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The Worst Episodes of Explained

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

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Explained Season 1 Episode 10 - !
    6.3/10(3 votes)

    #1 - !

    S1:E10

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Explained Season 3 Episode 8 - Apologies
    6.5/10(2 votes)

    #2 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Explained Season 1 Episode 7 - The Stock Market
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #3 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Explained Season 1 Episode 8 - eSports
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Explained Season 2 Episode 9 - Beauty
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #5 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Explained Season 3 Episode 5 - The End of Oil
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #6 - The End of Oil

    S3:E5

    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:Unknown

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  7. Explained Season 1 Episode 9 - Extraterrestrial Life
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #7 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Explained Season 1 Episode 11 - Cricket
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #8 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Explained Season 1 Episode 14 - Astrology
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Explained Season 1 Episode 16 - The Female Orgasm
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Explained Season 1 Episode 18 - Why Women Are Paid Less
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #11 - 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."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Explained Season 1 Episode 20 - Music
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Explained Season 2 Episode 6 - Pirates
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #13 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Explained Season 3 Episode 6 - Chess
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #14 - Chess

    S3:E6

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Explained Season 3 Episode 7 - Your Skin
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #15 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Explained Season 3 Episode 9 - Hurricanes
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #16 - Hurricanes

    S3:E9

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Explained Season 3 Episode 11 - Dance Crazes
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #17 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Explained Season 3 Episode 13 - Country Music
    7.0/10(1 votes)

    #18 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Explained Season 1 Episode 13 - Tattoo
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #19 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Explained Season 2 Episode 4 - Athleisure
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #20 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Explained Season 2 Episode 5 - Coding
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #21 - 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?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Explained Season 2 Episode 10 - Diamonds
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #22 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Explained Season 1 Episode 1 - The Racial Wealth Gap
    7.4/10(5 votes)

    #23 - 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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Explained Season 1 Episode 3 - Monogamy
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #24 - Monogamy

    S1:E3

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

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Explained Season 1 Episode 6 - Why Diets Fail
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #25 - Why Diets Fail

    S1:E6

    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:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

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