Thirty-five years after the Chernobyl disaster, the exclusion zone remains a chilling testament to the devastating power of nuclear energy gone awry. While countless documentaries have explored the area, Ben Fogle’s approach, as seen in Channel 5’s special, is a bit different. He’s going in alone. Yes, solo. For a whole week. Now, whether this adds a fresh perspective or simply amps up the “man vs. wild, radioactive edition” vibe remains a question hanging heavier than a lead apron.
The documentary follows Fogle as he traverses the eerie, abandoned landscapes of Pripyat, the ghost town frozen in time. He pokes around the decaying remains of a hospital (presumably not for medical advice) and, in a move sure to raise some eyebrows, even gains access to the heart of the beast: the Chernobyl nuclear power plant itself. I’m not an expert in radiation safety, but I’m guessing “Do Not Enter” signs are generally a good suggestion to heed, especially in a place where the background radiation could still toast a marshmallow from 50 paces.
Fogle’s brand is built on this kind of immersive, you-are-there experience, and viewers are either along for the ride or reaching for the remote. His past adventures have taken him from the Amazon to the Arctic to the Congo, so a stroll through a radiated wasteland is probably just another Tuesday for the guy. Whether this particular brand of on-screen bravery will offer new insights into the disaster’s impact, or simply serve as radioactive rubbernecking, is something we’ll have to wait and see.
Inside Chernobyl with Ben Fogle airs Thursday, November 28, 2024 at 10:00 pm on Channel 5.
