Ties That Bind Us

National Geographic Channel  “The Story Of Us”
Morgan Freeman, narrator
National Geographic/ Revelations Entertainment 21st Century Fox 2017
Each episode is 50 minutes in length
6 Episodes in this series that airs on Wednesday 

Episode Three With Morgan Freeman
October 25, 2017
The Power Of Love
Guest: Joshua Coombes
This episode could be rated a strong PG 13 for images 

In Episode Three of  “The Story Of Us,” Morgan Freeman explores the many facets of love. Suffering for Love---Love for a special one---Love for everyone---and, no love at all?  You read that right...no love at all. In California, we meet Isador, born in Romania and left in an orphanage by his parents because he had contracted polio. In Romania at that time it was a law that parents must have five children, whether they could afford them or not. If you thought reading about orphanages in Charles Dickens novels were disturbing, Isador’s experience were much more than that. Eventually, Isador was adopted by an American family, though it was not easy. 

One Ethiopian tribe believes in men lightly whipping women in a dance. It is a coming-of-age ceremony and supposed to show affection. In Pakistan and India are arranged marriages, to this day. One woman, a lawyer, was married and quickly porced. It just wasn't right. Then, she went the route of an arranged marriage to a man she had met once. It was a traditional ceremony and it worked. 

Another kind of love is that in which someone gives their life for another. The military is shown here featuring the story of Sgt.. Westbrook, who during an ambush, risked his life many times to rescue comrades in arms. Last, is the love for the homeless, who have nothing in this world. Joshua Kuntz, a hairdresser, is shown plying his trade and giving those  homeless a haircut and a better outlook on life. 

Yes, many different kinds of love. There could, also, be added to the list---the love for animals.  Perhaps., there are those reading this who are by their computers with a canine or feline companion nearby. The capacity to love is an emotional trait that warms the heart.  Like babies who collect all their toys and try to hold on to them. At last, they choose one and give it to someone---sharing. Now, two hearts are warm. The world doesn't always work this way, but that doesn't mean we can't keep trying. As William Shakespeare wrote, “Love is a fire sparking in someone else’s eyes.”  

The quality of production for these episodes are excellent. 

National Geographic Partners LLC and Revelations Entertainment have joined to produce this series. The series will run on television where over 730 million people, in 172 countries and 43 languages will see and hear it. The six  episodes are “The March Of Freedom,” (October 11, 2017), “The Fight For Peace“  (October 18, 2017),  “ The Power Of Love” (October 25, 2017,) “Us And Them” (November 8, 2017,) “The Power Of Us” (November 15, 2017) and  “The Spirit Of Rebellion” (November 22, 2017.) The organization called (NGP) returns 27 percent of proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education.  For more information visit www.natgeotv.com or  www.nationalgeographic.com. Visit  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, Linkedin and Pinterest. 

 

Copyright 2017 Marie Asner