S1-E55: Vanuatu: Echoes of Cannibals

After more than a year at sea, the expedition sets up shore-based observation posts to track the sun, moon, and stars—essential for mapping longitude. But scientific equipment requires still ground, and setting up tents inland means entering another world. What begins with curiosity soon turns tense: a misinterpreted gesture leads to a musket shot. Friendships begin to grow, symbolized by name exchanges and shy gifts of food, yet mistrust lingers beneath.

The explorers venture into forested slopes, steaming sulfur vents, and vibrant groves of figs and palms. A young islander named Fanokko bridges worlds with questions, gifts, and remarkable clarity. But when the Europeans cross certain boundaries, they’re met with dramatic warnings—including vivid signs of cannibalism, whether symbolic or literal.

In the shadow of the volcano, science and culture clash and coalesce. Tanna reveals not just the fragility of first contact, but also the quiet power of restraint, ritual, and respect.