Ep 3. Shield

In episode 3, titled "Shield," One Strange Rock continues its journey through the mysteries of Earth's dynamics, as well as how life has thrived amidst the varying conditions of our planet. This episode focuses on Earth's magnetic field, which reaches out to space and creates a protective shield for the planet. Without this barrier, the solar winds and cosmic rays would penetrate the atmosphere and devastate life on Earth.

The episode features several stunning animated and real-life visuals that showcase the importance and intricacy of Earth's magnetic shield. The episode highlights how the magnetic field has been vital to the evolution of life on our planet since it first originated. It also shows how Earth's magnetic shield is benefitted from its distance from the sun, as it acts as a kind of "sweet spot" compared to other planets in our solar system that are closer to the sun and suffer from severe radiation exposure.

The episode examines how Earth's magnetic field is created, with the help of geophysicist and Deep Carbon Observatory Director Robert Hazen. It explores how the molten iron core of our planet has been able to generate a complex electric current, which helps to generate the magnetic field. The episode also examines how the field fluctuates over time and how it can weaken over the next century due to the movement of the iron core's magnetic field.

Several significant events that have impacted Earth's magnetic shield throughout history are explored in the episode, including the occurrence of a geomagnetic reversal. It is shown how this event has happened several times in Earth's history, with the most recent occurring nearly 780,000 years ago. The episode features footage of several scientists and explorers who venture into the Arctic, hoping to find evidence of past geomagnetic reversals. They drill down through the icy layers until they reach the sedimentary deposits, in the hope of finding evidence of the reversal.

In addition to exploring Earth's magnetic field, the episode examines how humans have managed to survive amidst all of the variations and changes that have occurred on our planet. It features various stories of survival, such as that of an astronaut who has talked about seeing our planet's beauty from space or a man who has survived a lightning strike and described what it was like to be hit by a bolt of electricity from out of nowhere. The episode also brings to the life the tale of a woman who was stranded on a deserted island for years but managed to find a way to survive off of what the ocean provided.

In conclusion, One Strange Rock season 1 episode 3 is an exploration of our planet's magnetic shield and its crucial role in protecting our planet from the ravages of space. The episode features an excellent mix of science, adventure, and storytelling that will fascinate even the most scientifically illiterate viewer. It showcases the Earth's uniqueness and the strengths and wonders of the natural world we inhabit. The visual effects are stunning, and one couldn't ask for a better guide than the magnificent Will Smith, whose inquisitiveness and curiosity drives the series to new heights. This is an absolute must-watch for any science enthusiast.