Sir David Attenborough explores the surprisingly vibrant seas that surround the British Isles. The vast watery wilderness around us is over three times the size of our land mass, and yet to many, our oceans remain a mystery. Full of colour and teeming with life, the seas of Britain and Ireland are crucially important to a range of wildlife. This episode goes beneath the waves to uncover the thriving habitats that exist along our 22,000-mile coastline. In winter, clear evidence of the ocean’s abundance can be seen on a beach in Norfolk. Thousands of grey seals congregate on the shoreline to give birth. Britain and Ireland are home to 40 per cent of the world’s grey seals, and the number being born on our shore rises every year. Once the newly born pups are weaned, the females are ready to breed again, and heavyweight males enter violent, bloody fights to win a stretch of beach, and the females along with it. Beyond the beach, the vibrant shallows contain several important habitats. Rich beds of seagrass are nurseries for a range of animals, while also acting as very important carbon storage areas. They are also home to one of the strangest fish in our waters, the seahorse. We follow a male and female as they perform a balletic mating dance in the water, delicately entwining their tails. The stakes are high, as these animals mate for life. In a touching piece to camera, Sir David bids a fledging Manx shearwater chick farewell as it embarks on a 6,000-mile journey across the oceans to South America. There is no better example of how important the British Isles and its abundant seas are to the survival of wildlife worldwide.
Dive into the gripping world of organized crime with the enthralling documentary series focusing on John Gotti, a name synonymous with the Gambino crime family. In this second installment, viewers are transported into the shadowy corners of mob life, exploring the brutal enforcement of mafia rules and the dire consequences of betrayal. Highlighting a chilling assignment carried out in Florida, the documentary captures the ruthlessness embedded within the mafia's code, where personal lives intertwine dangerously with business, leading to violent outcomes. The episode also provides a fascinating look into the pivotal legal battles that defined Gotti's reign as a mafia boss. Witness the intense courtroom drama involving Diane Giacalone, the tenacious assistant U.S. Attorney, who took on Gotti and his associates in a high-stakes trial. Despite her efforts, the complexities of prosecuting organized crime come to the forefront, showcasing the challenges faced by law enforcement in penetrating the secretive and loyal underworld. This documentary is a must-watch for those intrigued by true crime and the intricate dance of cunning and law that shapes the world of organized crime.
The last installment of the series features a revealing first-person account that delves into the complexities of Gotti's mentorship and the stark realities of gang life. From a determined youth facing rejection from his father to his bold declaration to work for Gotti, witness the tumultuous ascent of Sammy ‘The Bull’ Gravano within the criminal underworld. The narrative captures a pivotal confrontation, where Gotti chillingly outlines the dark path ahead, juxtaposed against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Justice Department in Washington D.C., a symbol of the relentless pursuit that future gangsters will inevitably face. This episode doesn’t just recount events; it places you at the heart of an ongoing battle against organized crime, providing an intimate look at Gotti’s life, from his rise to power to his ultimate indictment and the intense legal battles that followed. Dive into a gripping exploration of loyalty, power, and the consequences of a life in the mafia.
In the captivating second part of “Our Universe”, chapters 4 to 6 are presented together in an unmissable journey through the cosmos and life on Earth. These episodes delve deep into the elements that formed our world, the essential role of water, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. They offer an enthralling exploration of our place in the Universe. Dive in to experience this profound story of existence, from stardust to soulmates. In the fourth chapter, we uncover how the elements essential to life were forged in the hearts of stars. Following a green sea turtle’s quest across the ocean for these elements, this episode reminds us that life is built from the remnants of ancient stars. The fifth chapter takes us back to the miraculous arrival of water on Earth, exploring how this vital substance transformed a barren landscape into a thriving blue planet. In the final chapter we witness gravity’s grand influence on life, following two king penguins as their journey of attraction and survival unfolds against the cosmic force that binds us all.
During 1959-1961 both the Americans and Soviets are planning manned space flight, and we see both sides preparing to do so with the development of the Vostok programme (Russia) and Project Mercury (USA). After difficulties and failures on both sides, the Soviets succeed in putting Yuri Gagarin into space first, with the Americans putting Alan Shepard up shortly afterwards.
In winter, clear evidence of the ocean’s abundance can be seen on a beach in Norfolk. Thousands of grey seals congregate on the shoreline to give birth. Britain and Ireland are home to 40 per cent of the world’s grey seals, and the number being born on our shore rises every year. Once the newly born pups are weaned, the females are ready to breed again, and heavyweight males enter violent, bloody fights to win a stretch of beach, and the females along with it.
Beyond the beach, the vibrant shallows contain several important habitats. Rich beds of seagrass are nurseries for a range of animals, while also acting as very important carbon storage areas. They are also home to one of the strangest fish in our waters, the seahorse. We follow a male and female as they perform a balletic mating dance in the water, delicately entwining their tails. The stakes are high, as these animals mate for life.
In a touching piece to camera, Sir David bids a fledging Manx shearwater chick farewell as it embarks on a 6,000-mile journey across the oceans to South America. There is no better example of how important the British Isles and its abundant seas are to the survival of wildlife worldwide.