Please note, this episode is more of a strong 8/10 than a 10/10, but I felt that the current rating for the episode has been skewed by trolls just rating it 1/10 with the reasoning being, "Northern people, yuck!".
So, take it from someone who both isn't northern (from Surrey), and is a genuine petrol head. This show is finally enjoyable again. Is it a fully focused car journalism show? No. But even with Hammond, Clarkson, and May it stopped being that a long time ago. What it is, however, is a very good return to form for a show which in the last 4 years has been mostly dire and cringe-worthy.
What was my biggest worry for this series ended up being an absolute masterstroke by the BBC, and that is the choice of presenters. In my mind, I felt that they should have gone with 3 actual car journalists, and let them build a chemistry between them over time (like the Grand Tour lot...). However, there was just an immediate feeling of chemistry between the new presenters, which I feel will only grow (as there are still some moments where you feel that maybe not everyone fully knows one another properly yet). But most importantly, the show didn't feel forced, everything seemed more natural. Whilst there is still childish antics and mucking around, it feels less like it's trying to be what Clarkson, Hammond, and May were, and more it's own thing.
Very promising. Good job BBC.
So, take it from someone who both isn't northern (from Surrey), and is a genuine petrol head. This show is finally enjoyable again. Is it a fully focused car journalism show? No. But even with Hammond, Clarkson, and May it stopped being that a long time ago. What it is, however, is a very good return to form for a show which in the last 4 years has been mostly dire and cringe-worthy.
What was my biggest worry for this series ended up being an absolute masterstroke by the BBC, and that is the choice of presenters. In my mind, I felt that they should have gone with 3 actual car journalists, and let them build a chemistry between them over time (like the Grand Tour lot...). However, there was just an immediate feeling of chemistry between the new presenters, which I feel will only grow (as there are still some moments where you feel that maybe not everyone fully knows one another properly yet). But most importantly, the show didn't feel forced, everything seemed more natural. Whilst there is still childish antics and mucking around, it feels less like it's trying to be what Clarkson, Hammond, and May were, and more it's own thing.
Very promising. Good job BBC.