Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II was declared a life-affirming watch by viewers who said it was worth the licence fee alone.
The seven-part sequel to the 2001 original series started on BBC1 on Sunday night.
Viewers were captivated as Sir David, 91, reflected on the changing ocean system in an instalment featuring surfing dolphins, false killer whales and a walrus mother with newborn calves.
One wrote on Twitter: “Attenborough is THE human voice of nature at its most spectacular. Pure wide eyed wonderment.”
“#BluePlanet2 is the most mind blowing thing I’ve ever seen! Spent the last hour saying ‘wow’ or ‘what?!’ Can’t wait until next week,” said another impressed fan.
“Life affirming, magical, spellbinding, mind blowing, genius, TV perfection,” praised another.
Other people said the nature programme was particularly special in the current climate.
“In the world of Trump, Brexit, Weinstein and all other human nonsense, there is something very life affirming about watching #BluePlanet2,” one pointed out.
Many people watching wrote on social media that the chance to see the “spectacular” programme was worth the licence fee alone.
“#BluePlanet2 has got to be one of the best pieces of television I have ever seen. Just wow. Single handedly worth the BBC licence fee!” tweeted one.
“Yet again, Sir David and the team have blown us away. #BluePlanet2 is worth the licence fee alone!” said another.
There was one segment of the programme in particular that blew viewers’ minds – transgender fish!
Off the coast of northern Japan, cameras caught the strange mating ritual of the Asian Sheepshead Wrasse – a transgender fish.
After the male failed to woo the female, she swam off and then – incredibly – transformed into a male herself.
She then returned to her failed suitor and a battle for mating rights ensued. Staggering…
Twitter was going crazy with comments…
One said: “Wait, WHAT?! A fish can be transgender?!”
“Sharing a meme, another poster said: ‘Head spun by these transgender fish on Blue Planet,” gushed another.
“Well I never thought I’d see this – transgender fish!” admitted a third.
Another fan wrote: “Love how progressive Blue Planet is getting with the transgender fish this season.”
“Blue Planet II. Gobsmackingly brilliant television. Transgender fish. Negotiations between killer whales and dolphins. Riveting,” tweeted a further viewer.
If you missed it last night, make sure you catch it on iPlayer.