Explained

The Worst Episodes of Explained

Genre:Documentary
Network:Netflix

Every episode of Explained ranked from worst to best. Explore 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.
Episodes
44
Avg. Rating
7.4
S1
S2
S3
S4
E1
E2
E3
7.4
7.5
8.5
8.0
8.0
7.5
7.5
7.8
7.5

Filter By Season (3)

  1. #1

    !

    S1:E10
    6.3/10(3)
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    !

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  2. #2

    Apologies

    S3:E8
    6.5/10(2)
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    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?

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  3. #3

    The Stock Market

    S1:E7
    6.7/10(3)
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    The Stock Market

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  4. #4

    eSports

    S1:E8
    6.7/10(3)
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    eSports

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  5. #5

    Beauty

    S2:E9
    6.7/10(3)
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    Beauty

    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?

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  6. #6

    Extraterrestrial Life

    S1:E9
    7.0/10(3)
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    Extraterrestrial Life

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
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  8. #7

    Cricket

    S1:E11
    7.0/10(3)
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    Cricket

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  9. #8

    Astrology

    S1:E14
    7.0/10(3)
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    Astrology

    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.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  10. #9

    The Female Orgasm

    S1:E16
    7.0/10(3)
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    The Female Orgasm

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  11. #10

    Why Women Are Paid Less

    S1:E18
    7.0/10(2)
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    Why Women Are Paid Less

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  12. #11

    Music

    S1:E20
    7.0/10(3)
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    Music

    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.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  13. #12

    Pirates

    S2:E6
    7.0/10(2)
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    Pirates

    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.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  14. #13

    Chess

    S3:E6
    7.0/10(2)
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    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?

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  15. #14

    Your Skin

    S3:E7
    7.0/10(2)
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    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.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  16. #15

    Hurricanes

    S3:E9
    7.0/10(2)
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    Hurricanes

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  17. #16

    Dance Crazes

    S3:E11
    7.0/10(1)
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    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?

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  18. #17

    Country Music

    S3:E13
    7.0/10(1)
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    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?

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  19. #18

    Tattoo

    S1:E13
    7.3/10(3)
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    Tattoo

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  20. #19

    Athleisure

    S2:E4
    7.3/10(3)
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    Athleisure

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  21. #20

    Coding

    S2:E5
    7.3/10(3)
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    Coding

    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?

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  22. #21

    Diamonds

    S2:E10
    7.3/10(3)
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    Diamonds

    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.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  23. #22

    The End of Oil

    S3:E5
    7.3/10(4)
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    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?

    Director
    Emily Kassie
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  24. #23

    The Racial Wealth Gap

    S1:E1
    7.4/10(5)
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    The Racial Wealth Gap

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

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  25. #24

    Monogamy

    S1:E3
    7.5/10(2)
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    Monogamy

    What do biology, human history and the promiscuity of bonobos reveal about monogamy? Experts and everyday couples weigh in on shifting cultural norms.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0
  26. #25

    Why Diets Fail

    S1:E6
    7.5/10(4)
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    Why Diets Fail

    Atkins. Paleo. Keto. Do any work in the long term? Experts look at marketing, food environments and genes to explain why diets are often unsuccessful.

    Director
    N/A
    Writer
    N/A

    Comments

    0

Worst Episodes Summary

"!" is the worst rated episode of "Explained". It scored 6.3/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 7/11/2018. This episode scored 0.2 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Apologies".