I'm basing this review on season 2, which I just started watching. In spite of a weak-sounding show title, they've done a great job of creating real-life stakes that matter and heart-wrenching moments that make you want to keep coming back. We quickly found ourselves pulling for every team, not wanting anyone to drop out. But they can't all win...
This is a perfect blend of family entertainment and reality TV. And it makes you love family more without ever being preachy. Kudos to BYUtv.
75 Reviews
The best of reality tv
meljoefam16 December 2019
I don't normally watch reality tv and all the lame drama, but this shows rises above it all. It makes me laugh and cry. It is something we can watch and enjoy as a family. The contestants are so real and vulnerable as they search for and meet family. Love it!
Inspiring and family friendly
dramahorse8 October 2018
A Touching Show
lwc-140-48715317 December 2019
When I first started watching this show, I didn't expect it to be so emotional for the contestants or how touching it was to watch as they discover family. Once I got started I wanted to see another season without hesitation. This is an inspiring show.
Great Show- 10 Weeks Never Passed So Quickly
papasnake17 December 2019
We binged the first couple of seasons after stumbling across this show one evening. Since then, we have waited impatiently for the next season to start, and mourned its passing ten weeks later.
Four teams, two people each, submit their DNA and then allow professional genealogists to identify and locate relatives the members of the team have never met. At the start of the race, team members surrender their smart phones and other GPS devices. They are given paper maps to work with in stead.
Naturally, each team is sent to a different address where one of their relatives lives. Along they way they must overcome a challenge (same activity for each team), and prove they have arrived in the correct city before they can receive the exact address of their relative each trip is given an allotted time, and the team this overshoots that time the most gets a strike. Three strikes and the team is out.
That's the bones, and it would probably be interesting just for that.
Where the real allure comes in is the life stories and raw emotion each of these meetings brings out. I have a favorite team every season, but never once have I rooted against a team.
I've not done the show justice, but hopefully I have sparked enough interest that you'll watch just one episode.
If so, DO start with the first episode of any season- whatever you do, don't start with the final episode you will miss most of the best parts.
If so, DO start with the first episode of any season- whatever you do, don't start with the final episode you will miss most of the best parts.
Truly a gem on TV!
artsygirl-4064716 December 2019
Wholesome in every way, and a must-watch for the entire family. Four teams of 2 people - Red, Green, Blue and Black - have their DNA tested and it is used to find family members they have not met or have been estranged from for some reason. All of the teams have compelling back-stories, and every team's search is unique. Each of the first 9 episodes in the 10-episode season is spent traveling to meet these relatives. The teams are given a designated amount of time for travel, without smartphones or GPS, but plenty of good-old-fashioned paper maps. The team with the best time wins the week, while the team who goes over their allotted time the most receives a strike for that week. Once a team has accumulated 3 strikes, they must leave the race. After the teams reach their destination each week, the they must complete a "challenge," and are then given their relative's address. Then be ready with the tissues. The face-to-face meetings are often quite emotional, but in the end they grow family connections that help them complete their personal stories. Never a dull moment, and full of compassion and grace, this show delivers...EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. During the last episode, the remaining teams with fewer than 3 strikes compete in a series of final challenges, and the winning team receives a prize of $50K. In the end though, they are all winners with the new family they find, and with the relationships they build with the other teams in a shared experience. Dan Debnath is an excellent host, and draws on the teams' emotional experiences each week as he recaps at the end of every episode, awarding wins and strikes as they video-chat together. We started watching during the first season, and look forward to every new season as they air. We are hooked, and each season is better than the last. Give this one a go - you will not be disappointed!
Season ending today, 18 Nov 2018
gwendolynnchapo19 November 2018
I have loved watching all of the relative race seasons, however this season's finale was a disappointment in my opinion. Letting one team destroy the hard work of another team is just not in the spirit of fair play.
Kindly,
Gwen Chapo
Awesome Show!
gironelaine16 December 2019
Quality entertainment
jakeandmelyssa27 May 2019
Love relative race
matthfam-7697927 May 2019
Most uplifting show on TV.
braxbowyer15 November 2023
Forget the challenges, they are just a backdrop for the connections that are found. This is the best show on television. With each contestant you get so invested in their story and root for them to find what they are looking for. I can't be more grateful for this show. Uplifting when tv is so negative. High lighting what it means to be human. That we live to connect with one another, rely on one another, and care for one another. People are more good than bad and this show brings that to the forefront. Thank you for making this! Stop what you are doing and watch season 12. Grab a box of tissues and prep for endless happy tears!
Great Family Entertainment
rmcnewell16 December 2019
Great show
taliaferro_family25 November 2018
The race part is good but some the challenges are stupid. Overall the race part needs more excitement. The family stories are mostly great. The seasons are too short though. On a personal side finding out one of your teams are related to you makes it a lot more fun to watch. Season 4 finale was great. Can't wait for season 5 to start.
Good Vibes Here!
mountainclimber-0762016 December 2019
Best Show on TV ever!!!!!
pad-7897826 May 2019
IMHO this is the best show i HAVE EVER SEEN! I am not able to get it on my TV but watch it on my computer each week. This show needs to be seen worldwide. Each week you have laughs, tears and that all over good feeling! I love how the castmates root for each other and share their joy. This show is put together unlike any other "reality" show. Good job producers!!!!! I hope this show continues for many many many more seasons. I have been researching my ancestors for almost 20 years so it is so heart warming.
Love love love!
klcowley25 November 2018
I laughed, I cried, I felt
ilovebrodey16 December 2019
I came upon this show in the 3rd season. After viewing one episode I was hooked and within a week I had backed up and watched all up to that point. I've never been disappointed and havent missed a single episode since.
I love the fact that the individuals shared such touching moments in their lives with us all, good or bad. Its exciting, heartfelt, family friendly, never boring. It's very hard to pick a team to pull, all that participe are winners in the connections that they make. Love, love, love this show. Wish there were more seasons of it.
Best family show
brynleymosley27 May 2019
very inspiring
coultertgill16 December 2019
Fun and Touching
nolawg-126 November 2018
My family loves watching this show! From my husband and I down to our grandchildren. The race portion of the show keeps it fun, but the best part is seeing the participants meet and spend time with their family. Each season gets better than the previous one! Can't wait for the next one.
lackluster race and family related chaleenges
taliaferro_family26 May 2019
The race part of the show needs revamping. The selfie should be changed from a sign to a specific location within the city where they will receive a map showing the location of the challenge and of the relatives home, but with no road names and certain roads black out hey they are not allowed to use. The contestants should should not be able to ask for directions only ask to be shown on the map where their present location is on the map. The challenges should be more family or genealogy related.
Bringing Families Together
mnomom26 May 2019
This is such a wonderful show! I love learning so much about all the teams and why they participate in this race. It is great way to help bring families together with a little healthy competition included!! But, I will say that the team challenges seem to get more complex with each season!
We look forward to every episode!
rlindgren26 May 2019
Each time this is on we schedule our week around the show. Having family members find missing links frequently brings us to tears as we vicariously share the contestant's joy at meeting new family. We gather family together to share the experience, what could be better than that? We cheer for them as they attack new challenges.
Best family show ever!!
josiahryan52-12-48206225 November 2018
I have seen a lot of shows but this one is the best. Emotional highs. Competitive expeditions. Teamwork. And heart. Lots of heart. I love getting attached to the teams. I love not being a fan of one of the teams and having them grow on me. And I like two seasons a year!!! Fan for life!!!
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