This episode takes you on an enchanting journey through the vital waterways of Britain and Ireland. From the serene reed-beds of Somerset to the bustling ecosystems of Scotland's lochs, the film unveils the intricate dance of life sustained by freshwater. Marvel at the agility of dragonflies and the aerial prowess of hobbies, witness the arduous journey of Atlantic salmon as they return to their birthplaces to spawn, and observe the fascinating life cycle of the mayfly. Discover the impact of reintroduced beavers in Scotland, creating new wetlands that buzz with life. The episode doesn't shy away from showcasing the challenges these ecosystems face, from climate change to pollution, emphasizing the delicate balance that sustains these vibrant freshwater habitats. ‘Freshwater’ is a mesmerizing ode to the streams, rivers, and lakes that are the lifeblood of the Britain and Ireland isles, supporting a diverse array of life in one of the planet's most beautiful settings.
David Attenborough explores Britain and Ireland’s grasslands, revealing the creatures that create them and the extraordinary stories they hide. From the coastal flower meadows in the Scottish Outer Hebrides to the rich open landscapes in the mountains of southern Ireland, we enter surprising and dramatic worlds. In southern England, we meet an extraordinary bee that lives in chalk grassland, one of our rarest habitats, laying her eggs in empty snail shells. Meanwhile, in the colourful machair of the Hebrides, ringed plovers and lapwings strive to rear their families of tiny fluffy chicks and to save them for marauding gulls. We travel back in time to explore the vast wild grasslands once found throughout our isles, before meeting herds of semi-wild horses, where males battle fiercely for the females. Today, they are helping to turn some of this land back to wilderness. And in our precious remaining pockets of flower-rich meadow, a remarkable conservation success story plays out. Once extinct in our isles, England now has the largest known populations of large blue butterflies. Their survival relies on a game of deception with red ants, which are tricked into adopting the butterfly’s unassuming but predatory caterpillars. Our story then journeys to the mountains. Each morning in early spring, feisty male black grouse battle for prime position on their frozen breeding grounds. Their sole mission is to impress a female. Meanwhile, on south-facing scree slopes, dozens of adders emerge from hibernation to perform a surprisingly delicate courtship routine. The episode concludes with a mighty battle in the wild mountains of County Kerry. This is the scene of an epic and spectacular rut between the largest land mammals in Britain and Ireland, red deer. The grasslands of Britain and Ireland are under threat. We have lost 97 per cent of our species-rich meadows in the last century, as modern agriculture replaces these precious habitats. This episode shows just how important different types of grassland are to the species which call these islands home.
The second episode dives deeper into the enigmatic world of octopuses, uncovering the extraordinary intelligence of these cephalopods. From their ability to change color and shape in an instant to their sophisticated use of tools, this documentary reveals how octopuses navigate and survive in the ocean's most challenging environments. The documentary explores the profound cognitive abilities of octopuses, highlighting their potential for future planning, problem-solving, and even dreaming. Witness the coconut octopus's ingenious stilt-walking and shell-wielding tactics, and marvel at the giant Pacific octopus's intricate hunting strategies. Through stunning underwater footage and insights from leading scientists like Dr. Alex Schnell and Dr. C.E. O'Brien, viewers are invited to rethink what they know about intelligence in the animal kingdom. This captivating film showcases the remarkable adaptability and creativity of octopuses, making it a must-watch for anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the ocean.
This series delves into the intimate and often unexplored world of romantic relationships among individuals on the autism spectrum. Through a series of personal stories, viewers are offered a glimpse into the complexities, challenges, and triumphs that define these relationships. From the hesitant first steps of reaching out to a potential partner, the documentary captures the raw emotions and vulnerabilities of its subjects. Through these stories, the documentary paints a poignant picture of love's diverse expressions, emphasizing that the need for companionship and understanding transcends the bounds of neurotypical norms. In the fifth episode, Steve embarks on his first date in a year. Abbey's dream comes true. Connor rethinks a past decision. Dani attends a comic-con with an old flame.
This gripping five-part docuseries marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, revealing how a distant war redefined two nations. With unseen footage, candid interviews, and damning presidential recordings, it exposes the political manipulation, battlefield tragedies, and societal fractures that shaped the Vietnam War. From Washington’s strategic missteps to the raw trauma of those on the ground, it shows how the conflict shattered trust in government and left wounds that still resonate today. The first three episodes trace the war’s slow ignition and its rapid spiral into chaos. They take viewers deep into the secretive early stages of the U.S. military buildup, then shift to the complex realities inside Vietnam, with personal accounts from soldiers on both sides. The series then confronts the shock of the Tet Offensive and the atrocities of Mỹ Lai, dismantling the illusion of a winnable war. These opening chapters set a powerful tone—intimate, harrowing, and unflinchingly honest.
In a quiet Midwestern town, two teenagers find their lives consumed by a wave of anonymous, harassing texts. What begins as a few unsettling messages turns into a relentless campaign of threats, sexual insinuations, and cruelty that lasts for more than a year. As fear spreads, parents, friends, and teachers struggle to protect the victims and uncover who is behind the screen, while suspicion and paranoia slowly tear their community apart. When investigators finally trace the source of the messages, the truth is more shocking than anyone imagined. With real footage, police evidence, and emotional testimonies, this documentary exposes how betrayal can come from within and how digital manipulation can turn trust into terror. It is an intimate and disturbing portrait of a family unraveling in the age of constant connectivity.
‘Freshwater’ is a mesmerizing ode to the streams, rivers, and lakes that are the lifeblood of the Britain and Ireland isles, supporting a diverse array of life in one of the planet's most beautiful settings.