Stay on topic please.
Stay on topic please.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the power of the Chevy small block.
With each successive episode I find I enjoy TG USA more than TG UK. This particular episode did not disappoint.
Wow, that seemed pretty weak to me... the script was seeping out of every pore and the pace went as if the editors didn't have enough interesting film to work with. The presenters seemed pretty bored. The first challenge was pretty much the only one, after that they just sort of drove around, traded paint, and got stuck in mud. There was no score or explanation of what exactly killed the Dodge (except it had a "sideways battery"). Also notably absent was any kind of culture, interaction with locals, Palin bashing, or really anything that represented Alaska besides some scenery and a few bear jokes... the show could have been taped just about anywhere in the world that had a little mud and it would have gone exactly the same.
Then they play Celtic rock during the finish? Really? Could they have picked anything less appropriate than a Dropkick Murphys song about New England to convey the feeling of all-American truck race through the Alaskan wilderness..?
Maybe I'm being too harsh but last week's was much better. Nice scenery, though, and the log cabin was hilarious.
On a first season scale, I give that a 10. It did what I want Top Gear to do, it made me wish I was there partaking in the fun. The only shame is that unlike the 60 minute plus runtimes of Top Gear (UK) specials, we had 44 minutes and with that it seamed rushed. But what was there was highly enjoyable, some great footage, and they beat the hell out of those trucks. Too bad they couldn't attempt to fix the Ford and Dodge any more than they did.
Rutledge didn't annoy me this week and Tanner grew a personality. Bring on season 2! (and I know there is one more episode but it is clipshow so not counting it)
They were merciless to each other tonite...and it was funny!
This is the closest one to the UK version yet!
I gave it a 10, I have no complaints.
Last edited by zackwatt; January 17th, 2011 at 6:12 AM.
I really enjoyed this episode. Tanner has come a very long way in his comfort level in front of the camera. The group showed some real chemistry in this episode. You could tell they were really under a time crunch though, as they never went back to the studio, did any other segments, or even did an exit 'goodbye'.
10/10
that's all i'm gonna say for now...
solid 7. as was said before, the script was seaping from every pore but its a well known first season thing for this show. overall, i had a good time but im very disapointed that they didnt even make a attempt at fixing the Ford. why didnt Adam even try? imagine how funny that may have been! Loved the log cabin and i loved how Tanner showed his "ricer" roots with that camper design. i was really surprised he made it back out. i will say that the forced hate of the Toyota was very lame, i dont know if that was my knowledge of the top gear UK last resort cars or what but i think something pink or smaller wuld have been way funnier. i think they just tried a little hard for that one. anyways, aside from that stuff i had fun again! i still think that Adam has to go and i still think Rut is by far the best and tanner is comming around, he may just be ok. anyways, thats my "review"
Oh, considering all the broken trucks and oil and gas they left all over alaska, i have a feeling it may be time to start the "who have TGA pissed off this week" so ill get right on that, just in case
____________________________________ 
Solid 8.
This version of Top Gear is everything that Top Gear Australia should have been and never was. Proof you CAN get it right in the first season. Well done all concerned.
Hey TGUS fellas, now you've done the trucks how about something on SUVs. Which is the world's toughest and most versatile old school SUV? And of course may the mighty XJ Jeep reign supreme!!!
Hehehe. Probably be won by an Exploder.
Best ep so far. The trucks were interesting, the scenery fantastic, and there wasn't anything to censor.
I would have liked more shots of the scenery of Alaska, like they did with the Polar episode, Botswana, Vietnam and Bolivia.
But overall, not too bad.
Also, I was rooting for the Hilux.
I said last week's was the best one yet, but this one was better. 8/10.
me too. I wish they showed just how tough it is with a certain clip of a building falling to bits.Originally Posted by That American Girl
Also, I was rooting for the Hilux.
9/10
I'm impressed with how good it turned out. I was worried that it would be too campy and more about making lame scripted jokes and less about the actual challenge. It was no where near as epic as the Bolivia challenge from TGUK, but it was still pretty damn good. Just a shame they were limited to just 44 minutes. With a challenge this big, it would have been nice to see a 90 minute special or something. Oh well. I think the choices in trucks was pretty good. All 3 brands spread over several decades of production. I'm not sure if Tanner actually thought his truck was a diesel or if he knew it was swapped with a gas motor, but he should have been happier about that from the start. Those old diesels are nothing to write home about, nothing compared to the bulletproof small block motors. Not surprised the Chevrolet won. And I'm not surprised the Dodge DNFed. I thought the Ford would have lasted longer though, but really it's breakdown wasn't that bad, they probably just didn't have the parts to even attempt a repair. Who knows what condition that drive shaft was in after so many decades of use. Still, it was pretty well done and the Chevy was the best choice.
Besides the Toyota anyway.
Last edited by TomCat; January 17th, 2011 at 6:55 PM.____________________________
Wow, impressive episode, by TG US standards. Tanner has grown on me even more and was just great in this episode. Excellent!
The Hilux was probably the best truck with a clear margin. Also, how could Rut start out in a '97 while the others were driving relics? That was weird.
Those old Rams weren't the best trucks ever built and most people know it. Fords and Chevrolets have much better reputations for performance and reliability. It doesn't surprise me at all that he was able to find such a new example for under $3,000.00. I bet you that Toyota was worth at least $5,000.00, straight axle conversion and all that.
Yeah, the gasser Rams are cheap. Diesel versions of those use the Cummins and they go for big money.
Best episode so far, seriously laugh out loud funny stuff. Rut and Tanner definitely hit their stride here.
This show is getting better and better...Black Dodge Ram,guest star Dodge Charger@14:11,snappy one-liners like"Chuck Norris my ass!",Kawasaki caterpillar on the RAM badge @38:34...
Dodge really did something special with this Ram...making it look like a mini-rig.It is my favorite pickup of all time(along with Chevrolet ssr and Lamborghini LM002(it has a bed)).
Great episode, it's unfortunate the Ford had to die the way it did. Every time Adam just floored it at an obstical I cringed, that's not exactly the best way to wheel.
I'm glad the Chevy won, I think it was the best truck, certainly the coolest IMO.
One thing that did bother me about the episode though was the disregard for nature. Now before you bring out the flame thrower, just hear me out. 4x4ing is a dieing passtime, and it because there are too many stupid hicks out there that just love to go bush bashing. More and more trails and logging roads are getting closed for OHV use and I fear that this episode will just be more fodder for the eco-mentalists cannon. I'm actually somewhat surprised they didn't mention anything about the tread lightly movement or just anything of the same respect. But I suppose that's hollywood for you.
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