Autistic minds provide windows into how we all think, feel, and behave. A complete brain science should be able to account for all kinds of minds and brains. As long as some minds remain a mystery, so too will all minds. Michael Stevens travels to London to meet a blind, autistic savant with astonishing musical abilities, and volunteers to have his brain's function temporarily disrupted at UCLA's Neuromodulation Lab.
David Attenborough reveals the extraordinary ways that some animals use colour to hide and disappear into the background. New science reveals how the Bengal tiger in central India uses its orange-black stripes to hide from its colour-blind prey. In Kenya’s Masai Mara, the zebra’s black-and-white pattern confuses predators with an extraordinary effect called motion dazzle. And on the island of Cuba, a small snail uses colourful stripes in a surprising way to hide from its enemies. Other animals use colour to trick and to deceive. On Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, a blue-striped blenny uses colours to mimic other fish and launch a sudden attack. In the grasslands of Zambia, the chick of a pin-tailed whydah mimics the patterns of its nest mates to ensure that it is not detected as an imposter. And specialist cameras reveal how a tiny crab spider uses bright ultraviolet colours to lure in its victims.
Explore the breathtaking extremes of our planet in this captivating episode. Journey through the vast Hang Son Doong cave in Vietnam, the largest on Earth. Witness the resilience of life in harsh conditions, marvel at the adaptation strategies of species like the blind cave fish and the enduring Arctic wolf pack. In the Arctic, observe the strategic hunt of wolves preying on musk oxen, a dance as old as the Ice Age. In the French Alps, the struggle for mating among common frogs unfolds, showcasing the urgency and challenges faced by cold-blooded animals. Witness the social dynamics of Barbary macaques in the cedar forests of the Atlas Mountains, where survival hinges on social bonds. The forests of Mexico, home to millions of monarch butterflies that huddle for warmth, illustrates the fragility and beauty of nature. Discover how fire shapes ecosystems in South Africa's fynbos and Northern Australia, crucial for the survival of species like the golden-shouldered parrot. The documentary poignantly addresses the impact of changing climates and human intervention on wildlife, from the endangered elephants of Amboseli, Kenya, to the secretive snow leopards of the Gobi Desert. This episode offers a profound glimpse into the extraordinary adaptations and challenges faced by wildlife across the globe, reminding us of the delicate balance and beauty of life on Earth.
A cult expert and her documentary filmmaker husband move into a secretive fundamentalist Mormon community linked to the polygamist FLDS movement, expecting to document a troubled religious group but soon uncovering something far more disturbing. At the center of the growing tension is Samuel Bateman, a self-proclaimed prophet who claims to be the successor to imprisoned cult leader Warren Jeffs. As the couple gains the trust of isolated followers, they uncover disturbing evidence of psychological control and a dangerous system hidden behind promises of faith and salvation. The documentary reveals the growing power of fanaticism and blind devotion inside one of America’s most controversial religious sects. In the first two episodes of the series, Christine and Tolga settle inside the isolated community and quickly become suspicious of Bateman’s growing influence over vulnerable followers. As they secretly record testimonies and gather evidence, they desperately try to convince local authorities to intervene before the situation becomes even more dangerous. Meanwhile, Bateman strengthens his control through fear, isolation, and religious manipulation, while one woman inside the group slowly begins to realize the truth behind the prophet she once trusted. Combining undercover investigation, emotional testimonies, and mounting suspense, these episodes create a gripping and deeply unsettling experience.
Michael Stevens travels to London to meet a blind, autistic savant with astonishing musical abilities, and volunteers to have his brain's function temporarily disrupted at UCLA's Neuromodulation Lab.