Secrets of the Penguins

Beautiful footage of many different types of penguins. Yes, some scenes are difficult to watch but it's nature and honest. The section on Rockaronis was pretty interesting, a new species. Once I watch a penguin show, I go down the penguin rabbit hole and need to find more as they're just so fascinating and adorable.

Bertie does a fabulous job and it would have been great to have Bertie narrate the whole thing rather than just bits of him here and there. Blake Lively's reading is oddly paced and bland. Very disappointing as we're subjected to it across the shows. I'd love to watch this again in a bit as it's beautiful and so educational but . . . Her voice. Do better NatGeo!

The fact that people are giving this amazing documentary a lower rating than it deserves, just because they don't like the narrator, is sad. Beautiful pictures and an amazing production showing things that have never been in the filmed before, with footage of the darkest and brightest parts of different species of penguins. Simply lovely.

Maybe Blake Lively could have done a better job with the narration, and that's on National Geographic, but if that makes an almost 10/10 documentary a seven for you, you are overreacting.

I think there were two things that this documentary could have improved on:

1. Length. He could have easily being a five episode documentary, there is so much information that could have been shown more in depth. Still the quality of the three episodes was a 10.

2. Awareness. They mention how human beings have been part of the reason why penguins are an endangered species, but this could have been an opportunity to bring into scale how much damage we are making, who are responsible and what we need to change.

Overall a 9.5 out of 10 documentary but still could have improved just a little bit. I loved every single part of it.

I am surprised that some of the low ratings that are based solely on the narrator's voice. As a photographer and filmmaker, the images are simply extraordinary, and it is essential to remember that documentary shows of this nature are 90% visual and 10% audio. Perhaps the narrator is not David Attenborough, but to discount the entire show just because of her voice seems unjustified.

Bertie Gregory's work is simply a masterclass. His patience and his range of compositions are without equal, and I remember gasping several times, admiring what he did in the field.

If I had one complaint, it would be the overdone editing at times that creates a narrative that is too cute. But overall, the one-of-a-kind visuals showing our natural world in all its splendor should be celebrated, leaving us with a sense of wonder.

Fascinating show. I really enjoy penguins, and Bertie Gregory does a great job filming them. He captures many playful moments, and goes a little into depth on what multiple months look like for a few different penguins. Particularly emperor penguins and their journey to adulthood.

What brings the show massively down is having to listen to Blake Lively try to narrate it the whole time. Goodness, it is nothing personal, but she's trying to be David Attenborough and just can't do it. Not her fault, but please don't let her narrate any more nature docs. Perhaps she thinks the audience is only 5 year olds that have never seen a penguin. Idk.

I'm also not sure the script was double checked, because episode two has to mention the Earth is getting warmer at least 80 times. Not attempting to start a global warming debate, but relax people I just want to watch some penguins live.

Not sure if this is helpful, but just some thoughts I had. Better narrator with some plot enticing and you're easily looking at 6 or 7/10 instead.

This is incredible! My daughter is penguin obsessed and even we are still learning new things. The early images of the emporers are incredible! The galapagos ones adapting and living alongside humans is absolutely fascinating.

The only reason it's not 10/10 is Blake lively's voice; please don't let her narrate again, it sounds like a bad AI voice! We need someone with gravitas and real emotions.

I think the videographer guy is incredible and has a much better presenting voice. Would love to see more of his work.

The fact that so many penguins survive in such a wide variety of environments is just amazing.