Watch Snow Men

Around the turn of the year to 2010, Discovery Channel released Snow Men, a new series that follows a team of four British adventurers as they venture into the frozen, desolate wilderness of the Canadian Arctic. The show's central premise is to document their journey over a period of 10 weeks, as they attempt to journey to or exceed the magnetic north pole. Snow Men's unique selling point is that it is supposedly the first unassisted trek to the pole in 100 years, with all of the challenges that come with being entirely self-sufficient in such a harsh, unforgiving environment.

The adventurers include comedian and writer Ed Byrne, well-known mountain climber Ben Fogle, Doctor and self-described explorer James Cracknell and double Olympic gold-winning rower, Ed Coode. Each member of the team brings a unique set of skills to the ensemble, from wilderness survival skills to more technical experience in navigating icy terrain. While Fogle and Cracknell have both completed extreme endurance challenges before, including rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, this particular expedition will test their limits in a new and potentially more dangerous way.

The show is divided into episodes that range between 45 and 60 minutes each. Throughout these episodes, the audience gets an intimate look at every obstacle that the team faces on their journey, from physical challenges to psychological ones. The narrative structure of the show is heavily built around narration by the members themselves, who offer insights into their emotions and experiences along the way, which helps paint a vivid picture of what it is like to embark on such a perilous journey. This also creates a sense of urgency and tension that keeps the audience engaged throughout.

The show's technical prowess is another one of its strengths, with the camera work and cinematography being nothing short of breathtaking. The sweeping, wide shots of the endless white expanse of the Arctic are interspersed with close-ups of the team members as they struggle forward, letting the audience feel everything from the exhilaration of pushing through the ice to the cold, gnawing moments of despair. The contrast between the vivid colors of the adventurers' clothing and the stark white of the icy background creates a striking visual representation of the struggle between humankind and nature.

The show's soundtrack is also key in building an emotional connection between the audience and the adventurers. The use of music creates emotional tension and amplifies some of the show's quiet moments, transforming them into truly impactful experiences. Choir music, for instance, signifies the sense of camaraderie that the team must have felt while journeying together through such harsh terrain. The danger that surrounds them is also palpable through the soundtrack, with music that builds intensity during the more perilous moments.

The episodes themselves often mix footage of the team's progress with flashbacks to their training and preparation before setting off on the journey. We see them training in endurance sports such as boxing and running on treadmills in a freezer to help prepare for the extreme cold. This section of the show aims to provide a little backstory on the team's journey and allows the audience to better understand the herculean effort involved in making the expedition a reality. It also neatly illustrates how the various strengths of each team member help contribute to the greater good of the expedition.

Overall, Snow Men is a fascinating look into the physical and psychological fortitude it takes to embark on such a perilous journey. The show's impressive cinematography and ability to create an emotional connection between the audience and the adventurers makes for a thrilling and engaging viewing experience. It's easy to get caught up in the team's journey as they journey through the inhospitable landscape and face some of the most harrowing challenges imaginable. In this sense, the show represents a triumph of the human spirit and is a shining example of being uncoopted in the face of adversity. It's a series that viewers won't soon forget.