Earth: A New Wild

Biologist Dr. M. Sanjayan claims that the fresh spin in this globe-trotting National Geographic/PBS five-part series is that rather than ignore the human presence or portray humankind simply as an extinction-level menace, Earth: A New Wild focuses on situations in which nature and humans have reached accord. Which is not to say there is nothing here to alarm and dismay: on the contrary, viewers witness an almost apocalyptic depiction of how one of Eurasia's largest inland seas and the once-mighty Colorado River have both dried up due to unwise water use, and will see a sad case of how the collapse of the Soviet Union pushed a remarkable deer species towards extinction. On the other hand, enlightened cattlemen in the American West have discovered how to use their herds to enrich soil. Africans, both on a tribal and individual level, have created oasis blooms in the desert. And otherworldly underwater enclosures promise a revolution in fish-farming. Although it's hard to escape a sense of the bad news outweighing the good, amiable host Sanjayan is hopeful in this eye-popping series that includes the episodes “Home,” “Plains,” “Forests,” “Oceans,” and “Water.” Extras include an interview with Sanjayan. Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (C. Cassady)