How the Universe Works (2010– ) User Reviews

Amazing! Must watch

[athungo · 9/10 · 14 February 2012]

I tried to watch this documentary to see how educative it is and I ended up watching the whole eight episodes (Season 1) right away till I finished it all. It was simply amazing and very educative. Everything is so well explained and shown vividly using simulation visual where things needs to be explained for absolute lucidity.

This documentary does not just merely explain the factual things that are present and happening in the universe. What is even more about this documentary is that it keeps the mind engaged in inquisition about the whole universe and its system. The eight episodes that is Big Bang, Black Holes, Galaxies, Stars, Supernovas, Planets, Solar Systems and Moon are all interlinked so attentive view is required if one has to obtain maximum clarity. Inspite of the limitations as it requires high end technology for getting deep insights into the working of the universe, yet the documentary used sufficient evidences and experiments it can gather to make even the layman understand.

I highly recommend all those who are into academics and who have inquisitive mind on gaining more knowledge on the working of the universe to watch this. Thanks a lot to those who made this amazing documentary, the narrator and the various scientist of astronomy for their vivid explanation.

Simply amazing.

[LudwigVanB · 10/10 · 26 February 2014]

When I saw the lack of reviews of this magnificent documentary show I had to write something down. In my opinion this is the best show about the the universe and space to date and its taught me a lot of things I always wanted to know about our universe (and I've seen a tons of similar shows before),

Lets begin with the great scientists and theoretical physicists such as Michio Kaku that explaining things we "normal" people wont usually understand in such a nice ways, and the visual effects by LOLA are great too. The show is written very well and the Narrators does a great job (personally I liked Mike Rowe better in the first season). Even the soundtrack fits perfect and I love it. Every time I watch the show its like going to a trip in a bizarre place we humans are just beginning to understand, even in the second and third time you watch it. In conclusion, I recommend this show to everyone not just space enthusiasts. Sometimes its even better or the same as watching a great drama such as Breaking Bad, True Detective etc. you should try it!

The world would be better if more people watched this show

[nate1202 · 10/10 · 13 January 2019]

One of my favorite shows. Great content. Great explanations of multiple concepts.

Excellent job! Keep it up!

Absolutely Incredible

[freddielburrow · 24 July 2012]

Simply said, this is the best astronomical documentary that I've seen since Carl Sagan's "Cosmos". And believe me, that is saying a lot considering that I own every astronomy/Cosmos documentary I can find on DVD and/or Blu-ray, including all six seasons of "The Universe" which was my favorite (excluding "The Cosmos") until I saw this. If you are in to watching these type of documentaries and haven't seen this, then I can only say, you are missing at least a year worth of education. The only negative thing I have to say is that season two already isn't as good due to Mike Row not being the Narrator, but that is purely my own opinion and does not reflect the quality or quantity of information given in this season.

Our Universe is Truly Amazing

[jeff-johnson5926 · 10/10 · 22 February 2014]

Incredibly awe inspiring, jaw dropping, heart striking documentary & all the Scientists as well as Mike Rowe are FANTASTIC at explaining our Universe & making an emotional connection, certainly to me. Our Universe is incredibly complex and other programs I have watched have really struggled to get the information across in a way that truly sinks in & fires the imagination. That is not the case with this AMAZING documentary, this is an absolutely must watch for everyone. To think that WE ARE the Universe looking back at itself and asking "Who am I & where do I come from?" I find that an incredible thought. We truly are one people on one tiny marble planet we ALL call home, it's time for humanity to wake up! Alas it seems it really is in our nature to destroy ourselves.

Simply the Best Astrophysics Documentary in over 30 Years

[sscanf · 10/10 · 17 November 2015]

Yes, 10/10 "How the Universe Works" is, in my opinion, simply the best astrophysics documentary in over 30 years (astro-documentary viewers will probably know what landmark series aired at that time). If you like science, gaze at the stars or have any curiosity about anything beyond your own sphere of day-to-day activity THIS SERIES WILL NOT DISSAPPOINT. For me, this is the real deal, and what many of us have been missing since Sagan's death.

The series started out as a small unknown for many, without the intense fanfare given to many similar series like Tyson's "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey". But this series is quite the quiet achiever. I LEARN something every episode. Interviews with leading experts like Michio Kaku and Andrea Ghez are HIGHEST QUALITY.

The season one original musical score from Richard Blair-Oliphant is INSANELY GOOD for material not otherwise sold on a CD label (but right now you can still get it on Last.FM). The visual effects are well done. Commentary is well researched. But a balance is still maintained of keeping this show informative yet hugely entertaining. I often watch a re-run before sleeping. I just love it.

One of THE BEST shows on TV

[stewiemat · 10/10 · 22 February 2018]

Love the show! From the cgi to the commentators, everything flows and is well explained in layman's terms. It's nice to see astrophysicists and theoretical physicists on the same show and actually being human. No lectures on particle acceleration or space/time continuum theories, just plain language for the every day Joe from people who are obviously passionate about what they do. And that passion is contagious, at least to me, I can't get enough of it. Wonderful. Stunning. Thought provoking. Awe inspiring. And also unexpectedly funny. Highly recommended for anyone who has looked up at the night sky and wondered what is really going on out there.

Best Documentary..!! Must watch ... A whole new world out there!!

[navneetsteotia · 9/10 · 10 March 2013]

Firstly, I would like to tell you that if you are going to watch this documentary (which you definitely must) then you should watch it in HD. This whole documentary has very beautiful graphics and great interpretation of universe.

Now, I have always been interested in astrology since it the the most curious area of science and the strangest too with the most potential. I have also casually studied a lot of various space phenomenon on the internet. But there is always been a lack of clarity and various questions that have been left out in the mind.(Like when stars are destroyed there is supernova or hyper-nova! but how is black-hole created if the energy is pushed out from the star during that time?). This series is an answer to all such mini-questions in our mind related to universe that are left unclear. This series provides a great educational value too.

One thing this series will do is make you a fan of our universe and science. Giving you a way way way broader horizon in mind which will help you get a neutral perspective towards a certain things.

Once again don't miss this series and do watch it in HD!!

Excellent series for science nerds and non-nerds, plus Mike Rowe

[GLanoue · 10/10 · 20 April 2015]

A great series. I think I've seen all the science documentaries, and this is the best. Why? Not only do they take some of the better known scientific faces to present the material, they add a host of lesser known but engaging scientists who are great at explaining without undue simplification. Like other dimensions of The Culture that seem to emphasize glamour and show, the producers have found scientists that look good or look simpatico, like you could imagine yourself having a conversation with them. This, however, is not at the expense of the content. The theories are not only current, some are really quite subtle and difficult to present with mathematics, yet they manage, and without too many analogies and metaphors. You don't need a science background here, but it certainly helps. Although they have a musical sound track, it's rather muted and avoids the military/Wagnerian Birth of the Gods melodrama that just dummies down with the scientists say (In one telling interview I think at UCal, Alex Filippenko acknowledged that in other documentaries he doesn't have all the control he wanted on what came across; here, he seems more true to his scientific roots). Plus, the producers and directors try to avoid the standard self-congratulatory narrative trope that always diminishes (for me) similar documentaries: "In 1993 Nasa decided to solve this mystery and launched…. Nasa scientists eagerly waited for the results." Cut to shot of excited scientists huddling around consoles. Same scientists, twenty years later: "We couldn't believe it. It was the greatest moment of my life". Yes, science does involve egos, but it's not about egos, which (I presume) non-scientific producers seem too eager to use as a framing device. They get that the universe is much more dramatic than anything we could conjure up in a studio. True, they also use the Life on Other Planets narrative device, but usually to debunk it. Unlike other recent space documentaries that seem to play to the Trekkie desire to find thousands of alien races on each planet (put a goatee on Spock: instant alternate universe), here, the possibility of alien life is usually quickly debunked as highly improbable. In fact, what seems to be behind this series is the notion that Earth is a one-of. Things are cut hopping by brief framing shots and quick cut- aways. The graphics are great and plausible And, for at least one series, Mike Rowe narrates. Not to take away from the other narrators, who keep things interesting, a filmic structure that depends on narration needs Mike Rowe, whose offhand delivery underlines the stupendous wonders that are presented.

Possibly the best presentation of fact and theory ever created...

[bheadher · 9/10 · 7 May 2019]

It is all about presentation! If you don't believe me, just look at all the super hero movies that get maximum ratings all the time...even though a fair percentage of them have weak plots, and even weaker acting.

How the Universe Works is just like Ancient Aliens; only in reverse. Both shows are fun and exciting to watch; and both shows do something that is essential in a highly rated television series...they both make you think, even if you don't consciously realize it. What makes 'How The Universe Works' stand out is having Mike Rowe as the narrator; in case you didn't know it, Mike has made his career as a narator, even before he had a fairly successful show of his own. It's the 'quality' of his voice that makes him perfect for delivering the series...

The difference is in the 'approach'; and How the Universe Works does it with real fact to back up their theories, rather than mischaracterizing theories to support their own agenda. Don't get me wrong; both shows keep me watching, and I love both equally...but How the Universe Works is my favorite ever...

Enough said...

This is like Gold

[mahinpc · 10/10 · 29 September 2018]

I will easily recommend this to anyone to gain the must needed knowledge about our world , universe and how its all created. Big thank you to the makers of this series , love u guys

One of the Best on Stellar Mechanics

[gooplex · 10/10 · 24 March 2014]

I've seen a lot of shows about "The Cosmos" and "The Universe" but this one was both brief and simple and I appreciated that. It started at the beginning and got right to the point. The Background Music was original, orchestral and enveloping, it set just the right mood. The Narrator "Mike Rowe" is a convincing "everyday man" who makes you believe there really isn't anything a person can't comprehend with a little effort. And none of the Scientific terms or words ever seem to baffle him. Lending an air of confidence to this journey.. your in good hands with a guy who really knows what he's talking about.

I came away learning a few things I didn't know before. Like "Iron" serves a unique purpose in the Universe and is responsible for all the Super Nova we see out there.

The show didn't really steer too far into the implausible or "fringe" type speculation that SciFi tends to do. It stayed close to the hard science and vividly depicted things like particle physics in a convincing manner. And genuinely? They really did logically connect everything up from the super infinitesimally small to the largest and deepest things in the Universe. Its quite comprehensive and well worth watching.

Great Special Effects Lightweight on the Science

[zaphodb1 · 7/10 · 19 September 2017]

How the Universe Works is a Discovery Channel series on Astronomy. To date there are five series consisting of eight or nine episodes each. The first series was developed in 2010 and the fifth 2016, so the material is reasonably up to date.

The first series was about galaxies, stars, planets etc. providing a good introduction to these topics. The later series tended to cover breaking theories such as Planet Nine, exoplanets and dark matter. As a result, as the theory is updated or revised, the information in the show tends to get a little dated.

The shows format is narration, supplemented by addition contributions from scientists and researchers involved in the relevant area. The show also uses CGI and graphics to give an 'artist's impression' of phenomena such as a solar system forming, as well as telescope images of planetary nebulas, open clusters, galaxies and Hubble's ultra-deep field.

However, I found the material to be fairly light weight. For example in the series one episode on Supernovas they describe a Type 1A Supernova: "The moment the white dwarf star starts to fuse carbon and oxygen into iron its doomed. Suddenly the white dwarf explodes." This is bunkum. When a white dwarf accretes enough matter from a companion star and its mass reaches the Chandrasekhar limit (due to electron degeneracy - approx. 1.4 solar masses), the star collapses, undergoing thermonuclear runaway, blowing itself to bits. About 0.6 solar masses of radioactive Nickel 56 is formed, which decays into radioactive Cobalt 56 and then into stable Iron 56. This process produces a consistent light curve and Type 1A supernovae known as Standard Candles, were used to determine distances of remote galaxies. Similarly for a Type II supernova, the explanation is also inaccurate. In addition, some very large stars (> 90 solar masses) collapse directly into black holes without any visible explosion, although this depends on metallicity and the star's rotation rate. These are not mentioned on the show.

So while the show popularises astronomy with great special effects, the facts have been dumbed down for ease of public consumption. Nevertheless the show is a good introduction to our amazing universe and how it works. 7/10

P.S. For a more technical explanation, try Dr Alex Filippenko's 96 lecture series (available on video): Understanding the Universe an Introduction to Astronomy.

Getting dumber & dumber and continually rehashing previous episodes

[electronica-uk · 3/10 · 23 April 2021]

This show used to be really good and quite informative but the last few seasons have gotten dumber & dumber. If you're interested in this subject enough to watch the series, you're going to have some basic knowledge of the universe but this series seems to assume that only five year olds are watching.

Also I have lost count of how many episodes I've watched explaining to me what a black hole is & there's one at the centre of most galaxies, how the sun turns hydrogen into heavier elements, Titan is covered in hydrocarbon seas and the moons of Saturn & Jupiter have different surfaces from frozen oceans to sulfureous volcanos.

Please stop treating the audience like they're all morons, assume they know that NASA rovers are on Mars and that the reason they're watching is to actually learn something new.

Fairly Solid, Better Than Average

[samyoung-82648 · 8/10 · 6 August 2020]

If you are interested in this series, you've obviously looking for knowledge. This show is both enlightening and surprisingly slapdash given how much content there is to absorb. Firstly, the good. I have had many questions about the universe and this show has answered many of my questions. That in itself is a huge plus for this series. The content is digestible and paced well. The general structure within an episode is easy to follow and logical. The Bad Part 1. This show often resorts to hyperbole and sloppy language. It leaves the audience with the impression these people really don't know what they're talking about. Multiple things are THE most powerful single thing in the universe. Then, the ONLY reason we are here is because of this single phenomena ... but this other phenomena is also the ONLY reason we are here. This thing is infinitesimally small (which is impossible but they still say it). In each episode, I find multiple statements grating. Keep in mind, these people are scientists. You don't need hyperbole to communicate ideas. If you want sloppy language and half baked ideas, use hyperbole. To educate, just stick to the facts! The Bad Part 2. There are way too many presenters. Rather than picking the best presenter for their knowledge and communication skills, they're picked to tick boxes. It's disappointing and distracting. Jani Radebaugh is easy to listen to and she's very knowledgeable. There's a young African American girl who is almost unintelligible (her Bronx accent may be understandable in the Bronx, but across the entire world... she's hard to understand and it's very distracting). Then you get ridiculous analogies about roller-blading, wedding rings, etc. that really don't help. This dumbs the show down, especially when they spent a long time showing a car being processed in a chop shop! The creators should go back and watch "The Ascent of Man" from the 70s ... a show that NEVER talked down to its audience. Cut out about 90% of the presenters. Look for someone who speaks in an international voice and someone who knows their stuff who can communicate well. Michio Kaku is lovely to listen to ... but he's a little aloof at times. However, his passion is contagious and I'd be happy to see him again. And now for the funnies. My young child heard a presenter talking about hairy black holes ... and lost it! When a young child thinks that scientists are pulling a fast one (cracking a rude joke), it made my day. And it keeps the kids entertained! You can be factual, non-Woke and entertaining! Woke is a huge turn-off in education! Michelle Thaller said something i'd like the producer/director to listen to carefully. She said her inspiration came from Luke in Star Wars. She was inspired, regardless of the skin color and sex of the star. Can you please note that and stop pushing woke politics to tick boxes!! And lastly, I'd like to finish on Erik Dellums. If I ignore Erik's race baiting YouTube content, I love his work as Koh the Face Stealer ... his voice is amazing. However, as a narrator, he was totally the wrong voice for this show. By far, the best narration voice is Richard Lintern ... can you please please please start focussing on what the audience wants and will enable them to absorb the content the most? It's not some Bronx accent or roller derby. Please just eliminate woke from education. Is that too much to ask for? Jani is excellent ... not because she's a woman but because her knowledge and presentation style fits the content perfectly. Many other presenters are just wrong and quite distracting. It's as if the creators want to annoy the audience.

Brilliant mix of current knowledge, theory and possibility

[justateacup · 10/10 · 22 January 2022]

I've found the entire series so far to be very engrossing, and it has opened up my eyes and mind to a lot of the various things that are happening, could happen and will happen in the universe. It doesn't blast your ears with too much scientific jargon and you can tell the scientists interviewed are passionate about what they do and want to explain things in a way that most people can understand.

I've seen the reviews talking about how the scientists treat the viewers like morons or are patronising, but if that's what they thought, they wouldn't give the viewers the time of day to tell us about it all. They cater to different learning styles, using explanation and backing it up with cgi (which is pretty cool to look at) or practical exercises that puts things in perspective.

The repetitive nature of some of the subjects are relevant to the current episode, some topics gone over in one episode may be further explained or lightly gone back over in another episode and I've found this assists in helping see certain astronomical events or processes from certain perspectives in relation to what's being discussed at the time.

Overall, I'd say it does a very good job at what it does, it goes over what we currently "know" about the universe and what scientists are currently exploring the possibility of. If it only looked at what we can prove for definite, it'd be a short series indeed. I love the fact it explores some of the more out-there ideas. Because, why not? If it's in the realms of possibility, why shouldn't we know about it too?

Definitely would recommend it.

Wow just wow!!!

[surfingnaked1 · 10/10 · 13 April 2022]

This show makes you realize how not too smart you are. This show is like Steven Spielberg on steroids and it's all REAL! No special effects no Hollywood plot lines. It's the most awesome show on tv.

Simply brilliant!

[smurphy-03760 · 10/10 · 30 August 2021]

This series really is something special!

Stunning visuals and super interesting content, all fronted by a very smart (and highly likeable!) bunch of presenters who are able to articulate complex scientific theories in layman's terms without 'dumbing down'.

It's invidious to single out individuals but Paul Sutter, Michelle Thaller and Hakeem Oluseyi would be my favourites. Thanks to everyone involved for opening/stimulating/challenging my mind! You've ignited my fascination with the Universe and, simply put, this series makes me want to learn more!

Well executed with the bonus of Mike Rowe's voice

[stevenbozek · 10/10 · 29 October 2021]

Overall this show is excellent if you appreciate space documentaries, and Mike Rowe is always amazing to hear. It's not quite as good as PBS' SpaceTime, but nothing I know of gives that much info in such a short time. They bring in quite a few experts, although it seems as if they press them to be funny and not too serious. I really wish they weren't afraid to use a little math in the show??? At times it can be repetitive, like they'll cover the same topic over and over, sadly it seems the science cant keep pace with the TV shows to give enough content each season. It is nice when they cover new items such as gravitational waves...or update past topics with new information. The visuals while impressive do come off as a bit contrived and over the top at times, but that's become the standard practice (even by NASA) to make space look a lot more colorful and active than it really is.

04/25/10 Release Date Juno & Jupiter

[wvstone · 10/10 · 11 February 2020]

In this episode they said the earth was 150 million miles from the sun. I believe it's 93 million miles and 150 million kilometers.

Good show reaching out to wide audience

[skylubber · 9/10 · 14 June 2021]

This show does a good job of reaching out to a wide audience. The scientists show their passion for the topics, provide explanations ln lay terms, and infuse some humor at times. These scientists are more than two-dimensional California-dwelling Sheldon Coopers. To answer one criticism placed by another reviewer, having all races and genders represented as experts is not surprising, as that is pretty standard at most universities. The show recycles the exellent animations a little too much though. "How the Universe Works" is both entertaining and educational, which is something that is difficult to pull off.

Incredible

[michel16555 · 10/10 · 15 August 2020]

What is not to like about these series? Nothing. There is so much incredible information that I am watching these series over and over again for years now. Also the scientists are very likeable.

How the Scientists Bloviate

[aikin-dp · 6/10 · 8 January 2020]

I tuned into this show because of Mike Row, and an interest in space and our universe. I now hit MUTE everytime they cut to one of these scientists all speaking in the same patronizing smartest-person-in-the-room tone with an endlessly annoying supply astrophysics for dummies analogies and metaphors. Beyond that, this program would be better served letting Mike Rowe's narration suffice, along with the excellent graphics.

Overly Dramatic

[Sierrab42 · 4/10 · 4 August 2020]

The visuals are great and some of the information, very nice, but I hate the over use of dramatic music, and the annoying narrator being overly dramatic. I rrally dislike that so many American documentaries like this follow this weird rule, especially Astronomy doc shows. Why do American doc shows like this have to make everything intense, and emotional fear envoking? I understand these shows want to make it interesting...but it's a tad insulting to one's intelligence. It would be nice to be able to watch a science documentary movie/show without all the bullsh**t drama and sensationalism.

A bit repetitive.

[brettirish · 9/10 · 10 July 2021]

This show is amazing, the CGI is incredible in season 9, and it does a really good job of showing you the true wonders and scale of the cosmos. But my only gripe is how repetitive it can be, for example the narrator will explain something vaguely, then an astrologist will explain it again, before it cuts to another astronomer who will explain it a third time in a slightly different manner. Then of course there's the irritating matter of the show talking about something for about 10 minutes before you basically hear "all of what we just talked about doesn't actually happen." Or how they say "this process caused what we see here" without a single explanation of exactly how it happened. I would highly recommend this show for people who are keen to learn about the cosmos, but not for anybody who would consider themselves decently educated in this subject. It's highly dumbed down which is understandable but it seems.