Departures (2008– ) User Reviews

Amazing cinematography, charismatic hosts and one beautiful planet

[bigbang55 · 10/10 · 18 February 2015]

One of the reviews of this show has so much misplaced hate for one the hosts in it, that I figure I should give my two cents about Departures. First of all, this is an amazing travel show. Three friends traveling around the world and going to the most unexpected places to find history, culture and incredible beauty. Scott, one of the hosts, is the creator behind the show (with Andre the cameraman) and as you expect he is the more serious, well-educated and very interested about the country's culture and history. On the other hand, Justin is an outgoing dude, sometimes silly, not the brightest individual, but also very likable, real and funny. The dude is looking to have a good time everywhere, but you can see he is also enjoying and interested in everything they see, regardless if they have a beer on their hands or not.

Scott's choice of Justin as his travel mate was extremely smart. Not only you can actually see that they are best friends, but their personal characteristics balance each other very well and make this show even more entertaining. Also, throughout all three seasons you can see Justin's amazing growth as he becomes a seasoned traveler, and that shows how much you can learn just from getting out of your comfort zone. That is one of the most remarkable things about the show.

The real star of this show, however, is behind the camera. Andre's award-winning photography is one of the most artistic and beautiful I have ever seen on a show like this. Every fantastic moment of their travels, every person, every place, every view, is captured with perfection and there is no way you would not want to visit some of this places after watching this show. The way every location is put on camera is truly inspirational. Go watch Departures!

Departures is Inspiring

[ballu-shamoo · 10/10 · 7 February 2009]

Departures is a television series that turns the traditional approach of the travel-show genre into a cinematic adventure. The show follows the two interesting, comedic and charming hosts Justin Lukach and Scott Wilson as they take a year off of their average lives to travel to exotic locations around the world in search of unique experiences. The cinematography is absolutely inspirational,(courtesy of the brilliant creator and camera operator Andre Depuis) and has won the series a Gemini award for best photography in an information program or series. The experiences that these three friends encounter during their adventures enthrall viewers and encourage them to visit the thousands of amazing "off-the-path" locations that are all over the world. This series is definitely worth watching.

Wow

[chris_clogg · 10/10 · 2 August 2010]

I've been actively watching this show for a few years now. There is no other show that even comes close (in this genre). I really hope this series gets 'big' and well-known. Justin and Scott are just a great match on screen, and a great traveling duo (along with their cameraman, Andre).

What really sets this show apart from other shows is the cinematography. Andre has a gift. Of course he has a nice camera, but the shots are so well-exposed and composed. I think the 'look' of a show is very important; I'm not sure what other productions are doing or using, but Andre is doing it right.

When you watch this show, you always feels as though you're with friends. If you want to travel, but don't have the means, this show is perfect. Personally, I would prefer if they went to more well-known areas... as that is equally interesting for me; I found the Japan trip to be one of the best episodes.

As well, I have to mention North Korea. This episode is educating... throw out everything you already know about this country.

Also it should be mentioned that their editing is really great too. The small and clean logos and animation work is quite good and well defined. Editing and synchronization with the music really sets the right mood.

To conclude, the photography/cinematography is well-above most television shows, and the content is extremely engaging. The most important thing though, is that when you watch this show, you feel a certain familiarity and begin to latch onto the characters.

I wish this show was on more often!

Some miss the point

[mattthomson1 · 10/10 · 23 April 2015]

The main complaint I have seen from people is the inclusion of Justin in the show. They completely miss the point of him being there. We have Scott who is a seasoned traveler, who lives and revels in the hunt for new sights, he does his best to learn the culture and keywords of the languages he encounters. Justin on the other hand is the counterweight to it, too many travel shows have two or three perfect travelers exploring a city marveling at how amazing it is. Justin though adds an interesting point of view from what most people would be like as a tourist. So unlike some, I see his inclusion as one of the main reasons I watched the show. Some of Scott's scenes even went a little too far into the stereotypical travel show until Justin got him back on track.

Makes me wanna seek and explore even more!

[kleptomania · 10/10 · 5 December 2012]

The hosts, the way they present it, the direction of photography. Everything about this show is perfect.

For those who aren't familiar with this show, here's a little summary.

Three guy crew, best of friends, running around the world, going places just because they want to the world before it loses it's beauty. Two of these guys, Scott and Justin are on camera while Andre is behind the camera. They don't travel on a remarkably high budget. They just take the paths that most people wouldn't and end up showing the most beautiful sights that I've ever seen on TV.

This show should've been on for longer. It simply made me love the world more.

One of the Best Shows of All Time

[crazymetalheadbastard · 10/10 · 13 October 2009]

This is one of the best shows on t.v. You get to travel the world without leaving your house. It is one of the best ideas for a show. Travel it is a simple thing to think about, but as it has been seen in this you have to sacrifice a lot to do it. Scott, Justin, and Andre are all have very good personalities. These people make you want to come back and watch them travel the world. There are shows sort of like this that I have seen an episode for and couldn't even sit through it. The camera work in this show are some of the best I have seen on t.v. Their great work has even given them a couple Gemini nominations. This is a great accomplishment for any show. Two of my favourite episodes are when they go to Antartica and Madagascar. Great images and places I will probably never get to see. Definitely would like to go there though.

All round incredible tv show

[joejhrobinson · 10/10 · 16 August 2018]

When it comes to Tv shows and especially travel shows, I can be super hard to please. Most seem fake and scripted, and it's painfully obvious that the presenters have a massive crew of staff behind the camera.

Departures is one of the few exceptions. This is a show about two normal guys and their cameraman (who is also one of their friends). They aren't massive Hollywood stars or comedians, feeling pressured to make jokes at every point. Their reactions are genuine and the relationship between Justin and Scott feels so natural. This show makes it abundantly clear that these are real people.

I have never seen a show that so perfectly captures the experience of traveling. They don't just concentrate on the good things, but instead will present to you the problems alongside them, which makes the whole thing feel more genuine.

It kind of reminds me of a travel vlog, but Departures was created before the whole YouTube travel scene took off (to the best of my knowledge). Maybe it partly inspired it. I'm not sure.

Anyway, I don't have much more to say about this show except that you should watch it and experience it for yourself. This could easily be my favourite tv show of all time and I would recommend it to everyone I know.

Impacted me like nothing else on TV

[shabs-34840 · 10/10 · 1 March 2021]

I don't think I've watched any other TV show or movie that has impacted me or left me with as many thoughts as Departures, and I think that's testament to the brilliance of this show.

Across 40+ episodes and three seasons, you are taken on a journey of 3 men who love travelling and are living their dream. The way the show is shot and the exposure to their up close and tight experiences in different countries makes you feel as if you're on their journey too, and with them.

The chemistry between Justin and Scott is to be admired and both add so much to the show I feel, contrary to other reviews. Scott provides more of a sophisticated lens, providing context and history to places whereas Justin's true personality comes across to add humour and laughs to each episode.

Having just finished watching Departures, it has left me with an urge and desire to take a year to go travel the world. I can see myself looking back in the future as this being a show that changed my life.

Finally, an entertaining travel show

[heehee1979 · 10/10 · 4 July 2018]

I thought this was a refreshing change to your typical travel documentary. I originally just watched the New Zealand and Australia episodes because I am planning a trip there, but I ended up going back and watching the rest of the episodes because I enjoyed it so much. I think a lot of people are quick to criticize because they don't understand that this is about experiencing new cultures from the outsiders point of view. There was a lot of growth throughout the seasons and I thought Justin, Scott, and Andre had great chemistry, traveling together can be exhausting unless you have that. The drinking was shared with the locals and sometimes encouraged, so I think some of the other reviews exaggerate that a bit. Overall, very entertaining!

the absolute best show I've ever seen

[gunman142 · 10/10 · 8 January 2013]

i LOVE this series it's my favourite show ever I love every episode and the whole aspect of just them being two (three if you include Andre) guys being real and travelling to some of the most beautiful places on earth. These guys make me want to travel the world. My girlfriend and I when we get married we're going to go backpacking across Ireland/Scotland. I just hope that everyone who watches this show will see the real beauty in this and try to see our world before its gone and before the real beautiful things in it are destroyed. I love how cameraman Andre makes every shot look like such beauty and i am always wondering how did they get shots like that or holy that's amazing. The show really does deserve the awards it got and cant wait to own the series.

Saved my life. Haha

[betterwayvacations · 10/10 · 22 November 2020]

Snapped my Achilles' tendon and was stuck on the couch for at least 6 weeks while it mended. I would have lost my mind if it wasn't for this incredibly entertaining series. Probably saved my marriage too! Haha. Loved it so much.

I travelled a ton in my younger years and thought it was a blast to see these three doing a lot of what I did (and so much more)!

Thanks Scott, Justin & Andre for saving my life. :)

What?

[montanajoy · 8 January 2018]

I couldn't make through episode 1! The only show slower than this one has got to be "the Ghan"....

Great cinematography, and beautiful locations, but Justin kills it

[christina3386 · 7/10 · 6 December 2018]

I love learning about different cultures around the world, and seeing the beautiful scenery each country has to offer. This show captures that. The cinematographer knows what he's doing. Very talented. Scott, one of the show's host, seems to share the same appreciation for cultures and being in the moment of beautiful scenery. Justin, however, was a bad choice to be the show's co-host. He almost makes it hard to watch at times with his juvenile commentary, his borderline alcoholism, and they way he disrespects personal property. He broke a snowmobile because he was riding it too hard like some andrenaline-pumped frat boy, and just left it behind without caring. He makes crude jesters in places of respectable history. It's actually very sad and frustrating to watch. Frustrating because he doesn't appreciate what's around him, and sad because it's so disrespectful to other cultures.

The Worst Co-Host of All Time?

[VandDrikker · 5/10 · 18 August 2015]

The co-host, name of Justin, is almost too irritating to allow you to enjoy this show. In between great shots of foreign vistas and ancient architecture, there is Justin the alcoholic looking extremely drunk and spouting off useless nonsense. I don't know if he's just trying to numb himself to that piercing on Scott's eyebrow or what, but he must be drunk at least 80% of the time he's on camera, regardless of location or time of day.

His pathetic attempts at the English language leave a lot to be desired in terms of diction and just general grammatical structure, on top of his wardrobe not offering much beyond a few t-shirts it looks like he dug up from when his Mom brought him to West 49 in the 10th grade.

I'm surprised Justin survived the year trekking through the occasional remote wasteland without mysteriously disappearing. They spent a lot of time on the edge of cliffs, as well as in the middle of deserts. Locations which put Scott, the other co-host, in a unique position to do away with Justin.

I recommend watching this show if only to gain appreciation for, and admire, the most patient man alive today, Scott Wilson. Their cameraman Andre Dupuis demonstrated great restraint too I guess.

Best Travel Show

[mikeymac7 · 10/10 · 18 November 2020]

I've rewatched this show more times than I can count. Reading some of the reviews here absolutely baffle me, it's as if some of you forget fashion trends from the mid 2000s and are reviewing a 3 season show based on 1 season.

The show brings you to places not often seen in most travel. Over the 3 seasons you see incredible growth, specifically in Justin. He starts the show as a young, clueless boy who just likes to party and doesn't really have much sense for the world around him. But as it goes on, he grows and learns to understand and appreciate what the world has. One of my favourite parts of the story is his growth. Scott is the grounded one that provides us with information as we travel through. Andre is a genius behind the lens.

For some comments about money, the show is funded in part by the government of Canada so yes, they have money. Also Scott and Andre own their own production business. So they have money from that as well.

It's a fantastic mix of your everyday man(Justin), the grounded and informed one (Scott) and their silent friend capturing everything on film (Andre). They are incredibly respectful of their environments and perhaps a little naive at times, but that's part of the growth of the show. It's unfortunate that some fail to see that and let it ruin their experience with the show.

Is it just me?

[roubideau · 9/10 · 1 July 2018]

Mormons with a drinking problem? Or doesn't anyone else see these guys are heavily bank rolled? And someone must have a major insider connection. -Who gets to go into Libya or into the forbidden interior of Russia? It also takes a LOT of money to travel around like that. Notice they take sleeping cars and stay in some fairly highly deluxe accommodations for men who look like "boy drifters". They had fixers and govt agents wherever they went. The series is prior to the use of visual enhancing camera drones, so that's kind of too bad. The camera man Andre Dupuis and Scott make the show. I don't care for Justin's brand wit and sarcasm, bangs (for a man) and highlighted hair. Lots of missed opportunities. "Look at the rich Canadian kids traveling around" :) They were all college friends.

BEST !!!!!!

[jyotishkasaha · 10/10 · 9 March 2020]

THIS IS 2019 THE TIME WHEN SOCIAL MEDIA TRAVEL INFLUENCERS RULE THE INTERNET BUT STILL THEY CANT Make THIS KIND OF SHOW WHICH WAS RECORDED IN 2008-2010......AWSOME HOSTING BY SCOTT WILSON & JUSTIN LUKACH AND ANDRE'S VIDEOGRAPHY IS NEXT LEVEL .....THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING THE SPARK OF MY LONG SLEEP DREAMS....I WILL TRAVEL THE WORLD I PROMISE YOU.....HOPE THERE WILL BE A SEASON OR SEASONS EVEN AFTER A DECADE .....

INSPIRATIONAL SHOW WITH AMAZING HOSTS

[matthewchos · 10/10 · 26 March 2020]

While being in a nation wide lockdown I've found both positivity and inspiration in this show. I absolutely love both of the hosts. They bring light to many countries people wouldn't dare to travel. Please create more shows!

Amazing

[jillgonzales · 10/10 · 1 July 2017]

We loooooooove this show...yes I said WE! Hard to find a show where the entire family can agree on something - we did - thank you! We look forward to watching this every single evening. So much better than Anthony Bourdain travel shows because he rarely shows the scenery. These guys are fun, knowledgeable and entertaining....thank you! xoxo

Best by far

[nick-25821 · 10/10 · 16 April 2019]

This is the best travel show ever by far. I can't even begin to write about it and do it any justice. Just watch it and you will see.

Inspiring..

[crwijesingha · 10/10 · 4 December 2019]

The best travel documentary in history. I'm sure that series must have inspired many in to travelling. i really wish they had continued this series with more countries.

Best TV Show EVER???

[ravenz-34544 · 10/10 · 4 January 2021]

This is probably one of the best TV shows I have ever watched. I think that the hosts are good and that they are extremely good at what they do. One underrated thing about this show is that it has probably a top 10 theme song of all time. Like you can play it any time and be like wow this theme song is insane wooooooow. Also, some of these episodes are insane, like North Korea. That episode was crazy how did they get there? Also stop the justin hate guys he is drunk but he perseveres to still be able to walk so that is a plus. I think this is just so so so so so so so so so so good.

Why all the drinking?

[ccullinan-86407 · 7/10 · 27 March 2015]

People keep mentioning how Scott and Justin have such great chemistry on screen as best friends, but I seriously can't understand how we're watching the same show. Scott's comments are engaging while Justin's random commentary is juvenile and annoying. If you're going to get drunk, why does that have to be featured in each episode? While both seem like frat boys, if you can get past this, the redeeming parts of this show are the stunning visuals by camera man Andre, and the fact that it moves fast and shows each country in a down-to-earth, personal way. Still my favorite travel show as it doesn't give you a history lecture or make you spend 30 minutes watching someone eat cuisine you can't appreciate. It's colorful, exciting and eye opening for the viewer. This is more a result of good editing that good characters however.

Enormous potential gets derailed..

[nvancouverbrian · 5/10 · 13 February 2015]

Scott, the brains behind this series had sheer brilliance in his grasp until he made the decision in choosing Justin as the show's other co-star.. The series certainly has its share of wonderful moments with a diverse blend of worldly locations that feature a number of well balanced aspects surrounding culture, landscapes, beauty, poverty, and as a result has the potential to shine but often falls flat on its face due to the absolutely miserable choice in casting Justin as one of the two featured adventurers. How can one person make or break a show about traveling around the world? Well, when you meet this juvenile, ignorant, beer guzzling moron of a child trapped in a man's body, you'll understand my point as he is distracting to say the least. There will be moments in Departures where you're presented with breathtaking scenery or diverse cultural phenomenon and then Justin appears either drunk, looking for beer, complaining about India being too crowded or making terribly juvenile 'jokes' which in turn usually end up offending someone or making Canadians look like frat boys on spring break. What's baffling is that out of anyone else Scott (the kind, intelligent, fun, likable co-star and creator) could have chosen as a co-pilot, he opted to pick this meat head. Again, this could have been a marvelous, ground breaking opportunity (which often captivates and displays flashes of beauty), but ends up being so utterly aggravating because you're ultimately forced to travel with Justin as a viewer during their relentless journey around the world.. At the end of the day, yes it's still a decent series with many engaging, insightful moments but ends up as a shame really. I never though that one individual could get under my skin so much but I suppose if I had to travel with an an immature, brash, untreated alcoholic, I'd have a tough time too. Bless you Scott! You have the patience and tolerance of a saint.

Great show all-in-all

[sarah_c-62530 · 9/10 · 13 April 2016]

I loved this show and spent hours binge- watching and dreaming about being able to travel like these guys are. The hosts Scott and Justin have great chemistry and have very opposite personalities.

Scott is a very mature, respectful, almost professional type. Where as Justin is very goofy and light hearted, a little brother. But they bring very different perspectives and I like the blend they create. The camera man Andre must also be mentioned as he is very talented at what he does and captures many beautiful images throughout their travels.

The only downside is the constant drinking. Sure drinking is fun, but they tend to go over- board in a fratboy kind of way. Spoiler* and also whining about how much you miss your girlfriends while bragging about getting layed 4 or 5 times during the trip was pretty tasteless.