How the Universe Works

“Did the Big Bang Really Happen?” is a one‑off episode of the BBC’s science‑talk series Cosmos Now, fronted by astrophysicist Dr Megan Clarke and documentary maker Tom Harrington. Think of it as a proper blend of The Big Bang Theory’s curiosity and Cosmos’s visual flair, with a dash of interview‑style banter that keeps the jargon from getting too mental. The programme opens with the latest CMB data and a fresh look at quantum fluctuations, then lets a handful of leading researchers – from the LIGO team to a multiverse theorist at Caltech – argue whether the classic singularity picture even holds up. New telescope findings are woven in, and the episode teases the idea that our universe might be just one bubble in a frothy sea of others. It never drops a spoiler about any definitive answer, preferring to leave the audience with more questions than a quiz night at the pub. Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. The visual effects are surprisingly good for a TV slot, and Clarke’s explanations are crystal clear, but the pacing does drag a touch when the show gets stuck on dense maths. If you’re a fan of Through the Wormhole you’ll enjoy the speculative bits, but purists might find the “what‑if” multiverse detours a bit gimmicky. Still, it’s a solid watch for anyone who likes their cosmology served with a side of wonder. Rated TV‑14 – there’s some intense imagery of black‑hole simulations and a few moments of mild profanity in the interview clips. First terrestrial broadcast this Thursday, it slots into the broader Cosmos Now season, which revisits classic topics with updated data. Fair warning: the occasional jargon‑heavy segment might need a quick Google, but the overall ride is worth the effort.