The BEST episodes of Explained
Every episode of Explained ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Explained!
This enlightening series from Vox digs into a wide range of topics such as the rise of cryptocurrency, why diets fail, and the wild world of K-pop.
#1 - Dogs
Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 8/6/2021
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.
#2 - Athleisure
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/17/2019
It began with boomers. Then came spandex. Now we sport leggings and other activewear everywhere. How did comfy, casual clothing go mainstream?
#3 - Coding
Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/24/2019
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?
#4 - Pirates
Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/31/2019
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.
#5 - The Next Pandemic
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/7/2019
If you're not worried about a looming global pandemic, you probably should be. Are we prepared for an outbreak? Bill Gates and other experts weigh in.
#6 - The Future of Meat
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/14/2019
The planet's current rate of meat consumption is unprecedented -- and becoming unsustainable. In the future, will meat alternatives be the answer?
#7 - Beauty
Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/21/2019
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?
#8 - Diamonds
Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/28/2019
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.
#9 - Sugar
Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 7/16/2021
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?
#10 - Royalty
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 7/23/2021
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.
#11 - Flags
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/30/2021
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.
#12 - Animal Intelligence
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/10/2019
What goes on inside an animal's mind? Figuring out how they think and feel might just be the key to understanding our own place in the world.
#13 - The End of Oil
Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 8/13/2021
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?
#14 - Chess
Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/20/2021
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?
#15 - Your Skin
Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/27/2021
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.
#16 - Apologies
Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 9/3/2021
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?
#17 - Hurricanes
Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 9/10/2021
As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive. What can be done to survive and minimize the threat of these storms?
#18 - Plastic Surgery
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/17/2021
The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.
#19 - Dance Crazes
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 9/24/2021
From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?
#20 - Time
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/1/2021
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?
#21 - Country Music
Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 10/8/2021
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?
#22 - Fairy Tales
Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 10/15/2021
Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.
#23 - Weed
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/25/2018
Marijuana experts discuss the rise of potent "sexually frustrated" cannabis plants, the quests for consistency in weed strains and the history of hemp.
#24 - Monogamy
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/23/2018
What do biology, human history and the promiscuity of bonobos reveal about monogamy? Experts and everyday couples weigh in on shifting cultural norms.
#25 - The Racial Wealth Gap
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/23/2018
Cory Booker and others discuss how slavery, housing discrimination and centuries of inequality have compounded to create a racial wealth gap.