>Question: I missed the middle third or so of the first season, but did they ever explain that polar bear they killed?

Not that I know of. I watched the first two seasons in french. I can't wait to see the third in french so I'm watching the third one in english. Another reason is that I don't have a conflict on tv at that same time.

There are so many unexplained things I guess that they made sure they could have many seasons ;-)