The Universe

Tuesday 9:00 PM on The History Channel

13 TOTAL REVIEWS Write A Review
65 EPISODES ONLINE Watch Online
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Show Summary

Premiered: May 29, 2007
Status: Returning Series

Introducing absolutely everything. The beginning of history starts here. There are 50 billion galaxies in the universe. 95% is still uncharted. This series examines the mysteries of everything, from black holes to how our sun functions. Is our planet as insignificant to the cosmos as a drop of water is to the ocean? This series will investigate the uncharted frontiers of space and explore the possible existence of life-supporting worlds beyond our own.moreless

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Episode Guide

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S 6 : Ep 13	Worst Days on Planet Earth	Aired 11/29/11	go The History Channel Free
S 6 : Ep 12	Crash Landing on Mars	Aired 11/22/11
S 6 :	The Giant Planet	Aired 11/2/11
S 6 : Ep 7	God and the Universe	Aired 12/20/11
S 6 : Ep 3	How the Solar System was Made	Aired 11/8/11

Watch The Universe Full Episodes

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go

The History Channel

Free

Worst Days on Planet Earth

S 6 : Ep 13

Aired 11/29/11
go

Netflix

Subscription

iTunes

Buy

Dark Future of the Sun

S 5 : Ep 8
go

Netflix

Subscription

Total Eclipse

S 5 : Ep 7
go

Netflix

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iTunes

Buy

Astroid Attack

S 5 : Ep 6

Aired 9/2/10

The Universe News

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3

7mate turns up the testosterone

By David Knox, Sep 10, 2010

Caprica will get its Australian debut on 7mate." link="/caprica/show/65632/summary.html" target="_blank" loc="right"> Take a look at 7mate scheduling with Caprica, Warehouse 13, Family Guy, American Dad. Australia's newest digital channel 7mate is hoping to turn Australia's blokes into couch potatoes with… more
2

Today's Picks: Degrassi, a David Cassidy DNA test, and a Married With Children marathon

By Stefanie Lee, Aug 25, 2009

It's Tuesday night -- cue the major network reality shows! Here are Tuesday night's key new episodes: 10 Things I Hate About You (8 p.m., ABC family)Hell's Kitchen (8 p.m., FOX) | Shaq Vs. (9 p.m., ABC)Big Brother (9 p.m.,… more

Cast & Crew

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Erik Thompson

Narrator
Dr. Michio Kaku

Himself
Alex Fillipenko

Himself

Fan Reviews (13)

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The Universe, while not going into a great deal of depth, does a good job of getting the viewer interested about physics, astronomy, and the universe as a whole.

9.5

"Superb"

By ohcomeonnow, Jul 18, 2011 Report Abuse

In some of the other reviews here, this show has been taking fire for not going deep enough into concepts, or for appealing only to those with double-digit IQs.
It is true that this show does not, for the most part, go very in-depth into any individual concept. However, one has to remember that this show is intended for a very general category of viewers, many of whom will likely have little-to-no experience in physics. Really, if one is looking for a program which will go as in-depth as a course in physics, or even many books, then this is not that show. However, if one is just looking for a very general, but still interesting primer in the subject, then this is a great show, which manages to entertain while still giving the basics behind the concepts, so that interested people can later continue study into the topics on their own. The reason I like this show so much is not because it teaches absolutely everything there is to know about the universe, but because it gets people interested in the topic, and is accessible for the average viewer. Whenever a show manages to genuinely interest people in learning, as The Universe does, it goes down as a good thing in my book.moreless

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7 0
Informative in an introductory level with amazing graphics to complement the facts that go with it.

9.5

"Superb"

By Lyta_499, Jul 18, 2011 Report Abuse

I come from a completely literary background, which basically means I know much about literature, poetry, history, comparative religious studies, linguistics... you get the picture. Physics and mathematics have never constituted a part of my daily curriculum until recently, when I began to take interest in them and bought a bunch of books. I've made enough progress since then to be able to discern that this show doesn't go very deep into the specifics of things. It won't explain to you how formulas and equations work and help scientists come to specific conclusions, nor will it go through the endless debates regarding this theory or that. It will give you the most generally aknowledged theories out there in the most up-to-date way possible, and if you wish to delve deeper into the subject you will simply have to read some books!

That said, in my opinion this is a wonderful series and is being unjustly attacked by mathematical people. Sure, you understand math and that's wonderful, but let's face it, most people don't and will never find the time to sit and actually learn it. On the other hand the earth, the solar system, the galaxy and the universe are where we all live in, and it's sad that so many people exist in it that don't have the slightest clue of how it works or what's in it. Look at global warming for instance. If everyone understood a little more about that perhaps the planet wouldn't be in such a dire condition right now.

So this is where this show comes in, it grasps the interest of the viewer with enthusiastic scientists explaining things in a simple language, breathtaking photographs and amazing graphics, so that it makes scientific knowledge exciting and fun. Constant repetition may be tiresome at times, but on an introductory level it's a good method to solidly plant ideas in someone's head and makes it more easier to link one subject to another. We can't really expect a television show to do more than that when debating modern physics and astronomy. Anything that gets people so interested in science and makes it comprehensible to them can only be a good thing in my book.moreless

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5 0
This show is about... well, everything.

10

"Perfect"

By Lord_Ike_1337, Jul 18, 2011 Report Abuse

Like many shows on the History Channel, this show is so incredible in every single way. Unlike all the other complete filth you find on other, more mindless channels *cough nickelodeon cough CN cough*, this show is informative, transcending, unbiased, and well... epic. I really enjoyed the episode about the Degenerate; Black Hole; and Dark Eras of the universe. Very interesting and thought-provoking. Like the universe itself, there is no stopping this show. The sky... err space, is the limit. If you haven't seen this incredible show, do it now. It is well worth your time.

Indeed, my mind has been blown.moreless

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5 2
This show is absolutely wonderful!

10

"Perfect"

By thermalmotion, Jul 18, 2011 Report Abuse

A visually stimulating way to learn astronomy. Concepts are passionately explored and presented with refreshing clarity.

I'm a hard nut to please, and this is my favorite documentary show. It excells in capturing my interest where so many others of it's type have failed. The narration is powerful, and many of the frequent guests are also very personable.

My favorite topics have covered the colonization of space and human evelovution in the new fronteir. I also enjoy the in-depth study of physics topics such as gravity and light speed, and I feel like I understand these better than ever before.

This show is absolutely wonderful!moreless

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5 2
Uninformative, possibly of interest to someone who is mildly interested in the topic, but has never done any research for themselves.

3.5

"Bad"

By 7ranc3, Jul 18, 2011 Report Abuse

I have always had a very strong interest in Astronomy, Cosmology, Particle Physics, String Theory and Relativity. As a result I am always looking for more information.

I think this show really misses the boat. I can't imagine someone who is not interested in this type of information watching all of the episodes that are out now. On the other hand, for those that are interested enough to follow the series, the information presented is very juvenile. Instead of going deeper into concepts, it aims to entertain at the sensational, or as another reviewer aptly said, at the double digit IQ. The episode on Cosmic Apocalypse could easily have gone far deeper into the physics of the concepts underlying them. A brief 5 minutes mention of M-Theory and its 11 dimensions is something an interested viewer would have already known. Why not go deeper, show some of the math involved (very complicated), discuss the other string theories and the reasons for them. More importantly, explain why the theory itself is so elegant.

I do enjoy Michio Kaku however, so I end up watching just to hear him. I record the show, so that my 5 year old girl can watch. She already knows most of the concepts this show covers.

On the plus side, the graphics are beautiful, and as eye candy are well worth it for watching. Otherwise, buy some good books on the subjects covered, you will be far more satisfied in the end.moreless

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So what's the story with this show?
Will there be any more episodes? Or is the show toast? And if it's toast, would some moderator please mark it as 'Ended'.

By roadrunner1218, Sep 15, 2011

10/25/11

2
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Err...
What's up with the armageddon stuff in this show? I think they should rename this show to "101 ways the universe can kill you!".To...

By ggp83, Apr 23, 2008

08/16/10

6
Reply
Not a calm and peaceful place...
Hi there, The one thing I like in the show is that they are the very people who is unleashing this science that are talking to ...

By wellsbr01, Nov 03, 2009

11/03/09

1
Reply
Favorite episode?
What is everyone's favorite episodes of The Universe? What episodes do you think are the most interesting and informative?

By finalcry, Feb 07, 2009

10/05/09

2
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Season 2 & 3 on DVD in the UK?
Hiya,Does anyone know if The Universe season 2 & 3 is going to be released on DVD in the Uk? I have the first season and really en...

By IanEvans0, Aug 01, 2009

08/01/09

1
Reply