Qi Season 15 Episode 5 Odorous and Odious

The fifteenth season of QI takes trivia to the next level, challenging your assumptions and your knowledge base with each episode. In episode five, entitled "Odorous and Odious," the show explores the world of smells and all the weird and wonderful facts associated with them.

Kicking off the episode in usual fashion, host Sandi Toksvig welcomes her guests, author Jimmy Carr, comedian Phill Jupitus, journalist and presenter Sian Lloyd and biologist Dr. Adam Rutherford. Sandi wastes no time in launching into the first round of questions, focusing on the weird and wonderful smells that humans and animals are capable of producing, some of which even make their way into commercial products.

As the episode progresses, the facts and trivia become even more obscure, with Sian explaining why she thinks dogs are being bred to have less-noticeable smells and Dr. Adam delving into the science behind the odour of a popular British snack, the cheese and onion crisp. The panel's reactions to these bizarre tidbits of information are always entertaining, with Jimmy's expressions in particular stealing the show.

One of the standout moments of the episode comes when Sandi asks the panel to identify a series of unusual smells. While some are fairly easy to guess, like burnt toast, others prove a little more difficult, such as the smell of a gas leak - something most people might not immediately recognise without being told.

As always, though, the panel rises to the challenge, using their collective knowledge to outwit each other and succeed in the task at hand. Throughout the episode, Sandi makes sure to keep things running smoothly, guiding the conversation and making sure that every guest has an opportunity to contribute to the discussions.

Fans of QI know that the show's true highlights come in the form of the connections that are made between different pieces of information, and "Odorous and Odious" is no exception. By the end of the episode, the panel has explored everything from the link between garlic and longevity to the science of how smells affect our memories, cementing themselves as true experts on all things malodorous.

Overall, "Odorous and Odious" is a highly entertaining instalment of QI, full of quirky and unexpected facts that will leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the power of scent. With a talented panel of guests, a witty host, and plenty of thought-provoking content, this episode is sure to be a hit with fans of the show and newcomers alike.