Many of us who like documentaries have lamented how American television outlets, such as the National Geographic Channel, have dumbed-down the genre. (In the case of NGC this was not unexpected especially after Fox got involved with them and took significant ownership.)
"Origins" is further evidence of the sad state of this genre.
One key problem is the presenter. Nominally this series is anthropology illustrated, and typically such a presenter would be an expert in the field. That is not necessary though as often a great orator or actor can present in a documentary; but here we get neither. The presenter is too forced, too fake. If this series is aimed at 5 year-olds (as the narration may suggest) using exaggerated speech might be acceptable, but this series is being presented as something for the wider audience.
Then there is the content. Oh dear, the content. The opening scenes of the first episode focus on "fire" and the present goes on about man harnessing the power of the sun (cue image of our star) and... wait.. what? The sun? Our star runs by nuclear fusion, but then the narrative switches to humans with wooden fires...
The show doesn't get better.
This is just television for busy parents, to place their children in front of the screen to keep them occupied.
"Origins" is further evidence of the sad state of this genre.
One key problem is the presenter. Nominally this series is anthropology illustrated, and typically such a presenter would be an expert in the field. That is not necessary though as often a great orator or actor can present in a documentary; but here we get neither. The presenter is too forced, too fake. If this series is aimed at 5 year-olds (as the narration may suggest) using exaggerated speech might be acceptable, but this series is being presented as something for the wider audience.
Then there is the content. Oh dear, the content. The opening scenes of the first episode focus on "fire" and the present goes on about man harnessing the power of the sun (cue image of our star) and... wait.. what? The sun? Our star runs by nuclear fusion, but then the narrative switches to humans with wooden fires...
The show doesn't get better.
This is just television for busy parents, to place their children in front of the screen to keep them occupied.