Final Episode of Top Gear [TV Review]

As you may well know, not too long ago, the good folks at the BBC let Jeremy Clarkson go over a fracas he had with a producer. I'm not going to talk about that at all in this review. This review is for what I consider to be the Final Episode of Top Gear.

There is an Elephant in the room.

We'll leave Clarkson's departure as the Elephant in the room. Despite the fact that both Richard and May call great attention to it by constantly saying "Elephant in the room." Much like I am.

This is intentional.

4.5 of 5 stars

This episode was actually comprised of the films made for two episodes that were meant to be part of the ten episode long (now only eight) season 22. This means there was no Star in a Reasonably Priced Car, no 'The News,' no Cool Wall, no Super Cars, none of the studio bits save for short introductions of each segment by James and Richard. And of course a sad farewell at the end. All you get is two short films.

Classic Cars, nostalgic. No one gets nostalgic for old TVs.

The first film is all about classic cars. James and Richard begin the episode by talking about how expensive some classic cars have become.

So the guys have to buy, on the cheap, a classic car. They do. James buys a car that does not work... which is not unexpected. Every time they do one of these, one of the guys buys a real questionable car.

They actually take the time to fix up / modify the cars. And of curse there were challenges, as per usual. They put these modified / repaired classics to the test.

SUVs and Caravans.

It's not a bad film. It's actually pretty funny. Especially the end where Richard gets his prize for winning!

But it is nothing compared to the second film.

This is typical, quality, Top Gear behavior.

They take on the idea that SUVs are meant to be used as lifestyle off-road sports vehicles, and the  guys have to buy, drive, and live the lifestyle. Then they have to actually use the car off road.   

"Thing is the manufacturers are not selling these cars as cars, which is just as well really because they are largely terrible. No. What they are selling you is a lifestyle." James May.

Again, they are encouraged to buy into the SUV lifestyle for a mere 250 quid (about 1/100th the low end cost of a new SUV). James SUV cost a mere 15,000 pence. Richards was 25,000 pence. Jeremy got one, a Vauxhall, for 14,000 pence. A replacement clutch for his car would have cost more.

I would say more, but it is a hilarious film. You should watch it. Your local BBC or BBCA channel is likely to play is several times... or more.

And now a final rating.

5 out of 5 stars

That is my rating for Top Gear. It has given us 22 series of exceptional factual television. It has given us 22 series of comedy gold, of fast cars, of stars in reasonably priced cars. Yes, the BBC is replacing the guys with new hosts, but for me... the series is dead. It will never be the same, it could not be the same. Why? Because this show is not really about cars, it is about 3 middle aged men 'cocking about in cars.'

I will be following whatever show that Clarkson, Hammond, and May move on to next, you can bet on that.

This scene alone should make you want to watch this episode.
Clarkson in a suit, wearing goggles, in an SUV, spraying mud.
You know something funny is going down.