Science

What connects amateur sleuths turning up at crime scenes, anti-social behaviour in schools and riots? Marianna Spring has spent one year investigating harmful behaviour on TikTok spilling out into the real-world. As well as crunching the numbers, Marianna tracks down TikTok users, victims and former employees to interrogate and expose how extremely high engagement on TikTok around particular topics appears to be creating these 'frenzies'.
The documentary explores how users go to extreme lengths in order to get more engagement in a battle for followers and likes. Marianna investigates the role TikTok's algorithm and format plays in what’s happening and reveals insiders’ concerns about the app. The film seeks to find out if this is the real danger and what impact it is having on society.

The final episode begins with a description of the extreme cold conditions that characterized the beginning of the Holocene period, and how species like the bison and the wolf adapted to survive in these hostile environments. We will witness the majesty of the woolly mammoth and the fierce cave lion, with a vivid reconstruction of their struggles for survival. We'll see the impact of climate change during this period, from the expansion of the deserts to the transformation of the tropical rainforests of Africa into grasslands, deeply affecting primates and other animals. It highlights how these changes forced primates to adapt to life on the ground, facing new challenges and predators.
A crucial turn occurred with the emergence of humans as dominant predators and their influence on the extinction of large mammals. The documentary describes humanity's transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers, a change that radically altered the landscape and biodiversity of the planet. Finally, it poses a reflection on the current challenges of climate change and the sixth mass extinction, inviting viewers to consider humanity's crucial role in shaping the future of the Earth.

The seventh episode of the series takes us on an epic journey to discover the extraordinary dynasty of mammals. From their humble origins in the Jurassic forests to their dominance in the modern world, mammals have evolved and survived through cataclysmic events and drastic environmental changes. From the small coati in the jungle to the majestic Megacerops, passing through the elusive snow leopard in the Himalayas and the gigantic marine mammals like whales, the documentary illustrates the adaptability and diversity of these incredible beings.
With stunning images and masterful narration, the documentary is a window to the resilience and beauty of life on Earth, celebrating the tenacity and ingenuity of mammals throughout the ages.

The sixth episode of the series narrates the fascinating story of the evolution and survival of life on our planet after the catastrophic event that marked the end of the era of dinosaurs, 66 million years ago. Through a visually stunning journey, we will see the impact of the meteorite and all its consequences in detail. We will also discover how the animals and plants that survived the mass extinction adapted, evolved, and diversified to fill the ecological niches left by the dinosaurs. From the first mammals and birds that emerged from the ashes to dominate the Earth, to the formation of complex ecosystems in the oceans and on land, the documentary offers a unique vision of the resilience and innovation of life on our planet.
With impressive imagery and exciting stories, it reveals how life, against all odds, thrived after one of the most devastating events in Earth's history. This documentary is a testament to the unbreakable strength of life and its ability to adapt and flourish even in the most adverse conditions.

The fifth episode of the series is a fascinating exploration of the dinosaur era and its impact on the evolution of life on Earth. Through a journey of 200 million years, we discover how the breakup of Pangea and tectonic changes shaped biodiversity and created environments for dinosaurs and other forms of life to flourish. From the majestic Diplodocus to the formidable Allosaurus, the documentary brings to life the giants that once dominated our planet. Additionally, it shows the evolution of plants, highlighting the emergence of flowers and their symbiotic relationship with insects, such as termites and ants, whose social and evolutionary dynamics are explored in depth. The narrative also addresses the rise of mammals and their coexistence with dinosaurs, highlighting species such as the Numbat and their struggle for survival.
With stunning imagery and a captivating narrative, this episode is an invitation to learn, marvel, and reflect on the extraordinary history of life on Earth.

The fourth episode of the series takes you on an epic journey through time, beginning 252 million years ago, in a world devastated by the greatest mass extinction in history. Discover how, from the ashes of this cataclysm, fungi become the dominant form of life in an almost apocalyptic landscape. Witness the astonishing story of survival and adaptation of the Lystrosaurus, curious ancestors of mammals, who emerge as the unlikely heirs of the Earth and transform into the dominant creatures, only to be eventually dethroned by new giant predators like the Erythrosuchus. The documentary culminates with the impressive era of dinosaurs and how they adapted to a constantly changing world, and the reigns of the plesiosaurs and pterosaurs, rulers of the oceans and the air. Finally, learn how these titans gave way to modern reptiles and current birds, leaving a legacy that endures to this day.
This documentary is a window into the fascinating evolutionary history of our planet, showing the resilience and diversity of life through the ages. Prepare to be amazed, informed, and deeply moved by this spectacular chronicle of life on our planet.