Ice Road Truckers (2007) s09e01 Episode Script

Narrator: In the northern frontier, as temperatures plummet, and lakes and rivers freeze (Hard thud, lever clicks, chains thump) a legion of ice warriors hears the call! (Door slams) (Truck horn blasts) Whoa! Narrator: Delivering crucial high-priced hauls to the most remote locations on the globe.
- (Truck skids) - Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Narrator: But this season Whoa! Hang on! Narrator: Mother Nature unleashes her fury like never before.
Oh! Whoa! (Laughs) (Channels change, static buzzes) Narrator: An epic cold front nicknamed The Siberian Express brings Arctic conditions Art: Whoa! Narrator: record breaking low temperatures Todd: Forty below.
Forty below! Narrator: and threatens the drivers' very survival.
Whoa! Narrator: A surprise thaw hits fast and furious - (Truck horn blasts) Trucker: - Woo! Narrator: turning the roads into chaos Lisa: Whoa! This is crazy! Narrator: the crossings into death traps.
Trucker: Whoa! Narrator: It sends the drivers into a race to get out alive.
Darrell: This could be the shortest season I have ever seen.
Narrator: And at the end of the Earth, a daring journey to an uncharted destination Todd: This is an adventure of a lifetime right here, I tell ya what! Narrator: could change the landscape forever.
(Truck horn blasts) Narrator: It's called the dash for the cash.
(Truck zooms) Each year, trucking companies lock horns in a battle for supremacy on the winter roads (Truck horn blasts) as they fight for a piece of the multi-million dollar industry hauling cargo over the most dangerous trails in the world.
(Truck horn blasts) - And the last two seasons - (Horn beeps) no company stood taller than Polar Industries.
Mark: I'm starting the season on top, and I intend to remain on top.
We want to basically be the powerhouse, we want to be the go-to people.
We want people to associate ice roads with Polar Industries.
I've dominated this area, I've beaten my rivals, I'm ready to rock and roll.
Narrator: To stay ahead of the pack, Polar is hittin' the road before anyone else, and 450 miles to the north, Mark's got a trucking legend leading the team.
Alex: Hard to tell where it starts here.
Pretty spooky.
At Hayes River, over 80 feet deep.
Alex: If you go through the ice, the first thing you do is just relax.
Give yourself a few seconds to acclimatize, so you don't start gasping and breathing in all this water.
That water's gonna be just-- just above freezing, so you just sort of calm yourself a little bit and take a look around.
Don't start thrashing and having a fit because that's-- you know, the panic's gonna kill you.
Now this-this river here is deep enough that if I go through, it'll swallow the whole truck, and I guess if I'm in the truck, I'll end up with it.
If I stand here long enough, spring will come.
I'll get hungry if I wait that long, I better get going.
Narrator: Ice road truckers have been braving crossings like this since the 1950s, and every year, one driver must be the first to test the ice.
(Truck engine rumbles) Narrator: This time it's falling on the veteran's shoulders.
Alex: I'm on the ice, just sort of crawl acro-- creep across.
Hopefully everything-- hopefully everything will be fine.
(Truck engine rumbles) (Low rumbling, ice cracking) Alex: I would say that probably-- there's probably a very good chance there's been a life lost on this crossing, and I'm the first guy out here this morning.
(Engine rumbles) Narrator: This early in the season, the fragile ice has just formed, and as a big rig moves across, it bends under the heavy weight, creating a pressure wave that could grow strong enough to burst through the ice.
(Ice cracking, water splashing) (Truck engine rumbles) Alex: Holy mackerel! Look at that! Gives me the shivers even looking at that.
(Engine rumbles, ice cracks) Narrator: As Alex crawls ahead, the ice is already showing stress from the weight of the 18 tonne load.
I can hear the ice cracking.
Narrator: But with the camp shack urgently needed for a hospital in distant Shamattawa, the old pro will have to use his expertise to get him to the other side.
(Engine rumbles, ice cracks) (Loud crack) (Water bubbles) (Engine rumbles) Alex: Okay, I'm just approaching the edge.
(Engine rumbles, ice cracks) (Engine revs) Another ice crossing done, we survived, I'll take 'em one at a time.
Narrator: While Alex pushes on, 200 miles to the southwest Todd: I just turned on to the ice road.
You know, it's nice and cold out, the cold, cold, cold weather has definitely set in.
Narrator: Mark's got his top dog on a high stakes mission.
Todd: Trying to get this emergency load in by the end of the day.
Mark asked if I could please get it up here as fast as I possibly can.
When something needs to get done, it needs to get done right, and he puts all the weight on my shoulders to get the job done.
Narrator: Since joining Polar last season Todd: Whoa.
I've gotta get out.
I can't stop on the ice.
Narrator: no job's been too tough Todd: - Hold it to the floor! Lisa: - I am! Narrator: or too big Lisa: - Got 'er! - Fuck! That's what I'm talking about! Narrator: for Todd Dewey.
Todd: - Ha ha! Wooo! Lisa: - Holy cow! Narrator: And this season, Mark's counting on Todd to keep Polar number one.
Todd: Mark wanted somebody with the experience to deliver the load, so You know, I'm trying to push hard, but at the same time, I have to be very cautious on the load itself-- that nothing gets broke inside the trailer-- and that it gets delivered.
Narrator: Today Todd's trying to bring in a top-dollar haul.
(Engine rumbles) Narrator: 20 tonnes of emergency heating supplies for the village of Wasagamack.
Todd: Oh man! I don't wanna go off the road.
I have a feeling if I keep holding this same pace right here that I'll get there I'll get there tonight safe, in one piece, and be able to get this load off.
Narrator: As the sun beats down on the icy trail Todd: It's slippery out! Hey.
Holy scheister! Narrator: the path becomes slick, and keeping his trailer on the road gets harder by the minute.
(Engine rumbles) Whoa! (Truck grates against snow) That's sl-ick.
That got my fucking heart poundin'.
(Whistles) Well, I wanted adventure.
I got one today, don't I? (Engine rumbles) Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! (Snow slides) Narrator: On the remote trail to Wasagamack Todd: Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! (Snow slides) Narrator: Todd Dewey slid into trouble.
Fuck! (Engine rumbles, respinning) Come on, girl! (Tires spinning) I'm stuck.
Frickin' figures! (Door slams) Fuck! I can't back up, I can't go forward, and I got no traction.
(Engine idles) I gotta think about this for a minute.
Narrator: Hundreds of miles from help, and in the face of falling temperatures, Todd could be stranded for days if he can't get back on the road.
The only thing I can think of is, I got a driver tire here, I got a little bit of trees out here.
If I could find a strong enough tree, I might have a chance to use this tire for a winch, loop it around a tree, hook to the back of my trailer, and maybe, if I'm lucky enough, pull the fucking trailer out just enough to where I can get traction to get back going again.
I don't know if it's gonna work or not, I don't know if the straps are strong enough, but I really don't have a choice.
I got-- I got no other options at hand here.
Narrator: Todd's plan-- use a wheel and strap as a winch device, wrapping the strap around a tree to try and free the trailer and 20 tonne load from the clenches of the snowbank.
Todd: I don't know how many straps it's gonna take, but it's gonna take a lot.
I just hope the son of a bitch are strong enough to act like a winch.
Fuck! Not good day for me.
Oh! I got no more patience.
My patience are gone.
All I could try to do is try to start winching this in and see if it's even gonna work.
All right.
There we go.
Here we go.
(Engine rumbles) (Tires spinning) I need it to start fucking winding up here.
(Engine revs) (Engine rumbles, dragging sound) Ha ha! Pulled my truck out! Nice! I got out.
That is unbelievable.
That is un-fucking-believable, buddy! I got myself out on my own.
It's called using your head.
It's called doing what it takes up here on these roads.
When you get yourself into a situation you've gotta get out of, figure it out.
You don't sit and wait for somebody to show up.
That could cost you your life at any point in time up here.
I'm outta the ditch.
(Engine rumbles) That's it! I'm driving out of here.
Narrator: Polar's off to a hot start.
But back in Winnipeg, a familiar face is looking to take on the defending champ.
Darrell: This is what my life has all be about.
And I'm gonna prove that I'm one of the big players on the winter roads.
Narrator: And the balance of power on the winter roads could be up for grabs.
Darrell: Last year I was still working for Polar, working for Mark.
Broke down trucks, I wasn't getting loads, I couldn't make any money, so I moved on.
I wanna succeed here, I wanna start a business, and I'm gonna make it work.
And I'll go head to head with Mark.
Mark's got the big company I've got the little company, but every empire willl fall.
You know what it is, it's David against Goliath, you know? I'm David.
We know what happens.
Narrator: The gauntlet's been thrown.
Darrell: Hello.
I'm looking for some loads to haul right now.
Narrator: Now Darrell's gotta back up the big talk.
Groceries, building materials, uh, anything you might have.
If I'm gonna be here and I'm gonna make any money, I've gotta get my loads.
Watch out, Mark, it's game day.
Game on.
You have two emergency loads going to Garden Hill? Yeah, I can do it.
I can do it, I can move 'em.
I'll get 'em, I'll get it taken care of.
Okay.
Yeah, bye.
Shit yeah.
You know this is, this is exactly what I needed.
This is exactly what my company needed.
This will either make me or break me.
But I've gotta have some help.
I know just the person Lisa Kelly.
Narrator: Lisa Kelly's earned a reputation as one of the most fearless Lisa: I'm just gonna have to take a couple breaths here.
and respected truckers on the winter roads.
Lisa: He's out.
He's out! He's out! Man: - Way to go! Lisa: - Woo! Narrator: Last year Lisa: Got our first three loads delivered for Team Polar.
Narrator: she played a pivotal role keeping Polar on top.
Lisa: It's really cool that we get to do this.
Darrell: You know, I'm glad you came along with me.
But on the final run, she crossed enemy lines and helped Darrell reach the end of the longest winter road in the world.
Guinness Book of World Records.
You got a 10-4 there, big buddy.
Narrator: And ultimately ended the season as a free agent.
Mark: Am I gonna have you back here at Polar, or are you gonna be working for Darrell Ward next year? Lisa: In all honesty, I don't know.
I mean I really gotta think about it.
Narrator: Now if Darrell can snag her, she could be the key to a winning season.
Darrell: Lisa's proven herself to me many a times.
She's one of the best drivers I know, and if I can pull Lisa away from Mark, that's gonna hurt Mark, that's gonna help me.
- I wanna go big on the roads.
Lisa: - Okay.
You know, I wanna be one of the bigger players, and I know that the only way I can make it happen is to have the right players.
And I need your help.
Lisa: Well, what's the deal? I feel like that I've worked for a lot of people and I feel like that I've been kinda down on the bottom the whole time, and it'd be kind of fun to move up and kinda get more piece of the action or something.
Darrell: All right, well I guess I can make you an offer.
You know, I'll give you a percentage.
Lisa asking for a piece of the company, if I was in her shoes, I'd do exactly the same thing.
Very smart decision on her part.
Maybe you'll agree on this.
Done deal.
Darrell: - All right.
Perfect.
Lisa: - I'll do it for that.
Darrell: - Partners.
Lisa: - Nice.
We came to an agreement, made it worth it.
I think we work well together, so It's good that we're partners.
Team Lisa and Darrell.
Lisa: - Darrell and Lisa.
- (Both chuckle) Darrell: You know here it is, Darrell Ward, Lisa Kelly, against Polar.
Darrell: - Let's do this.
Lisa: - Sounds good.
(Doors rumble open) (Engines rumble) (Loud clunks) Darrell: Get hooked up here, and Lisa's over picking up her load.
We're outta here.
Our first run to Garden Hill, first run for our new company.
Lisa: This is my first load of the season, going to Garden Hill.
It's a bunch of building supplies.
Doing it in my new company, in my new truck.
Darrell: We've leased these trucks, we've leased this shop.
We're taking a huge gamble.
If this doesn't work, I'm out.
I've had everything I've ever worked for.
But I'm going to do everything in my power, and so is Lisa, to make this company successful.
You ready to do is, Lisa? I'm ready! Let's do this! Darrell: All right, let's go.
Narrator: Darrell and Lisa's first mission is a brutal one, hauling time sensitive loads of building supplies for a new school in Garden Hill almost 300 miles away.
It's a job no one else would take on, as the newly opened trail is notoriously one of the roughest in Manitoba.
But, for the fledgling business, they've gotta take what you can get.
Lisa: Well, if we get a good start, it'll be a good start to a brand new company, brand new load, brand new lot.
Everything.
Darrell: 10-4.
(Engine rumbles) (Warning beeps) Narrator: But, only 50 miles outside of Winnipeg Darrell, my truck's shouting at me to turn it off.
Darrell: Don't smell any oil burnin' or nothing like blowing on the motor somewhere, do ya? No, but my truck just shut down.
I got no more power, so I'm gonna have to find a shoulder here.
Darrell: Copy.
Yeah, I'm gonna pull over here, I'll floor down quick.
Well, this ain't a very good way to start out our new business.
(Hissing) Smokin' a little bit when I pull it outta there.
I don't see anything drippin'.
I mean all I see is a little bit of oil up here, but it's plenty on the stick.
(Door slams) Darrell, I have no idea what is wrong with it.
I have popped the hood and I don't see anything.
Looks like I might have to go back to the winter-peg.
Urgh! Darrell: No need sitting on the shoulder, it ain't doing me no good.
Narrator: With 50 percent of their fleet shut down, the new company could lose a fortune if they fail to make good on the contract.
Darrell: Well, we're gonna have to get that truck turned around and get headed back to Winnipeg and get it in the shop, and get it figured out what's wrong with it.
I gotta get my load there regardless of what Lisa needs to do.
I think I'm gonna be headed on to Garden Hill by myself.
First load, problems already.
(Truck rumbles) Narrator: At Polar Industries Mark: Did we get all eight of those loads moved out? Narrator: News of Lisa's defection has reached Mark, and it's hittin' the boss hard.
Who's-who's gonna be going to Shamattawa? We need like three guys for Shamattawa.
Mark: Darrell stole Lisa from me.
You know, maybe this opportunity is really good for Lisa, but it's certainly not good for Polar.
I mean it's it's hurtin' me.
You know what? I hate to lose her.
She was a great driver, she did a lot for this company.
I'm gonna have to rely, you know, on Todd and Alex.
But I need one more guy to fill this team, and Art's gonna be the guy.
Narrator: To fend off Darrell and Lisa, Mark needs all the help he can get.
So to fill out his roster, he's calling in a wild card.
Art: Do I think people underestimate me? Yeah, I know fucking well people underestimate me, big time.
Years ago when I used to scrap, I weighed 155 pounds, man.
I was unrestimated every dance I went to, and I'm still underestimated.
People underestimate me in a lot of areas, eh, and sometimes I gotta laugh, eh, 'cause sometimes they think they're pulling the wool over my eyes, and I just-- (Gunshots blast) (Bird caws) Rule number one Rule number fucking one Never ever, ever, ever, ever, under any circumstances, underestimate the fucking opponent, because that little might put a bullet in the back of your head when you turn around.
Never ever underestimate the opponent, ever.
Rule number one, buddy, my rule number one.
(Footsteps crunch in snow) Narrator: This season, Art Burke's re-enlisting with Team Polar.
Art: Now you see what it looks like now? Well-- (Laughs) Hopefully you'll be able to recognize it in two months' time, eh? Narrator: And he's on a mission to prove he can hit the bull's eye for the company.
Mark: Art, buddy, how's it goin'? Art: Hey, b'y! Mark: - Art, good to see you.
Art: - Good to see ya, buddy.
Mark: Good seein' you this mornin', right on.
Mark: - All right.
Art: - Okay, my man.
Mark: - Shamattawa.
Art: - Okay.
Mark: - That load's oversized.
Art: - Okay.
Mark: Shamattawa road's a little bit rough, eh? Art: - Okay.
Mark: - Take your time because you're gonna rip them fuel tanks off if you don't slow down.
I got a lot of loads to move this year, Art.
You gotta step up.
You've pulled through for me at times, but, I mean, I'm not gonna lie, you-you had-- you had some screw-ups.
Art: They shut me down for three days.
Mark's not gonna be too impressed with this.
(Metal crunching) Oh my God, we just tore the bumper of this fucking truck.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
This is a nightmare.
This is your year to step up, but man, you gotta-- Art: Well, I gotta be.
The only thing that didn't happen last year, I didn't get through the ice.
That's about all that didn't happen.
Mark: Yeah, yeah, yeah, well, let's not start off that way.
- I got a lot riding on this season, Art.
Art: - Yeah, I know.
Mark: So we can't fool around.
So I just-- I need you to slow down, I need you to think, man.
Just make it work, okay? Art: - Okay, my friend.
Mart: - Okay, bye.
Art: - See ya later.
Mark: - Take it easy.
Art: Well, we just had a chat with Mark and same old, same old.
Well, Art fucked the truck last year.
Well, we didn't mean to.
Well, you gotta pick up your fucking socks this year.
Well, Mark, I mean-- what the fuck can you say, right? Shit happens, eh? I'm just gonna get in the truck and do my thing, b'y.
Narrator: Mark's putting Art to the test with his very first load, a 22-tonne shack and lumber haul.
(Truck horn blasts) The heaviest of Polar's Shamattawa contract.
(Engine rumbles) Art: Mark says, in the beginning there, that we had to up our game here, eh? I've gotta up my game, b'y.
You take what you get, eh? The less you get shit, the happier you're gonna be, that's a given.
I can worry my fucking self all day long and at the evening, it's gonna be the same kind of a day.
Or I can sit fuck it and have a fantastic day, and it's the same in the end anyway.
- (Sirens wail) - Do you hear that? (Siren wails) Holy fuck, b'y.
The DOT is behind us, with the lights on and everything.
Well, we gotta pull over and see how this is gonna go now, eh? Well, well, fuck, well, fuck, well.
Here we-- here we go again.
(Brakes hiss) Narrator: Drivers must have their paperwork in order at all times in case of any spot checks.
How's she goin'? Good, buddy.
Yes, you can get all my paperwork, buddy.
Narrator: If not, they could face costly fines, or even be kicked off the road.
Officer: I just see logs in there.
Art: Okay.
Just a second here.
There's another book, b'y.
Where the fuck is the other book? Must be here some fucking place.
Just a minute, b'y, I know it's not in there.
I don't have it.
Officer: I'll get you to keep looking for that.
I'm going to head back to the truck.
We'll sort this all out and I'll be right back.
Art: Yeah, but I can't show you nothin' though.
I have-- I have-- I can't-- Art: Okay.
I'm almost positive it's not here.
I'm in deep enough now.
This is-this is-we're talking fucking big fucking fine here.
We're not gonna be able to move this truck.
We're gonna be towed away and everything.
Narrator: Already on thin ice with Mark, a hit on his record could cost Art his job at Polar.
Shut down right here, b'y.
Oh my God.
Narrator: On the route to Shamattawa Art: Oh my God, buddy, I don't like this job very much.
Narrator: The trail's getting even rockier for Polar driver Art Burke.
Am I gonna get fined on this? Art: Okay, hey, thank you very, very much.
Officer: Yep.
Art: Holy fuck is all I can say about that.
Narrator: Art gets a second chance, and he's back on the road for now.
Art: I didn't have the registration of the truck to show him.
I was thinking here we go again, right off the bat.
So we come out of that by the skin of my fucking teeth.
Down the road we go again.
I figured they were gonna tow my fucking truck and everything there, b'y.
(Whistles) Away we go.
Now we'll bounce you along here and just see what the fuck is gonna happen next, b'y.
(Truck rumbles, horn blasts) Narrator: As Art moves forward with a crucial haul, 170 miles to the south on the rugged trail to Garden Hill (Horn blasts) Darrell: I kind of need to make the best time that I can while I've only got one truck running right now.
Narrator: Darrell Ward's racing against a deadline with the most important haul of his career.
Darrell: You know I haven't heard from Lisa, I don't know if the truck's broke down, I don't know if she got it fixed, don't know if she's on the road.
It is what it is.
I'm gonna round out this run.
I don't have much choice.
Narrator: But making it to Garden Hill by morning won't be easy Oh.
Narrator: as the record cold front has frozen the road so solid Oh! Narrator: that every bump feels like a round in the boxing ring.
(Metallic creaking) Banging.
Holy.
A roller coaster ride, that's what you get.
Keep an eye on the load, hope for the best.
Oh! Whoa! - (Metallic creaking) - Oh, shit! I think I know the reason why I got the contract to haul all these building supplies into Garden Hill was nobody else wanted to.
(Truck rumbles) (Banging and clanging) The whole road is bumpy.
Just keep your speed right, keep your load tight, wear your kidney belt.
Narrator: As the rugged trail continues its assault Kind of like that.
Narrator: Darrell and the heavy load take a pounding.
Oh! Oh, she's a long, ol' rough road.
- (Banging) - Oh boy, I'm telling you.
It's kind of like riding a bull.
Holy cow! It's gonna take me a little longer to get into Garden Hill than I expected, so I'm really gonna be pushing it.
We've got a truck broke down in Winnipeg, haven't heard from Lisa, don't know what's going on.
It is what it is, I can't stop.
Narrator: As Darrell rocks on back in Winnipeg, his business partner is finally rolling.
Lisa: Oh, cool.
How's it goin'? Oh, good to go, huh? Narrator: A local shop's got the truck fixed and Lisa's back in business.
You're all ready for the winter roads, and have a good trip.
Lisa: Thank you very much.
Mechanic: - Take care.
Lisa: - I appreciate it.
Mechanic: - Bye.
Lisa: - Bye.
Lisa: The mechanic's been working on it.
I'm pretty glad they got it fixed pretty fast, so I'm gonna to get back on the road and get out of here.
Narrator: But now the hard part begins.
(Truck horn) Lisa: First load of the season.
Rough start, but by golly, it's gettin' there.
Narrator: More than a half day behind, Lisa risks losing the new contract, and possibly the company if she fails to deliver.
Lisa: This year, instead of becoming just an employee, I am now in a partnership in a business, which I've never done before, and it's actually kind of scary.
Darrell might get his in, but if I don't get mine in on time, you know, you might not have your contract.
So I'm gonna do my very, very, very best to get this in on time, undamaged, because there's a lot riding on it.
(Engine roars) Narrator: At the end of the trail to Wasagamack Todd: I am now pulling in to the community.
Narrator: Todd Dewey's proving why he's Polar's top dog.
Todd: So I made really good time, I'm extremely excited.
I had a pretty rough patch this afternoon, so right now I'm just trying to get unloaded and get outta here.
Narrator: After battling one of the slickest roads in Manitoba, the urgent load is delivered on time, and Polar strikes first.
Todd: - Let see if we can get unloaded.
- (Door slams shut) I don't want to let Mark down.
He knows that I'm one hell of a driver, and I'll get the job done no matter what.
That's just the way I am, always have been.
Narrator: In the morning Alex: Get into Shamattawa and finally get this load off, and good Lord willing, start on my way back to get the next one.
Narrator: Alex Debogorski arrives in Shamattawa with his load for the hospital.
Alex: Well, this is an important load for a number of people.
It's an important load for the customer, of course, they need this.
It's an important load for me because if I don't get it there, I won't get paid, and it's a really important load for Mark.
Narrator: And with the delivery, Polar's got two on the board.
Alex: I got my first load delivered on time.
Now we're off.
Narrator: But 200 miles to the southwest Darrell: All right, here I am.
Big city of Garden Hill.
Narrator: the competition's making noise, too.
Darrell: I've got a good reputation as a driver, getting things there on time and in one piece.
My biggest concern is Lisa.
Narrator: Darrell Ward's bringing in the first half of the Garden Hill delivery.
But, with Lisa still on the road, the fate of the contract, and the new company, is up in the air.
Darrell: You know, I gotta fulfill this contract here.
I am depending on Lisa to get that load delivered.
You know, I have a deadline on these loads, and I think Lisa will make it on time.
I hope so.
If not, I don't know what I'm gonna do.
Narrator: While Darrell waits on his business partner, 160 miles to the northeast (Truck horn blasts) Art: My father used to say, "Another day, another dollar," b'y.
So this is another day.
Time will tell-- time will tell if we're gonna make another dollar.
Narrator: Polar's wild card is still on the road with the heaviest haul of the Shamattawa contract.
Art: So we'll just have to go slow, and our shacks will be fine.
There's not much that's gonna happen that hasn't already fucking happened, so There's no sense in getting excited, although sometimes I do.
Narrator: Keeping the oversized load secure over the rock-hard terrain will take everything Art's got.
(Bouncing) This is the kind here that fucks up your load, eh.
(Engine rumbles) Narrator: And the final 20 miles are the roughest patch of the entire trail.
(Banging, gear shifts) Shit! What the fuck was that, now? I've gotta get out and have a look at this.
So let me get around this fucking turn, here.
Let's see what's going on back there, now? (Engine idles, air brakes hiss) I'm gonna check my shack again, see how it's doing.
It's not the warmest out here, b'y.
(Door slams shut) Holy mother and-- Fuck, fuck, fuck! The shack is falling off here.
I've gotta figure out a way to hold it tight.
Right off the fucking bat, eh? I've gotta put some clothes on.
Narrator: The 18-tonne camp shack has shifted off the trailer.
Art: What'll happen, it'll slide over the fucking edge on the other side.
Narrator: And in the middle of nowhere, without heavy equipment to move it, Art will have to do what he can to get it secured, or the load won't make it to town.
Probably not gonna be able to get her there.
It's a good thing I checked when I did because if I don't fix it now, the whole fucking shack is gonna fall off the fucking truck.
This is certainly not the way I wanted to start off the first run.
This is gonna be a pain in the ass.
Oh my God.
Whoa! For fuck's sake! Narrator: Just outside his destination Art: Oh my God.
Whoa! For fuck's sake! Narrator: things are falling apart for Polar driver Art Burke.
Well, this season, Mark told me to step up my pace here, so I don't know how in the fuck I'm gonna remedy this.
Narrator: The frozen road has taken a toll on his haul, and now the giant shack, and possibly Art's job, are barely hanging on.
Art: The chains are sliding in under there and I guess that's what's loosening it up.
I don't know what's doing it.
I know one fucking thing.
I gotta get it tighter than that.
I'll figure something out, that's for fucking sure.
I'm gonna do whatever I can get to get that shit into the fucking woods in one piece.
That's all I can say about this.
Narrator: Without additional chains and straps to help secure the load, Art tightens it down the best he can.
Art: So, we're off.
Narrator: And with three miles left to go, he prepares to roll the dice.
(Engine rumbles) Art: Well, we got 'er all strapped down, so I'm gonna limp my way into Shamattawa, and hopefully the shack is not gonna fall all apart, eh? Hopefully we're gonna make it.
(Hard thud) That's the best we can hope for.
(Engine rumbles) (Banging) Fuck! Hang on.
(Banging) We're just gonna fucking bounce around like this all the way back, buddy.
(Banging) Fuck! We made 'er, b'y.
Narrator: As he pulls into town, Art's patchwork holds on (Art laughing victoriously) Narrator: and the heavy haul is safely delivered.
Art: Well, we finally made it to Shamattawa, with the screw-ups and the bumpy roads, and all that kind of shit going on, and finally we're here, b'y.
Narrator: Despite the hiccups, Art's trip is a success, and Polar's first three loads are in the books.
(Metallic thud) (Door slams shut) Narrator: But 200 miles to the southwest Lisa: I've just had a rough start.
It's first load of the season, I'm trying to get it there on time.
Narrator: the competition is still on the road.
Lisa: This season rides on whether we can get these loads in here on time.
We just have to prove to our customer that we can handle a big contract and keep on keepin' on.
Narrator: With a deadline looming in less than two hours, Lisa's racing to deliver the second half of the Garden Hill contract.
(Engine rumbles) Narrator: But the hard, frozen road isn't doing her any favors (Engine rumbles) and each final mile gets rougher and rougher.
Lisa: Oh, look out.
- (Engine roars) - (Loud thunk) Holy smokes! (Engine rumbles) Oh! Woo-hoo! Narrator: Finally Lisa: Just arriving at Garden Hill, here.
I'm pulling in and I feel I could have been better, but I didn't give up, I made it.
Narrator: Lisa comes through in time, and the new business venture is alive and kicking.
(Door slams shut) Lisa: They're offloading the building supplies, everything's here, in one piece, and I think that's what counts.
Narrator: With the delivery, the renegade company proves they're for real, and the war on the winter road kicks into high gear.
Lisa: - There you go.
Thanks.
Man: - All right.
Lisa: I think it's gonna be a good season for us because we're already really good truck drivers, so we have a really good chance at being a really good company.
Darrell, I'm here offloading at Garden Hill right now.
Darrell: Nice! Your first load for our new company.
Yeah, copy that.
Darrell: Glad you made it.
Lisa: Thanks.
See you later, Darrell.
Bye.
Narrator: This season (Horn blasts) Whoa! (Laughing) Oh! Darrell: Right on, buddy! Yeah-ha! Narrator: it's a race against the clock Lisa: Go, go, go, go! (Horn blasts, loud crash) Todd: Come on, girl! Woo-hoo! Narrator: as Mother Nature plays a trick on the drivers Lisa: Agh! Oh my gosh! Narrator: and melts the roads in record time.
(Hard thunk) Art: No, no, no, no, no, no, no! Narrator: Plus Todd: This is Hudson Bay, right here.
The ocean.
Narrator: a journey to the end of the road and beyond.
Todd: This ain't even an ice road.
We are building our own roads.