Jane

TV Series Review

Adventure, exploration and conservation are the passions that run through 9-year-old Jane Garcia’s veins. 

Other kids may like to spend their time playing video games or sitting on their phones, but that’s not Jane’s thing. She prefers to follow the inspiration of anthropologist Jane Goodall and spend her time researching endangered species. Her passion is to do what she can to help them–albeit from the two-bedroom apartment she shares with her mom, Maria. 

Of course, those apartment walls don’t hem her in. Through her imagination, she still manages to explore jungles or dive into oceans. And Jane doesn’t like to work alone. She spends her days learning and using her wildly active imagination with her best friend and neighbor, David, and their stuffed monkey, Greybeard. And, occasionally, Jane kindly invites residential recluse, Mr. Jin, to help her in her endeavors. 

It’s not easy work, this whole saving and conserving the world thing, but it is work that can be done one day, and one person, at a time. 

Every Animal Needs A Helping Hand

If you’re a parent who grew up loving to explore the outdoors and learn about animals, you may find that Apple TV+’s latest venture, Jane, brings back fond memories. 

This show, focused on kids in elementary school, allows Jane, David and their stuffed monkey (who often comes to life) to explore the world and the animals within it. Each episode is like a fantastical mission where the kids team up to learn facts, use super-cool inventions and understand the impact that humanity has on nature. 

This show encourages exploration, fosters creativity and educates viewers on many different animals, including polar bears, sharks, honey bees and more. It should be noted that Jane is very interested in showing those around her that global warming is real, and that humans can either positively or negatively impact the environment and that teamwork matters. And while we haven’t any references to evolution yet, a show like this might well include them.

Although Jane and David spend most of their days alone (since her single mom is often working and her father lives elsewhere), Jane’ mother is incredibly kind. As for David, the first episode doesn’t tell us anything about his family. 

Both kids wander around their neighborhood, letting their imaginations lead them. They don’t actually get hurt or get into any real trouble. But they do learn that, if you do something wrong, apologizing is necessary and community is crucial. 

More than anything though, Jane and her close circle follow the words of Jane Goodall as their life’s inspiration: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help. Only if we help, can they be saved.”