'Serengeti' is something of an uneven documentary series. There is a lot to like and many truly beautifully done things and moments, but some very peculiar and frustrating weaknesses as well. So it was hard to not feel frustrated at how its vast potential was not fully realised. It is above average and is watchable, but as far as nature documentaries go there are much better around. Naming things would be unfair though, but other nature documentary fans may have an idea.
The first episode "Destiny" epitomises what is good about 'Serengeti'. It also sadly epitomises what is odd about the series. There is a lot of beauty here like the rest of the series, but there are major distracting drawbacks present throughout 'Serengeti' that makes "Destiny" a strange episode as well. It starts the series off on a rocky note and of the six episodes it is one of the weaker instalments. Am taking no pleasure in not being crazy about the episode, far from it, but it should have been much better than this.
"Destiny" looks great on the whole. It is beautifully filmed, intimate in all the appropriate places without being claustrophobic and expansive enough to cinematic effect without trying to do too much or be too gimmicky. Some did not like the animals being humanised, that wasn't a problem for me. Actually liked the realism and humanity brought to them and it helped make them and their situations easy to root for, something that the series did generally do quite well in.
Like all of 'Serengeti's' episodes, there are some enchanting moments. Especially when a leopard leaping from a tree. That may not sound exciting, but it was the way that moment was captured on film and shot that gave it the impact it has. It was hard to not relate to the animals too. The challenges of the lionness and the elephant felt very human and will resonate with anybody who has been in a similar situation.
Unfortunately, the music is far too over-dramatic and really should have been used much less. Instead of enhancing any of the action it detracted, particularly considering that it never fits in placement or stylistically. The narration never connects emotionally or educates, not much new here, and the writing for it is cringe-worthingly hokey ("he's made her feel safe, now she makes him more wanted"). John Boyega's disengaged delivery of it doesn't help matters.
While trying to appeal to the whole family was admirable, "Destiny" and a vast majority of 'Serengeti' tries too hard aiming its content at younger audiences. Older audiences may, like me, find the approach to the material too safe and overly-simple and be yearning for a more pulling no punches approach that would have made the drama more real. The series did prove that it could do that with the penultimate episode "Exodus", why not the whole time? The episode mostly does look fine, but the editing could have been more varied and had more flow.
In summary, watchable but underwhelming first episode of an uneven series. 5/10