With so many competitors and teams and stories, the enormity and variety of the race itself are reflected in the sheer scale of running it, with helicopters needed for establishing shots just to get a sense of the geography.
There's probably 10 or 15 percent too much Bear, but his presence helps remind us of the competitive and sentimental stakes, and inspires some racers to open up for the camera.
"There is no age you have to quit doing interesting stuff," says Dogs member Adrian Crane. They're reminders that the Eco-Challenge isn't just a tough race. It's life-affirming.
This is reality TV at incredible scale and yet it manages to capture and follow individual human stories exceptionally well, producing uplifting and electrifying television.
Eco-Challenge Fiji forgoes the usual wicked personality-driven drama of "reality TV" and instead presents a multitude of characters who all appear as genuine folk just wanting to finish the race.
Eco-Challenge, hosted by Beat Grylls, is more about the indomitable human spirit, which is great in a Nike commercial but falls flat in a 10-episode series.
