Parents' Guide to

Explorer

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Fascinating docuseries delves deeply into science.

TV National Geographic Channel Educational 1985
Explorer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all

There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

What's the Story?

Documentary series EXPLORER takes a scientific look at an assortment of historical, geographical, and ecological topics, everything from the dark world of methamphetamine use to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the secret lives of Jesus. Using thorough research and stunning complementary video and photos, experts piece together answers to questions surrounding the spotlighted subject matter. For example, in one episode focusing on the deadly impact of the world's largest snakes, scientists used monitors attached to live prey to measure the power with which an anaconda constricts and kills its victims, and viewers watched as snakes swallowed animals like deer, ducks, and alligators whole. Researchers also performed experiments on lab snakes to test their ability to consume animals nearly as large as themselves. Three-dimensional graphics helped illustrate the information the scientists provided on how and why the process works.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

While a multitude of educational opportunities can be found in Explorer, parents might want to scan the listings for upcoming episode topics before deciding whether their kids are up for it. Sometimes-graphic images are the main concern here (the snake episode got a bit bloody, for example), but the show's ever-changing subject matter makes it difficult to predict when anything iffy will show up. Kids (and parents) who do tune in will find themselves amazed at what they learn.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the research process. How do scientists plan their research? What experts are called in, and how are their views crucial to the investigation? What scientific advances allow researchers to view clues more clearly than before? Why are some scientific and historical mysteries never solved? What would it take to arrive at a clear-cut answer?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate