‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 33, Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 3303 of ‘Top Gear’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There are so many different ways that we express our love of the automobile. For some, it’s simply about admiring them afar and professing that love through attending car shows and watching shows about vehicles on the road or keeping up with the latest and greatest cars on or coming to the market. For others… it’s about being as close to the cars they love as possible, and if that includes sinking some money into a classic fixer upper, or getting their hands on the hottest new thing, so be it. And for some, it’s about taking up a hobby involving cars and perhaps doing something amateur or professional regarding them, say, racing for instance. But what matters most, is that there is no wrong way to express one’s love for the car. And as long as the person is happy with how they do it, that’s all that matters. 
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Which is why the BBC America series, Top Gear, is now in its thirty-third season. Because this is a series that showcases everything, we’ve just discussed so that every car lover feels included and seen when it comes to this dynamic show and never was that more evident than this week’s episode. For several of those aforementioned elements worked their way into this latest road adventure. For instance, Chris Harris and his exploration of the long-awaited Mercedes-AMC One, spoke to those who keep up with trends and want to be near the latest and greatest. Since he was able to test drive this experimental ride and see what it was made of on the road. Which sadly, was just ideas since it didn’t perform all that well in a live action setting. But it was cool to sample the cutting edge of the industry and see the wonder of what’s in development.

Oddly enough, Paddy’s journey in this tale, expanded on the latest and greatest concept further, by taking us along for a test drive of a revolutionary car that was indeed ready to hit the road and anything the road could throw at it. For he got behind the wheel of the newest Range Rover, with Chris, and they took the time to put this beautiful and smooth, and internally silent ride through the wringer. For they ventured out to the mountainside to take part in a relay race that would prove deadly to most cars. Since it involved driving over large rocks and down and up steep inclines and wouldn’t you know it? This new Range Rover handled such obstacles masterfully. In fact, at worst… she walked away with a dent and a missing license plate and that is definitely a wonderful way to celebrate the latest technology that the world of the automobile has to offer. 

As for Freddie, well… he handled the wonder of taking part in of a professional hobby involving cars. After all, he had a new racing license burning a hole in his wallet, and he wanted to get out there and explore the racing world and learn exactly what it is all about and he finally got his chance. For the producers sent him out to learn about F1 Stock Car Racing, so that he could in fact, participate in one. Which led to a rigorous lesson indeed where he learned about the history of this type of race and why the cars are so unique and then of course… came a vigorous training session. One that let him get a feel for these unique rides and of course to learn the rules so he could be turned loose in a full-on race. Wherein he struggled due to mechanical errors and that pushed Freddie, to just finish the race. Which he did and he felt quite accomplished in doing so and that… was the perfect way to explore how deep we will go to indulge in our love of cars.

If anything, this was just… a magnificent episode through and through. One that kept us guessing as to what exactly it was going to send our way since we basically enjoyed so many different rides and adventures. But what mattered more, is that this story really did a fine job of just reminding us of how magical cars are, and the joy they bring us and the passion they elicit. Because you could just feel that from our hosts and since we’re all car lovers as well… we shared in those emotions and enjoyed every single second of this engaging episode. One that once again reminds us of the unique nature of this series, and it of course leaves us eager for more. So, we can see what kind of surprises and/or amazing road trips and themes await us, as season thirty-three of this incredible series continues along. Until next time.  

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