On the Roam

I started watching this because I am a huge fan. I was a huge fan of just another gorgeous body. I watched thinking oh maybe I will get to see a great behind, as we know Jason loves to show us his body. And yes, I got to see the world famous arse. But I stopped watching the show because of a gorgeous body and started watching the show because of a gorgeous mind.

I was shocked to see such a depth of emotion in the show that I was not expecting. It's not so much in the first show, that's to me a typical guy being a guy show. I was shook watching the second show. Watching J, not Jason, J come to life and show his joy of life and art was amazing. And the shows became more about his friends and then the third show showcased his friends completely and gave details of their lives and J was just a commentator. And each show goes on like that.

Listening to the stories of his family of friends was brilliant. These are blue color workers, long haired, tattooed, cursing men who the general public would normally ignore and he gave them voices. He didn't focus his show on himself, he focused on the people behind him and brought them to the front.

The things we do learn about J himself are also amazing. I never thought I would have so much in common with an A lister. When he described loving old beat up things and seeing the patina and beauty in age. Ugh. I felt that. I'm the type of person that can fall in love with a pair of old cracked glasses from my great grandmother. To see him smile at the beauty of light shining on an old chair was cool.

I wish I could personally thank him for the show. This review will have to do it for me. I can't wait for season two. Good job J. Damned good job man.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Jason, and I have been building custom motorcycles for a a large part of my life, but this is just too much fluff for me to watch. As a builder of custom bikes, I see all manner of customers, from Hell's Angels to Dentists, and the driving force for the builds, for me, was pride in my work. Now everything has become "all about the show", no substance, no clarity, just someone faking an existence for the sake of the show. It was like watching Bear Grylls (quite possibly the greatest phony of all time). My hat is off to the great craftsman he meets along the way, but when it comes right down to it, It is all about the money.

I was hoping this would be as interesting as the excellent "Ride with Norman Reedus" but it its not even close.

It was like watching a 45 minute Harley Davidson advert directed by someone who usually makes after shave adverts for Jonny Depp. The cringe factor was off the scale and not even an appearance by Mike Wolf from American Pickers could save it.

Lots of slow motion shots of hipsters in ridiculous matching outfits that no biker would be seen dead in.

I gave it 3 stars because there was quick glimpse of a Brough Superior but I won't be watching another episode I felt embarrassed for the cast.

I enjoyed learning about the different relationships that Mamoa has around the country & the world. His passion for Harley Davidson is awesome, especially those old school KnuckleHeads. I also enjoyed the jewelry that his friend makes, I found their website, there are some very nice pieces out there! Then the Blacksmith shop in Hawaii, bad a**! If you are a Jason Mamoa fan, he takes us up close & personal with a few of his hobbies that also commingle with his movie characters. The rings he wears in Aquaman & the swords & knives in a couple others.

You will also see him visiting places off screen that are in some of his movies which is also very cool. I look forward to future episodes.

Sounds deep? It is. A lot of people totally misplaced and misunderstood the show. It's not a motorcycle or petrolhead show, it's not an art show, it's not even a show. It's a roam through life, it's literally in the title. Jason tries to find things about himself through all of his projects and in the process creates or continues legacies for his family, for his friends, the people he reveres and learns from. He roams from one craftsmanship to another intertwining them with his proffessional and personal lives and always concludes there's more to be found. Monumental work in which he invested a lot of himself, both financially and affectively, not necessarilly in this order and it boasts with the creative energy of exceptionally well crafted things of the past (sometimes directly from their creators) that is redirected towards an always uncertain future which never scares him. He's not a man of many words and perhaps that shows a bit too much, but his energy is infectious and you get to share his genuine awe. As long as viewers keep an open mind and don't typecast him, it's just great to watch.