‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 31, Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 3103 of ‘Top Gear’.
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One particular aspect of television that is genuinely fascinating, is when a writers’ room becomes entranced with a particular concept. Because when they do, they dive into it over the course of multiple episodes to properly explore every angle of that concept and well, this is something that truly benefits the fans. Since they are treated to a quality examination of a topic that is likely quite relevant to their interests and what’s amazing, is that this lovely little twist to modern television, is starting to expand to every type of show out there and for proof… look no further than BBC America’s Top Gear. For last week’s caravan themed, road trip episode… inspired the producers and writers and hosts of this dynamic series, to dig deeper into the notion of the road trip and the different types that people can embark upon.

Which is why this week’s episode of the show, focused on the wonder of the expedition style road trip. So that everyone could get a chance to experience what it is like to go off road and enjoy the rugged harshness of nature and well, what better way to get that across… then by sending the lads to Iceland to enjoy an expedition adventure in a land where volcanoes rule the day, with some twists and surprises of course. Such as sadly, not having Freddie Flintoff join Paddy McGuiness and Chris Harris on this adventure. For he was forced to self-isolate when the voyage got underway, leaving Chris and Paddy to venture about Iceland in their unique choices for off-roading. Since Chris opted to drive the Vauxhaull Chevette and Paddy chose the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. 

Cars that initially made it seem as though they were both going to be in trouble since the landscape is indeed bouncy and gruff in this part of the world. But before the adventure determined if trouble was to come and which of these cars was the best for this kind of trip… Paddy and Chris took part in a time-honored road trip tradition, experiencing local culture. Which allowed for them to try sand racing in volcanic ash, which is quite popular in Iceland, and they also had the chance to participate in a strongman competition. Which is also a big hit in that part of the world, and it just so happens that they beat two strongmen with some fine teamwork and physical sacrifice and once the duo stood triumphant and sore after dragging two cars across the finish line, they sampled a little local cuisine (well… Chris did, since the sight of hardcore Icelandic food made Paddy ill), and prepared for the ultimate expedition challenge.

Wherein they would race the Stig (who was driving an off-road vehicle suited for this environment), to the top of a volcano’s crater. A journey that would take them through some horrible terrain, the kind that should have finally put their vehicles down with how rugged and rough it was. But believe it or not, the Chevette and the Silver Shadow performed admirably, despite a couple of genuine scares. Since Chris lost an engine cylinder and Paddy darn near slid off the road on several occasions. But those cars never faltered one this volcanic leg of the journey, allowing for the duo to win the day over the Stig and remind all of us, that sometimes… the best road trips out there, are the ones where you taste a touch of danger and really get in the muck with mother nature and really all of this, made for one entertaining and beautiful tale.

Because the laughs were simply top notch, courtesy of watching Paddy turn green while Chris ate some exotic meats, and the producers and our hosts did a wonderful job of genuinely exploring the wonder and the majesty of Iceland. Which has beauty to offer all of humanity, even in its most desolate places, since the volcanic ridge that the lads raced upon, had a haunting beauty to it and it was humbling to see the origins of our world at work and really, in the end, a round of applause is in order for the cast and crew of this series. Because this was mission accomplished, since they really did explore the wonder of the road trip in a bold new light that not everyone thinks of, and now that we’ve had a chance to dive deeper into the majesty of the road, it would seem that the passion this series exudes is going to serve as the focus of next week’s adventure and this writer cannot wait to see that on full display, once again. Until then.

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