*For those reading this review, be advised that spoilers will be within. If you have not watched the 3rd episode of "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey", please go and watch it before reading this review. You have been warned.*
Here, Tyson recollects the first steps that we as a species took toward casting away the shackles of superstition and fear and opened the door to the bountiful understanding of science. For this, the episode delves into the partnership between Issac Newton and Edmund Halley and how their research into planetary/celestial motion built the path on which would ultimately be our first steps to the stars.
Once again, the science for the most part is handled well by the writers and Tyson. The episode mostly handles the concept of comets and the Oort Cloud, though historical recollection is really the top of the order here. At first, that might seem a tall order, since the last time the series dealt in depth with a historical sequence, it was less than stellar. Fortunately, this episode vastly improves from the Bruno sequence in the first episode, as the sequence dealing with Newton and Halley is well done and for the most part is handled with historical accuracy (though Robert Hooke's physical portrayal is over the top), even down to the moments with dialogue, and is actually relevant to the endeavor of science. Hopefully, future sequences will be handled like this one.
This episode presents the best writing of the series so far. Topics and scenes flow better and follow a consistent narrative throughout. Yes there are hiccups, but they are thankfully kept to minimum here. Tyson does make some quips and ramblings about religion and science at points that are a little over the top, but fortunately that's kept to minimum as well.
At this point, it is clear that the soundtrack is not much to write about, but it is handled better than in the previous two episodes. For a couple of moments, either during the animation sequences or towards the end of the episode, there is a sense of the majesty of the science and understanding like in the original series.
Overall, this is the best effort that Cosmos has brought forth. There are still 10 episodes left to witness, but the series is definitely looking up. And now to wait for next week
Rating: 9/10
Here, Tyson recollects the first steps that we as a species took toward casting away the shackles of superstition and fear and opened the door to the bountiful understanding of science. For this, the episode delves into the partnership between Issac Newton and Edmund Halley and how their research into planetary/celestial motion built the path on which would ultimately be our first steps to the stars.
Once again, the science for the most part is handled well by the writers and Tyson. The episode mostly handles the concept of comets and the Oort Cloud, though historical recollection is really the top of the order here. At first, that might seem a tall order, since the last time the series dealt in depth with a historical sequence, it was less than stellar. Fortunately, this episode vastly improves from the Bruno sequence in the first episode, as the sequence dealing with Newton and Halley is well done and for the most part is handled with historical accuracy (though Robert Hooke's physical portrayal is over the top), even down to the moments with dialogue, and is actually relevant to the endeavor of science. Hopefully, future sequences will be handled like this one.
This episode presents the best writing of the series so far. Topics and scenes flow better and follow a consistent narrative throughout. Yes there are hiccups, but they are thankfully kept to minimum here. Tyson does make some quips and ramblings about religion and science at points that are a little over the top, but fortunately that's kept to minimum as well.
At this point, it is clear that the soundtrack is not much to write about, but it is handled better than in the previous two episodes. For a couple of moments, either during the animation sequences or towards the end of the episode, there is a sense of the majesty of the science and understanding like in the original series.
Overall, this is the best effort that Cosmos has brought forth. There are still 10 episodes left to witness, but the series is definitely looking up. And now to wait for next week
Rating: 9/10