North America

Tom Selleck narrates this seven-episode Discovery Channel-aired series showcasing breathtaking nature footage from the "indomitable" North American continent (Latin America counts here, for variety's sake), often matched to alt-pop music. North America's basic point seems to be that U.S.-region viewers need not go abroad to witness great wonders, offering fresh takes on common critters including chipmunks (fighting ferociously over their caches), garter snakes (mating in a giant mass in Manitoba), and coyotes (a Death Valley specimen actually does coexist with the road runner, but prefers catching lizards and bugs over the bird). Nature also appears red in tooth and claw here, as a baby humpback whale is killed by a pack of orcas, wild mustangs violently battle for mates, and several species of predators munch on tiny sea-turtle hatchlings. The next-to-last episode focuses on the actual wildlife cinematographers and their reactions to what they've filmed, while the finale counts down a poll of the home-audience's top 10 favorite North American wild places. Extras include select episode commentaries by the filmmakers, and a narration-less option. A solid but not especially groundbreaking nature travelogue series—more notable for its gorgeous imagery than its lackluster narration—this is recommended, overall. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)