[13x07] August 2nd, 2009

[13x07] August 2nd, 2009


  • Total voters
    755
What I liked:

Thought the VW advert was great. The Vauxhall review was pretty good, if unspectacular. Can't believe the half pick-up half-car managed a 1:27. Leno's segment should have been longer.

What I didn't like:

Not a fan of the cool wall, especially at the end of a series where they've missed a few things (ZR1 lap and R8 V10), and had a rare Leno appearance cut short for it. The Aston bit was a horrible way to end it imo. I see what they were trying to do, but I don't watch TG to weep over nostalgia. I watch it because it's fun and entertaining. That whole bit seemed out of place and was frankly just annoying.
 
I just thought of something. Don't they usually end each series with the TopGear annual awards? Or will that come in the next series later this year? Either way, I'm glad they cut that part out (if they did). The awards use to be fairly serious, for the most part, with a couple good jokes and jabs slipped in. But the last couple award segments were kinda lame. Nothing but bad jokes.

It doubt it'll end permanently any time soon. As long as there's people who like cars and enjoy this shows format, there will always be something like it. It might have different presenters. It might have a different name (e.g. very occasionally Fifth Gear has brief flashes of Top Gear-ness). BBC have had a car programme of some sort for decades.

The biggest danger to Top Gear is that the format might become stale.. in about 50 series time. By which time I thoroughly expect our favourite three presenters to be reviewing the latest ion-drive wheelchairs, while showing us how slow the Bugatti Veyron was back in the dim n distant noughties. I just hope Jeremy's face doesn't get the Ariel Atom treatment in 2059 (eugh wrinkly rolls of flesh) :lol:

:blink: That's the sort of thing I hope doesn't happen. I watch a lot of TV and movies, but one of the things I loved about British television programs is that they're much smarter about creating a show, telling a story, and bringing it to an end. In America a show starts slow, then gets big, then the story gets drawn out for as long as possible, they add tons of crap filler, then when the ratings start to lag, it gets canceled. I would rather they make shows knowing where the story is going to go and how many seasons it's going to run, regardless of ratings. And I hope the boys know when to call it quits as well.

If the show was still just about cars, it could go on forever. But they're trying to make a sitcom/variety show out of it and I seriously doubt the longevity of that format. I'd like to see the show go on with serious car reviews, comparisons, and even the occasional cheap car challenge. But as it is, they're trying to make a comedy program out of it, and I don't think it will survive. They're already running out of material...
 
What I liked:

Thought the VW advert was great. The Vauxhall review was pretty good, if unspectacular. Can't believe the half pick-up half-car managed a 1:27. Leno's segment should have been longer.

What I didn't like:

Not a fan of the cool wall, especially at the end of a series where they've missed a few things (ZR1 lap and R8 V10), and had a rare Leno appearance cut short for it. The Aston bit was a horrible way to end it imo. I see what they were trying to do, but I don't watch TG to weep over nostalgia. I watch it because it's fun and entertaining. That whole bit seemed out of place and was frankly just annoying.

I also noticed the Zr1/R8 segment missing. Whats the deal ?

I gave it a Nine, the one thing though i was expecting was the ZR1 they showed in the first show of the series racing an R8 ? I guess that will be moved over ? Anyways I thought Leno was good. Anyone who says leno time should have better needs to know that Jay leno doesn't care about how good he is at racing. He is a true Genuine Car enthusiast and its why I have the utmost respect for him. I also agree that the end was a bit bleh. I'm just sad the series is ALREADY OVER, Top gear is something I look forward to Every week. Can't wait for the next series.
 
Stunning episode. Brian Eno - An Ending was the track for the jaw dropping segment with the Aston. Makes you wonder....end of the series or end of the show?
 
I loved the presentation and idea behind the V12 Vantage segment at the end. It just made me sit back and think in a way I really haven't in a while.

That short, few-minute segment of fantastic filmwork and a nice soundtrack punctuated by the V12's wail...

Honestly, one of my favorite moments of Top Gear.
 
I just thought of something. Don't they usually end each series with the TopGear annual awards?

This usually happens at the end of the year, either awards or the "perfect present" bit.
 
Bathhurst Review - Steak and Kidney Lock Opener... :lol: 10/10
News: 10/10
Sciorocco Advertisement Challenge: 20/10
Cool Wall - Yay it's back and better than ever! 15/10
SIARPC - JAY LENO! :eek::eek::eek: 8/10
Aston Martin V12 Vantage: 10/10

The first car review was silly, entertaining, and fun. Great opener. The news segment was also great fun and I definitely will be making demotivators in a bit as a result ;). The Sciorocco advertisement proves that you don't need something wild and over-the-top to have some good fun with a car. The funeral bit was hilarious, and I think my lungs exploded by this time with laughter. Definitely nearing or at the climactic point of the episode at this part. The revival of the cool wall was very welcoming, I'm glad they did it because it's just an endless source of over-the-top entertainment. Great little skits and props with the magnetic attraction of the BMW Z4 :lol:. Then the SIARPC was a bit specious. I was hoping for some great entertainment counting on Leno to provide incredible laughs and Jeremy complementing that and I feel it wasn't what I expected. Shouldn't have hoped. This was where the episode started drifting downward.

Then of course was the anticlimactic Aston Martin V12 Vantage bit. That seemed out-of-place partly for Top Gear, and I had to look at the time on the video to see if my eyes were deceiving me. Then the very morose ending sort of killed me on the inside. I also asked the same questions about the last episode of TG. That said however it was the most beautiful segment they've ever done. Simple and poignant. No talking. Truly classic

This was the best top gear episode in a while. At least the best this season and by miles. If more episodes were like this I would have faith in TG's revival/remaining life. That said I REALLY was looking forward to the next seasons. Now I'm pretty sure in my mind that next season is the last season.

He mentioned Stig coming back in November, and I read from one of the posts here about a blog article, but the fact of the matter is that they're running out of entertainment bits to keep the show alive. Sure the car industry is there and it's dynamic, but I'm sure the guys don't want to really keep up with it using the show as the medium. I'm sure they want to look at other pursuits while keeping up with the car industry.

Thinking about that makes me sad :cry:, this is probably the best show I've ever seen and kept up with season to season.
 
This usually happens at the end of the year, either awards or the "perfect present" bit.

Yeah, I figured. I wasn't sure, because I'm hearing November being thrown around as the date for the next series. But I suppose if the next series is as short as this one, then they could have the yearly award segment before the new year.
 
I wonder how much paper work they had to go though to get permission to show someone blowing there brains out before 9pm. lol.
 
does anyone know for sure when season 14 is going to air ? i herd its in november, but when in november ?
 
does anyone know for sure when season 14 is going to air ? i herd its in november, but when in november ?

We didn't know for sure when series 13 was going to air until two weeks before. I think you're jumping the gun here.
 
sorry, just really hyper and confused as to the ending of the last episode X_X lol
 
:blink: That's the sort of thing I hope doesn't happen. I watch a lot of TV and movies, but one of the things I loved about British television programs is that they're much smarter about creating a show, telling a story, and bringing it to an end.

Top Gear's been around over 20 years. It started in 1977 (first series was only broadcast in the BBC Midlands). At the end of 2001, BBC decided to pull the series with the intention of changing the format. Channel 5 offered existing presenters (and possibly crew?) a the chance to continue the show (in a similar format) as Fifth Gear. Top Gear (in it's current format) was relaunched by the BBC in 2002.

It's current format seems to have struck a balance that appeals to petrol heads and a *much* wider audience, hence its phenomenal (current) global success.

Hard to see them cancel the show or change its format anytime soon tbh. Good thing too IMO :)
 
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Loved it! Favorite episode of Season 13. Richard's review of the Holdens was very entertaining. Fun, powerful, simple cars that can make you go mental, and are a blast to drive.

News was ok. Good shout out to Massa and his recovery. Hope all goes well. Love how Jeremy broke down what bad drivers drive. I am completely with him on this one!(wife drives a kia :( )Have to say I will not be looking forward to James Porn Film directing debut. :D

The VW ads had me laughing the entire time! More explosions!! But I have to say I think mine and Jeremy's ways of thinking and humor seem to be on the same level....like a 9 year old :p

Good to see the cool wall again! I think we need to see it at least twice per series. Still had the same humor to me that they always have had.

Loved the SIARPC. Jay Leno is on my list of top 5 people I would want to meet. His collection is just amazing. And the fact that he drives them all makes it even better.

The Aston segment....brilliant. Beautiful. Shocking. Depressing. Inspirational. Some people have said that it didn't seem to make much sense. I thought it made perfect sense. The car was "wonderful". The scenery was mesmerizing. It reminded me of what Jeremy said during the CLK Black segment(11x02) of "...what this show is all about. The absolute joy of driving a great car, on a great road."

10/10
 
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Not the best episode ever in my opinion, felt very scripted and dead. Which brings me to the saddest part of the show. The Aston. The best piece of Top Gear ever. And it feels like the last.
 
I pretty much have almost the same thoughts as many have already posted. The VW ad thing sorta lost my interest in this episode though. That alone nixed it down to an 9 for me.

The Vantage segment was sad to see. He hits the points that many have already posted. This is one of those times in our generation that motoring is ALREADY changing. I really hope that the future doesn't mean the end of cars like the Vantage or even the Veyron (note the black & white pictures in the segment). Clarkson is right: Given the state of everything, you have to really wonder whether we'll continue to see these masterpieces of art and engineering on the roads of tomorrow.
 
Have to say I will not be looking forward to James Porn Film directing debut. :D

I think Jeremy knows full well that a nice man coming into a woman's house and actually fixing her boiler (i.e. not hitting it with a hammer) would turn her on more than any other kind of pornography.
 
The end segment was pretty odd. Certainly felt like the end of the show rather than the end of a series. Hopefully Jeremy's wrong, but I get the sense that he might not forsee a long future for the show. I'd be crushed if series 14 ends the show, and given the fantastic popularity of the show and its international audience I sincerely hope it won't be.
 
Stunning episode. Brian Eno - An Ending was the track for the jaw dropping segment with the Aston. Makes you wonder....end of the series or end of the show?

No if you read the thread, it isn't.

What Jeremy is getting is that he's worried that the age of epic supercars like the Vantage is coming to an end, like the way the age of the Chariot came to an end.

As he says- with brutal punishments for speeding coming into effect, putting limiters on cars, environment restrictions for carbon output, it all adds up to these sorts of cars not being feasible anymore.

And I have to agree with him, unfortunately.
 
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