«- Back
Where to watch "Explained"
14. Fairy Tales
No release date yet
Fairy tales have survived thousands of years for a reason. Explore their far-flung history and how the stories speak to fundamental human concerns.
Netflix
13. Country Music
No release date yet
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?
12. Time
No release date yet
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?
11. Dance Crazes
No release date yet
From the waltz to voguing, dance crazes have connected people throughout history. But when a dance catches on, who gets the credit — and compensation?
10. Plastic Surgery
No release date yet
The Instagram face. A shapely posterior. Cosmetic surgery can make the latest beauty trends a reality. Explore its origins and effects, inside and out.
9. Hurricanes
No release date yet
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?
8. Apologies
No release date yet
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?
7. Your Skin
No release date yet
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.
6. Chess
No release date yet
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?
5. The End of Oil
No release date yet
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?
4. Dogs
No release date yet
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.
3. Flags
No release date yet
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.
2. Royalty
No release date yet
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.
1. Sugar
No release date yet
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?
