This series is not really about the railway journeys but about the people and places Portillo visits. Everything about this series is just about perfect. Portillo was once considered likely to be our next prime minister but seems to have found his true vocation with this series. He has a genuine passion for gaining knowledge, understanding history and meeting people, having a natural interaction even with people from a different background or political opinion. He is intelligent, respectful, well mannered and conducts himself with dignity and integrity (probably why he never became PM!) but also is prepared to laugh at himself when he regularly gets involved.
As an early evening light entertainment show exactly the right balance is struck between the big stories about the places he visits and some quirky ones, the researchers do a great job, the show is always interesting and entertaining, maintaining an element of surprise. I actually enjoy his British shows more than his foreign trips, I've learnt so much more about my own country from this series whereas the foreign series can only be something of a snapshot.
As an early evening light entertainment show exactly the right balance is struck between the big stories about the places he visits and some quirky ones, the researchers do a great job, the show is always interesting and entertaining, maintaining an element of surprise. I actually enjoy his British shows more than his foreign trips, I've learnt so much more about my own country from this series whereas the foreign series can only be something of a snapshot.
