SECRETS OF THE WHALES
(Disney+ from Thursday)★★★★ THURSDAY is Earth Day, when we’re encouraged – quite rightly, of course – to focus our thoughts on the future of the planet.
That’s even though there’s Leicester versus West Brom on BT Sport.
One of several shows released to tie in, Secrets Of The Whales, is a stunning new four-parter that is exclusive to Disney+.
It was made by National Geographic, produced by James Cameron and narrated by Sigourney Weaver – so, yep, it means business.
Filmed over the course of three years, using 24 different locations all over the world, it deploys the very latest cuttingedge cameras and scientific gubbins to paint a quite remarkable picture.
Among other things, it shows us how these beautiful creatures socialise, talk to each other (OK, maybe not “talk” in
the literal sense, but you know what mean) and form solid family units. Very solid indeed, as you can imagine. Five different whale species are given joint star billing – humpbacks, belugas, narwhals, orcas and sperm whales.
We find out how they form friendships, raise their young and even how intensely they mourn those they’ve lost.
Whales, this series teaches us, are way more human than we thought.
Also, besides filling our heads with all this knowledge, the show at times feels almost therapeutic.
Just to gawp at these almighty creatures as they go about their business is amazingly peaceful.
Well, it curled up your sofa.
I is if you’re at home on