Ocean of Islands

'South Pacific' is a hugely informative and exceptionally well-made series. Inevitable, though some may argue unfair, comparisons may be (have been in fact) made to the output of David Attenborough, to me 'South Pacific' is one of the better documentary series in recent years to not have Attenborough's name on it and stands wonderfully on its own, if just lacking the special magic of Attenborough's best work.

There are so many great things in 'South Pacific'. Its premise is dealt with exceptionally in every single episode, the environments, how they're lived in, how the humans adapt to the environments, there are some very interesting topics and important ones handled truly admirably. Also in a way that is illuminating but not preachy (which is a potential danger with anything environmental-themed and a danger often fallen into).

It gets off to a quite wonderful start with "Ocean of Islands", especially agreed in the second half where it is particularly illuminating and the coral reefs and starfish are unforgettably jaw-dropping to look at.

Sure, there could have been a touch more clarity in parts, but there is very little to dislike here.

When it comes to how it's written, "Ocean of Islands" does just as good a job entertaining and teaching, it's all very sincerely done and it never feels like a sermon. There are things here that are common sense and knowledge but one is taught a huge deal as well.

Benedict Cumberbatch's narration delivery is similarly on the money, very sensitively delivered, engaging and sonorous.

Visually, "Ocean of Islands" may lack the awe-inspiring, almost cinematic quality of the David Attenborough documentaries. With that being said, it is gorgeously shot, shot in a fluid, graceful and never static way, and is chock-full of strikingly memorable images. In every episode, the scenery and environments are like characters of their own, they're all incredible to look at and have a lot of atmosphere.

"Ocean of Islands" is appropriately scored, never intrusive or too low-key, and the different stories are powerful in a harrowing and poignant way, not to mention very honest and visually striking.

In summary, beautifully made, educational and emotional, basically a winner. 9/10 Bethany

On each episode, narrator Mike Rowe begins by giving us some facts concerning about vast is the Pacific Ocean. Among those facts is that there are 25,000 islands.

What many people may not know, as pointed out by Rowe, is that they were all formed by volcanoes underneath the ocean, and that they are continuing to do so today, although most eruptions never make it to being a lasting land mass. Erupting lava still adds to the land mass in Hawaii, for instance.

Overall, though, the land mass itself, we are told, only makes up one percent of the entire Pacific area.

First, this episode shows us those insects and other living life ( bacteria) that survive under the land in the subterranean volcanic world and then we see other amazing sights under water which include "flying" fish, and vampire bugs.

The best part of this episode is the second half when it concentrates on some fantastic coral reefs, places where the most colorful and flat-out beautiful fish and plants flourish.

The Crown of Thorns starfish, off the Polynesian Islands has to be seen to be believed.. It can eat up to 65 square feet of coral each year. But that's nothing compared to the Bumphead Parrot Fish who devours as much as five tons of corral. Man, you wonder how the reefs survive,but they do.

Other amazing sights include giant clams off Bora-Bora and a jellyfish lake. It's all topped off by the amazing - and I mean amazing - sights in the remote Kingman Reef, located a thousand miles southwest of Honolulu.