To be honest I was worried after last weeks episode. I thought that the Top Gear magic was, sort of, gone. I guess I was wrong. This is an episode that really is what I want from Top Gear. Starting of with a good review of the Fiat. It was interesting and factual, which I like. Some say that it was too much like Fifth Gear, but you've also got to admit that this is what Top Gear should be like, unless you fancy the 59 minutes of cocking about and one minute about cars. This felt more proper.
The news was ok, it wasn't a great one, but it sure made me laugh a bit. Especially the Panda 1.2 part. Also the SIARPC was really good. As someone who ignores Pop Idol and all such nonsense I was surprised that he was as good as he was. The banter about pillows and flower shows was.. great!
Then the muscle car segment. I thought that, oh no, here we go again with a driving story that is just going to be.. generic. In a Top Gear way, that is. But it surprised me. It actually as really good. First off, Richard actually having to buy his car, which was quite fun. Jeremy being in trouble with the police, Hammonds car moving mysteriously and James driving like the driving god that he is. Except from the elevenses (spelling..?) that is.
I must rate this a 9/10, where the last episode was a 5/10. This was so much better. The banter, the cars, the review, the news. Everything. Loved it.