Un-official GTPlanet BBC Topgear UK ThreadTV

[DustDriver]

It was very good. Felt less scripted, apart from the obvious things like putting the tent on fire.
And the things happening to the landcruiser after the modifications were to be predicted.

oh, and GO Suzuki!!! Show them that bigger size doesn't mean they're better.

 

[Dijital Majik]

I may be going out on a limb at the moment, but that (the episode which just literally aired) was possibly the best TopGear episode I've seen in a long long time.

Definitely agree. I went into it expecting to be thoroughly bored about 10 minutes in, but was deeply engrossed by the adventure.

 

[Jondot]

I may be going out on a limb at the moment, but that (the episode which just literally aired) was possibly the best TopGear episode I've seen in a long long time.

Agreed, absolutely brilliant. If anything it could have been a tad longer.

 

[daan]

If anything it could have been a tad longer.

I think that's what the viagra was for...

 

[homeforsummer]

I agree it was a very good episode, though not as good as some of the other epic trips they've done, IMO.

The ending "aren't these cars amazing, look how far they've got us" sort of thing now appears a little contrived they've done it so often, but apart from that it was a very good episode. It made me laugh anyway, which is more than can be said of the series so far...

 

[boiltheocean]

Anyone else feel a burning desire to have Hammonds head-torch?

 

[Delphic Reason]

I nearly wet myself when they cut to Hammond freaking out in his Landcruiser over the "squeaky" flying insect.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I wish SBS would actually play the current episdoes ... at the rate they do it, we're not going to get this one until 2013.

 

[Joey D]

It wasn't what I had expected. I went in thinking it'd be something epic and it turned out to be rather average. Maybe my expectations were too high? Whatever the case I think it was one of the better episodes from this series.

It needed more challenges or something in it and less scripted events.

 

[McLaren]

It wasn't what I had expected. I went in thinking it'd be something epic and it turned out to be rather average. Maybe my expectations were too high? Whatever the case I think it was one of the better episodes from this series.

It needed more challenges or something in it and less scripted events.

This. To be honest, I felt a bit more sorry for the trio than any kind of enjoyment. A lot of those obstacles (the highway, the dunes), all of those were very stupid things to undertake.

 

[YSSMAN]

I really enjoyed this one, as this is really what makes Top Gear so great. It was good enough for my Mom to actually stop what she was doing and watch it with us. Was it as good as the Vietnam or Africa trips? No, not really. But I'd put it on par with the Arctic one. It was thrilling, and more than once, it had it on the edge of my seat. Considering how few shows are able to do that these days... That's saying a lot.

 

[725]

It was a good episode, as stated the earlier trips (Vietnam, Africa) were better although I can't help but feel this episode could have been longer. Still best of the series without a doubt

 

[DustDriver]

the dunes

Wasn't that steep. Just have to make sure that you pick a low enough gear, so that the engine does most of the braking.

 

[PureAwesomeness]

Just finished watching it - brilliant. That's what they do best. No script needed because they couldn't predict what nature would throw in their way. Spectacular scenery and photography. The bit on the mountain pass had me genuinely scared.

 

[Dave A]

The best episode I've seen in a long time, absolutely brilliant. I agree with jondot, if anything it could have been longer. Definitely an episode I'll watch again a couple of time.

 

[Ian Poole]

It might be longer if they release this on DVD like they did with the other "epic voyages" but yeah, great episode.

Almost wet myself when i saw Jezza cacking it on that death road, never seen him so scared in my life watching TG

 

[homeforsummer]

This. To be honest, I felt a bit more sorry for the trio than any kind of enjoyment. A lot of those obstacles (the highway, the dunes), all of those were very stupid things to undertake.

I know what you mean. There was none of the "presents" from the Vietnam trip or the brake test and track test from the USA deep south trip. I could see that May has genuinely started to get sick of the "running into the car" trick that keeps appearing too - I think that one started in the USA trip and it was hilarious back then, but now...

Still, by the standard of the rest of the series so far it was great...

 

[Aldo]

Anyone else feel a burning desire to have Hammonds head-torch?

When I saw his head torch I nearly wet myself! So, so funny
I really enjoyed this episode and I would agree that it was, by far, the best of this series. 👍

 

[Stevisiov]

I thought it was a really good episode, which is good because I thought the museum segment from the last show was dire. I really enjoy the adventure episodes they have a less scripted feel (even if some of it plainly is), I just find it very engaging and genreally fun to watch. I liked that it was longer, much like the Vietnam special, it makes it feel like much more of a journey.

 

[GaryyC]

This is probably my favorite cross country/continent episode i've seen, maybe the best in my opinion. I loved the comradery that they showed to one another (especially Jezza). I prefer it over their jerk selves (although its probably just for laughs) on regular topgear. I'm definitely going to download the HD version of this

 

[Perfect Balance]

It wasn't what I had expected. I went in thinking it'd be something epic and it turned out to be rather average. Maybe my expectations were too high? Whatever the case I think it was one of the better episodes from this series.

It needed more challenges or something in it and less scripted events.

Really?

Other than the obvious stuff like the rolled Toyota at the end and the random bumping, I think this was by far one of the least scripted episodes yet.

 

[homeforsummer]

Other than the obvious stuff like the rolled Toyota at the end and the random bumping, I think this was by far one of the least scripted episodes yet.

You forgot to add "...of this series". Compared to the other road trips it still fell short, but in comparison to the rest of the series so far it was streets ahead.

 

[mafia_boy]

That was an incredible episode in my opinion. Going up to 17,200ft, nearly dying from altitude sickness and exposure and all the troubles from the jungle to the dunes made this better than the Vietnam episode, and up there with the Botswana episode.

I think the funniest quote would have to be Hammond when the landcruiser died. "MY DONKEY!"

 

[Turbo Lag]

Why do you think they rolled the Landcruiser? Maybe they thought it was too unsafe for Hammond to roll down the Dune?

 

[GaryyC]

Why do you think they rolled the Landcruiser? Maybe they thought it was too unsafe for Hammond to roll down the Dune?

Quite possibly. His car was flat out unreliable everything going wrong with it. Even with a roll cage, their is still a chance of him getting injured. Keep in mind he's been a crash before as well (with the dragster). Could put him back in that psychological depression he had after the crash.

 

[McLaren]

Why do you think they rolled the Landcruiser? Maybe they thought it was too unsafe for Hammond to roll down the Dune?

Considering all the stuff that came apart/fell off, I don't think the crew wanted those things to happen again whilst going down the dune.

 

[ItsHim]

Having watched this special for the second time yesterday, I must say I rather liked it. They took their time at the beginning, spending 15 minutes air time for all the usual TG silliness, and continued to make an hour long "adventure" show.

The scenery and images were really breath-taking at times.

Did anyone notice that the end credits didn't have any of the usual "Desmond May, Desmond Clarson, Desmond Hammond" etc stuff? Kind of missed that

 

[Dave A]

Anyone notice Jeremy was listening to Will Young when they first came out of the Amazon.

 

[mynameissport]

Found something interesting during the holidays in The Guardian online have published an article about BBC's Top Gear mainly negative news. Also the producer has talked about current Series 14 on the BBC Top Gear website. I will leave it up to you to interpret the article and attached the blog that the producer of Top Gear wrote addressing the criticisms from people.

Guardian Top Gear article

BBC Top Gear producer article on Series 14

 

[Stevisiov]

Why do you think they rolled the Landcruiser? Maybe they thought it was too unsafe for Hammond to roll down the Dune?

That's exactly what I thought. Bear in mind that you are rely on engine braking when going down a slope like that, the engine braking would only occur on the front two wheels on hammonds (2wheel drive) this would make the car want to swap ends which is obviously dangerous. That said, May's only had 3-wheel drive, I would have though that would have been even more dangerous.