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Photo: Van Redin/AMC

Television

‘Ride with Norman Reedus’ season 5 episode 4 review: Modern Americana

Through clever editing, we receive a cross country road trip clip show.

Like many other TV shows, Ride with Norman Reedus was affected by the current pandemic. It’s difficult to shoot a travel show when the entire world was on lockdown and everyone had to remain socially distant. To compensate, the third episode was a retrospective looking at the host’s most memorable moments so far. It seems they are trying their best to salvage a half-made season since tonight we received another clip show.

This time around, the focus is to revisit the places, people, and ideals of the country Reedus’ loves: the United States. Through clever editing, previous footage is repurposed into a coast-to-coast cross country road trip from California to New York City. In total, the hypothetical trip spans over 5,000 miles.  

This episode of Ride with Norman Reedus once again brings attention to a more interesting side of motorcycle culture. There are the diverse clubs such as the largest African American club in the world, the East Bay Dragons, the women of Babes Ride Out, and the indigenous Red Mountain Riders. The reCycle Garage, which helps educate aspiring enthusiasts about the culture, even have their own podcast. When Reedus was a guest they appropriately and amusingly discussed the best bike for a zombie apocalypse.

Some of the best parts of road trips are exploring off the beaten path. Here, they showcase many facets of the country that make it special. While showing appreciation to our armed forces, Reedus and Aimee Nash fire machine guns in White Sands, New Mexico. Imagine the type of damage that could be done on walkers with those weapons. The series dives into various music scene as well in Memphis and Kentucky.

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Photo: Aidan Monaghan/AMC

They don’t shy away from the bad parts of the country either. While traveling the Carolinas with Dave Chapelle, they visit an area to learn the history they don’t teach you at schools with regards to African Americans. Despite the ugliness, Chapelle and their host try to focus more on the positive.

The most entertaining segment of the episode is when the Dixon brothers reunite and visit Michael Rooker’s home town. While cruising the old neighborhood, Rooker sees his cousin and they make a pitstop at her home. She’s just as big a character as her cousin and her house is filled with creepy dolls. It also shows the reach of fan favorite franchises such as The Walking Dead and the MCU with neighbors in the small town coming out to greet the stars.

All the riding also focuses on the beauty and diversity of the United States. There are so many different landscapes from the ocean views of the Pacific Coast Highway, the majestic deserts of the southwest, gator filled bayous of Louisiana and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

This episode does a great job showing different tidbits of Americana that make this country unique, but in the end, it’s still a clip show.

Ride with Norman Reedus airs Sunday nights on AMC.

'Ride with Norman Reedus' season 5 episode 4 review: Modern Americana
Ride with Norman Reedus S 5 E 4 Review
This episode does a great job showing different tidbits of Americana that make this country unique, but in the end, it’s still a clip show.
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
Michael Rooker visiting his cousin in Alabama is by far the most entertaining segment.
A nice love letter to the United States via a repurposed cross country road trip.
Still a repackaged clip show.
6
Average

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