‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 26, Episode 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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(Photo: Lee Brimble/BBC America)

Normally when I discover a new television series, I’m outright giddy to watch it. Because I simply don’t know what to expect from the series in question, and the unknown is thrilling in that respect, but I have to admit that I tempered my expectations when I settled in to watch last night’s episode of Top Gear. If anything, I approached ‘Episode 2’ like a documentary in my mind, wherein I would be treated to all kinds of facts about magnificent cars and let’s be honest, learning mode doesn’t always make one giddy. But that decision, ended up being quite the mistake on my part. Because this particular episode offered up all kinds of exciting moments, the kind that downright surprised me, all thanks to the versatility of a tiny vehicle known as the Tuk-Tuk.
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But, before we dive too deeply into that particular adventure, let’s take a moment and discuss some of the other highlights present here since this episode also took the time to have a lot of fun with the audience. Because Chris’ idea to have the British government pay for cars for everyone instead of building a new train line was brilliant, especially when one considers that he wanted Parliament to authorize BMW M5s or Mercedes Benz E63s for all the good citizens of the land because who wouldn’t want to drive one of those bad boys to work? And to prove just how well they would do at getting people from point A to point B, provided of course the speed limit gets raised to 180, he did a little race with a mysterious man known as the Business Stig, and well, I loved this idea, and would be happy to apply for dual citizenship if the government across the pond listens to this plan.

Plus, we had some laughs with Professor Green during the celebrity segment, who shared some decidedly unlucky stories involving cars before he bravely handled the track. But while all of this was entertaining in its own right, we cannot put off the wonder of the Tuk-Tuk any longer. Because this tiny little car, one that features a handlebar as a steering column and three wheels and little horsepower, seems like it cannot accomplish much, outside of getting you to and from work, but it turns out, this is the toughest car I’ve ever seen. Sure, it can handle the city life and it is even used in Sri Lanka for polo events, but what matters more when it comes to this tiny car, is that it can handle even the toughest of tasks, like climbing mountain trails. Yes, you read that right, this little car can actually handle the treacherous paths present on a mountain, and it was stunning to see it pull off such a feat.

Because for a better part of this leg of the journey, I thought Matt and Chris were going to see their respective Tuk-Tuk fail while on the mountain, and the rough beatings they took only seemed to compound my fears. But despite Chris’ vehicle getting a flat, and rolling down a part of the mountain, that Tuk-Tuk kept on, keepin’ on and we even learned that this little sucker can haul cargo thanks to a tea inspired race. But truly the centerpiece when it comes to this episode and this journey, is the sheer fact that the Tuk-Tuk can also be used…as a boat. Yup, no joke, these little cars can sail the seas, with some minor modifications of course, and it was just stunning to watch Matt and Chris make their way through the water surrounding a chain of tiny islands that separate Sri Lanka and India and eventually make their way to the latter of those two countries and well, I won’t lie, I’m half considering buying one of these little guys because if it can handle all of that, some of the hailstorms and snow storms we deal with in my home state of Colorado should be nothing more than a minor inconvenience for the Tuk-Tuk.

But all jokes aside, this really was an amazing episode. I’ve never seen any series push a vehicle as hard as this one did, and everything that happened here was so impressive and so epic that I was utterly glued to the screen because I had to know what was going to happen to the Tuk-Tuk next and whether or not it would indeed accomplish its respective mission and well, that’s what makes this series so amazing. The boys know their stuff and back up their claims and I can safely say, that this is the last time I will approach this series with tempered expectations, because it’s clear now that Top Gear is going to do amazing things with cars week in and week out, and I truly cannot wait to see what wonders await me as this season rolls on. Until next time. 

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