#currently watching the comb jelly episode and im seething with rage

[donuts4evry1]

Reviewing Octonauts: The Jellyfish Bloom full episode because I have an exam in two days and I don't feel like studying

Rating: 8/10

I'm just really happy about seeing an episode dedicated almost entirely to jellyfish, to be honest. It's already at least 5/10 because of that.

Even disregarding that fact though, the Octonauts is just... phenomenal at teaching kids about jellyfish.

The bloom was foreshadowed in the beginning of the episode by only showing one jellyfish. While it may be a little exaggerated, there is some truth to this. Polyps are known to clone themselves in various ways, and each polyp can produce many ephyra thanks to strobilation (This is known as having high fecundity, according to Professor Dave Explains)

The jellyfish are treated as a nuisance, but they are not unfairly demonized. Captain Barnacles expresses concern for their well-being, even as he puts himself in the line of danger to save a fellow crewmate. They may be numerous, but each one of their lives are precious.

VINEGAR. OH MY GOD PESO I THOUGHT YOU WERE BRINGING OUT URINE FOR A SECOND BUT YOU USED VINEGAR!! VINEAR!!!!!!! AHHHHH, I LOVE YOU. Anyways it's a good jellyfish plug, hehe.

also just looking at jellyfish outside of a window is very pretty. . . they are many. . .

Here are things that I think the episode fell short on, however:

The jellyfish are just normal, simplistic representations of jellyfish. They are stated to be sea nettles (I think?), but honestly the way that they are designed, they resemble hydrozoan jellyfish more (I mean, we don't even see oral arms... ORAL ARMS!!). I'm not sure how I'm feeling about the ice cream scoop-like bell, either (I know it's meant to represent the subumbrella but I don't LIKE it)

Ah well. It's a kid's show, they probably don't have the budget to give us a perfectly rendered jelly...

Jellyfish stings have an electrical sound effect. I know nematocysts sting so fast that it feels like an electric current, but it hurts me still..................................

Yeah that's pretty much it (though honestly I think Captain Barnacles was stupid for going out there without proper coverage. Boo)

Extra ramble:

Based on the design and colour of the jellies, I would presume that they are the Chrysaora colorata (Purple Striped Jellyfish), but considering this takes place in Britain they could also be the Compass jellyfish (tho that's the only jellyfish I know that lives near there haha...)

(Next up, I'm watching this compilation haha :>, maybe I'll review it too or something)