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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 !
    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. Background image for 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. Background image for 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. Background image for 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. Background image for 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. Background image for Extraterrestrial Life
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #6 - 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. Background image for Cricket
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #7 - 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. Background image for Astrology
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #8 - 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. Background image for The Female Orgasm
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #9 - 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. Background image for Why Women Are Paid Less
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #10 - 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. Background image for Music
    7.0/10(3 votes)

    #11 - 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. Background image for Pirates
    7.0/10(2 votes)

    #12 - 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. Background image for The End of Oil
    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #13 - 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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  15. Background image for 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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  16. Background image for 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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  17. Background image for 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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  18. Background image for 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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  19. Background image for 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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  20. Background image for 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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  21. Background image for 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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  22. Background image for 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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  23. Background image for 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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  24. Background image for 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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  25. Background image for 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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  26. Background image for 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".