Zac Efron has become a world traveler and he's quite good at it as he brings us along for the trip. I went to Netflix to revisit Zac Efron's DOWN TO EARTH series. Season 2 is up and, during some Sunday evening leisure time, I watched Episode 1 of Season 2. This second season is eco-friendly. We learn about other cultures in other parts of the world and realize that, as Efron says, "We are all connected." Season 2 stresses conservation and urges us all to protect and support our national parks. And, yes, during the first episode he does indeed touch koala poop.
He takes us to Australia where he reunited with his on-air partner and production team. This happens after the COVID-19 lockdown when folks could interact again. The focus of Episode 1 is Habitat Conservation and it's a totally fascinating 40-minute episode. It's extremely educational and I'd urge parents to watch it with their kids. Efron does say a couple of naughty words while out in the wilds, but they are bleeped.
We begin with him and his partner visiting aborigine territory. As outsiders, they are required to tell the aboriginals who they are and they're intent while visiting. There is a ceremony they must participate in, a ceremony that may look odd with its face paint and smoke, but it is beautiful. Efron, who is also executive producer of the series, obviously has a great respect for other peoples and cultures. I felt that this entrance ceremony should be practiced by people here in the U.S. who want to enter land of our Native Americans.
We get history of Australia. This is why today's kids should watch -- we see the massiveness and majesty of our planet as we learn how and why to help take care of it. The koala population was severely reduced by extreme wildfires. In order to find koalas, local habitat workers introduce Zac to a friendly dog that sniffs out koala poop. Where there's koala poop, there's a koala.
There's kangaroo grass in the wilds. Colonists though kangaroo grass was just a bunch of weeks. Wrong. It can be used to make bread. Efron's guide gives the history of this then makes a loaf of bread from kangaroo grass. He also grills some local seafood that looks just like the face huggers in the movie ALIEN. However, the look of Efron's face when he eats one tells us that it is absolutely delicious.
The most thrilling and frightening segments is when Efron and his partner go to see and feed Tasmanian devils. Both men admitted that they only knew of this animal because of classic Warner Bros. cartoons. You'll be a little afraid for Zac when he's taught how to enter an area and feed Tasmanian devils. You'll be glued to that footage. Zac was understandably a bit afraid too when he learns how powerful their jaws are. You've got to see these little animals go after a raw piece of meat. Your jaw will drop. Here's a sample of the series.
Zac Efron is a great and respectful travel guide as he promotes conservation and eco-friendly practices. And the photography is gorgeous. Not only is DOWN TO EARTH entertaining, it's educational. If you get Netflix, give it a look.
The Tasmanian devil segment made me gasp. Watch this trailer.
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