TG specials have a way of coming and leaving you in awe and excited once you watched it. This one was no different. From seeing the teaser clips 8 weeks ago it promised a lot and needed to deliver.
The 3 presenters were left in Vietnam with a box load of Dong each, enough for transport. James and Richard were delighted with using motorbikes but Jeremy was annoyed, but he had bought a scooter.
Throughout the journey Jeremy wailed, complained and was having a rotten time. However it made brilliant TV
and no wonder he almost lost his voice. His scooter crash was painful to witness but he seemed to enjoy himself previously when he was going up a mountain.
James appeared to be enjoying himself apart from when he got sopping wet and Darcy Bussell (marble?statue) kept knocking against his back.
Richard was with people his size, so yes, he was in his element - although the food was an issue.
The helmet solutions were ingeniuous, the roads were bumpy, the scenary was breath taking (as were the sunsets) and the challenges were mad. I loved the introduction of the All American Bike, thank goodness none of them needed to use it.
The day where they had clothing made up and Jeremy 'recovered' from the horrors that was motorbiking. It was quite amazing what those Vietnamese ladies created in a day and in those beautiful silks.
The final amphibikes challenge was inspired and it was always going to end up with Jeremy being victorious.
I thought the filmed bit with the Vietnamese man on the beach was extremely poignant and added tenderness to the film.
EDIT: As did the little children when Richard showed them his camera.
This wasn't the normal 'let's buy a car and see how we get there' film, it was a film about the realtionships between Jeremy, James and Richard. Although sometimes tense (they all seemed to have developed PMT at times), they were filled with affection (Richard in James's crotch and the gifts they gave to each other), laughter (Jeremy and Richard laughing at James falling into the water........again) and fun with each other. James singing along was brilliant (thank you for keeping it in
)
It also showed off a stunning country which has been overshadowed by an awful war. Vietnam looks simply stunning. (TG=Travel Guide??)
Overall it was a stunning piece. The cinematography was beautiful and the editing and sountracks were brilliantly done. I think the extra 15 minutes were required, as Andy said there simply wouldn't have been enough time otherwise to cover all the things which had happened. (Like the Polar adventure) I was left with a smile on my face.
It was a perfect way to round off a great run of programmes. I can't wait for the next series ;D
And yes, it did deliver ;d
NB: I have skimmed through the programme mainly because there was so much in the content and required additional viewings, oh dear!
If I have anything else to add then it will come at some point.
From what I saw it was beautiful, stunning, mad, funny, touching, magical and pretty bloody brilliant.
From what I saw it was beautiful, stunning, mad, funny, touching, magical and pretty bloody brilliant.
and no wonder he almost lost his voice. His scooter crash was painful to witness but he seemed to enjoy himself previously when he was going up a mountain.
)
and yes been jigging along (perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned that 