Last Train to North America (2026) s01e07 Episode Script

Waiting in the water
Knew I had to know your name ♪
Little did I know
I was never gonna be the same ♪
[singing indistinctly]
Me and that Texas sunlight ♪
[Martin] And so we arrive in Texas.
After our time in Mexico,
we return to the United States
to explore the cities
of the central part of the country.
…on a pecan tree ♪
[Martin] Houston is our first stop.
[street performer] …little summer dress
really doing something for me… ♪
[Martin] Our first impression speaks
of profound cultural change.
That's a keeper on the line ♪
Come on over, baby
I'll be your river man tonight ♪
Don't start drifting
We can't get too far ♪
Truck will pick us up
Promise to be back by dark ♪
Later we'll be honky tonkin'
under the full moonlight ♪
Baby, don't you worry
I'll be your river man tonight… ♪
Chelsea. How are you?
-Martin. How are you? Welcome back.
-Good.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Welcome back to the United States.
-How was it?
-Thank you. Amazing.
I wasn't expecting to see,
for example, a train in Texas.
We have a train. We have it all.
I actually have a little surprise
for you later on.
[Martin] I love surprises.
The first impression was really nice
because I get to understand something
about the culture, the music.
It's really a melting pot.
It's a melting pot between Mexicans,
Native Americans, Western culture.
Then you have the country music
that's been around since the early 1800.
So, it just gives you that soul.
I love it.
Me too. [laughs]
[street performer] Mama said
"Bubba, that's a keeper on the line" ♪
Come on over, baby
I'll be your river man tonight ♪
Oh, come on over, baby ♪
I'm your river man tonight ♪
[theme music playing]
[Martin] Welcome.
This is Last Train to Russia.
And from here,
we continue with Last Train to Qatar.
This is the stadium
that will host the next World Cup final.
[theme music concludes]
[Martin]
This is Last Train to North America.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Chelsea, Houston is the city
of the cowboy culture,
the rodeos, not soccer, right?
This city has been known for the rodeo,
but it's expanded in ways
that you can't even imagine.
That's why it's one of the host cities.
Really? How so?
Well, I have some friends that are gonna
tell you a little bit about that.
Okay.
[Martin] A symbol of the fundamental
and historical tradition
of the United States.
The rodeo is a legacy
of the cowboys and the rural life
that can be found
in this part of the country.
[David Brady]
The rodeo is different in Houston.
It's the largest rodeo in the world.
Not surprising with the numbers
that you're aware of.
2.7 million guests
come through here in just 20 days.
But it's more about the culture,
which goes back to what Houston is.
It is the most diverse large city
in the United States.
And there's a unity here
that we all get along really well.
This town is built
on a blue collar mentality.
It's built on hospitality
and treating others really well.
And I think because of that,
that also goes into what makes this great.
But yeah, of course, we're known
for our Tex-Mex, our barbecue,
the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo, football, and now fútbol.
[chuckles]
[Martin] During the 19th century,
rodeo competitions became
a risky professional sport,
representing the skill and bravery
of the cowboy lifestyle.
Cattle towns like Houston
strongly adopted this culture
and its stadium reflects this.
Today, NRG Stadium is home
to the biggest Rodeo events
in the entire country.
[David Fletcher] This stadium have hosted
more international sporting events,
Super Bowls, Final Fours,
Copa América, you name it,
than any other market in the country
over the last 15 years.
So, there's a great infrastructure
and a building like this
certainly takes, um, uh…
is part of the equation
to make these events a reality.
[uplifting instrumental music playing]
[Martin] Four years ago,
the biggest concern
for the Qatar World Cup
were the high temperatures.
That's why they moved
the World Cup to November.
But this time, it won't be like this.
The tournament will be celebrated
during the summer.
But Houston is ready.
They have the first stadium
with a retractable roof
and AC inside.
[music concludes]
[Martin] Although Houston
has a local metro system
for traveling around the city,
it doesn't have long-distance trains.
Apparently, Chelsea has a solution.
What is this?
This is my surprise.
This is how we're going to get around.
-What's up, guys?
-What's up? You need a ride?
-Yeah, we do.
-Well…
This will be the way to get to know Texas?
This is how you're gonna
get to know Texas.
-We're gonna ride there?
-[Chelsea] We're gonna ride a bike.
There's another way to get around,
not just trains.
And not just a bike.
-A Harley.
-A Harley.
-Wow.
-The Texas way.
-I love it.
-[laughs]
-Let's go. Get on.
-Let's go.
Wow.
What a surprise.
The best one ever. Thank you.
-Oh, you're welcome. Ready?
-Ready.
[laid-back country music playing]
[cheers]
[Martin] The Midwestern cities
of the United States
are disconnected
from the national railway map.
We head north towards Dallas
with a new adventure ahead.
[music concludes]
[man 1 laughing]
-[man 2] You guys want any water?
-[man 1] Yes, please!
-[man 3] I'm good, I have plenty.
-[woman] It just got really hot.
-[John] We got you some sunglasses.
-Thank you very much.
-You got to look the part. You know?
-Thank you, thank you.
[John] Gotta look cool
when you're on a back of a bike.
And even we have
some travel gifts for you.
Wow, what is that?
[John] T-shirt and a vest.
-Oh. Leather vest.
-[John] Leather vest.
-You got to be official.
-Gonna put it on.
-[John] There you go.
-[Chelsea] There you go.
We're used to travel on trains,
but Texas is… is for this, right?
Here in Texas,
our riding season is all year.
You know, you see that car right there?
We call that being in a cage.
You don't have that sensation
of the open road…
-[Martin] Yeah.
-…and the rumble
of the American Harley Davidson.
[laid-back country music playing]
[Martin] The necessary clothing
and accessories for this journey.
Now, let's meet our travel companions
and learn about their culture.
-[Chelsea] Hello.
-[biker 1] How are you?
-Chelsea. Nice to meet you.
-[man] Good to meet you.
I am enjoying myself. I'm having a blast.
Hi. Chelsea.
-Rodriguez.
-[Rodriguez] Yes, sir.
-[biker 2] Hey, how you doing?
-How are you? Martin. Nice to meet you.
-[Chelsea] Nice to meet you. Chelsea.
-Hi.
-Martin. Nice to meet you.
-Carl. Nice to meet you.
-[Chelsea] Hi. Look at this little guy.
-Wow.
You ride with him?
-The ears, they fly in the wind.
-[laughs] Go help.
You told me
about your community, your family,
-and now I see it and I feel it.
-Feel it.
People we just met,
sharing the experience with loved ones,
sharing the experience with family.
So here we have roughly 30, 35 bikes.
And this isn't all of us.
-It's just a small bit of us.
-How often do you do this?
Every weekend.
We haven't really felt that energy yet.
Because once we get rolling,
all these bikes are lined up,
we're stretched out for a mile.
I would like to do that.
Well, that's what
we're getting ready to do.
-We're getting ready to do it right now.
-Okay. Let's do it. Let's do it.
-[woman] Three, two, one! [cheers]
-[all cheer]
This is incredible! Breathtaking!
Best experience ever.
[Martin] A different way
to get to know this country.
Two hundred and forty miles awaits us,
towards the heart of the old and far west.
[music concludes]
[mellow blues music playing]
[Martin] To get to know Texas
and its culture,
it's necessary to dress the local way.
We enter what seems to be the right place.
But we didn't imagine
so much variety and so much mystery.
[Mark] How can I help you?
[Martin] Hi, sir. Uh,
we need some help, please.
Are you looking for boots?
[Chelsea] We would love
some boots, actually.
You'd love some boots,
we have a lot of boots for you to look at.
[Martin] I see that here
traditions are really important,
but at the same time,
I see boots that are like new,
like, they have designs.
They somehow are customized
for-- for the present.
You know, our boot is made for a purpose.
It's a tough, very well-wearing boot,
lasts for a long time.
We sell boots to a very specific customer
who's very discerning
in what product he wants.
And yes, we are proud of that.
What does a cowboy boot signify
for a Texan?
Well, if you're in Texas,
cowboy boots are kind
of part of the uniform.
If you come here, you have
to have a pair of cowboy boots.
[Martin] The design of the tall boot,
as it is originally called,
was developed
to protect the legs from thorny bushes
and snake bites which were common
in the Texas landscape.
[salesperson 1] They look pretty good.
How do they feel?
[Martin] They feel amazing.
[Mark] It's a wonderful leather.
It's extremely durable,
lasts for many, many, many years.
-What's the cost?
-Uh, for this boot?
-Yes.
-About 2,500 dollars.
-What? Twenty-five?
-[Mark] Mm-hmm.
I didn't know they were so expensive.
They're all handmade.
Remember, that takes a year to get them.
-[Martin] Wow.
-Yeah.
So, now you have your boots,
and now we've got to get you a hat.
That's just part of the project.
[uplifting orchestral music playing]
[Martin] Okay.
-[Mark] Looks good.
-[Martin] Yeah.
-[salesperson 2] It'll be a wild guess.
-Okay.
[music concludes]
[Chelsea] Oh, I love it.
[tense instrumental music playing]
-Are you ready for rodeo?
-[Chelsea] More than ready.
-Let's go.
-Let's go.
[cows mooing]
[metal squeaking]
[Gary] There you go, nice.
Okay, back away from the hand.
Set your hips. Let your hips set.
Put them feet back under you.
Okay, transfer into the hand.
Nice.
[soft tense instrumental music playing]
[Gary] Okay, boys, the thing to remember
the day of competition, "Don't think."
We want to be
on the right side of the brain.
So just slide, ride, and react.
You know, everything,
when we're doing drills,
you can think, work things out.
That's when you think.
But the day of competition,
you want to get to the other side
of the brain.
Slide, ride, nod your head,
and get out of there and just react, okay?
And then good things will happen, okay?
Let's do it. Give me five. All right.
It's very early in the morning.
We're here in the countryside in Texas,
and we're about to experience
something really special,
something that has to do
a lot with Texas culture.
Welcome to the rodeo.
[Gary] Let's clo-- close this gate here,
so we don't get anything in here.
[Martin] Rodeo schools
start from the age of three.
These children's categories
are deemed low pressure.
From the age of seven,
they combine cattle-handing,
structured horseback riding,
and junior bull riding.
[Gary] Okay, Brody, you know the drill.
-[indistinct chatter]
-[bell clanging]
Nice like that.
[metal gate thuds]
[man] Ooh, muy bien.
[Gary] Just like when you're dancing,
you feel your partner's movements
and you flow with it.
When he turns, you know,
you see it, you flow with it.
You get out of time with a bull
and it's… you slide back and get back in,
he'll throw you plumb
out of the arena, you know?
A lot of power there,
but there can be no power at all.
What is it
that the good rider has to have?
Mental attitude, you know, it's like--
and a great work ethic.
So, we have put together a set of drills.
Every report has drills.
Animals don't have
upper level consciousness.
Our consciousness is beta,
alpha, theta, delta.
You know, two animals
communicate with each other
with not a voice,
but through mental telepathy.
[Martin]
There's adrenaline and there's risks.
-What can you tell us about that?
-[Gary] When you prepare properly
and you have the right mindset,
you don't get hurt very often.
There's going to be injuries.
I mean, it's part of the game.
Every sport has injuries, you know?
If you're not prepared,
you can get hurt real bad.
But that's why it's really important
to prepare right and be mentally right
and you minimize the risk.
Protective equipment
really helps, you know?
Uh, I rode 20 years,
still got the same teeth
-I started with, you know? [laughs]
-[Chelsea laughs]
I teach a totally different style
than the other guys,
and they all cuss me,
but I keep turning out winners, you know?
So they say, "that won't work," you know?
But it's really funny,
it just… it does work.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Gary] Get out there, get out there.
Get out there, get out there.
-Get out there, get out there.
-[cheers]
[Gary] Shoulder forward, shoulder forward.
Perfect get-off, perfect get-off.
Look back, look back, look back.
Nice.
-[crowd cheering]
-[bells clanging]
Good job, baby. Good job.
-Yes.
-[Gary] My little champion.
[Ashley] We stay on the road.
We travel everywhere, every weekend,
we're never home, to rodeos,
just constantly, so…
[Martin]
How do you feel when you see Brody,
-I mean, with a wild bull riding it and…
-[cheers]
[Ashley] It's like,
that's what he loves, so I love it.
-Like, I'm screaming, I mean--
-[Martin] No fear?
No, I'm happy for him. Like, no, no fear.
-[Martin] What's your name?
-[Brody] Brody.
-[Martin] How old are you?
-[Brody] Seven.
[Martin]
And what do you like the most about it?
[Brody] The bull was pretty rank.
I didn't stay in the middle
the whole time, but I still covered him.
-It's fun.
-It's fun?
Yeah.
Aren't you afraid of doing that?
I mean, you're so brave.
I'm not afraid.
[Martin] Would you like to be
in a big stadium with a lot of people?
[Brody] One at, like, Culpeper's,
and I won some--
won some rodeo, bull bash.
-[Martin] That's your dream?
-Yeah.
[Martin] Many families bet on the success
that this discipline brings,
putting a lot at risk.
However, in this country,
there are also numerous
animal rights groups
that actively oppose rodeo competitions,
a constant topic of debate these days.
[music concludes]
[Martin] The day begins
on the outskirts of Dallas.
The atmosphere is different.
Something tells us
that Mexico is playing today,
and the state of Texas knows it.
[Alfredo in Spanish] I recommend having
a taco al pastor and carne asada.
[in English] Which one is more spicy?
The green one's gonna
be a little bit more spicy.
-The green one's gonna be spicier?
-The green one? Really?
[man] Pure guacamole,
pure avocado and jalapeños.
-[Martin] Okay.
-[man] This one has only the color to it.
-I love hot, so.
-[man] There you go.
[in Spanish]
Ay, ay, ay, ay, canta y no llores ♪
Porque cantando… ♪
[Rogelio in Spanish]
The Mexican community here is impressive.
Getting together in the stadium,
eating tacos…
It's like being transported
back to your homeland.
Delicious.
[in Spanish] Canta y no llores ♪
Porque cantando se alegran
Cielito lindo los corazones ♪
[in Spanish] Rogelio,
we start with the food.
But Tex-Mex is also a culture, isn't it?
It's a culture
that is valued and respected.
Let's put it this way,
it's about not losing your roots.
But it's… a bit different.
It's a mix of each place.
Two cultures, two countries.
Mexicans who live here,
who embrace certain aspects of this place,
but don't lose touch with their homeland.
Exactly.
[all chanting in Spanish] La bim bom ba,
México, México, ra, ra, ra!
[Martin] Uno, y uno.
Mm.
[in English] Chef, amazing!
-[chef] Thank you.
-Really good.
[Martin in Spanish] Mexican food,
Mexican drinks, Mexican music.
[Alfredo] Yes, music.
You are recreating
a little piece of Mexico before the match.
The idea is to feel a little bit
like you're back home.
I think that's the main idea.
[Martin] To have the World Cup
come to your city, your community,
how does that make you feel?
I've already watched several
World Cups on television.
I never imagined
I would be able to be close
to a stadium that will be hosting
a World Cup match.
I hope my dream comes true
of attending a World Cup match.
It would be a… unique experience.
[stirring instrumental music playing]
[Martin in English] It is estimated
that nearly 11 million people
of Mexican origin live in Texas.
This influence is not recent,
as Mexican communities
existed in these lands
before the border was drawn.
[fans chanting indistinctly]
[Martin] The Tex-Mex culture
gives this state its own identity.
[fans chanting in Spanish]
México, México, México!
[Martin in English] It was amazing,
the food, the people,
the culture that we can get to know
outside the stadium.
But they told me
this stadium
is something unique, very special.
[stirring instrumental music continues]
[Martin] We arrive in Arlington
to visit the Dallas Stadium.
And what will be the stadium
with the most matches
in the next World Cup,
hosting nine games.
Opened in 2009,
it has a capacity for 94,000 spectators,
making it the largest stadium
in the World Cup.
A venue where the Mexican community
has its place,
and which will undoubtedly showcase
its vibrant culture in 2026.
[music concludes]
[Martin] We continue our journey north.
We are still in Texas,
but we'll cross Oklahoma soon,
and then we will be
at our next destination, Kansas City.
A journey that's over 500 miles
requires us to make a pit stop
at a very special place.
[upbeat blues music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
[Martin] This is why we came here,
to absorb the culture,
to feel like Texans feel.
We are in a typical place of line dancing
and I'm gonna challenge myself.
Will I be able to dance like them?
Back of your heel goes up.
[Martin] Line dancing
in a quintessential local dive bar.
A moment to let loose with an instructor
who helps us connect with country music.
[upbeat country music playing]
[instructor speaking indistinctly]
[Martin] A place where everyone
is clearly welcome.
And right. Left. And right.
[speaks indistinctly]
-How did that go?
-[group cheering, applauding]
Did you notice that that was 16 counts?
-[laughs]
-[instructor speaking indistinctly]
[Martin] Traveling on the road
has these surprises,
of learning and sharing new cultures.
[music concludes]
[Ronnie] Where do you guys
source your pork belly from?
[butcher] We get that
from the Compart family.
-[Ronnie] Yeah? Is that here in Missouri?
-[butcher] Just north, Iowa.
[Ronnie] Cool. Ribs same?
-[butcher] Yes, ribs are same.
-[Ronnie] All ready to go?
All righty, man.
Gonna have some fun with that.
That's perfect.
[Martin] A portrait
of a local barbecue chef
cooking meat in Kansas City
is a serious business.
[Ronnie] I think barbecue
is the easiest way
to bring people together.
And when you bring people together
over a great meal,
and somebody who knows
what they're doing is the one cooking,
that makes all the difference
in the world,
because everybody can have a good time.
You know, you talk before,
you have some drinks,
and you do the same thing
while you're eating.
[gentle instrumental music playing]
[Martin]
We arrive in Kansas City, Missouri,
and upon our arrival to the stadium,
we are greeted
with the preparation of a barbecue
in the best local style,
a slow and special cooking process
that will take between two and four hours.
But before trying it,
we'll get to know their stadium first.
[music concludes]
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[Kim] Well, the stadium tour starts here
just so we can show our history,
the evolution throughout the years,
where we started
and really where we are now.
So, of course,
what you guys are seeing there,
that's what the players get.
So, that's the top of the top.
So, from our very first trophy
that we had,
which was Super Bowl IV, to LIV,
LVII, and LVIII,
those good years that we did back to back.
So that was a great one.
For the people that don't know,
what it means to lift the trophy?
[Kim] Oh, well, for Kansas City
and for the fans here,
the celebrations that we have
and the atmosphere of Kansas City
is like no other.
No other. [laughs]
[Martin] A stadium and a city
with a deep-rooted mark.
The Kansas City Chiefs
and a dynasty
that represents contemporary dominance.
Three Super Bowls in five years.
This is not just Patrick Mahomes' seat.
This is a place
where he can store everything.
For example, here.
Look, with his name.
Toothbrush.
Socks as well.
For… socks, towels,
gloves.
So many surprises here,
but the most important one…
is here.
This special drawer for jewelry
and to charge his phone,
to have it ready and send messages
right after the game.
[Martin]
Kansas City has established itself
as an important site
on the national soccer map.
Over the last 20 years,
witnessed a remarkable growth.
It even surpassed Chicago by winning
the World Cup hosting rights
for the very first time in its history.
How important is for Kansas
to be a host city?
We are excited
to bring the World Cup here.
What an experience to have here.
That's a bucket list thing
for people to have,
and to have that in the Midwest,
it's amazing.
People are really excited about it.
The aspect that makes it so loud
is the people only,
or it has to do with the building as well?
Well, the building,
we really didn't know that.
That may give it an extra oomph.
But it really is.
-It is absolutely the people.
-[Martin chuckling]
Because even if you're sitting up there
and you're not talking really loud,
we're not going to be a loud stadium.
They're in it. They're in the game.
And then when the World Cup is here,
people are going to be in the game.
And they'll feel the power of the sound.
But it's really loud.
You'll see soon. [laughs]
One of the biggest challenges
ahead of the World Cup
is to transform an NFL stadium
to a soccer one.
These will be retractable seats,
so that each sport can be played.
This stadium will host six matches
in the 2026 World Cup.
Four group-stage matches,
one round-of-16 match,
and one quarter-final match.
[music concludes]
-[Martin] Wow.
-[Chelsea] Wow.
Looks good and smells good.
-[Chelsea] What is this?
-[Ronnie] This is brisket.
[Chelsea] So, what's the process
that goes into this?
It's anywhere from 12 to 14 hours
to get it where it needs to be,
to where it's finally done and then
you just gotta be patient and let it rest.
We do it for every game.
I do it a lot during the week too.
I just cut this point off. This is
what you make your burnt ends out of.
[Martin] Okay. This is like a tradition.
Yeah, if you get a chance
to come to a game here during World Cup,
you're going to see this whole parking lot
full of people tailgating.
Probably people
who've never tailgated in their life.
-They're going to have fun.
-[Martin] Okay, this looks fantastic.
I've got forks and plates
if you want to grab them
or if you just want to dig in.
-Grab that one right there.
-[Martin] This one?
[Ronnie] Yeah.
I can tell that one's going to be good.
-Looks good, huh? Salud.
-Cheers. Salud.
-[Ronnie] I better try it myself.
-I'm not faking it.
[Ronnie] I appreciate that.
If you don't have this experience,
you haven't been here.
-Yeah, this is incredible.
-Thank you very much.
[ethereal instrumental music playing]
[Martin] We had to try
the typical Kansas City-style barbecue,
a trademark flavor
that we had to taste before leaving.
Kansas City Union Station awaits us.
It's our reunion
with a long-distance train.
An extensive journey lies ahead.
I'm gonna take this train
from Kansas to L.A.
What will I see in the journey?
[George] The journey is going to be filled
with different cultures,
different landscapes,
and… different visions.
So, I mean,
you're going from green lands, pasture,
you'll see cattle, you'll see buffalo,
they'll see mountains,
mountain ranges,
and then they'll see the Pacific Ocean.
In one train ride? Not bad.
That's gonna be-- That's gonna be great
for whoever's gonna be doing that.
[Martin] The time has come.
This stop has been
an extraordinary experience.
And its station,
with more than 100 years of history,
also proves it.
A journey into the heart
of the United States
to reconnect with its culture.
Tonight, we embark on a two-day journey
aboard this train,
bound for Los Angeles.
Over 1,550 miles await us.
We will cross the desert
and the Grand Canyon
in search of new stories.
Places and characters
that will make us reflect
on the World Cup
that we will have in 2026.
This was Last Train to North America.
See you at the next station.
[intriguing instrumental music playing]
[music concludes]