The WORST episodes of Explained

Every episode of Explained ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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.

Last Updated: 11/3/2024Network: NetflixStatus: Ended

6.81

172 votes

#1 - Cricket

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/18/2018

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

Watch Now:Amazon

6.89

91 votes

#2 - 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.

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6.99

84 votes

#3 - 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?

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6.99

85 votes

#4 - 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?

Watch Now:Amazon

7.00

90 votes

#5 - 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?

Watch Now:Amazon

7.04

184 votes

#6 - Astrology

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 8/8/2018

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.

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7.13

142 votes

#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?

Watch Now:Amazon

7.25

85 votes

#8 - 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?

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7.26

234 votes

#9 - Cryptocurrency

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/6/2018

Cryptocurrency has made people billionaires, but is digital cash the next revolution? Learn about this anonymous currency and how it's coveted.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.27

141 votes

#10 - 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?

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7.29

175 votes

#11 - Tattoo

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/1/2018

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

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7.30

188 votes

#12 - !

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 7/11/2018

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

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7.31

192 votes

#13 - eSports

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/27/2018

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

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7.31

109 votes

#14 - 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.

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7.33

95 votes

#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.

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7.36

210 votes

#16 - The Stock Market

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/20/2018

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

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7.42

231 votes

#17 - K-Pop

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/30/2018

Elaborate music videos, adoring fans, killer choreography. Learn about the global music phenomenon from South Korea that goes beyond "Gangnam Style."

Watch Now:Amazon

7.43

174 votes

#18 - Political Correctness

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 8/29/2018

Political correctness can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between inclusivity and free speech. Experts discuss the concepts behind the fraught term.

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7.43

94 votes

#19 - 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.

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7.43

240 votes

#20 - 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.

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7.44

210 votes

#21 - Why Diets Fail

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/13/2018

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.

Watch Now:Amazon

7.45

96 votes

#22 - 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.

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7.47

150 votes

#23 - 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.

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7.51

102 votes

#24 - 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?

Watch Now:Amazon

7.53

143 votes

#25 - 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.

Watch Now:Amazon