Review for The Universe: Season 3 (4 Discs)

Having watched the previous two seasons of the excellent documentary series 'The Universe' on Blu-ray, it took me a little while to adjust to Season 3 on standard DVD. It still looks great, but once you've been spoilt by high resolution digital CGI transferred to Blu-Ray, anything else feels like a dip.


Season 3 carries on the excellent work of the previous two seasons, with some new and thought-provoking topics. You'd think by now that they'd be running out of steam, but with (literally) a universe of possibilities, the combination of philosophical speculation and science continues ever onwards. Which is not to say that there isn't occasional topic overlap and repetition - there is. But this is never enough to get in the way of what I'm finding to be a thoroughly stimulating series.


It's a nice combination of OTT narration ('awesome'), scientific talking heads (mainly American and full of enthusiasm for their subject) and really top notch illustrative CGI.


If you've already followed the series during its first two seasons then you'll know what to expect. As ever, the very reasonable RRP (and even better street price) makes this an affordable way to watch the series when you want completely free of the maddening (and frequent) advert breaks on TV.


Here's a run-down of the content:

301 "Deep Space Disasters"

A look at the history of space disasters and the potential for danger in space - from explosive launches, fiery re-entries, fire in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, deadly micrometeoroid impacts, and catastrophic solar flares. I mean, what kind of astronaut would be seen dead wearing flares these days?

302 "Parallel Universes"

Ooh 'eck. This is the kind of mind-bending episode I love! This episode looks at the theory of the multiverse - the possibility of parallel dimensions existing where Earth and everyone on it are duplicated many times over, and how physicists search for evidence of these doppelganger realities using state of the art particle colliders that can detect higher dimensions of existence. There's a theory (which I don't quite get but love the sound of) that we live our lives again and again.


303 "Light Speed"

What would happen if we could find a way to travel faster than light? Well, lots of mind-bending possibilities according to experts.

304 "Sex in Space"

Less titillating than it sounds, this episode looks at the psychology of relationships and reproduction that have to be considered if man is ever going to populate other planets and galaxies. It also looks at how pregnancy and birth could be handled in microgravity and, of course, the answer to whether or not sex has already been attempted during a space mission. The 3000 mile high club!

305 "Alien Faces"

Where will we discover the weirdest and most unimaginable alien life? Well, here on earth of course! This episode explores what life might look like on similar planets elsewhere, a little bit like an episode in series 2.

306 "Deadly Comets and Meteors"

A look at how comets and meteors played a role in the formation of the solar system; their possible role in the extinction of the dinosaurs; and the theories that comet dust could bring alien viruses to Earth. Oh dear.


307 "Living in Space"

This episode explores how human colonies could exist in space, from domed cities to underground bases, to orbital habitats, to hollowed-out asteroids. It also takes an imaginative peek at how robots will play a role in space survival; how food will be grown; the advances in space suit and equipment technology; and a look at how resources could be gathered and processed to sustain such otherworldly colonies.

308 "Stopping Armageddon"

Who'd have thunk it? Scientists already at work considering how we can stop the almost inevitable disaster should a giant meteor hit earth - and it could easily happen.


309 "Another Earth"

With so many other stars and planets out there (billions and counting) there just has to be another one like ours. Doesn't there?

310 "Strangest Things"

Well, we have the theories but some of the universe refuses to play ball and fit in with them. Strange stuff like odd moons, strange stars, exotic particles, mysterious black holes, and invisible dark matter. Just what is it? Why can't we detect it? And how can something we have no way of seeing or recognising make up such a large part of our universe?


311 "Edge of Space"

This episode looks at the commercial possibilities of space. It also explores the hazards, such as cosmic radiation and space debris, which all have to be dutifully entered on to the 'risk assessment' forms prior to blast off,

312 "Cosmic Phenomena" 

From the breath-taking beauty of the aurora borealis, to the cosmic thrill of a meteor shower, to UV radiation and harmful solar flare. It's all here - the good, the bad, and the butt ugly.

All in all, another great season. It will have you pondering on the vastness and the futility of it all in no time!