Magical Fjords
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Magical Fjords
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Magical Fjords is a nature documentary that explores life in the fjords of Norway. Some hunting among animals can be bloody. A dead porpoise is discovered in the fjords, and there is conversation about the toll the fishing industry and pollution have on marine life. Some focus on animals fighting each other, and orcas hunt a baby whale and kill it, but there is no blood. The music is a bit eerie and dark at times, lending a spooky air to the documentary.
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What's the Story?
MAGICAL FJORDS is an educational documentary show about the deep bodies of water formed by ancient glacier movement. The salt water from the sea pushes into the fjords, bringing sea life to its depths. Herring arrive in the billions, followed by predators like orcas and humpback whales. Birds and other animals that depend on fish for food populate the shores, and the cycle of life goes round. But will human activities like fishing and pollution hinder the cycles of nature that have been going on for millions of years? How will the delicate beauty of fjords be affected by human hands?
Is It Any Good?
Though there are lovely and revelatory moments in this educational documentary about fjords, some of the drama in the narrative feels forced. Magical Fjords is about fish, fauna, flora, but some of the haunting music and animal-on-animal hunting makes it feel like a fantasy film.
Facts about creatures living in the very deep of the fjords, and their glowing, eerie eyes may intrigue kids who aren't afraid of a little submerged scare. Parents might snicker at the drama drummed up by the narrator's deep voice and creepy music -- it's a nature documentary, not Game of Thrones, people! But there's decent footage of little-seen marine life that makes the view worthwhile.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the vibe in a nature documentary like Magical Fjords. Does a show that characterizes sea creatures as "monsters" affect your opinion about underwater life?
How do nature documentaries teach you about the world? Would you consider shows like this one a part of digital learning?
Does learning about animals like the ones in this show deepen your empathy for them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 3, 2020
- Cast: Andy Wisher
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Ocean Creatures, Science and Nature, Wild Animals
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: September 24, 2021
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