“Beijing Express” 2024 broke records, but not necessarily for the better

TELEVISION – An extraordinary season. This Saturday, May 4, M6 is broadcasting the grand finale of the 18th season of Beijing Express, final stage of the race presented by Stéphane Rotenberg. Titled In the footsteps of the golden tigerthis season which offered viewers several anthology moments, is undoubtedly that of all records.

From the first episode, the tone was set with the decision of Nathan and Brandon, the 21-year-old twin brothers: to return home. The latter had had a very complicated start to their adventure. First unable to forge a raft to cross a lake, then forced to sleep under the stars, the Belgian twins were unable to cope with the difficulties of the adventure and their decision was final: they decided to ‘give up and return to Belgium on the first day of competition. A great first in the show.

When the third episode of this 18th season aired, another pair succumbed to the hazards of the adventure. Indeed, Mahdy and Manu, very popular with viewers for their humor, also had to give up. “My leg was on fire and I couldn’t feel my foot anymore, it was going numb. So I had to stop.”explained Mahdy to Télé-Loisirs, specifying that the reasons for their departure were linked to health concerns.

Two episodes later, after the medical departure of Mahdy and Manu, Myriam and Patrick also had to say goodbye to Beijing Express. Myriam ended her race due to a double sprain. “The word ‘abandonment’ still hurts me a lot. I prefer to speak of ‘departure'”, she confided to Ouest France. Not since the show began in 2006 have there been three abandonments in a single season, and all of this happened in just five episodes.

Historic (and glorious) records

Other records were set in Beijing Express in the footsteps of the golden tiger, this time more positive, thanks in particular to Jérôme and Emma. Indeed, the father hen and his 19-year-old daughter shone during the tests, even becoming the duo having won the most consecutive immunities, i.e. four.

In an interview with Télé-Loisirs, Emma expressed her surprise at their performance. “Dad and I didn’t expect to be so strong in this adventure. […] Each time we tell ourselves that the wheel will turn, that two immunities are good, but that we will not be able to obtain others. And little by little, we see that we are still accumulating more. It’s crazy ! »

After dominating the first four episodes by winning all the immunity tests, Jerome and Emma’s reign came to an end in the sixth episode. They were eliminated by Patricia and Jessica, the Corsican colleagues, newly drafted following the abandonment of Myriam and her grandfather Patrick.

But Jérôme and Emma are not the only ones to have made the history of the show this season. Ryad and Louison also had a remarkable run, winning four final duels. This is the first time this has happened in Beijing Express. Furthermore, with five duels to his credit, four of which he won, Louison holds the record for participation in final duels, which sets a new record for all seasons combined.

The grand finale of Beijing Express in the footsteps of the golden tiger sees Romain and Laura and Patricia and Jessica clash, in Hanoi, this Saturday May 4 on M6.

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