Ep 2. Transiberian Express

Karl Pilkington is back for another season of travel mishaps and cultural misunderstandings in the hit series An Idiot Abroad. In season 2 episode 2, Transiberian Express, Karl embarks on an epic journey across Russia on one of the world's most famous train routes, the Trans-Siberian Railway.

Karl begins his journey in Moscow, where he visits the famous Red Square and the Kremlin, but quickly becomes irritable and exhausted from the crowds and the heat. However, things start to take a more positive turn when he boards the Trans-Siberian Express.

The train journey takes Karl and his crew across the vast Russian landscape, stopping at various towns and cities along the way. Along the journey, Karl observes the stark contrasts between the rural areas of Russia and the more modern cities like Moscow. He also gets to take part in some unique activities, such as attending a traditional Russian wedding, experiencing a banya (a Russian sauna), and even trying his hand at ice fishing.

Despite the many cultural experiences and stunning scenery, Karl still struggles with the lack of privacy and personal space on the train. He is constantly tormented by the other passengers, who seem to take great delight in teasing him and filming his every move. Despite this, Karl remains a good sport and tries to make the best of the situation.

As the journey goes on, Karl begins to appreciate the majesty of the Russian landscape and the vastness of the country. He also learns more about the history of Russia and its people, including the significant impact of the Soviet era.

In classic Karl fashion, he remains skeptical and often unimpressed with some of the sights and experiences along the way, such as a visit to a Soviet-era labor camp and a trip to a museum dedicated to Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. But despite this, his journey on the Trans-Siberian Express provides a unique and often humorous insight into one of the world's most fascinating countries.

The episode ends with Karl finally reaching his destination, the remote and desolate city of Vladivostok on the east coast of Russia. Despite the exhaustion and discomfort he has endured along the way, Karl reflects on his experience and the people he has met, admitting that he has gained a newfound appreciation for Russia and its people.

Overall, Transiberian Express is a must-watch episode for fans of An Idiot Abroad, offering a unique and humorous journey across one of the world's most vast and contrasting countries.