Some of the Things That Molecules Do
| "Some of the Things That Molecules Do" | |
|---|---|
| Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey episode | |
| Episode no. | Episode 2 |
| Directed by | Bill Pope |
| Written by | Ann Druyan Steven Soter |
| Narrated by | Neil deGrasse Tyson |
| Produced by | Livia Hanich Steve Holtzman |
| Featured music | Alan Silvestri |
| Editing by | Michael O'Halloran John Duffy Eric Lea |
| Production code | 102 |
| Original air date | March 16, 2014 |
| Running time | 44 minutes |
"Some of the Things That Molecules Do" is the second episode of the American
television series Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey. It premiered on March 16, 2014 on Fox
.
The episode received positive reviews, with critics praising the beautiful graphics as well as the wonder-inspiring and straightforward narrative of how evolution works.[1][2] Despite positive reviews, however, the episode received a 2.0/5 in the 18-49 rating/share, with 4.95 million American viewers watching it live—a decrease from the 5.77 million viewers who watched the series premiere.[3]
Episode summary
The episode covers several facets of the origin of life and
genes, and mutation work, and how these led to the diversity of species as represented by the Tree of Life, including how complex organs such as the eye
came about as a common element.
Tyson describes extinction events that wiped out numerous species on Earth, while some species, such as the tardigrade, were able to survive and continue life. Tyson speculates on the possibility of life on other planets, such as Saturn's moon, Titan, as well as how abiogenesis may have originated life on Earth. The episode concludes with an animation from the original Cosmos
showing the evolution of life from a single cell to mankind today, with music from Vivaldi's Mandolin Concerto.
Reception
Upon airing on
References
- ^ Baumgartner, Alison (March 14, 2014). "TV Review: 'Cosmos : Some Of The Things That Molecules Do'". ScienceFiction.com. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ Lee, Adam (March 18, 2014). "TV Review: Cosmos, Episode 2". Patheos.com. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
- ^ a b Bibel, Sara (March 18, 2014). "Sunday Final Ratings: 'Once Upon A Time', 'Resurrection', 'America's Funniest Home Videos', 'Cosmos', 'American Dad' & 'Believe' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
