Ep 13. On Thin Ice, Pt. 1
- December 7, 2011
On Thin Ice, Pt. 1 is the thirteenth and final episode of the first season of Frozen Planet. This episode takes us to the end of winter and the beginning of spring, which brings about the biggest challenge for the animals living in the polar regions.
The episode starts with the arrival of the sun after months of darkness, which melts the sea ice creating deep cracks in the ice giving way to a new challenge. The sun also marks the return of the krill, a tiny shrimp-like crustacean, which forms the basis of the food chain for all marine life in the polar regions.
The episode showcases how animals adapt to this new season through their various survival tactics. Emperor Penguins find themselves stranded in the middle of a pack ice that is hundreds of miles from their breeding grounds, and must make a treacherous trek over thin ice to reach their destination.
The episode also focuses on the life of Polar Bears who are the largest land carnivore. Polar bears have evolved to live on the frozen sea ice, which is critical for their survival as it provides them with hunting grounds. However, with the ice thinning, the bears struggle to find enough food to sustain themselves as their hunting opportunities continue to shrink.
This episode also looks at the lives of walruses who live in one of the most brutal environments on earth. The thawing ice causes walruses to dodge falling chunks of ice and test their strength by battling for limited space on the beach. As well as its impact on the animal kingdom, the melting ice also has a significant effect on the temperature and sea level rise, which bring gradual changes to humans living in the surroundings.
Throughout the episode, the narrator explores the impact of global warming on the polar regions as he highlights climate change as the major reason behind the melting of the ice caps. He also discusses the impact this is having on the animals that call the polar regions their home, and how it will shape the future of our planet.
The episode is filled with breathtaking cinematography of the polar regions as it tries to showcase how animals fight to survive in the harsh environment. It also highlights the beauty of the polar regions and explores deeper into their essential role in regulating the planet's climate. Through this episode, viewers gain insight into the animals living in the polar regions, learn about their lifestyles, survival tactics, and the challenges they face in their struggle to survive in this changing world.
On Thin Ice, Pt. 1 is an emotional and enlightening final episode that serves as a call to action for humanity to work toward preserving this endangered habitat. It highlights the urgent need for change in global behavior, and it leaves viewers with a greater appreciation of the polar environment and its role in shaping our world.
