after the opening credits three events of the year are briefly shown followed by an introduction. in this we see the earth again before the featured year is displayed and the view through the closed hallmark of the second-ranked 9 on the respective continent zooms. after this begins the actual sequence that is about the last-mentioned event. this is used as a hook for a more detailed consideration of the topic, not limited only to the year. several of the previously mentioned issues are addressed briefly in other episodes.