‘Ride with Norman Reedus’ Recap: ‘The Utah Desert with Keanu Reeves’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Keanu Reeves and Norman Reedus in Episode 601 of ‘Ride with Norman Reedus’ – ‘The Utah Desert with Keanu Reeves’. (Photo Courtesy of Niki Chan Wylie/AMC.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Six Premiere of ‘Ride with Norman Reedus’. To revisit the Season Five Finale, click here. 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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What is truly amazing about our world, and even the states and places we live in… is how little of it all… we actually get to see. Because the world is far larger than we give it credit, and our own backyard is filled to the brim with people and places we know little of. Simply because it is hard to explore every nook and cranny of home and other places when there’s food to put on the table and other commitments to handle. Which is one of the many reasons we enjoy a good travel/road trip show. Since those can help us to learn about places we’ve been curious about for years… and/or inspire to perhaps take a trip into our own backyard and see what it has offer and well… that inspiration and that level of exploration is top of mind today, simply because that is precisely what was put on display in the season six premiere of Ride with Norman Reedus on AMC.
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For the return of this dynamic travel and road trip series, saw Norman head to a state that is definitely well-known for a major tourist attraction: Moab. But in reality, Utah has so much to offer and well, that prompted Norman to team up with Keanu Reeves, yes… THE Keanu Reeves… to explore the majesty of this state. Which made ‘The Utah Desert with Keanu Reeves’ quite the incredible adventure. One that took the time to showcase the stunning landscapes present in this place. Since we saw the hauntingly beautiful salt flats in this state, alongside the breathtaking mountainous countryside, as this duo spent three days traversing the state, seeing everything from its cities to its tiny corners and well… it’s what Norman and Keanu found along the way that made this episode so inspiring and engaging through and through. Mainly because… Norman and Keanu took a lot of time to really learn about the locals and their stories and the places they called home. 

Which allowed for us to see the majesty and contrast of the state’s many unique cities. For only in Utah can one ride through the bustling Salt Lake City only to find themselves in the tiniest of nostalgic towns down the way. Since Norman and Keanu eventually stumbled upon a true slice of Americana, a town once on the edge of devastation and memory, restored to its heyday through passion and love for what once was. Which made for a beautiful little stop, one that served as a fine lesson regarding American history and also served as perhaps the foundation of the suburbia we know today. Not to mention, we also came to learn that there’s a lot of diversity in this state when it comes to the career choices people choose in this state. Because Keanu and Norman did spend a little time, with a couple that trained sled dogs, and of course… this duo really did see and meet so many different people from across the state before entering Moab for one unique and epic event involving bikes. 

All of which really did provide us with an incredible look at Utah, one that was engaging and detailed and this journey really did hammer home the reality that the states that Americans live within, are full of life and thriving in every corner and one should be inspired to make the effort to check out those little corners and learn all they can about them, when one can. But while the journey itself was enough to carry this episode and inspire us and engage us… there is one more thing we need to discuss regarding this road trip. Specifically… Keanu Reeves swinging by the show and hanging out with Norman Reedus. Because let’s be honest, Keanu isn’t exactly someone that has let audiences see him in a relaxed manner, at least in the manner that this show provides and going this route… really did give us insight into the man like never before.

Such as the fact that all the discussions about him being so kind ring true, since he was so gracious and humble, and it was cool to see this side of him. Not to mention, he and Norman just offer up the coolest vibes possible, and it was just amazing to see two acting titans hanging out with people, and be so down to earth, and remind us that celebrities are just people too, that get to do some amazing things, and that not all of them are out of touch. Some never forget their roots, and that really just made… for the perfect episode. One that was immersive, visceral, and fun, and truly took the audience along for an incredible ride. One that showcased the majesty of Utah, while reminding us to get out once in a while and explore all that the world, and the people that make it up… have to offer. Until next time.

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