Explained

Right now you can watch Explained in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix — and it earns the access it was given. 3 seasons in, and the quality has not slipped. With 130 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. The access the production secured is remarkable, and it does justice to it. Available now on Netflix — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, Explained is worth clearing space for. Explained approaches its subject with the rigour that makes documentary storytelling worth taking seriously. This documentary series, made in partnership with Vox, explain some of the world's current trends, from politics, to science to pop culture. It ran for 3 seasons (2018–2021), and the writing holds up across every one of them. Explained lets its subjects speak for themselves rather than shaping them into a predetermined narrative. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For viewers who want their entertainment to leave them with something, Explained delivers on both counts. Fans of History 101 will recognise the sensibility here immediately. Short enough to finish in a weekend, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Getting this level of access rarely happens twice. The kind of documentary that makes you feel informed rather than manipulated.

Explained wrapped up in 2021, created by Ezra Klein — and 3 seasons are available to watch from start to finish. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.