Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times

With Chris Harris and Rory Reid at last making their TV debuts last night, we were treated to an episode of Top Gear worthy of the name
Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times

In the lead up to the debut of Top Gear’s big revamp, and throughout the airing of the new series thus far, I’ve probably sounded like a stuck record. “Chris Harris and Rory Reid will be the ones to watch,” I’ve been saying for months. “Chris Harris and Rory Reid should be in every episode,” people are no doubt sick to death of hearing me blurt out.

My rationale for this stance has been a sound one: we know Harris and Reid are two of the best road testers on YouTube, so out of all of Top Gear’s rather large presenter line-up, they are by far the most qualified to drive a car, and tell us what it’s like in an entertaining and insightful way. And yet, there were still a lot of unknowns: would it seem weird seeing these YouTube stars thrust onto TV? Would their distinct styles still shine through with a vastly increased budget? Have they been excessively toned down by the meddlesome BBC?

Last night we got our answer: Chris Harris and Rory Reid were both awesome on Top Gear. Both were very much the personas we know and love, with an extra - and utterly spectacular - layer of gloss and gravitas heaped on top. And at last we had a dose - a double dose, even - of what Top Gear has been missing this season: knowledgable people who know how to drive cars, talking about cars.

Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times

It’s not like Harris’ stunning F12tdf film and Reid’s brilliant Focus RS feature were the only two good parts in a steaming pile of turd of a show either. No, the rest was pretty good too. Matt LeBlanc’s buttock-clenching ride with a certain Mr Block - the filming of which caused the production crew a little trouble - was enjoyable if a little too long, and even Evans’ Audi R8 test was decent despite some cringey moments and duff lines. And Star in the Rallycross Car? Well, at least there wasn’t quite as many guests as last week.

All of this came together to make an episode of Top Gear which wasn’t just easily the best we’ve seen from the show post-revamp; no, I’d go so far as saying it’s one of the best TG efforts in recent times.

Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times

Given the shaky start Evans-era Top Gear has experienced, it’s easy to put on a pair of rose-tinted spectacles and pine for the days of Clarkson, Hammond and May, whom apparently could do no wrong. But we can’t forget that the trio pumped out many sub-par episodes over the years, particularly leading up to the end. Last night’s episode certainly wasn’t sub-par - far from it - and it fills me with hope for the future of the show, even if the ratings dipped to a disappointing 2.4 million, thanks in part to some well-paid men in France kicking a ball around on BBC1.

The good news is, Chris Harris and Rory Reid will be in every remaining episode of Top Gear Series 23’s six episode run. We can only hope the show’s producers look at the dramatic improvement in critical reception, and re-jig the presenter structure to give Harris and Reid the prominence they deserve, and the prominence we all want to see.

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Comments

Joshua Lue

Top gear got themselves 2 very good presenters and genuine car nuts. Then stuck them on Extra Gear 😒😒😒

06/13/2016 - 11:36 |
50 | 3
John Cena (Szymek Smells)

In reply to by Joshua Lue

So evans is not a genuine car nut?

06/13/2016 - 14:20 |
11 | 36
Jacques Sevag Bedrossian

Series 23 not 22

06/13/2016 - 11:41 |
3 | 3

Corrected :)

06/13/2016 - 12:06 |
2 | 0
Dan Dominé

It’s just a little sad that they manage to make only 6 episodes a season. I mean it’s usually 10 or 20+.
Waiting half a year to watch 6 episodes is getting very old too !

06/13/2016 - 11:44 |
2 | 3

No it isn’t

06/13/2016 - 12:07 |
5 | 0
Anonymous

TL;DR - Anyone in the cast could replace Evans and Top Gear would be great.

Or:

Having a car journalist present the program about cars might be a good idea.

06/13/2016 - 11:44 |
144 | 4
Freddie Skeates

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Amen to that

06/13/2016 - 11:58 |
11 | 1
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I think we need to get rid of Chris Harris and Rory ried when the grand tour comes and put them is an extra gear kind of show for the grand tour. With some parts in the main show somethings.

06/13/2016 - 14:32 |
2 | 21
Elijahwon24

Agreed! I thoroughly enjoyed this episode! Reid is a damn good reviewer and knows how to drive. Loved the part where he used the Scandinavian Flick to drift the RS at the Follow Through.

06/13/2016 - 11:59 |
6 | 4
Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times
PorscheKlassik

I agree it was a actually alright episode only downside for me is the in studio interaction/ banter. It’s clear Chris and Leblanc don’t get on and some of the jokes are not great but apart from that a very good show

06/13/2016 - 12:08 |
0 | 1
OctyVRS

i really did enjoy this episode chris harris i have watched on youtube for ages. i had never seen rory ried but he was amazing reviewer they were entertaining and i believe should be made part of the bigger line up. The show was entertaining im still to sure on the guest slot with the introducing each other part, it feels like the presenter is taking the easy ride in this section of the show. But overall it hasnt been perfect but its getting better every episode and i hope it doesnt go away.

06/13/2016 - 12:13 |
1 | 1
Anonymous

Everybody knows where i can watch topgear episodes in online?

06/13/2016 - 12:17 |
1 | 2
Sam Kay

I can definitely see Evans stepping down from top dog and Chris Harris and the others taking a unified step up. I think Harris would be an overall better presenter than Evans, both on the track, and in the studio.

06/13/2016 - 12:23 |
1 | 3
KoNLaR

Just put evans and leblanc as hosts for extra gear and harris and reid the main hosts of Top gear :)

06/13/2016 - 12:30 |
1 | 1