Departures Season 1 Episode Guide
Original TV Series on OLN and DVD About Friends Traveling the Globe
Sep 3, 2009
Along with their friend and cameraman Andre Dupuis, Scott Wilson and Justin Lukach have traversed the globe, experiencing adventure at every turn, meeting up with friends in far-flung corners of the earth, and forging new friendships along the way. Not a contest or game show, Departures has no prizes or end goal for these travelers, other than to explore the stunning vistas and landscapes and experience cultures from their home country of Canada to locales as diverse as India, Jordan, and Cambodia.
Departures does not shy away from recording the hardships the friends face including monsoons in the Indian Ocean, and disappointments ranging from missed opportunities during the travel experience of a lifetime.
Buy Season 1 of Departures on DVD
Unique in production, this series filmed in high definition under the skillful hand of Dupuis is available on DVD from the production website, and airs on a daily basis on Canada’s OLN.
A personal journey documented on film, Departures has thirteen episodes in season 1.
Departures Season 1 Episode Guide: Episodes 1 to 2
Beginning in their native Canada, episode 1 sees Justin and Scott embark on their yearlong journey by camping across the country. Beginning in Canada allows the friends to see some of their own, vast country before setting out to explore the world.
In episode 2, the friends have made it to Jordan for a friend’s wedding. Making the most of their time, they explore the ancient UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra, spend a night in the desert with a Bedouin tribe, and visit several other historic and cultural sites before heading to their next destination: India.
Episodes 3 to 5: India and Ascension Island
Episodes 3 and 4 feature their travels in India. Led by another friend, Scott and Justin visit the desert, Varanasi, New Delhi, and Goa on their expedition covering both the North and South of India. Along the way, they find the time to ride camels, suffer food poisoning, celebrate Diwali, and explore the Himalayas.
After India, the show heads to Ascension Island in the South Atlantic for episode 5. A remote location, Ascension Island brings communication problems for both Justin and Scott as they try to connect with friends and family back home in Canada, all while staying atop the highest mountain amid the volcanic landscape.
Episodes 6 to 8: Japan and The Cook Islands
Japan is a place of contrasts between the rich heritage of the past and new modern ideals of the future. The past and present of Japan are fully explored in episodes 6 and 7 as Justin and Scott navigate the oft confusing rail system, deal with language and cultural barriers, and experience the famed Japanese nightlife in a journey that takes them from Tokyo to Osaka. They stay at a temple and interact with nature including some very friendly deer.
After a stop in the Cook Islands for episode 8 in which the friends realize their luggage has been lost between connecting flights, Justin and Scott then travel to New Zealand for two episodes. New Zealand has many activities for adventure seekers, including bungee jumping which the travelers try before heading off to Mt. Cook. In episode 10, Scott and Justin share Christmas abroad and reflect on their traditional celebrations they are missing back home, all while reflecting on their amazing travels on their experience of a lifetime trip.
Episodes 11 and 12: Thailand and Cambodia
Set in Thailand, episode 11 sees Scott and Justin searching for adventure off the beaten track and away from the traditional tourist traps. After trekking through Thailand’s hills, Justin faces off against a Thai kick-boxer in Phuket in a match that is witnessed by hundreds of locals cheering them on.
Episode 12 features the final stop on their yearlong journey before heading back to Canada. In Cambodia, Scott and Justin meet up with another friend and together visit the Hill Tribes and witness a sacrifice before exploring the majestic temples of Angkor Wat. Determined to experience local life, the guys try their hand at living off the land in a traditional stilt house and participating in local games and activities.
Episode 13: Northern Canada
The final episode has Justin and Scott returning back to Canada and experiencing the far north in the Arctic. Through Vancouver, Dawson City, and Whitehorse, the friends catch a ride on a cargo plane for breathtaking views of the far north, beyond the Arctic Circle.
Season 1 of Departures is a fascinating program documenting not only travel, but also exploring a friendship filled with humour and a sense of adventure. Season 2 of Departures has also been produced.
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