BREAKTHROUGH: Fighting Pandemics
A compelling scientific documentary series for families with discernment.
Should You Watch It?
If your family enjoys intelligent, well-made documentaries, this episode is worth watching. Fighting Pandemics explains how rapidly pandemics can spread, focusing especially on Ebola and the scientists working to fight it.
The episode presents those scientists as people willing to put themselves in harm’s way for others. That moral focus gives the science human weight. The blood is graphic because of the subject, and mentions of evolution call for parental discernment.
Watch it together if your children are old enough to handle the medical imagery and discuss the worldview questions. The practical answer: watch it with middle schoolers and older children, using discernment for younger viewers.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESFighting Pandemics is the first episode of National Geographic’s BREAKTHROUGH, a series about scientists making an impact on crucial human needs. This episode examines pandemics around the world, including Ebola, an infectious disease that can spread rapidly through the body and cause intense pain.
Around the world, scientists work to fight Ebola while preparing for the next pandemic.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode is extremely interesting, highly entertaining, and top-notch in quality. Though filmed in documentary style, it remains very entertaining.
Different Hollywood directors give the episodes slightly different feels, while the series remains very well made overall. Peter Berg directs this episode, and Ron Howard serves as an executive producer. The presentation makes scientific discovery accessible without losing its seriousness.
The Worldview
The episode presents scientific discovery as a means of helping people and meeting crucial human needs. Its scientists work for the betterment of mankind and sometimes put themselves in harm’s way to help others. That gives the documentary a moral worldview centered on service and human flourishing.
The episode does mention evolution. However, the main focus remains on advancing scientific discoveries and fighting disease rather than on evolution itself. Families can appreciate the scientists’ willingness to sacrifice for others while discussing the difference between scientific investigation and the beliefs sometimes attached to it.
The documentary’s concern for people in danger aligns with Jesus’ command: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Some moral worldview as characters are trying to sacrifice themselves to help others and push scientific discoveries, mentions of evolution; no foul language; Some graphic blood; no nudity; no alcohol use; prescription drug use to fight pandemics; and, nothing else of concern
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The scientists put themselves in harm’s way to help others. What does loving your neighbor look like when helping others costs you something?
Matthew 22:39 · Philippians 2:3–4How can scientific discoveries be used for the betterment of mankind? What responsibilities come with knowledge and power?
Proverbs 2:6–7 · Luke 12:48The episode discusses the danger of pandemics spreading rapidly. How can fear be answered with wisdom, courage, and care for others?
2 Timothy 1:7 · Galatians 6:2When the episode mentions evolution, what questions would you want to discuss about science, creation, and God?
Genesis 1:1 · Psalm 111:2The Final Word
Fighting Pandemics is a compelling, high-quality documentary episode with a serious concern for human life. Graphic blood and mentions of evolution call for discernment, especially with younger children. For families ready to discuss those concerns, this is WORTH WATCHING.
