A Wonder on the Tellybox.

I haven't studied Science of any kind for at least five years now. If you were to ask me what I remember from my secondary school classes in Chemistry, Biology and Physics, I would answer thus:

* How to strategically squirt water from a pipette at my classmates so as to cause maximum irritation and discomfort.
* That when you drop a lump of sodium into a beaker of water some 'cool shit' happens.
* That one of my Physics teachers made a habit of holding two test tubes directly over his man-breasts so that they looked like udders.

I personally cherish these experiences and insights, and was content to leave my understanding of Science at that particular level. However, every now and then something will come along that inspires curiosity in the natural world around us once more. The recent series Wonders of the Universe, and its predecessor Wonders of the Solar System, are two of those experiences.

Professor Brian Cox is that rare anomaly - a particle physicist that speaks as though you had just asked him which aisle the cornflakes are kept at your local Asda. And truly he has much to tell. Realising just how insignificant we are in comparison to the rest of the cosmos is at once disconcerting, therapeutic, and awe-inspiring. An hour on the birth and death of time would surely near burst the minds of impressionable youngsters who are new to the topic. Added to this, the series are magnificantly produced and edited, with Brian seemingly visiting half the known world to illustrate his points, and has a score that I would be happy to listen to on its own.

The only issue is, where can the Professor go from here for his next adventure, to satisfy his new legions of fans both young and old? A series dealing with the Universe will be damn hard to top scale-wise! But for now, glad to see the BBC has finally got it right with its flagship Science franchise.

Until next time,

James x