‘Dynasties II’ Recap: ‘Cheetah’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 203 of ‘Dynasties’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Thus far, our journey through the world of Dynasties and Dynasties II has taught us… that the various creatures of the world face some incredible challenges, when it comes to keeping their family line alive. For time and time again, we’ve watched these various animals, do whatever it takes to keep their young thriving and find themselves in precarious spots in the process. Which has indeed helped us to understand nature’s resilience and how much wildlife understands what is at stake when it comes to their family line. But while it has been fascinating to learn all that and see nature’s struggle in action… the constant wins on display here, does beg an important question.
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In that… do the animals of the world ever fail when it comes to the fight to keep their family line alive? Because all we continue to see are successes through and through, making it appear as though nature just has to deal with a struggle and never a setback. But as it turns out… the next episode in this phenomenal BBC America documentary, takes the time to address that question by informing us, that no… it isn’t always so easy. Instead, camera crews are simply lucky in spotting an animal that has managed to defy the odds and keep its lineage alive and that a great many animals suffer setbacks and losses along the way, such as the ‘Cheetah’ we met last night.

For Kali is an eight-year cheetah… that could be considered to be something of an unsuccessful mother. For only a handful of her offspring have lived to an age of note and have barely produced any offspring of their own. Making it appear as though, Kali and her line will be easily forgotten thanks to the harshness of the world. Which is why, it was so critical for her in this tale, to do things differently. Because her already depleted litter was down to her three daughters and to have a legacy of any kind… she had to help these young ladies survive. Which is why Kali stayed with her babies longer than a mother normally would. To ensure their safety and to ensure that this trio would be ready to handle business on their own.

Which thankfully was the case in the end. For after mom left her little ones behind, they thrived as a trio for a little while longer before going their own ways and thriving some more. To the point where Kali’s legacy will likely grow. A reality that should have made this story a happy one to say the least, one filled with joy over such an incredible accomplishment. But alas… this particular tale was bittersweet in the end. For we came to learn that another litter of little ones for Kali, was quickly depleted once more since her newborn daughter didn’t make it. Pushing her to work hard once again to raise her remaining cub and well… that was a sobering way to bring this story to a close… since it really did hammer home a harsh reality.

In that, the animals of the world, do indeed suffer setbacks in building their legacy. And clearly… some suffer greater setbacks than others. Since Kali lost a lot of little ones over the course of the past eight years and in way, before our eyes. Which is difficult to process and watch, but that is the truth of the world, and this documentary deserves praise for showing us this reality in an honest light and for teaching us another important lesson. Specifically, that regardless of the losses, nature never gives up. It simply keeps at it until it gets it right and that is a positive lesson for us to take away from this story, since it likely means that Kali will have her legacy after all, thanks to her tenacity and refusal to quit. Until next time.  

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