‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 30, Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the season thirty finale of ‘Top Gear’.
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There are a great many things that science and engineering have managed to fix for mankind. For instance, a fair chunk of viruses and illnesses no longer exist because of the wondrous vaccines that have come to fruition. Plus, we’re able to soar through the skies like birds because of what we were able to discover about flight. But while we continue to solve old problems and new by way of science and engineering, there are some problems that we simply cannot fix in the slightest. Such as say… the mid-life crisis. Because it doesn’t matter if we extend lifelines or find ways to make middle age more comfortable. There are men who will always lament hitting the halfway point of their lives and panic and make foolish and superfluous purchases to preserve some sense of their youth.

Which means that all we can do at this point, is make middle-aged gents a little more comfortable and happier with the fact they’re hitting the second act of their lives and one way to do that, was explored by way of last night’s season thirty finale of Top Gear. For our intrepid hosts opted to explore what type of car might serve as the finest and most affordable vehicle to buy to help make a man’s mid-life crisis easier on his mind and his wallet and well… as is always the case, the lads made some fascinating choices. For instance, Freddie Flintoff went with the practical yet charming TVR Chimera, whereas Chris Harris thought the best possible choice for a mid-life crisis would be the well-rounded Vauxhall Monaro and of course… Paddy McGuinness decided the best way for a man struggling with his 40s and 50s to make peace with aging… is to fake an epic purchase by getting an imposter car that everyone will adore, as evidenced by his decision to pick up a modified Toyota MR2. One that was retrofitted into becoming Ferrari F355.

A choice that quite frankly, brought about serious laughs and some serious fails in this episode for certain, since it simply wasn’t suited for the challenges at hand. The kind that required our hosts to try and outrun the next generation of racers, a task that Paddy and Freddie didn’t quite accomplish since their cars needed a little something extra. Specifically, some racing experience. Which is why Chris was able to leave this metaphor in the dust and inject his own by pointing out that experience does indeed pay off with age and that should be celebrated. And once that philosophical race was completed, the lads were subjected to another cerebral competition, one that forced them to suit up as if they’d reached old age… to give them a taste of things to come and to handicap them on a course they’d normally ace. Which definitely slowed Paddy and Chris down, but did little to stop Freddie since he won this heat with flying colors, in a manner that taught us along the way that you’re only as young as you feel.

But truly, the best way to determine the best which of these rides was the finest one for a middle-aged man at a crossroads to own, was to put the driver of each of them to a hybrid physical and road test. One where they’d each ride jet skis and bicycles before doing three laps in their ride to win and boy, did Freddie dominate this one as well. Largely due to the fact that he is still in peak physical shape, which serves to remind us that keeping fit and healthy as the years pile on, will absolutely do us wonders when we think the years aren’t being kind to us. Since we’ll be ready for any of life’s physical challenges. But what mattered more here, is that his car was true winner of this competition, and its final victory brought home the financial message that this finale sought to express. In that, one can indeed recapture their youth without breaking the bank or looking silly in doing so, since the TVR looks great, performs well, and will only set its new owner back by about eight thousand.

In the end however, this was simply another unique episode of this already incredible series. Because this one actually managed to throw a little life philosophy into the mix and make us think about the years ahead and how we should handle them and that’s surprising to see here. Because this show has always been about the cars and how they excite us. But make no mistake about it, the commentary on life and getting older was quite welcome, since it was handled in such a fun and uplifting manner, and it just goes to show that this is a series that can accomplish all kinds of wonders when it applies itself. And now that season thirty has come to a close, one does have to wonder if we’ll be seeing more philosophical and thoughtful moments in future seasons. Especially now that the world is starting to return to a sense of normalcy and that will indeed make the wait for season thirty-one, a difficult one. As we wait to see if and how the best parts of this pandemic themed season, find their way into what made this series successful in the first place. Until next season.   

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