Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery (2007)

Episode Overview

Cook remains steadfast in his quest for the elusive Great Southern Continent, determined to dispel the myths surrounding it. Despite his exceptional sailing and navigational abilities, the Endeavour runs aground and nearly faces destruction. As the damaged ship makes its way northward, Cook takes a controversial step by claiming the entire eastern coast of New Holland for Britain, disregarding the rights of the local people—a claim that Aboriginal communities still reject today. While stopping for urgent repairs in Batavia, contaminated water turns the Endeavour into a vessel of death. Until this point, Cook has not lost any crew members, but by the time they reach the Cape of Good Hope, more than a third are gone. Back in London, the struggles of everyday life weigh heavily on Cook’s family, as his wife Elizabeth faces the heartache of burying their second child. Cook’s remarkable maps showcase his genius, earning him a promotion to Commander for a new voyage, which will add a significant portion of the world to the