Throwback Thursday: True Caribbean Pirates (2006)

When it comes to certain era and personalities in history, there are two facets of the story: the myths that persist generations and centuries after they lived and the reality that is not always Hollywood-ized or convenient.

The 2006 History Channel documentary, True Caribbean Pirates, is the story of four legendary 18th century Caribbean pirates. Henry Morgan, Blackbeard, Anne Bonny (and Calico Jack Rackham and Mary Read by extension), and Black Bart Roberts. Interviewing historians, writers, and presenting filmed depictions, these elusive characters are presented in full color to a modern audience. It presents not just the expected imagery of the lives we expected them to live, but the pitfalls as well.

This is one of my favorite documentaries. It is entertaining, educational, and a window into a world that these days is seen to be more romantic and heroic than it actually was.

Do I recommend it? Yes.

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Throwback Thursday: Brad Meltzer’s Decoded (2010-2012)

History is full of myths, half-truths, and stories that over time have been embellished or altered in some way.

Brad Meltzer’s Decoded aired on the History Channel from 2010-2012. Hosted by writer and investigator Brad Meltzer, the series follows a group of history detectives as they look into a variety of symbols, secret codes, and conspiracy theories.

Though the show has been off on the air for nearly a decade, it is available for streaming on Hulu. I watched one episode a while back. As a history nerd, I am all for exploring the narrative beyond the accepted facts. The problem is that it was just background noise. I enjoyed it, but I can’t say that I am excited to sit down and binge the entire series.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Karma is a Delightful Bitch: Don Jr. Has Covid-19

Back in September, I wrote a Flashback Friday post about the 2005 History Channel documentary, The Plague.

There is a specific segment that sticks out in my mind, given our present status. While the poor and working classes in the cities got sick and died by the thousands, the upper classes escaped to their country estates. They though they would be able to ride out the storm and stay alive. How wrong they were.

Among the millions of Americans who have been infected by Covid-19, there is one more name to add to the list. The oldest son of you know who.

Karma is a delightful bitch.

I wouldn’t wish this virus on anyone. But knowing that he has is a reminder that no one is safe. We need a national plan than is cohesive and followed across the nation. That is why we need Joe Biden in office. We will never return to some version of normal if he is not able to do the job we elected him to do.

Flashback Friday: Mega Disasters (2006-2008)

Living on Earth requires the understanding that every once in a while, Mother Nature will reveal how powerful she is.

Mega Disasters aired on The History Channel from 2006-2008. Using a baseline of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, the program explores the potential destruction that awaits humanity.

When the program originally aired, the predictions made were purely speculative. Seeing this show through 2020 eyes, I can’t help but think that we were warned. Instead of heeding the warning of man made climate change, we went on as if everything was fine. The reality is that if we don’t do something today, there might not be a tomorrow.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday: The Plague (2005)

In the collective mind of humanity, we tend to believe that we are above Mother Nature. We forget that not only are we not above Mother Nature, but we are also still under her control.

The Plague was a documentary that premiered on the History Channel in 2005. It told the story of the Black Plague. Between the years of 1346 & 1353, millions were killed and Europe as it was back then was forever changed.

Watching this in 2020, it strikes me how relevant it is. Though Covid-19 does not have the same power over us that the Black Plague had in the 14th century, the repercussions have not changed. In spite of the science that has saved lives, human beings have not changed. There are still some among us who disbelieve the news and others who think that it is a punishment from the eternal parent upstairs.

I recommend it.

Throwback Thursday: Nostradamus Effect (2009)

We would all love to be able to predict the future. It is human to wonder and ask what is to come.

In the 16th century, Nostradamus was known as an astrologer, a doctor, and a reputed seer. The quatrains he wrote are said to have predicted the future. In 2009, Nostradamus Effect premiered on the History Channel. This “documentary” series promised to explain how his prophecies have come or will come to pass.

This is one of those history programs that tries to sound legit, but it is questionable at best. The information presented sounds good. But watching it, I have to wonder how much of it is real and how much is embellished to add to the drama.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Flashback Friday-Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed (2007)

On the surface, the Star Wars movies appear to be your standard science fiction films. But fans know that these films are much more than they appear to be.

Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed premiered in 2007 on the History Channel. The documentary describes how George Lucas based the narrative on history, popular myths, and religion, among other things. It also explains why the films continue to be relevant decades after they originally premiered.

There are those who dismiss this series as kids films. Which, in truth, they are as Lucas himself has stated many times. But they are so much more than movies for young audiences. There are lessons to be learned about humanity, about the past, and more importantly, about the future.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday-The Men Who Built America (2012)

American history is built on ingenuity, independence and the willingness to believe in the impossible.

In 2012, the miniseries The Men Who Built America aired on the History Channel. It told the story of five American titans of business who through their individual contributions, changed the way the people of this country lived.

I have mixed feelings about this particular miniseries. It’s educational for sure, but not as good as other miniseries that have aired on this channel. I would have also appreciated to see a greater diversity of stories other than five Caucasian males.

Do I recommend it? Maybe.

Throwback Thursday-Life After People (2008-2010)

In the history of the Earth, there are only two species that have been at the top of the animal food chain: humans and the dinosaurs. Science has told us how and when the dinosaurs disappeared. But what happens when humanity disappears?

Between 2008 and 2010, the Life After People aired on the History Channel. Asking the hypothetical question of what if people no longer existed, the series told the story of the world we would have left behind and how it would change.

I think this series is both interesting and eye-opening. I hate to say it, we humans think that we rule Mother Nature. The reality is the other way around. The world we have built is as fallible as a house of cards. Until we are able to admit that, we will never completely understand our place in the world.

I recommend it.

Flashback Friday-Ancient Aliens (2009-Present)

Since the beginning of humanity, there have been questions of if there is life beyond Earth.

Ancient Aliens has been part of The History Channel lineup since 2009. The premise of the show is that aliens have been visiting Earth since the time of the dinosaurs. Using historical facts, archaeology and legends, the show tries to prove that we have been visited by aliens for millions of years.

I don’t watch this show often, but I get the feeling that the science is not exactly legit. If you watch this show for entertainment purposes, it’s fine to watch. But if one watches it wanting proof that Earth has been visited by aliens for several millennia, I don’t know the proof provided is enough to legitimatize the claims being made.

Do I recommend it? Not really.