Categories: film-and-tv
Tags: ice road, Film and Tv
Date: 31 January 2009 15:32:34
Would you want to drive enormous trucks over a 3 foot layer of ice above the arctic ocean?
No, me neither. The people that do want to do this can be found in a piece of seriously addictive tv called Ice Road Truckers. The first series was repeated over Christmas and I got into it since it coincided with Rusk's feeding time. That series was set on the ice roads across Canada's frozen lakes, bringing supplies to isolated mines and other industry. The series was focussed on half a dozen drivers from the hapless Drew to his rather mean and unsypathetic boss Hugh and the ever-laid-back Alex. Given the limited time the truckers have in midwinter before the ice starts to melt, all eyes were on the prize: how many loads could each driver complete before the ice roads closed, or in the words of the voice-over 'who will win the dash for the cash'?
Having been totally hooked by the first season, I was rather excited when series 2 started on Wednesday evenings on Channel 5. Yes, you read that right: Channel 5. I don't think I've watched anything on 5 since the days of The Mole. Series 2 has the drivers moving ever northwards, driving on the Arctic Ocean. Utterly crazy! The series is looking at a wider cross section of the people involved in keeping the ice roads open and there is less emphasis on the money grabbing nature of the work. Do take a look at it if you feel so inclined.