Departures

I thought this was a refreshing change to your typical travel documentary. I originally just watched the New Zealand and Australia episodes because I am planning a trip there, but I ended up going back and watching the rest of the episodes because I enjoyed it so much. I think a lot of people are quick to criticize because they don't understand that this is about experiencing new cultures from the outsiders point of view. There was a lot of growth throughout the seasons and I thought Justin, Scott, and Andre had great chemistry, traveling together can be exhausting unless you have that. The drinking was shared with the locals and sometimes encouraged, so I think some of the other reviews exaggerate that a bit. Overall, very entertaining!

When it comes to Tv shows and especially travel shows, I can be super hard to please. Most seem fake and scripted, and it's painfully obvious that the presenters have a massive crew of staff behind the camera.

Departures is one of the few exceptions. This is a show about two normal guys and their cameraman (who is also one of their friends). They aren't massive Hollywood stars or comedians, feeling pressured to make jokes at every point. Their reactions are genuine and the relationship between Justin and Scott feels so natural. This show makes it abundantly clear that these are real people.

I have never seen a show that so perfectly captures the experience of traveling. They don't just concentrate on the good things, but instead will present to you the problems alongside them, which makes the whole thing feel more genuine.

It kind of reminds me of a travel vlog, but Departures was created before the whole YouTube travel scene took off (to the best of my knowledge). Maybe it partly inspired it. I'm not sure.

Anyway, I don't have much more to say about this show except that you should watch it and experience it for yourself. This could easily be my favourite tv show of all time and I would recommend it to everyone I know.

Snapped my Achilles' tendon and was stuck on the couch for at least 6 weeks while it mended. I would have lost my mind if it wasn't for this incredibly entertaining series. Probably saved my marriage too! Haha. Loved it so much.

I travelled a ton in my younger years and thought it was a blast to see these three doing a lot of what I did (and so much more)!

Thanks Scott, Justin & Andre for saving my life. :)

The main complaint I have seen from people is the inclusion of Justin in the show. They completely miss the point of him being there. We have Scott who is a seasoned traveler, who lives and revels in the hunt for new sights, he does his best to learn the culture and keywords of the languages he encounters. Justin on the other hand is the counterweight to it, too many travel shows have two or three perfect travelers exploring a city marveling at how amazing it is. Justin though adds an interesting point of view from what most people would be like as a tourist. So unlike some, I see his inclusion as one of the main reasons I watched the show. Some of Scott's scenes even went a little too far into the stereotypical travel show until Justin got him back on track.

I don't think I've watched any other TV show or movie that has impacted me or left me with as many thoughts as Departures, and I think that's testament to the brilliance of this show.

Across 40+ episodes and three seasons, you are taken on a journey of 3 men who love travelling and are living their dream. The way the show is shot and the exposure to their up close and tight experiences in different countries makes you feel as if you're on their journey too, and with them.

The chemistry between Justin and Scott is to be admired and both add so much to the show I feel, contrary to other reviews. Scott provides more of a sophisticated lens, providing context and history to places whereas Justin's true personality comes across to add humour and laughs to each episode.

Having just finished watching Departures, it has left me with an urge and desire to take a year to go travel the world. I can see myself looking back in the future as this being a show that changed my life.