Nat Geo’s ‘Breakthrough’ dives into cyborg tech and the secrets of the brain
National Geographic’s new 6-part mini-series Breakthrough started off with The Future of Fighting Pandemics before focusing on less frightening topics: More Than Human and Decoding the Brain in episode two and three respectively.
More Than Human, starring and narrated by actor Paul Giamatti, explores robotics, the possibility of cyborgs and the influence of technology on humanity.
Truly practical and disturbing concepts come to light as Giamatti hops around the globe as a believable science fiction fan, witnessing the collide of 2015 advances and improvements which make the “cyborg” concept a reality.
Director Brett Ratner takes the lead on the examination on the Human Brain, a feature which follows how scientists are attacking brain disorder, exploring unmapped capabilities of the human brain and performing miraculous procedures to provide an incredible quality of life.
Like the DARPA Warrior Web Project, new technology is truly amazing Suit concept. (U.S. Army) (October 10, 2013)
Not always groundbreaking, Breakthrough does deliver a digestible and understandable introduction to high level science and technology. While the show never seems to press back on moral contradictions, some of the questions are atleast raised.
Giamatti on machine was truly great television and the best episode yet, but Ratner’s brain exploration became tedious and longwinded at times. Technology is amazing, but the medical surgeries featured regularly on other cable shows made this episode seem second rate.
Stay tuned for more as Ron Howard on Aging is up next.
Breakthrough airs Sundays at 9/8p on National Geographic Channel.
Human brain
Image/NIH
