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The Worst Episodes of Explained

Every episode of Explained ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Explained!

The Worst Episodes of Explained

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

Seasons3

  1. Background image for Dance Crazes
    6.2/10(199 votes)

    #1 - Dance Crazes

    S3:E11

    From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  2. Background image for !
    6.3/10(3 votes)

    #2 - !

    S1:E10

    Do we overuse exclamation points!? Linguists and copy editors look at how the punctuation has adapted across history, literature and internet-speak.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  3. Background image for Plastic Surgery
    6.4/10(211 votes)

    #3 - Plastic Surgery

    S3:E10

    The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  4. Background image for Country Music
    6.6/10(195 votes)

    #4 - Country Music

    S3:E13

    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?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  5. Background image for The Stock Market
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #5 - The Stock Market

    S1:E7

    Does the stock market accurately reflect the status of the economy? Finance specialists discuss market history, valuations and CEO incentives.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  6. Background image for eSports
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #6 - eSports

    S1:E8

    Is fake violence a sport? Fans, shoutcasters, and eSports icons break down today's video games and the explosive popularity of competitive gaming.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Explained

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  8. Background image for Beauty
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #7 - Beauty

    S2:E9

    Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but what exactly makes things such as art and architecture aesthetically pleasing, and why do we like looking?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  9. Background image for Apologies
    6.7/10(190 votes)

    #8 - Apologies

    S3:E8

    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?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  10. Background image for Royalty
    6.8/10(286 votes)

    #9 - Royalty

    S3:E2

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  11. Background image for Flags
    6.8/10(235 votes)

    #10 - Flags

    S3:E3

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  12. Background image for Hurricanes
    6.9/10(179 votes)

    #11 - Hurricanes

    S3:E9

    As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  13. Background image for Extraterrestrial Life
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #12 - Extraterrestrial Life

    S1:E9

    Despite decades of searching, we have yet to discover extraterrestrial life. Scientists discuss the reasons, including: Are aliens just too snobby?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  14. Background image for Cricket
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #13 - Cricket

    S1:E11

    Cricket experts look at how the confusing sport became so popular and discuss its evolution in becoming more accessible entertaining and profitable.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  15. Background image for Astrology
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #14 - Astrology

    S1:E14

    Do zodiac signs prescribe your fate? Or do horoscopes' accuracy lie in the placebo effect? Take a look at the science, history and lure of astrology.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  16. Background image for The Female Orgasm
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #15 - The Female Orgasm

    S1:E16

    The female orgasm is more elusive when a man is involved. Discover the reasons why and how women are embracing hands on solutions.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  17. Background image for Why Women Are Paid Less
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #16 - Why Women Are Paid Less

    S1:E18

    Hillary Clinton and Anne-Marie Slaughter discuss the cultural norms at the center of the worldwide gender pay gap, including the "motherhood penalty."

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  18. Background image for Music
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #17 - Music

    S1:E20

    When does sound become music? Why are humans so uniquely able to master musicality? Researchers talk rhythm, octaves and the magic of song and dance.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  19. Background image for Pirates
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #18 - Pirates

    S2:E6

    In pop culture, pirates are often depicted as booty-looting rogues, but their history is far more complicated. See how they became enemies of humanity.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  20. Background image for Your Skin
    7.2/10(200 votes)

    #19 - Your Skin

    S3:E7

    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.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  21. Background image for Fairy Tales
    7.2/10(213 votes)

    #20 - Fairy Tales

    S3:E14

    Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  22. Background image for Tattoo
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #21 - Tattoo

    S1:E13

    They've been used to command respect, punish criminals and mark achievements. Tattooists speak about the origins of tattoo traditions and rituals.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  23. Background image for Athleisure
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #22 - Athleisure

    S2:E4

    It began with bloomers. Then came spandex. Now we sport leggings and other activewear everywhere. How did comfy, casual clothing go mainstream?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  24. Background image for Coding
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #23 - Coding

    S2:E5

    Computer code now controls how we live. But how did these programming languages evolve? And how can they be used to build a new and better world?

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  25. Background image for Diamonds
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #24 - Diamonds

    S2:E10

    A diamond is forever. But why is that? Dig into how these mined pieces of carbon became both a status symbol and a sparkly sign of everlasting love.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown
  26. Background image for The Racial Wealth Gap
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #25 - The Racial Wealth Gap

    S1:E1

    Cory Booker and others discuss how slavery, housing discrimination and centuries of inequality have compounded to create a racial wealth gap.

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    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

Worst Episodes Summary

"Dance Crazes" is the worst rated episode of "Explained". It scored 6.2/10 based on 199 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/24/2021. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "!".