Race Across the World

I did wonder a couple of episodes back if the younger of the sisters had some mental health struggles but dismissed the thought as programmes such as these have to be extremely careful these days about contestant welfare.

However, after last night, it seems they're all struggling with some demons! Broken homes, unloving parents, sensory overloads, physical disabilities.

I couldn't quite comprehend the situation with the sisters - clearly way more to the story.

I don't mind a little background info on the contestants but for the first time the whole programme seems to be shifting towards personal problems taking centre stage and away from the race and the travels.

I'm sorry some of them have personal problems but tbh, I'm not that interested - they should stay personal. I want to see how they manage with the travelling and what they see and do. That surely was the aim of the programme when it first started?

It is funny how a turn-about has taken place. At first we thought the young 'uns looked a sure-fire bet. Now the tables are turned and the brothers look set to do well especially. I found the incident with the glove and the young man slightly overdone though- we couldn't they have just given hima bigger glove?
Sometimes it does seem set up.
However, the brothers on the zip wire were hilarious!
Now the more human side of the contestants is coming out it becomes even easier to want them all to win. Maybe except that young couple? Why did they even apply, especially with his diabetes and her perceived 'lack' of social skills. If you don't like being around people, why do something in which you have to interact with complete strangers?
I think they will soon run out of money anyway...

I think the young girl needs more than her mum, I hope the tv programme has psychological help on hand. She looked very unhappy.

Those buses and roads were terrifying! I couldn't do that.

The brothers are hilarious, and I agree that mum and son are settling into a comfortable routine together.

Enjoyed last nights, I have found myself warming to the mother and son last night along with laughing out loud at the brothers 👏👏👏

The sisters are becoming rather samey and the young couple, well I think she needs her mum.

As always the star of this show is the stunning scenery…

I came late to the party last series- so went back and watched them all, even the celebrity ones.

I think it is what the BBC do best- great locations, a sense of adventure and challenge, and not making the set-ups too obvious.

Finding out what countries are really like, and especially the people, is very enlightening.

I didn't get the paddy fields thing with those girls though...

I’m enjoying the series. We had so many memorable experiences when we went to China, but are now seeing so much more. It’s a fascinating country.

I’m not sure who I’m rooting for yet, but agree that I don’t like to see couples eliminated.

I can't warm to the mum & son (more the mum tbh) but I do wonder whether some background trouble will be mentioned as to why they are so clingy with each other.

I like the sisters and the brothers, also the divorced couple.
The Welsh pair are ok

I wish they wouldn’t do eliminations. Unless they run out of money, I’d really like everyone to have a chance to try and reach the final checkpoint. I can’t say I find anyone irritating this early on. There is a reason for choosing these pairs out of all those who applied so even though one of the sisters has some knowledge of the language, we have seen translating facilities on smartphones, used already. I feel sorry for Yin having to cope every time with the assumption that she can speak the language, it must be very tiring.

I did watch the first China episode with my new Chinese helper. She actually comes from one of the first places they went to, east of Beijing !
She had left her family for university in Shanghai and is now travelling the world in her 30s.

I love the show and like othersI am now fascinated by China which I was never interested in before.It looks stunning! The scenery is fabulous and the cities...wow!
I still have reservations about the human and animal rights of course and the toilets look scary in some places.
I like Yin and Gaz best! A very mixed group this year. Love it, actually get quite excited to watch it!

The sisters get on my nerves....I'm rooting for the divorced ( or separated?) couple , I like them best

Allira

Volunteer77

Am I the only one who doesn't like the two sisters. Going to be a bit boring if they win every leg. Find the brothers much more entertaining

I'm finding them a tad smug
But it's early days so I'll wait and see.

The younger brother gets on my nerves, but the older one is funny!

Stillness

Oh my goodness, I will be in the minority here, but I find it so hard to watch. Every thirty seconds they change the shot. The constant flashing of scenes and never staying in one place when they film, makes it so hard for me to watch……and so frustrating!!

I'm finding this more confusing than previous editions, who is where and who is ahead.

Volunteer77

Am I the only one who doesn't like the two sisters. Going to be a bit boring if they win every leg. Find the brothers much more entertaining

I'm finding them a tad smug
But it's early days so I'll wait and see.

Oh my goodness, I will be in the minority here, but I find it so hard to watch. Every thirty seconds they change the shot. The constant flashing of scenes and never staying in one place when they film, makes it so hard for me to watch……and so frustrating!!

Am I the only one who doesn't like the two sisters. Going to be a bit boring if they win every leg. Find the brothers much more entertaining

For everyone enjoying seeing China and want to know more, read Paul Theroux’s book “Riding The Iron Rooster”.
A real eye opener about China.

I have a helper from China coming to stay with me this afternoon for 2 weeks.
I have hosted others from China and from all over the world. I may show her the programme!

She's never been to Scotland before so it's sure to be an interesting cultural exchange.

The scenery was just wonderful particularly those mountains.

I was sorry they didn't go to Hong Kong. ☹

Like others, China never been on my radar but it looks so diverse and I love the scenery. I am hooked !
The brothers make me laugh: the young couple are learning: Tom and mum have a lot to do but overall I like all of the contestants this time!

This is the first time I’ve watched this series, because of the locations. What kept nagging me was how do the couples getting ‘jobs’ find out about them and where to go.
This is an article about a previous series which explains most things… and apparently along with the camera crew that follow them around they have access to a ‘local fixer’ … cos normally working on ‘holiday’ involves more than one day/ night!
Anyway … the following was interesting …
thetab.com/2023/04/05/production-secrets-behind-the-scenes-race-across-the-world

I love the programme and have watched every series. China looks so interesting and gives an insight into somewhere different to visit. I like all the contestants so far.

I thought the young couple were going to give up last night, so I was delighted to see them reach the hotel. I had no idea how parts of China could be so beautiful. Still wouldn't want to go there though

We returned from China in April and absolutely love it there. We have family there so we have to go and now Covid is over it’s once a year.
We don’t watch Race across the World but my friend messaged to say they were in Sanya which is where we were for four days of our holiday. I really want to be back in China.

There was a BBC series called Wild China that was really good. My ex husband went there on business a few years ago and loved the place. Said it was nothing like he imagined it to be.