Explained (2018)

This documentary series, made in partnership with Vox, explain some of the world's current trends, from politics, to science to pop culture.

Last episode

Fairy Tales

Oct 15, 2021

Seasons

Season 1 Season 2 Season 3

Jul 16, 2021	1. Sugar Once crucial for survival, sugar now poses a health risk. Is there a way to satisfy our primeval craving for sweetness in a healthy, balanced way?
Jul 23, 2021	2. Royalty How do monarchies survive when they no longer wield power? By presenting a royal fairy tale that may not reflect the reality of the past — or present.
Jul 30, 2021	3. Flags A flag can unite, divide and terrorize. Explore how a piece of cloth transformed into a powerful symbol of both love and hate, freedom and oppression.
Aug 06, 2021	4. Dogs Who's a good dog? They all are! From puppy-dog eyes to feats of heroism, see how canines evolved into humankind's best friends and sources of pure love.
Aug 13, 2021	5. The End of Oil Oil led to huge advancements - and vast inequities. As the planet warms, why is it so hard to turn away from fossil fuels, and can it be done in time?
Aug 20, 2021	6. Chess For centuries, chess has captured hearts and minds — and pawns — and it's more popular than ever. What makes this ever-changing board game so special?
Aug 27, 2021	7. Your Skin Don’t panic, but our skin plays host to trillions of bacteria, fungi, mites and other microscopic guests. Go beyond skin-deep with our largest organ.
Sep 03, 2021	8. Apologies Apologizing is tough, and in this era of public mea culpas, forgiveness isn't guaranteed. What makes for a good apology, and why does it hold such power?
Sep 10, 2021	9. Hurricanes As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive.
Sep 17, 2021	10. Plastic Surgery The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.
Sep 24, 2021	11. Dance Crazes From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?
Oct 01, 2021	12. Time Time flies… sometimes. Its passage can seem to speed up and slow down. Why do we experience time the way we do, and how do we take back some control?
Oct 08, 2021	13. Country Music Dirt roads. Pickup trucks. Hip-hop? As the borders around country music shift, who decides what defines the popular genre, and who gets to be a star?
Oct 15, 2021	14. Fairy Tales Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.