Race Across the World

What I always wished reality shows like Amazing Race were like, a real race without the games or collusion or host getting in the way. Who can think on their feet, navigate an unknown country, communicate without language, and strategize over maps and transportation connections? The twist is, without modern technology, which was really only 10 years ago when we didn't have smart phones, had to use sketchy internet cafes or better yet, rely on helpful (and sometimes not) strangers. To round it out, a narrator keeps the viewer focused and shares just enough entertaining historical or current events about the different locations the teams visit to bring fun, hope, thrill and compassion to the show.

Anyone going into this expecting The Amazing Race is going to be let down but as a fan of TAR, this was a much welcomed change in pace.

Season 1 was really well done and the travel was interesting. I enjoyed the back stories and "story arcs" for each team. The lack of continuous elimination was very much welcomed because I personally can't stand pack toxicity when it comes to this style show. I really hate forced drama. Edited suspense wasn't too bad until the last couple episodes but wasn't awful (i.e. 2 teams look like they're neck and neck to reach the check in but in reality they were 2 hours apart). The winning team wasn't my favorite but they still earned it.

Season 2 left a little bit to be desired but was still watchable. Central and South America have similar landscapes and climates so the diversity wasn't quite as vast. Still beautiful though. I feel like the team backstories weren't quite as interesting/inspiring as season 1. Not to say their past isn't relevant, just didn't quite have the charm as the previous teams. Towards the end, I really started to not enjoy a couple of them due to their predictability and confrontations. Thankfully the winning team this season was my favorite throughout and I think it was their groundedness that kept me cheering them on.

All in all, it's worth a binge if you're in the market for a new competition show for the first season alone. Season 2 is still enjoyable, just a little different.

This show beats the vulgar american 'amazing race' by leaps and bounds. Very real. No fantasy. Absolutely brilliant! Can't wait for the next season.

When it's good, its great but there's a hell of a lot of back (and sob) story repeated over and over again. Totally unnecessary. Really doesn't need a presenter and should stick to current format.

I travelled a little bit of EU & Asia, & series 1 sure has me keen for more! Series 2 is Central & South America. A good variety of people have been chosen from all kinds of ethnicities & other social backgrounds. The challenges of traveling in different countries with the variety of challenges & beautiful exeriences are great to view from home. Its like being there. And we get to see how each couple plot plan & deal with the challenges that arise. This is a brilliant series. My only musing of how to improve would be to reduce the race aspect for certain parts & raise the experiences. It could be like completing certain social assistance work in different places.