‘Frozen Planet II’ Recap: ‘Frozen South’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Frozen Planet II’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve learned a great deal about the frozen corners of our world, courtesy of the BBC America series, Frozen Planet II. For this series has left no snow drift unturned in its exploration of the iciest regions on Planet Earth, and how life thrives in these places. Granted, it may not thrive in the most pleasant or appealing of manner… but it thrives, nevertheless. Courtesy of biospheres and ecosystems that have more or less come together in these regions, out of necessity, due to the isolation of these icy places and never was that more evident than during this week’s fascinating tale. Since ‘Frozen South’ introduced us to perhaps the most incredible frozen ecosystem out there. 
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For Antarctica is a place that is about as isolated as it gets from the rest of the rest of the natural world and since there is wildlife at the end of the world, it is dependent upon one another to thrive and flourish. Which is why you find seals and penguins constantly playing a dangerous game at some of the small islands surrounding the core of the continent. Since the penguins there need to be in the water often to feed themselves and their starving little ones and the seals in those waters, need penguins to survive as well. Which creates a harrowing but necessary balance in this part of the world, one where survival of the fittest truly applies and the savage nature of Antarctic life doesn’t end with this back and forth.

Because we came to learn that the continent itself is flush with creatures living on and around the ice. Since there are so many seals that make the ice their home and nurture their young there and of course… deal with seal related problems, such as suitors that sometimes need a hard hit to take a hint when their advances are not wanted. And of course, those seals have worries to deal with outside of moments such as that. For there are killer whales in these waters that use collective hunting knowledge and efforts to properly send seals into the water to enjoy their own meals. A reality that hammers home the brutal nature of this environment and how every day will feature a difficult struggle for survival and food.

However, while it was indeed fascinating to learn about the how animals in this cold and icy place survive, this was also a grand opportunity to really showcase… the continent as a whole. Because let’s be honest, few documentaries really showcase the inhospitable nature of the south pole, and this one opted to change all that by taking us on an incredible tour inland. Wherein we were able to see how desolate and foreign Antarctica can be. Since it is filled with volcanic activity and stunning surprises, such as sand dunes formed by the horrible winds that whip around in this place and… it also is a place of great scientific value when it comes to our understanding of life on Earth. Since there is a lake that features a time capsule of what primordial life on our planet looked like billions of years ago.

All of which, made for a powerful and impactful journey, one that was also bittersweet in nature. Simply because this chapter of our journey through the coldest places on the globe, made sure to point out that this delicate world away from our own… is in dire need of humanity’s help. For the temperatures in these waters are rising. Which is causing harm to the penguins in this place, the whales and every animal that calls this place home and without our action, this perfect little world within our own… may be as desolate and dead as its nexus and that is… a powerful reminder to send our way. One that we should absolutely listen to so that this majestic and incredible place, can continue to thrive unfettered, as it has for centuries on end. Until next time.

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