Mythical Beasts

Mythical Beasts, a gripping and educational series from 2018 airing on the Science Channel, takes its viewers on an intriguing journey into the world of ancient legends and the creatures that have captivated our collective imagination for centuries. This 10-episode series investigates myths and legends from various cultural traditions, from European folklore to ancient Greek mythology, and aims to explore the possible explanations behind the existence of such creatures.

Using a scientific approach, the series delves into our collective past to explore these mythical beasts and attempts to unravel the reasons behind the birth of these legends. The show provides an innovative blend of history, archaeology, paleontology, zoology, biology, and more, raising fascinating questions about the human fear of the unknown and the deep-seated beliefs that often govern our perceptions of the natural world.

Each self-contained episode of Mythical Beasts explores a different creature and its cultural significance, allowing viewers to gain a profound understanding of not just the creatures but also the cultural and historical backdrop against which they were conceived. From the dragon's lair to the kraken's oceanic depths, from ancient Egypt's bloodthirsty griffins to the legendary minotaur's labyrinth, the show exhibits an incredible variety of mythical beasts.

The show has been praised for its use of expert interviews and striking CGI animation to shed light on certain truths about our past. Each episode features expert anthropologists, archaeologists, historians, and other specialists sharing well-researched insights that delve into the possible facts behind the fantasy. Additionally, the breathtaking CGI brings these iconic creatures to life in vibrant, eye-catching detail, further enhancing the overall viewing experience.

What makes Mythical Beasts truly compelling is its attempt to strip away the fantastical layers which have, over time, embellished these creatures, and instead, posit them in a more realistic context. The show encourages the audience to engage with these myths on a deeper level, initiating conversations about their potential relationship to real extinct or extant animals. It also investigates if they could have been born out of human encounters with the unknown, as an attempt to make sense of unexplained natural phenomena or simply a product of creative storytelling.

For example, the series analyzes whether the monstrous Minotaur of Greek mythology could have been based on the cultural memory of prehistoric megafauna or if the terrifying Kraken might have been inspired by sightings of colossal squids or octopuses. The series also speculates whether the legendary fire-breathing Dragons found in cultures all over the world might have originated from man's early encounters with fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures.

Moreover, the series does an excellent job highlighting the fact that mythical creatures across various cultures have similar characteristics, prompting questions about shared cultural consciousness and universal human fears. This realization adds an additional layer of intrigue to the study of mythical beasts and their role in human history and culture.

At its core, Mythical Beasts is about human beings and their attempt to understand the world around them. The intersection of history, culture, science, and mythology creates a captivating narrative that sparks curiosity and fascination. These creatures - formed in the crucible of human fear, awe, and imagination - have the power to inform us more about ourselves and the world we live in than we sometimes realize.

Mythical Beasts on the Science Channel offers an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of the ancient and mysterious creatures of lore. By bridging the gap between fact and fiction, reality and myth, it unlocks a part of humanity's past that has been shrouded in mystery and, in doing so, becomes a series that goes far beyond mere entertainment.

Whether you are a fan of myths and legends, eager to learn the truth behind the myths, or are simply in awe of the beguiling charm woven by these mythical creatures, this series has something to offer. In its essence, Mythical Beasts is like a time machine, taking you backward in time to reexamine human history through the lens of the fantastic and the mysterious. It delivers a thrilling ride that not only surprises and educates but also fuels the imagination. So, are you ready for the journey into the realm of the mythical and the monstrous? Mythical Beasts awaits you.