Explained
Season 3
202114 episodes
Episode 1
Sugar
Jul 16, 202124m
TMDB rating 8.0TMDB
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?
Episode 2
Royalty
Jul 23, 202124m
TMDB rating 7.3TMDB
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.
Episode 3
Flags
Jul 30, 202122m
TMDB rating 7.5TMDB
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.
Episode 4
Dogs
Aug 6, 202123m
TMDB rating 8.0TMDB
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.
Episode 5
The End of Oil
Aug 13, 202121m
TMDB rating 6.8TMDB
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?
Episode 6
Chess
Aug 20, 202123m
TMDB rating 7.0TMDB
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?
Episode 7
Your Skin
Aug 27, 202121m
TMDB rating 7.0TMDB
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.
Episode 8
Apologies
Sep 3, 202122m
TMDB rating 6.5TMDB
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?
Episode 9
Hurricanes
Sep 10, 202123m
TMDB rating 7.0TMDB
As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive.
Episode 10
Plastic Surgery
Sep 17, 202124m
TMDB rating 7.5TMDB
The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.
Episode 11
Dance Crazes
Sep 24, 202120m
TMDB rating 7.0TMDB
From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?
Episode 12
Time
Oct 1, 202125m
TMDB rating 7.5TMDB
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?
Episode 13
Country Music
Oct 8, 202125m
TMDB rating 7.0TMDB
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?
Episode 14
Fairy Tales
Oct 15, 202124m
TMDB rating 8.0TMDB
Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.