My favorite top five Parts Unknown Episodes (post Roadrunner)

I will be honest, after Bourdain's death, and details of his final days came out in the movie "Roadrunner", my feelings towards a lot of the episodes changed. I no longer am able to watch the infamous Hong Kong episode anymore once I learned of the mess that occurred behind the scenes such as the firing of Zach Zamboni and the stopping of the scene with the refugees as depicted in the above movie.

Conversely, some of the episodes which didn't mean a lot to me earlier now seem painfully poignant, such as the therapy session in Argentina. Initially, we all probably thought Tony was just exaggerating his pain for the sake of making an episode with a shrink. But now I think that scene really gave a glimpse into what was going on "inside."

With that information in mind, here are my favorite "Parts Unknown" episodes now, post "Roadrunner".

5. Greek Islands S07E03

Previously, I didn't think this was all that of an episode, but the monologue in the rented villa really got to me after details of his life came out. I think he was trying give a bit of insight into his mindset at the time. Unfortunately, no one was there to really listen.

"My rented villa is pleasant enough. But to be perfectly honest, lonely.... Is it worse to be someplace awful when you're by yourself, or someplace really nice, that you can't share with anyone?"

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina S08E07

Again I included this episode for the therapy session which showed how his life really was. Again at the time, we all probably thought there was a bit of embellishment here for the sake of the episode. We later found out that was not the case.

"... its a hamburger, but it's not a good one. Suddenly I look at the hamburger and find myself in a spiral of depression that can last for days ... "

3. Chengdu, Sichuan S08E03

This episode was, as still is one of my all time favorites. Out of all the "episodes with Anthony and Eric" I think this one was the best. These episodes work because of the comedy "duo" dynamic with Eric always playing the straight-man. Here, it really showed Eric out of his element in Cnengdu eating hotpots and spicy foods ... you can pretty much "feel" his misery at some of the meals.

Eric: "He's the devil!!"

2. Chiang Mai, Thailand S03E07

This and the last episode were a couple of my favorites even before "Roadrunner". In this episode, Bourdain and Andy Ricker booze it up in Chang Mai. There's really no plot or social commentary in this one, just two people getting drunk. And I guess that's why I love this episode ... you're sort of living vicariously through them.

The scene with the blood soup gets my vote for best scene in the series.

"I always felt your body isn't a temple, it's an amusement park. Enjoy the ride. But that was before I had a daughter, and a respectable job at CNN. So when that little voice in my head said call it a night; quit while you're ahead. I probably should have listened.... wait where did we leave off? Yes now I remember. Bouncing from one bar after another. ... Did we quit while we were ahead .... no..."

1. Borneo S06E06

This episode really polarized a lot of people. Some people complained that there was not real story, Tony just went back to the village and got trashed. Others were horrified at the pig-killing scene. But again I think this scene really showed the inner turmoil that was going on inside Anthony Bourdain. He didn't give specifics on why he went back, but after "Roadrunner" we sort of knew. He was going to "still see if it hurt".

"When I first went up this river, I was sick with love. The bad kind ... "