Eugene Levy’s travel-comedy docuseries The Reluctant Travelerhas the on-paper potential to be completely unbearable. Because the American Pie and Schitt’s Creek alum struggles by a lavish itinerary of five-star resorts and once-in-a-lifetime adventures, it might be straightforward for this sequence to devolve into an off-putting grumble-fest — and but, by some means, it by no means does.

Though the Reluctant Traveler actually lives as much as his identify, Levy’s earnest, humble quest to embrace extra of the world round him makes for a surprisingly pleasant journey. The Canadian legend continues to cautiously toe the road of his consolation zone in Season 2, and we’re introduced alongside on a blinding European tour that brings Levy nearer to his roots, and nearer to letting himself totally lean into the expertise (even when uncooked fish continues to be a serious no-go).

‘The Reluctant Traveler’ Season 2 Takes Eugene Levy to Europe — and Solely Europe

Whereas Season 1 of The Reluctant Traveler launched Eugene Levy’s deep-rooted fears of heights, bugs, and open water as he ventured from Finland, to Costa Rica, and past, Season 2 explores all these fears (and extra!) throughout the sprawling panorama of Europe. Now, setting your entire season in a single continent was an fascinating alternative. In Season 1, we landed within the Nordic snowscapes earlier than jetting off to sun-soaked seashores and winding canyons. Season 2 of The Reluctant Traveler has far much less selection by way of surroundings, and it nearly looks like it might have been extra fascinating had the premise for every season occurred the opposite manner round. Nonetheless, after we get to Episode 2, “Scotland: My Mom’s Nation,” the European focus begins to make sense.

Within the premiere episode of The Reluctant Traveler Season 2, Levy attends a Midsummer competition in Sweden, the place, fortunately, Ari Aster is nowhere to be discovered, however not-so-thankfully, there are apparently 47 completely different species of mosquitoes. By the season’s second installment, Levy ventures to Scotland, staying in a luxurious highland property and at last visiting his mom’s birthplace, Glasgow, for the primary time. He’s proven household pictures he by no means knew existed, and excursions homes not not like the one his mom might have lived in, the place beds are within the kitchen and tub water was shared between 4 youngsters. As Levy learns extra about his historical past and the sacrifices his household made earlier than he was ever born, The Reluctant Traveler continues its sample of wowing us with surroundings, amusing us with its host’s quiet anxiousness, after which hitting us with a pensive, transferring ending as Levy breaks bread (and sheep’s abdomen) along with his fellow Scots.

Eugene Levy “Reluctantly” Stays in Lavish Resorts With Immaculate Service

Over the course of the remaining episodes, The Reluctant Traveler continues to push Levy’s boundaries as he braves the weather of France, Germany, Italy, Greece, and Spain by staying in resorts that price 1000’s of {dollars} an evening. That is additionally the place the present has the potential to lose the viewer. There are moments in The Reluctant Traveler the place the privilege of this pilgrimage slaps you proper within the face. Like most journey reveals, audiences watch this present figuring out that they may doubtless by no means have the chance to go to these locations, and that’s okay. Nonetheless, watching the actor stroll previous a hand-painted mural to look off the balcony of his Italian palace is sufficient to garner a little bit of an eye fixed roll.

Equally, Levy’s hesitancy to attempt unfamiliar delicacies and actions can get irritating, however then, once more, it’s The Reluctant Traveler. A part of the enjoyable of this sequence is that its titular traveler is a little bit of a drama queen. He’s aghast on the prospect of consuming octopus, he thinks that crappy blinds are “the definition of sadism,” and when he’s requested to take his footwear off to stroll within the fancy German mud, he seems to be as if you’ve requested him to strip bare and cannonball proper in.

Nonetheless, the factor that issues most is that, whereas Levy often struggles with native delicacies or customs, it by no means looks like he’s being disrespectful of the tradition he’s been so graciously invited into. He by no means claimed to be a world adventurer, and regardless of his apprehension, he takes half in (nearly) each alternative that’s supplied to him, together with truffle searching with Zara the marvel canine in Tuscany, attempting cryotherapy, and milking Grecian goats.

Eugene Levy Makes Weariness Work in ‘The Reluctant Traveler’ Season 2

By by no means placing on a entrance and solely being his genuine, cautious self, Levy continues to make The Reluctant Traveler’s premise work in its second season. The present will not be a pulse-pounding journey log or a sidesplitting comedy, however its charming mixture of weariness and whimsy is sufficient to elicit some real chuckles, and the cinematography presents sweeping pictures of pristine landscapes which are often reserved for a desktop screensaver.

The Reluctant Traveler additionally serves as a wealth of details about numerous cultures. Levy observes the erecting of maypoles in Gammelstad and the smashing of plates in Milos and experiences the fun of watching an epic soccer match in Andalusia (his quiet frantic refrain of “oh my god” as he turns into totally invested on this sport could be one of many present’s most adorable moments). The sequence even subtly feedback on the significance of environmental points by rising sea ranges and a waning variety of fish within the Aegean Sea. All of this studying, after all, comes about due to the pleasant locals who welcome Levy with open arms, inviting him into their traditions and, as a rule, instructing him the best way to embrace the easy issues in life — like nice espresso, lovely sunsets, and, greater than something, loving family and friends.

Season 2 of The Reluctant Traveler winds down with Levy cruising the crystal waters of the Mediterranean Sea after conquering one in every of his biggest fears and climbing the precarious Caminito del Rey. Whereas Levy takes within the view, a pod of pilot whales conveniently swimming by, the candid comic reminds us that it’s by no means too late to have new adventures — and that there’s the Aristocracy in being afraid to do issues, and doing them anyway. Very similar to Eugene Levy’s journey overseas, The Reluctant Traveler is what you make of it. On the floor, it’s the story of a rich actor taking fancy journeys the place he can benefit from the gorgeous surroundings and study a brand new place. Nonetheless, the present and its host are additionally a mild, humorous reminder that when you’re keen to take even probably the most trepidatious stride out of your consolation zone, there’s a complete world of experiences ready for you… and probably additionally 47 species of mosquitoes.

The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy

Eugene Levy’s journey sequence surpasses its easy premise and encourages the viewers to expertise all that life has to supply (inside cause.)

Professionals

• Eugene Levy’s honesty and unassuming appeal are refreshing.
• The attractive surroundings is a deal with to look at in and of itself.
• The present is an interesting exploration of various cultural traditions, and a reminder to step out of your consolation zone.

Cons

• Seven episodes of a star “reluctantly” staying in luxurious resorts might be considerably irritating.

The Reluctant Traveler is obtainable to look at on Apple TV+ within the U.S. with Season 2 premiering March 8.

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