‘Long Way Up’ Recap: ‘Preparation’, ‘Ushuaia’ & ‘Southern Patagonia’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Long Way Up’.
​
There are a great many simple pleasures in this world that find a way to captivate us and one of them, is the road trip. Because this particular venture not only allows for us to get away from it all and spend a few days alone on the road with our thoughts and the wonder of nature, but it also allows for us to see places that we’ve only heard about, and we get to learn about the people that live in the area we are visiting. Which is why the road trip is so popular around the globe. Simply because everyone understands the benefits it offers when it comes to furthering our knowledge of the world and of course, how it clears our minds and helps us to relax. Which is always a good thing when it comes to one's mental health.

Yet what is truly fascinating about this particular journey, is that it tends to be quite personal despite the fact we all partake in it. A quirk that is attributed to the fact that we either hit the road in solo fashion or bring a friend or two along with us, making that experience specific to those along for the ride. But thanks to the good folks AppleTV+, and Ewan McGregor and his best pal Charley Boorman, we are all now able to share in the wonder of one epic road trip. For today marks the premiere of the documentary, Long Way Up, and in this particular show, Ewan and Charley have finally decided the time has come to complete their motorcycle voyage around the world by traveling down to Ushuaia, Argentina. All so they can hop on some motorcycles and venture 13,000 miles North to Los Angeles in 100 days.

A voyage that Ewan opts to make extra special in ‘Preparation’ by deciding to make this trek on electric motorcycles. Something that has never been done before, and that concept alone makes the first leg of the premiere quite worth your while. Because Ewan and his team have to figure out which company can provide them with bikes, and electric vehicles for the crew, that can travel long distances before they need a recharge. A feat that seems impossible at first. But thanks to a startup company known as Rivian and the iconic Harley Davidson, everything comes together in a magnificent fashion, and Rivian is even able to install charging stations along the way to help Ewan and Charley in their voyage. Which makes it seem as though smooth riding is ahead for these two gents and the audience can just kick back and enjoy the sights and sounds of South and Latin America. 

But alas, as ‘Ushuaia’ & ‘Southern Patagonia’ show us, there are definitely problems that accompany being the first ones to try a road trip this ambitious. Because the first leg of this journey is light on charging stations, which makes life difficult for this dynamic duo as they try their best to keep their schedule and keep their batteries juiced. And to complicate matters further, we also come to learn that cold weather has quite the impact on this type of bike as well since it lessens the performance of said battery. A surprise that strands Ewan and Charley more often than they’d like and leaves them wondering if perhaps they’ve bitten off more than they can chew. But in the true spirit of the road trip, these two men never give up, they simply learn and adapt and that quite frankly, leaves the viewer hungry for more.

As do the sights and sounds present in this opening chapter of the journey as well. Since the best part of coming along on this ride, is seeing all the magnificent views that Argentina has to offer. Because there are some incredible mountain ranges and landscapes to enjoy in this part of the world, and it was genuinely amazing to see how people thrive in some of Chile's more remote areas. Since there is a village in the Torres del Paine National Park where people outright live off the grid thanks to hydroelectric power and a self-sustaining ecosystem within their small village. And of course, it is equally as wonderful to see the delightful people that Ewan and Charley encounter on their travels as well since that gives the audience perspective on a part of the world that few of us have ever traveled to and that too leaves you eager to continue the journey with these gents. So that you can learn more about the good people of South and Latin America.

If anything, this is just a magnificent series premiere when all is said and done. Because it accomplishes so much in its first three hours. For it allows for us to get to know one of Hollywood’s biggest stars in an intimate setting and it is quite cool to learn that Ewan McGregor is all about taking these kinds of trips in an eco-friendly manner. Plus, it really does provide the viewer with an epic journey, one that genuinely takes us to places unknown. But what matters most, is that this series really does awaken that sense of adventure within the viewer. Because as you watch this show, your mind immediately harkens back to the last road trip you took, where all that was ahead of you was the open road and endless possibilities and truly, it is going to be wonderful to feel that every week when we tune in to see what other incredible sights and challenges, Ewan and Charley will run into, as they continue their long journey north. Until next time.  

---