[11x04] July 13th, 2008

[Blythy]

The Alfa review was good if you apply the strange Clarkson logic that a car that's awful to drive and brick-slow is totally redeemed by looking nice (though I didn't think it was that good looking myself). Very well shot too.

It's not just looking nice, it's sounding nice, it's the detail, Its a poser car, just there for the sake of it being there. Its totally different to a lamborghini gallardo, which is very similar to a person who doesn't know much.

[DanielR]

Originally Posted by Blythy

Speaking of findings on the internet, I was going around and I found this absolute PRICK!



Oh yeah, the suspense was back, I still maintain the best race was the DB9 race though, just cos it was so simple. And that episode, if it had a better SIARPC would be my number 1.

I'm a little bemused at how you the hell mananged to find my pic, but whatever.I should probably say i wanted a Magnum earlier, but not now.

Me be the X-rated picture on the news? Ha! That would be a dream.


The C8 review was good, it actually could be a living piece of art.It looked a real mess when Stiggy drove it round though. Still, it was raining.

SIARPC was quite good.It was shorter than the others, as someone else noted.There's something quite funny about watching news presenters swearing on camera.

The race! Was great.One of the best ones they've had since...the Norway one? On a par with that.The girl at the petrol station has a permenant smile forever.

Had to feel for Richard and James getting seperated on the train.They really could've won if they hadn't got seperated, and James didn't need to hold back the coach.

FYI: 100% the Facebook pic guy.That picture was taken in February.I think you can see a scarf in higher res.

Also quite weird, i only started reading these forums last week! Alas, a lurker no more.

[Prost264]

I'm so thankful they did this episode and not a "Japanese Special."

[Hauton]

10/10

8C was certainly par for the course, but

I loved the race. Best Top Gear race by MILES. What a great job. It managed to be interesting the entire time, which is a feat considering the length. I skipped right to Part 2 because it was so good. I can't wait to see the track review, which I'm sure will be a bit more impressive than having to drive on the public roads (Bill Oddie mask and all).

SIARPC was pretty good. Fiona slapping JC's ass was unexpected and hilarious.

News was a bit hum-ho, but every mention of the Sandero gets funnier and funnier. Now I totally expect it but I still burst into laughter when James goes "Guess what!?".

Originally Posted by Frederic

What's that phone Hammond has? Is it a razr? Looks quite nice!

Phones in Japan are in a whole other league with the rest of the world. They don't really work anywhere else in the world (even if you unlock them, they have severely limited functionality) and they're full of things the rest of the world are expecting five years from now. I'm not sure exactly what phone it is, but I'm guessing it's a FOMA phone from NTT DoCoMo. Specifically, I'm wagering it's an SO905i from the looks of it.

http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/p...05i/index.html

But I may be wrong, it's hard to tell specifically because they all kinda look the same.

[Holiace]

I give the episode a 8/10.

[Speedtouch]

Originally Posted by Hauton

News was a bit hum-ho, but every mention of the Sandero gets funnier and funnier. Now I totally expect it but I still burst into laughter when James goes "Guess what!?".

Same here. Some people might say it is getting boring, but I think its hilarious. This and the 'picture from the internet' are very funny, even though they happen every week. Last week's and this week's were the best I think. Last week for mucking up, and this week for making us expect something good, ad being given a new photo!

[Reboot]

Originally Posted by Blythy

I thought the Alfa 8C Convertible was what he found on the internet? I could be wrong as the subtitles were several seconds behind the action but it certainly seemed that way to me. IIRC Jeremy announces he found something, switch to audience to get reaction while the 3 say "Filthy", "Pornographic" etc. We then get to see what they're talking about, which is the Alfa.

neg, that was the joke, he said here's something I found on the internet, camera cuts away as man having intimate moment with the exhaust of a range rover is displayed, audience looks away as clarkson starts talkin crap, then cuts back to the picture of the 8C conv.

No, they subverted that [in the final edit at least] this week. Previous weeks, it's been "I found this..." *cut to reaction* "...and I also found this" *show pic of car*. This week, he only announced one picture.

[Valar]

I´ve got to say... perfect. Absolutely perfect. This episode was simply great and for the first time this season I watched the SIARPC and I didn't regret it! 10/10

[Viper007Bond]

I don't know why but the midget gas station attendant cracks me up.

[Hauton]

Originally Posted by Reboot

No, they subverted that [in the final edit at least] this week. Previous weeks, it's been "I found this..." *cut to reaction* "...and I also found this" *show pic of car*. This week, he only announced one picture.

He just skipped saying "I also found this..." this time.

"I went on the internet this week... and I found this."

*dirty pic shows, audience reacts*

"It is just pure pornography... look at it"

*cuts to 8C convertible, audience laughs*

"It's filth, absolutely filthy"

The joke IS that he cuts seamlessly between the 8C convertible and the porn because they're equating the two as equally "filthy".

[ChevyCobb]

watching now! good driving by the stig as usual...and in the rain even!

[Viper007Bond]

I'm so fucking pissed. I was reading bbc.co.uk/topgear to see how to spell the SIARPC names and they revealed who won the race! I'm only 1/2 way through the episode and now I know who fucking won.

GOD DAMNIT, GAAAAH!

[Ottobon]

THANK YOU!! Even if it wasn't for the amazing race that would have been a all around awesome episode. The 8C review was flawless, all of Jeremies funny little anologies intact, News was as good as ever and i don't need to go on about the race. Oh and the music was perfect If there was extra time i wouldn't have minded hearing more about the cars specific characteristics (is the 8c twitchy? understeery, etc etc), but thats just nit-picking.

[ruuman]

superb episode, I thought the alfa review was probably the slowest part, but that's mostly because I've seen enough shot's of the track now, I want them to do a few more on the road reviews.
the guests were good (but the guests have been truly terrible this season) race was superb and the news was longer and interesting.

I think the magic about the big races is the genuinely unscripted action, like james getting on the wrong train. you can tell that was not planned by richard paniced look, where as the shorter stuff the scripting comes through as they all try and play up to their characters.

Best ep this season I think.

[ChevyCobb]

BWAHAAHA!!! *sat nav speaking* "HELP!"

[Walsh_e]

Originally Posted by Mike Bull

He didn't- he did it to me and I didn't find it funny, have reported it, and am waiting for something to be done about it.

You do realise that it shows up your facebook picture on your computer if your logged into your facebook right? On my computer it shows up my picture if im logged in....

Anyway, great episode, the Alfa is such a stunning car I'd never want to take it on a track anyway! All the segments worked really well tonight, my only concerns are the lack of reviews from Hammond and May this series and also in a race (I know Clarkson had a massive rant on how there real) but it seemed very convenient that after building up a huge lead thanks to there being no traffic in Tokyo Clarkson loses it all after accidently turning his sat nav off then spending 45 minutes lost until it comes back on. It may have been how it happened but without it Clarkson would have won by a huge margin!

Still great episode, 9.99999/10 for me

[javamon]

Originally Posted by Mike Bull

He didn't- he did it to me and I didn't find it funny, have reported it, and am waiting for something to be done about it.

lol. there's a bridge for sale in brooklyn, btw. pm me for details and paypal info.

episode was good. i'd like to go out on a rope and say i don't mind what is now termed "mtv-style" editing. i know it's a bit quick, but i think it's quite visually pleasing. i especially like the small touches, like the black and white masks, yet leaving the alfa logos colorized.

if andy happens to read this, i wouldn't change the stylistic course you're on now. but again, to each his own.

i could still go for more average car reviews thrown in the mix, but, with an abbreviated season, i can see why they get trimmed down.

[argatoga]

Originally Posted by Hauton

Phones in Japan are in a whole other league with the rest of the world. They don't really work anywhere else in the world (even if you unlock them, they have severely limited functionality) and they're full of things the rest of the world are expecting five years from now. I'm not sure exactly what phone it is, but I'm guessing it's a FOMA phone from NTT DoCoMo. Specifically, I'm wagering it's an SO905i from the looks of it.

http://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/english/p...05i/index.html

But I may be wrong, it's hard to tell specifically because they all kinda look the same.

Yea Japan is essentially Qualcomm's technology test bed. They test all their stuff over there before brining it over to North America.

As for the episode I loved it. The only issue I had was with the paint on lens effect during the Alfa review, but besides that it was grand.

[Viper007Bond]

I voted 10. Epic race, epic cinematography on the Alfa.

[jakash]

Originally Posted by Blythy

Speaking of findings on the internet, I was going around and I found this absolute PRICK!

Absolute genius ... Top Gear was great aswell