Alpha Centauri

It's the nature of a show about the universe to ooze mystery from every pore. What's essential in explaining astronomical concepts in a more theoretical framework is not to lose that sense of horrifying/lovable unknown while still creating a sense of understanding.

Alpha Centauri goes about explaining all sorts of ideas about the universe and it evolves organically from one episode to the next, thanks to its well structured content and the poignant narration of Harald Lesch. I'm no expert in matters of science and space, so I obviously can't judge the correctness of facts presented, but I've had a bunch of questions answered by this show to which only few common folk mortals have answers. It's great that the BR-online website has a very comprehensive archive, so as not to leave any new viewers stranded in a little corner of the unknown.

Most importantly though, it almost always seems like there is an additional dimension to every episode, a metaphorical one, which can but leave you thinking about things that don't lie thousands of light years away from you. I can't say whether it's intentional or whether that's just how the universe is built, but it's definitely exciting.

It's also fantastic to see how enduring this show has been. I dare say I noticed that Lesch improves quite a bit through the years and his fluency becomes more and more enticing. Plus, there's something I find innately likable about him, which makes the experience even more pleasant.

Perhaps one little thing that annoys me at times is the oversimplified use of the blackboard which somehow doesn't always live up to the intense and complex issues that are being discussed.

Beyond that, I really can't find any reason why a person even remotely interested in the universe and with a penchant taste for physics and metaphysics would not want to enjoy Alpha Centauri. Well, except for the unfortunate fact that it's only in German, as far as I know.