eli5: Why can’t you separate the detonator from the explosive?

Question

In film and TV there’s always tension built up as the hero makes a decision on which which wire to cut; the blue. No, the red .. No .. orange ..

Why can’t you simply make a bomb safe by separating the detonator from the explosive?

In: 0

Answer 1

To defused most bombs now in days they usually just super cool them with liquid nitrogen or something similar to render all the electronics and stuff inert then they blow it up with a smaller safer bomb. All via a robot.

Edit: correct spelling