Ep 6. Surviving Nature's Fury

In season 1 episode 6 of The Big Picture with Kal Penn, titled "Surviving Nature's Fury," viewers are taken on a journey to explore the incredible power of nature and how humankind has adapted to survive its onslaught. The episode takes a closer look at various natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires from around the world.

Kal Penn, an actor, comedian, producer, and former White House official, takes on the role of host and guide throughout the episode. He visits different parts of the world where natural disasters have struck, meets with experts, witnesses the resilience of people, and learns about how they have managed to overcome these catastrophic events.

The episode kicks off by exploring tornadoes and hurricanes. Viewers are taken to Moore, Oklahoma, where in 2013, a deadly tornado with wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour hit the city, leaving behind a trail of destruction. Kal visits a local school in Moore that is equipped with a storm shelter, learning how it helped save lives. He meets with a meteorologist who explains in detail the science behind these deadly storms and how to prepare for them.

Next, Kal travels to the Philippines, where in 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded, hit the country, killing thousands of people. Local survivors give an insight into how they managed to survive the storm's wrath and get back on their feet. Kal also meets with experts who explain how climate change has intensified these storms and how countries can prepare for future natural disasters.

In the second half of the episode, Kal turns his attention to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. He visits Nepal, where in 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the country, killing over 8,000 people and causing widespread destruction. At the epicenter of the earthquake, Kal meets with an earthquake engineer who explains how buildings can be made safer and more earthquake-resistant. Survivors share their stories of how they managed to survive the quake.

Finally, the episode concludes with a look at wildfires. Kal travels to California to explore how wildfires start, how they spread, and how they can be fought. He talks to firefighters who have fought some of the most severe fires in American history and learns about the science behind wildfires.

Overall, "Surviving Nature's Fury" is an informative, educational, and eye-opening episode that showcases how humans have been able to adapt, survive and overcome some of the most catastrophic natural disasters. The episode is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, as well as a reminder of the pressing need to prepare for future occurrences of these events.