‘Men In Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham’ Recap – ‘Adrenaline Country’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish in Episode 201 of ‘Men In Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham’ – ‘Adrenaline Country’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Premiere of ‘Men In Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham’. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.
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For the most part, travel shows are anything but cinematic. Because they are at their core, a documentary of sorts. One designed to really educate the viewer about a particular location in the world, and that of course… tends to bring forth a very even keel host for these shows, so the facts take the center stage and well… that’s basically that. We watch, we learn, we think about a trip there and we move on. But that format and thought process for the travel show is thankfully changing and fast. Because creatives are coming to understand that we don’t just want to be told what’s up, we want something immersive and one way to make that happen… is through a touch of cinema… the kind that was present during the season two premiere of the hit STARZ series, Men In Kilts: A Roadtrip with Sam and Graham.

For ‘Adrenaline Country’ did more than just showcase some cool spots in New Zealand in a cinematic manner, which is where season two of this magnificent show will take place, it also… told us an engaging story to reintroduce us to Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish and ease us back into travel. A feat accomplished here, by way of a wee movie if you will. For the old FADE IN here offered up a melancholy Sam. For he was missing adventures around the globe with Graham and that brought forth lamenting at his local watering hole… and a phone call to his own friend to get things rolling. Which brought about some hard laughs, courtesy of the most inventive use of the Outlander theme song to date outside of the show, and a real sense of fun. The kind that more or less made us eager for said adventures and well, once this duo met up in New Zealand, we were able to see some incredible places. 

Because for this opening chapter, Graham more or less took Sam around his new home, since New Zealand is where he settled after his work in The Hobbit saga, and this served as the perfect opportunity to explore how this country, is an adrenaline junkie’s dream. Because this is a place where ziplining over massive chasms is an everyday leisure activity and the lads definitely took part in that. Plus, they even took the time to swim with freakin’ sharks because that’s a definite thrill. Not to mention, they explored the wonder of the glaciers present in New Zealand, courtesy of a helicopter ride and a hike that took this writer’s breath away. Since it truly showcased the wonder and majesty of this country, all by providing us with beautiful visuals of rolling green hills and breathtaking ice and well… let’s be honest… it doesn’t get much more cinematic than that.

If anything, though, this serves as a titanic shift for the show, in a great way. Because it means that this show really wants to lean into the sense of adventure that accompanies a roadtrip, and what better way to do that than with two talented veterans of the silver and small screen, and top-notch storytelling, and clearly this is a move that also serves the fans well. Because it is going to out right hook people. Because they will simply want more of those stunning cinematic visuals, so they too can take in the awe and wonder of this beautiful country.  All of which makes it clear that this series is going to grow and be more and that’s always a wonderful thing. Since the best stories out there in any capacity challenge the storyteller in some form or fashion or the audience.

However, while those words seem to hint at a complete reinvention of the show, have no fear, the classic stuff is still here. Because one of the big reasons we tune into this series is to see two best friends just banter and have a laugh and that isn’t going anywhere. As evidenced by the incredible screaming that Graham sent Sam’s way as he sailed on a zip line across one hell of a chasm, and we still get the fun of watching them go back and forth in the travel van. But what matters most, is that this wondrous series is back on the air, and it once again does what it did so well in its first season. Which is take us on a fun adventure to places we’ve never been, to see the world and see different cultures, and be reminded of the gift of life that we’ve been given, and it is going to be quite the treat to see more of New Zealand and feel the rush of that reminder as Sam and Graham’s adventures continue through the Land of the Long White Cloud. Until next time.

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