I recently watched the final episode of The Grand Tour and was struck by the end of an era for a show that has been part of my life for decades, beginning with Top Gear. As they bid farewell with a simple handshake, it marked the close of a memorable journey that entertained a generation.
Just watched the last episode of 'The Grand Tour' on Amazon Prime. Never thought there would be an end to this show. As James May mentions in this episode, this show was two-thirds of his entire life. Well, this show (including the old Top Gear) was part of half of my life, and it’s true for most of our generation. As they say, all good things must come to an end.
I happened to discover this show called 'Top Gear' accidentally while surfing TV channels, looking for something to watch, preferably in English, when I was living in Hungary. Most days, my search ended either on BBC or CNN, the only two English channels broadcast in Hungary at that time. To my surprise, that day, no one was reading gloomy news on BBC, but instead, three middle-aged men were discussing some sort of car thing, and that’s how I was introduced to these trio!
My wife never understood why I kept watching Top Gear clips on YouTube. Like many in my generation, I don’t have any answer for that question. Was it a car show where they gave serious reviews or consumer advice? Absolutely not. The show was about three blokes, joking around, making stupid comments (and sometimes controversial too!), pulling each other’s legs, traveling around the world to places none of us ever thought of going. And cars just happened to be there, in the middle of all the chaos, stupidity, stunts, and adventures.
A few years back, when BBC decided to shut down the show for reasons only they could agree on, we all cried, "Why, BBC, why?" Then came The Grand Tour! Was it similar to Top Gear? Who cared. Same stupidity, same laughter, just with three older men.
Surely, we will see them in 'Clarkson's Farm,' on the Drivetribe channel, or in other media, but this was the last time we saw them together. What a journey! I wish they had made one more episode, maybe in India, maybe in Manebhanjyang, the land of Land Rovers (are you listening, Richard Hammond?). Well, some wishes stay wishes.
What an ending, too. Never thought the Zimbabwe episode would end in the Makgadikgadi and on Kubu Island, where it all started with the special episodes. Jeremy’s Lancia and May’s Merc also made an appearance, originally used in the 2007 episode. Are they really the same cars? Who cares, we never asked these questions for more than two decades.
The best part of the episode was when Jeremy unplugged his microphone and shook hands with James and Richard. That is how gentlemen walk out—no lengthy speeches, no fuss, no drama, just a handshake and moving on.
Dear Jeremy, James, and Richard (and of course Andy Wilman too), it was a pleasure watching you three together, and thank you for all the memories!"
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