Whale Wars (Animal Planet)

Whale Wars offers an intense look inside conservation work that's so gritty it boasts only this small handful of volunteers. The people featured on the show put everything on the line and often face life-threatening danger for the chance to save just a few of the whales they're devoted to. Their tactics may seem radical to some viewers, but it's hard not to admire their whole-hearted devotion to their cause.

That said, this isn't a show that's meant to be shared by the whole family. The content is very mature, and images of dead and dying whales are likely to upset even some adult viewers. Some of the activists are injured in accidents aboard the ship or in physical exchanges with the whalers, and -- in at least one instance -- are taken hostage by the whalers. And, in the end, this is a reality show, so there's always plenty of interpersonal drama and tension among crew members to keep things heated.