about connecting the dots when it comes to marine wildlife, and it made a big point to remind of us of the fact that our oceans are all connected and the animals that live beneath the blue waves often find their way to different parts of the world by way of the water and for proof, look no further than the plight of the Loggerhead Turtle. For this gentle creature will travel from the reefs of Australia to the shores of South America as part of its lifecycle and really the reason that this turtle and whales and sharks and everything in between make such epic journeys around the globe, is because they have found something useful in just about every corner of our world and often times, they’ve discovered places that can help them propagate their species.

Which is why manta rays and sharks make their way to the Bahamas, since the warm and nutrient rich waters provide them with a bevy of meals in relative safety. Which is critical to having healthy pups and the heat of these waters is what also aids them since it promotes growth for their young. Yet what truly made this segment so impressive, was that it explored in great detail how places in this vein can mean so much more to some animals. Because their design and their temperature and everything in between can make them the perfect place for these creatures to grow and thrive, and for proof, the show offered us an inside look at the Lemon Shark nursery present within the Mangrove trees in the Bahamas. For this secure place keeps most predators out, allowing for these sharks to grow and learn to hunt in relative safety and it is just fascinating to know that sharks and other marine wildlife have figured out perfect places to birth and nurture their young.

If anything, this is a lot of information to process, which is why we need to take a moment and recognize the incredible research that went into bringing this documentary to life. Which may sound silly to write since all documentaries require research, but Blue Planet Now has done a phenomenal job of getting us into the trenches with the people who love and adore the ocean and will go the extra mile to keep it safe. And that matters, because it oddly gives one comfort and hope, since there are people working tirelessly to ensure that the oceans are safe for future generations of both man and animal and it’s inspiring to see people be this passionate about our world. So, my thanks go out to the series for taking the time to show us how the vast amounts of data these researchers collect, is assembled, and for also giving us some incredible feel-good stories along the way.

Because you really cannot go wrong with seeing green sea turtles be nursed back to health before returning to the ocean and it’s equally as magical to see people doing wellness checks on Manta Rays that are pregnant. If anything, this was just another magnificent episode of a show that really is taking a unique approach to how it teaches its audience about the oceans and I love how it consistently reminds us that we can make an incredible difference in life when we are armed with knowledge and heart, and that if we all work together and make some important changes, our oceans will indeed thrive for generations to come. Yet while this was indeed a powerful and moving episode to enjoy, it was also bittersweet in its own right. For this means that there is only one episode left in this magnificent series and it’s a shame that the journey is nearing its end, but I have no doubt that Blue Planet Now is saving its best moments, for last. Until next time. 

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