This documentary series, made in partnership with Vox, explain some of the world's current trends, from politics, to science to pop culture.
Explained (Season 3)
Sugar 8.5
Air date: 2021-07-16
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: 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?
Royalty 7.5
Air date: 2021-07-23
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: 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.
Flags 7.5
Air date: 2021-07-30
Runtime: 25 min
Overview: 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.
Dogs 8.0
Air date: 2021-08-06
Runtime: 20 min
Overview: 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.
The End of Oil 7.3
Air date: 2021-08-13
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: 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?
Chess 7.0
Air date: 2021-08-20
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: 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?
Your Skin 7.0
Air date: 2021-08-27
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: 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.
Apologies 6.5
Air date: 2021-09-03
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: 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?
Hurricanes 7.0
Air date: 2021-09-10
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive.
Plastic Surgery 7.5
Air date: 2021-09-17
Runtime: 21 min
Overview: The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.
Dance Crazes 7.0
Air date: 2021-09-24
Runtime: 23 min
Overview: From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?
Time 7.5
Air date: 2021-10-01
Runtime: 22 min
Overview: 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?
Country Music 7.0
Air date: 2021-10-08
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: 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?
Fairy Tales 8.0
Air date: 2021-10-15
Runtime: 24 min
Overview: Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.
Seasons
Episodes 20
Episodes 10
Episodes 14