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The Worst Episodes of Pole to Pole

Every episode of Pole to Pole ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Pole to Pole!

Binge this in 6h 40m•Peaking at 8.5/10

Michael Palin undertakes an epic journey of 23,000 miles, traveling from the North to the South Pole across 17 countries with a minimum of air travel, all on a tight deadline.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 4 - Shifting Sands
    7.7/10(106 votes)

    #1 - Shifting Sands

    S1:E4

    In this part of the journey Michael Palin crosses the Sudan. He crosses the Nubian desert in the north of the country and traverses a region ravaged by drought, poverty, famine and civil war. Unable to follow the line of 30 degrees east, he is forced to take a route along the border with Northern Ethiopia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 5 - Crossing the Line
    7.8/10(105 votes)

    #2 - Crossing the Line

    S1:E5

    Having struggled through the Sudan, Michael Palin is now faced with the difficulty of getting across Ethiopia, where the armed remnants of the fallen dictator Mengistu's defeated army roam. He makes a dash to Addis Ababa with a military escort. He continues his journey to reach the Kenyan border and travels on to Lerata. He passes Mount Kenya, the significance of which is that now he has completed half of his journey.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 6 - Plains and Boats and Trains
    7.9/10(103 votes)

    #3 - Plains and Boats and Trains

    S1:E6

    Michael Palin begins this week with a tented safari in a Kenyan game park. He travels via the Ngoronoro Crater and arrives at Lake Tanganyika.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 7 - Evil Shadow
    7.9/10(105 votes)

    #4 - Evil Shadow

    S1:E7

    In this week's episode, Michael crosses Zambia and Zimbabwe towards Johannesburg.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 3 - Mediterranean Maze
    8.0/10(106 votes)

    #5 - Mediterranean Maze

    S1:E3

    Palin travels from Istanbul to Aswan on the Nile.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 1 - Cold Start
    8.1/10(110 votes)

    #6 - Cold Start

    S1:E1

    The first leg takes Michael Palin from the North Pole to the gates of Russia.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 2 - Russian Steps
    8.1/10(106 votes)

    #7 - Russian Steps

    S1:E2

    Second leg of the journey: Palin has 12 days to cross Russia and reach the port of Odessa.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Pole to Pole Season 1 Episode 8 - Bitter End
    8.5/10(103 votes)

    #8 - Bitter End

    S1:E8

    Michael Palin fails in his attempt to get a berth on board the SA "Agulhas" on its once yearly sail to the South Pole. The search is on to find some other way of reaching the South Pole, abandoning all self-imposed restraints such as following 30 degrees east or using only surface transport.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Shifting Sands" is the worst rated episode of "Pole to Pole". It scored 7.7/10 based on 106 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 11/11/1992. This episode scored 0.1 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Crossing the Line".