Explained

Episodes

Season 3, 14 episodes

Episode 1: Sugar
- Now playing
- 24m
- Jul 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?
Episode 2: Royalty
- 24m
- Jul 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.
Episode 3: Flags
- 22m
- Jul 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.
Episode 4: Dogs
- 23m
- Aug 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.
Episode 5: The End of Oil
- 21m
- Aug 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?
Episode 6: Chess
- 23m
- Aug 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?
Episode 7: Your Skin
- 21m
- Aug 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.
Episode 8: Apologies
- 22m
- Sep 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?
Episode 9: Hurricanes
- 23m
- Sep 10, 2021
As the planet warms, hurricanes could become even more dangerous and destructive.
Episode 10: Plastic Surgery
- 24m
- Sep 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.
Episode 11: Dance Crazes
- 20m
- Sep 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?
Episode 12: Time
- 25m
- Oct 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?
Episode 13: Country Music
- 25m
- Oct 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?
Episode 14: Fairy Tales
- 24m
- Oct 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.