Life On Our Planet Episode 2

I just finished episode 2 and I have to say, the mixed feelings have not gone away. The show does have its moments, but it can also be really dull. At least this episode doesn't feel as chaotic as episode 1. It has a coherent theme, and that is talking about the evolution of life chronologically.

This episode is all about the earliest life in the oceans. So it's an all marine life episode and ends with life starting to spread on land. I love that it talks about the snowball earth, something that is usually ignored in prehistoric documentaries. It's an ice age that most people aren't familiar with. I think what frustrates me the most is that the script says things, but doesn't explain them. It'll talk about how there's a huge drop in CO2 levels on the planet causing it to freeze, but it doesn't talk about why there was a sudden loss in CO2, to begin with. Even if there's no definitive answer, it's good to put forth some theories. It's not like this show shies away from more speculative elements such as the Terror Bird's synchronized dance of intimidation. The show really should spend some time explaining things more to the viewers instead of leaving crucial information out.

Life On Our Planet doesn't know what it wants to be. I feel like this was originally a regular nature documentary, but then partway through, someone decided to add prehistoric life into it. Cause this episode was like 70% modern day nature footage and 30% prehistoric creatures. That said, I need to give credit to the nature footage. It is beautiful. It's very well shot. The CGI was solid for the most part as well. I know some of the marine life they talked about in this episode are still alive today, so no point in using CGI when you can film them live, but the prehistoric seas also have so many weird creatures that deserve some screentime.

I did notice the show tends to add silly sound effects into the footage as well. You'll hear the swooshing of vines as they grow, rhythmic hmming when a cuttlefish changes colors, and clickity clacks as a Trilobite walks across the ocean floor. This is silly. I don't know why they decided to add this.

I don't actually dislike this episode, but there's a lot of wasted potential here.