Solar System

I love this show with Professor Brian Cox. He draws you in with his knowledge and enthusiasm. You are in a beautiful trance listening to his learned voice. But towards the end, all of a sudden, the spell is broken. Another voice emerges, then another, and heads appear, sometimes even saying the first part of a sentence with Brian Cox finishing it. Why are these other people needed after he has been the sole presenter for most of the show. Are they needed? The answer is a resounding No. Do they contribute anything extra to the program? Again a resounding No. Do they detract from the enjoyment of the show? A resounding Yes. Methinks, it has something to do with diversity requirements. Am I right? Brian Cox is perfectly capable of presenting the show all by himself from beginning to end. Let him do that, for pity's sake.

Visually excellent and top entertainment, certainly not a documentary. Like many BBC so-called documentaries, this has ridiculously pompous sweeping emotive music ( I thought it was silent in space?) which ruins it for me. It purports to show footage from all the probes, but it's nearly all CGI, which is OK up to a point, apart from when we see a probe sweeping across Jupiter filmed by a non-existent companion probe, that just happens to be there with a camera. Please, just indicate what is original footage and what is CGI, with maybe a small symbol in one corner. Is that too much to ask for? And as an academic Cox knows about the importance of, and difference between, first and secondary sources, video included. Nobody seems to care any more. But lots of interesting stuff if you simply lie back, turn off your critical faculties, and give in to the lush experience.

I've seen plenty of Brian Cox science education shows before and they have all bought something new to the table whilst akso explaining things we have alread learnt on previous shows. Solar System is no different and I like that. This show has reinforced of some of the science I already knew whilst simultaneously teaching me something new. It's good that the latest discoveries are explained so soon after being discovered so I thank the BBC. Brian is able to explain how nature works in a way that is understandable by people new to the subject whilst also not patronising people with a more advanced knowledge. The CGI is good but I would have liked to have seen more actual footage as well but that's only a minor niggle.

Professor Brian Cox has an unique way to teach us the mysteries of our solar system. He's very enjoyable to listen to, makes very complicated things sound understandable. Don't be fooled though, it remains very complicated if you're not a specialist but at least you learn something new, even though sometimes it's just speculations and not facts. We will probably never know the whole truth as there are just too much mysteries that just can not be explained, but in these five episodes you get an idea how everything works. It's just a fascinating show, with spectacular images, and Brian Cox is the ideal man to give us some insight. If you are a bit interested in science or in the cosmos this show is a must watch.

Even though the BBC may have list their way of late, they are still capable of making spectacular television.

This show is so beautiful shot that the cinematography takes you to another level. The shows educates, but is easy for the lay person to understand.

Professor Brian Cox, is his usual charming self and his passion for the subject matter shines through. I have only watched 2 episodes thus far, but it is already up there with the BBC greats: blue planet and plant earth.

Learning how big the solar system is and the different geothermal properties of each planet and moon is simple amazing. Thank you for this show.