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

Ben Conover

It wasn’t too bad.
I’m still upset the Stig drives the cars in silence. No music, books on tape, language lessons, Morse Code, etc.

06/13/2016 - 23:40 |
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Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times
Chris Evans 1

SHOULD I SPEAK UP MORE? WOULD THAT MAKE THE RATINGS GO UP?!

06/14/2016 - 03:19 |
3 | 0

Dedicate to making a great car show and the ratings will come

06/15/2016 - 06:13 |
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Anonymous

The last episode of Top Gear was the best because the only thing Evans made in that episode was puking. Chris Harris and Rory Reid are awesome car reviewers and their segments were just abou perfect. Matt Leblanc is a fun guy and has proven himself. Sabine knows what she’s doing. If they kicked Evans they would have a great show. No matter what he does he’s always gonna be the shaun sheep of the show.

06/14/2016 - 10:37 |
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Anonymous

Dump Rory Reid - he seems way too unknowledgable. I’m indifferent to him at best. Chris Evans - I guess we all agree about that shouty annoyance.

Harris on the other hand - is epic. Love his work now, always done. Schmitz was surprisingly great.

06/14/2016 - 12:02 |
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Anonymous

And dump Star in a Rallycross car. It kinda emphasizes how much content the show lacks. Using almost 50% of the runtime on a daft interview is just embarrassing.

06/14/2016 - 12:03 |
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ALSaab

Were can I watch these episodes!?!?

06/14/2016 - 17:14 |
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Bull_On_Parade

So I’m not alone thinking so…Rory and Chris should not be marginal in new Top Gear. They belong to the main stage.

06/14/2016 - 21:43 |
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MBel

i agree its was the best episode postvamp. but to say best in recent times … are you high. how much are they paying you to right a good review for them

06/15/2016 - 06:02 |
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Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times
Alexander Kieran Fitzpatrick

when will amazon make top gear?Idiot top gear is no good without hamond!!!

06/16/2016 - 02:54 |
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Last Night's Top Gear Was The Finest Episode Of The Series, And Arguably One Of The Best In Recent Times
Alexander Kieran Fitzpatrick

is crying in bed the right response to no jeremy

06/16/2016 - 02:56 |
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