6 episodes 95%4KCC

Where venom, disease, flight, and fire test the limits of human discovery.

This season reveals how innovators risked everything as deadly failures became breakthroughs that changed humanity. Across stories of venom, infectious disease, flight, electricity, and more, you will see how fragile progress can be, and why each hard-won insight still matters. Sign up to follow the peril, persistence, and consequences behind world-changing science.

Episode guide

6 episodes

1Brush with the Wild

Understanding nature is not just about the discovery; it also requires a respect for the power of Earth's creatures. This lesson is learned by Kevin Budden, a snake handler whose relentless pursuit of life-saving antivenom brings him face to face with one of Australia's most lethal reptiles.

54 min

2Deadly Biology

Modern medicine's progress stems from martyrs and innovators. A doctor faces backlash for a bold solution, while Peru honors Daniel Carrión, who traces a deadly fever's origin. French inventor Sieur Freminet wows crowds with his risky diving suit demonstrations, paving the way for modern diving.

54 min

3Dangerous Territories

The spirit of exploration drives scientists into extreme environments. Biochemist Peng Jiamu vanishes in the Lop Desert. Navigator Jean-François LaPérouse faces treacherous seas while seeking the Northwest Passage. In Ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder confronts the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

54 min

4Perils of Invention

Innovators throughout history have pushed human ingenuity to the edge. Lilienthal pioneered flight, Abakovsky’s high-speed train derailed tragically, and Bullock’s printing press revolutionized publishing—yet these advancements came at a high personal price.

54 min

5Chemical Breakdown

Scheele's unsafe experiments led to key discoveries. Franklin's DNA photo sparked a revolution but was ignored. At 24, Ball developed a leprosy treatment, breaking barriers for women in science while advancing chemistry.

54 min

6Chasing Particles

Richmann's lightning experiment ends in tragedy, warning future physicists. Slotin's atomic research at the Manhattan Project also comes with fatal consequences. Meanwhile, Rodney Marks studies star formations in Antarctica, only to face an unexpected crisis, isolated from civilization.

54 min

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