Big Beasts Episode 5 to 6 Review: Narrated by the Emmy-nominated actor, also known for his otherwise mischievous escapades as Loki in the MCU, Tom Hiddleston introduces different giant creatures living in the wild in each episode of this nature documentary series. Tom Hugh-Jones, Martha Holmes, and Grant Mansfield join in the crew as executive producers of the epic wildlife series, with music by Ruth Barrett.
Big Beasts Episode 5 to 6Review Contains Mild Spoilers
The two latest episodes – Big Beasts Episode 5 about the Giant Otter and Big Beasts Episode 6 about the Brown Bear – released on May 5, each have a runtime almost nearing the half-an-hour mark. Episode 5 was directed and produced by Emma Houghton-Browne and edited by Maria Corral, episode 6 was directed and produced by Alice Clarke, and Rob Davies and Kristine Kral edited it. Big Beasts is a 10-part series with more episodes to be released over 5 weeks.
Big Beasts Episode 5 to 6 Review: Discussion
If you’ve been ardently watching the wildlife series since its premiere on April 21, 2023, you may have gotten the gist if how the narrative has been unfolding in these past few episodes. It’s quite unfortunate that the series has picked that streak as its formulaic vision for every week’s double episode release. Barely any new ground is being covered each time we witness these majestic beasts in action.
While, in a way, this positively charts out similarities shared between the various kinds of animals seen through this docuseries despite their differences, it seems that the storytelling has been restricted to the competition faced by bulls during mating season. It definitely brings on the intriguing violent face-offs between them, adding a fiery touch to the wildlife action seen therein. However, once the same thing and series of events keep repeating themselves over and over, it’s inevitable that the one watching it is bound to get tired of it all.
From the get go, Big Beasts has kept up to the surface while dealing with the lives of these animals being introduced in the episodes. That prime attraction of the show has to be recorded movements and the picturesque view so displayed in the process. But that is a given, considering it’s a nature documentary. How is the series adding anything to this pre-existing, ever expanding catalogue of titles? At this point, I can’t say that it is.
I remember mentioning in one of the previous reviews that Hiddleston’s narration comes across as a warm lullaby. These words weren’t to be taken derogatorily, however, my view on that matter has switched around. With the same sequences of incidents unravelling on the screen along with the Shakespearean composure in his diction, the combination is as good as a reminder for us to fall asleep.
Big Beasts Episode 6 somewhat wakes you up when the actual action sequences takes the centre with two huge bears fighting out to end up at the top of the social chain during the mating season. However, it’s not too different from what we’ve already witnessed in Episode 4 with the Mandrills and Episode 2 in the case of Elephant Seals.
Big Beasts Episode 5 and 6: Final Thoughts
It’s understandable that their experiences are identical, but there must be more stories to tell about their existence – ones that extend beyond their mating calls. Episode 5 shares a minor delight with the visuals of flood water replenishing a desert oasis after a log prickly drought. And then, Episode 6 presents the image of Brown Bears scratching (or “tree twerking”) themselves against rubbing trees as a mundane necessity that is equally hilarious to watch. Perhaps, in these tiny encounters, the documentary episodes find their best highlights as was also recorded in last week’s Gorilla episode, when the father’s resounding fart echoes through the jungle.
Also read: Our Previous Reviews of Big Beasts