‘Top Gear’ Recap: ‘Season 33, Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 3304 of ‘Top Gear’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
One particular topic of discussion that has come up often in our recaps of the BBC America series, Top Gear, is the sheer fact that this series is a genuine love letter to the world of automobiles. Because time and time again, we’ve been presented with episodes where our beloved hosts not only express their love of the car but celebrate its wonder or find ways to explore how the average citizen can get their hands on a ride that will please them to no end. Because that is what this series was founded upon, our love of the road and the cars that take us from Point A to Point B and well, that is top of mind today, simply because the best example to date of how this show celebrates that love was put on full display, in its next episode.
​
In part thanks to Freddie and Chris. Who spent a lot of time looking at a pair of revolutionary Hot Hatches in this tale. Because the Hot Hatch has and will forever be, a wondrous gateway car. The kind that truly motivates a person to explore what other kinds of cars are out there and thanks to Honda and Peugeot, that process can continue. Because Honda’s Civic Type-R, while a little larger than the average Hot Hatch, knows how to wow a driver and helps them to understand all the fun a car can provide them with, by celebrating the best features of the Hot Hatch. Whereas Peugeot’s 205 GTI does the same, with a true retro feel. One that allows the driver to connect to the legacy of this car as they begin their journey into all that automobiles have to offer.

But while that was indeed another wonderful way to celebrate the legacy of the automobile and our love of it, it was Paddy’s vignette in this episode that took that to a whole new level. Because at some point or another in our lives, we have wondered what it would be like to be a professional racing driver and know the thrill of blasting through the racetrack in a car that moves akin to lightning. But most of us let that little dream slip away and are fine with just… enjoying a little speed on the weekends. But for some… that thought becomes an obsession and they would give anything for a shot to take part in that world and that left Paddy wondering. In that, what would happen, if someone that had that dream, had a Rocky Balboa-esque opportunity to become a race car driver.

So, he held auditions for both mechanics and drivers and assembled a Top Gear team that would train and eventually compete at the GT Cup, and this was… so freakin’ cool. Because we got to watch three young men and one woman… live their dream. For they were able to train with the best and see what goes into this world and stumble and make mistakes along the way before getting the chance… to really go for it. Which led to some proud moments for certain since everyone did amazing on the day of. Making it clear that given the chance, the right person will live their dream and do well at it since they want it so badly. But what mattered more, is that… this journey truly hammered home how Top Gear celebrates our love of everything and anything to do with automobiles.

Because the show gave people that dreamt of being near them in a professional manner, a chance to do it. To be around everything they’ve ever wanted and that was just… beautiful and inspiring to watch. Since we were able to see the joy on their faces and the satisfaction in their hearts at getting the chance to take part in something that meant the world to them. Which made this, a supremely special episode, one that we can take so much from and kudos to the show for taking the time to do something this magnificent and this special and kind, and in the process… remind all of us of the wonder of the car and what it does for us on a fundamental level. Until next time.  

---

Powered by JustWatch