‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 27, Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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Truth be told, I really thought there was going to be quite the long break in-between seasons when it comes to BBC America’s Top Gear. Because when big changes come to a cast, as was the case with this show, networks tend to take their time in bringing the show back to the airwaves. In order to give the new crew time to properly jell and learn how to work together on camera. But clearly adding Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff to the roster to work alongside Chris Harris brought outright excitement to the network, since last night saw the premiere of Season 27 of this magnificent series, a mere couple of months after Season 26 came to a close.
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If anything, it quickly became evident, when I settled in to watch this premiere, exactly why BBC America wasted little time in getting this series back on the air with its new set of presenters. Because Fred and Paddy love cars and love driving them, and being able to express their adoration alongside Chris, made it seem as though we were bearing witness to three old friends getting together to talk about cars. And for the first entry in this new iteration of the series, the producers thought it best that the team go back to the beginning and explore the wonder of what got them into their respective love affair with cars in the first place. Which meant they were given four grand each, to get their hands on the closest thing to the first ride they ever owned, in part to help the audience get to know their hosts, but also, to do some cool things with them.

But, more on that in a minute, because first, let’s talk about what rides everyone resurrected from their past, since their choices were fascinating. For instance, Paddy got his hands on a Ford Mark II Escort, and expressed how that car meant the world to him, due to the fact that he bought his first one with his own hard-earned money and I think we can all relate to that. And Chris also went blue collar with his choice, since he stepped behind the wheel of a Mini once again, and it was just cool to learn the humble beginnings of these two stars and how simple cars opened their eyes to the wonder of the road. But you’ll note we haven’t discussed Fred’s choice just yet, and well, that’s because we saved the most unique decision for last, since Fred rolled up in a Porsche Boxster. Yes, that’s right, a Porsche. Because Fred used to play professional cricket, and that’s what allowed for him to make a car as lovely as that, his first ride.

Yet while it was fun to learn all about the hosts’ humble beginnings, there were challenges to be had. For all the raving that the gents made about the wonder of their first cars, prompted the producers to put them to the test, which meant the lads were going on quite the trek. Their goal was to head to the Afar Triangle, a place known as the birthplace of man, and to get there, they would need to traverse the dangerous Simien Mountain range and this, was one heck of a challenge. Because the lads had to deal with sweltering heat and at times, unsafe conditions or no road at all and the cars and the crew definitely stumbled. In fact, Paddy had to use his Escort to tow the Porsche at one point and it was just wild to see these cars bouncing about the salt flats in Ethiopia, with the heat bearing down upon them. But, eventually, they made it to their goal, and this was just a marvelous way to introduce us to the new team.

Because their genuine love of cars shined throughout this episode, and they had a lot of laughs along the way to their final destination, which is always great for the audience, and I know I found myself chuckling often in this one, especially when it comes to the whole thing with the sweater. Plus, we got some of the traditional supercar reviews that we know and love on this show since Chris took the time to compare the Ferrari Pista and the McLaren 600LT and well, when all is said and done, I have to admit that I really enjoyed this episode. It just felt fresh and it was filled with fun, and I love the new hosts through and through and really, I think it is safe to say that the future of Top Gear is a bright one, and I am definitely ready to dive back into this series and enjoy more of the wonder it has to offer in the weeks to come. Until next time. 

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