Michael Palin in North Korea

The 2018 National Geographic special, Michael Palin in North Korea is a seminal television event that presents an unprecedented perspective of one of the world's most enigmatic nations, North Korea. With unique access to the 'Hermit Kingdom', the revered British actor, writer, and globally respected television presenter, Michael Palin, offers audiences a truly groundbreaking journey across a country which has long maintained an icy barricade between itself and the foreign eye.

The two-part series is a flagship presentation from National Geographic, famed for its high-quality, in-depth exploration of places and cultures around the world. This stint stands tall on the spectrum of Nat Geo specials, right from the start as it accomplishes a task many believed impossible, taking us inside North Korea's secretive borders with unparalleled context and sensitivity.

The exploration takes form over the two-hour travelogue that attracts viewers not only for its promise of unraveling the mystery that is North Korea but also due to its lead investigator, Michael Palin. Known for his work in "Monty Python" and "A Fish Called Wanda," Palin has over the years evolved into an affable and invigorating travelogue presenter. He is instantly recognizable, his good-natured style of presentation complementing his sharp wit that often couches a profound wisdom which allows him to navigate extremely complex socio-political terrain with ease.

When you bring together Palin's renowned knack for storytelling and the show's potentially controversial subject matter, the result is an incisively drawn documentary which takes the understanding of North Korea beyond often misrepresented headlines, into a raw and real insight into the country. It ensures his adventure is more than just a surface-level tourism endeavor, it is an exposition into the day-to-day life of a country unbeknownst to so many.

The series focuses on human stories in the midst of a heavily-politicized environment. There are interactions with locals, such as schoolchildren, teachers, and professionals, to citizens enjoying day outings within the controlled environment provided by their regime. This exploration does not shy away from acknowledging the stark reality of limited freedoms and controlled lives of North Koreans, but at the same time provides an insight into the country that is refreshing in its aim to also showcase the very human side of things, cultural traditions, and glimpses of happiness that emphasize the universal human spirit.

One of the major highlights includes Palin’s guided tour of some of North Korea's most iconic sites: the grand arenas hosting the impeccable May Day parades, the sprawling landscapes, the looming statues of its past leaders, austere architecture, the cityscape aglow with colorful high-rise buildings, and more. Moreover, Palin's journey coincides with a period of extraordinary global politics, as Kim Jong-un and President Trump engage in a domineering and unpredictable dialogue. These developments outside the scope of North Korea but with direct implications bring another layer of intensity and suspense to the series.

With over 1,300 miles of travel from the cold and barren North at the Chinese border to the more tropical South, visiting monumental landmarks, and interacting with the everyday folk of North Korea, the journey is immensely rich. It effectively strips away the sensationalism that typically dominates discourses on North Korea, by offering a more nuanced view of the nation—how it functions from within, its people, their lives, anguishes, aspirations, and the proud preservation of their culture and traditions.

The series is dotted with moments where audiences will find themselves captivated by the extraordinarily ordinary life in North Korea. Michael Palin manages to take the immense challenge of presenting a portrait of North Korea which neither solely presents it as a spectacle nor blatantly reduces it to a dystopian society. Instead, he maneuvers to bring out the complexities and contradictions that are always part of real human lives, no matter where they exist in the world.

In conclusion, Michael Palin in North Korea is a triumph in television programming, a travelogue that is as compelling as its subject matter. Its insightful, at times light-hearted, narration nonetheless confronts the harsh realities that lurk beneath the surface, making it an unmissable exploration for anyone keen to understand the world more deeply. As raw footage and unforgettable interactions unfold across these two hours, you're likely to find your perspective challenged and widened, in signature National Geographic style.