Okay, I'll bite.
For me the single greatest episode of all time was and still is - evena fter yesterday - 07x03. The episode when the trio took three supercars to the Millau Bridge. That single episode, for me, is perfection. It had on of the best car reviews they have done, the Ford Focus ST. Not some fancyass million dollar supercar, but an ordinary hot hatchback but the review was made great with Jeremy's enthusiastic commentary, simple yet great camerawork and good music. It was an entertaining car review, something that has gone missing since. The news were hilarious, had actualy automotive news content and the Emmy-award, which gave more lighthearted touch. The guest was wonderful, Belsebub himeself, the transport minister Mr. Ladyman.
All those make uo for a very good, solid Top Gear but the main segment is what really hit it home. The roadtrip with three supercars defines what Top Gear is in my mind- it is three ordinary blokes, talking about cars, bickering and debating, driving fast and most importantly genuinely enjoying it and having fun.
"I need to be made to feel like I'm ten in a supercar. If don't feel like I'm sitting here in short trousers with my mouth open going WOOOOW then it's..failed"
"You can't rationalise supercars like this, you buy them with your heart because you love them. And who can explain love ? All I know is, I love this big Ford more than I love the othes
Brian Eno's "Ending" on the backround, those words, that scenery with the three cars and all three guys smiling, happy....you can see that they do enjoy the moment, they are doing what they love. And that is why I love cars, that is what I feel when I see a Lamborghini driving down a road. I don't think" Yeees, that's a good engine, but slightly unreliable". No, in my own head I feel like a child again. Seeing cars like that, old trains, planes or other things like that make me feel just....happy.
That is what yesterday's TG was. It was the first time in I think since Clarkson's CLK 63 Black-segment and the V12 Vantage since I have actually felt the love of cars. This was a real back to basics approachm they had left all the falling over bits and instead it was all about cars and what makes them awesome. With the Tourage it was that childish joy of toying around, with the Veyron the sheer mindblowing specs and numbers and the Senna-piece really does not need any explanation.
Just like when they went to Millau Bridge, this showed genuine and real feel and emotion towards everything that is automotive. And that is what makes Top Gear great. I know that's only my humble opinion, but as a car nut that is what matters to me the most. Not the falling over, not the written comedy, but the love of cars.