Race Across the World series four review – TV that makes you feel that there is hope
The TV show called Race Across the World is known for its wholesome content. It has continued to air for four seasons, with a celebrity spin-off season delayed due to Covid-19. The show pairs contestants to travel long distances without the luxuries of modern life. They are required to relinquish their smartphones and bank cards and instead receive funds equal to the cost of a one-way plane ticket to their final destination. Contestants must use public transport and their resourcefulness to get to checkpoints, taking on odd jobs to earn extra money. Most importantly, they depend on the generosity of strangers to reach their destination.
Ever since its introduction in 2019, the show has gained immense popularity and by 2023, it moved from its original home on BBC Two to the more prominent platform of BBC One, just like other shows such as Bake Off and Peaky Blinders. During the pandemic, the series acted as a great escape for viewers. It was so successful that even celebrities took part in their very own version of the show. This celebrity version was not a mere attempt to make money; it was actually remarkable. It involved watching a member of the band McFly and an All Saint member transporting their mothers across the world, from Marrakech to the Arctic Circle, through a series of gruelling overnight train journeys. Although it might not sound like a riveting watch, the show was fantastic. It showcased the kindness of strangers and dug deep into the psychological aspects of our closest relationships.
The fourth series provides a similar experience with a few minor changes. The contestants appear to be slightly more youthful, and the usage of Japan's high-speed trains is not allowed. Apart from that, everything remains the same, which is ideal for the show's fans.
Throughout eight shows, five groups have to voyage from Hokkaido, an island found in the northern part of Japan, to Lombok, a region in Indonesia. The distance they will cover is approximately 9,300 miles (15,000km) within seven countries that will take around 50 days to reach the destination. In the previous season, the pairs went across Canada, where the majority of people they met were fluent in English. However, this journey will require them to deal with language obstacles and adjust to unfamiliar cultural customs, which can be quite challenging for some contestants.
In the first episode, we get introduced to the teams and witness their journey through Japan. Initially, they seem nervous and tend to make mistakes. Among the participants, Alfie and Owen catch our attention as they are the youngest best friends to participate in the show. Even though they are only in their early 20s, they are extremely competitive. They have a lot of room for growth, as they have yet to explore the world and their own potential.
Alfie sweetly emphasizes that they need to budget diligently, while both him and Owen acknowledge the importance of not arguing about it, despite their potential disagreement. However, they end up losing the crucial map.
On the opposite side of the age range are Stephen and Viv, a senior husband and wife who have faced health challenges lately and have a more relaxed attitude. As Alfie and Owen travel excitedly back and forth between Tokyo and other places, Stephen and Viv luxuriate in a hot spring bath. Betty and James are siblings with contrasting traveling approaches: Betty enjoys experiencing different cultures, while James prefers a guys' trip to Ayia Napa. Finally, there are two pairs of mothers and daughters, Eugenie and Isabel, and Brydie and Sharon.
Traveling in this way can be stressful and unfamiliar, even for experienced travelers. Race Across the World highlights how eye-opening and informative it can be to remove individuals from their usual surroundings and require them to navigate a completely foreign environment. Isabel demonstrates remarkable linguistic abilities by quickly picking up Japanese, which leaves her amazed mother in awe. Despite having severe dyslexia, Brydie is unfazed by asking for assistance during this adventure, as she is accustomed to doing so regularly. The shared experience creates an intense level of closeness, even among individuals who are familiar with each other.
The TV show, Race Across the World, is a combination of various genres such as a travel documentary, a source of learning about the past, an analysis of human behavior, and a gripping competition. The creators of the show have done an excellent job of presenting the race in a way that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, even when teams are hours apart. What makes this show unique is its emphasis on humanitarian values, which offers a glimmer of hope in these trying times. This show encourages us to broaden our perspectives and keep an open mind.
