Two episodes in, and it looks like the BBC have produced another great series. The competitors this year stretch across a wide age range and different relationship dynamics, which of course makes for great telly. One of the unique points of Race Across the World is not the amazing places that we get to see from the comfort of our sofas - many other travel shows can boast this - but seeing the impact of travelling on both the individual and the relationships that the competitors have.
A big favourite amongst me and my friends is Brian and Melvyn, the brothers who previously hadn’t spoken for 30 years. Even after just two episodes, it seems as though their relationship is mending, laughing their way from one end of China to the other. Sibling relationships can often be some of the most complicated and hardest relationships to navigate, especially under the stress of budget managing abroad. Seeing these guys rekindle their relationship as adults really highlights how sharing such incredible experiences can bring people together. Travelling is not just about visiting places that blow your mind, it's also about building new relationships, or mending old ones.
This season is really providing a lot of inspiration in terms of places to visit
Many of the other contestants seem to be undergoing similar realisations about their relationships to one another. Fin and Sioned for one have come to the conclusion that China is not like Wales, and this is challenging their young relationship. It has to be said that leaving your home for the first time to travel through China is no small feat - at 18 and 19 they won’t have even experienced university life yet, let alone anything else. The others too are each facing their own difficulties, handling the stress of being in a race in a completely unknown environment whilst stuck with a tight budget. £1000 can only pay for so many bullet trains after all.
On a much smaller budget than in previous seasons (It's normally around £1500), many of the couples have already completed many of the jobs that the show offers. Another unique part of the show, the jobs offer opportunities not only to gain a bit of the budget back, but also to engage with the local people and culture - it will be interesting to see the differences in these experiences as the contestants pass from China and into Nepal before ending in India.
Perhaps an unusual travel route, this season is really providing a lot of inspiration in terms of places to visit, staying away from the more well travelled paths of South East Asia which are a familiar friend for many graduates. Two episodes in, and I cannot wait to see where the contestants end up next.