Chris Harris being so positive about the NSX, with brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire seems odd, didn't quite buy the enthusiasm. Otherwise a pretty good segment, Harris is still a joy to watch.
Chris Harris also liked the Porsche 918 quite a bit, so his enthusiasm isn't that surprising. He may like the old ways, but is able to accept the new ways if the result is a very fast car.
I skipped most of the SIARC segment, sorry, still doesn't work for me. The guests were quite good this time, and I endured through the introductions, but that was it.
The rest, it indeed seemed to fit each reviewer quite well, and that showed.
You could see Harris' enthusiasm, Rory's liking of painful old Mustangs, Matt seemed properly overjoyed by the 911R and even Chris Evans starts to shine when he gets into nice classic cars which he obviously loves.
The jump segment?well, it was short, so it worked for me. Also because I wanted CH to win.
Overall, an 8 - without the SIARC segment, which was the way I (mostly) watched this episode.
With Evans gone, I am hopeful that especially Matt, CH and Rory can develop a proper chemistry between them, something Top Gear absolutely requires. This time around, the (solo) car reviews were what's best to me about the series, perhaps next year the challenges and races will be good to watch as well.
- - - Updated - - -
3/10.
Who'd have thunk, in the Grauniad of all places:
"INTRODUCE! You know, some fun
I don?t know, guys, just try to make it look like this is a fun programme to make. Laugh a little. Improvise. Crack jokes. Be rude about Mexicans. Punch a man in the face. Anything, so long as it brings a little of the old sparkle back."
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2016/jul/04/top-gear-verdict-first-season
That in the Guardian seems a bit strange indeed.
But I pretty much agree with what that article says, including the news.