Episode 2 is out. Enjoyable.

Watched it with my oldest son last night (like we did when my sons were young and it was Top Gear). Had some funny moments, but It was not as good as most of their "epic" tours, the treasure hunt idea was lame

They've all become a bit formulaic, but they're still fun.

What started out as interesting with lots potential, fizzled out at the end.

I get a sense one of two things or, perhaps both are going on:
1. There's a lack of writing talent. With the BBC, then early Amazon funding, they were able to pull-in just about whomever they needed. TGT on Amazon, had its growing pains as a format but, not storylines. Now, things seem to have tapered-off and what we're getting is interesting ideas that aren't fully fleshed-out. The last handful of shows have been...underwhelming.

2. Clarkson is overbearing and crushing whatever ideas are being put out there. We know this show is his baby and sometimes, when you're too invested into a project, you end up eliminating the spark out of an idea.

I did enjoy the funny moments, and I guess they had to have a reason to go to Madagascar, where they've never filmed from before. This one doesn't have the staying power of some of the others to be rewatchable. They also risk becoming too predictable even for their own parameters. I don't know what they'll do next. It was supposed to be Russia before COVID. I'd like them to do some interesting challenges and throw in some meaningful history. That they typically do well. Since we can't travel seeing the other scenery was nice.

I was underwhelmed by this one as well.

I just re-watched all of episodes of TGT and will watch Episode 2 tomorrow

did watch a series with James May in Japan and a few episodes of a compendium of shows by Hammond

there was also a show of a trip through Italy with Hammond and Clarkson which had some great photography

The best parts of their adventures are the unscripted ones.

When they were going to move fish from the coast to the interior of Africa and James had his Mercedes aquarium. When he went forward and the water sloshed over him - Jezza and Hammond about died with laughter, as did I.

It feels like this one had almost no unscripted moments - the humor was all forced. I still love seeing the guys doing their thing, but they need to be riffing on each other more often.

I just realized that Hammond said his vehicle not finishing in this for the first time in any of their travels, but his Land Cruiser didn't finish in Bolivia/Chile

Mixed feelings about it, but glad it finally came out.

I echo what most others have said, the treasure hunt concept was lame. I would much rather them just set out as a challenge to drive across Madagascar. I like the concept, if it's true. Purchase a "car" then oh wait, curveball... you're going to Madagascar. Just film the adventure that awaits from there. I'm sure there's hours of footage that would have shown the difficultness of that alone along with unscripted laughs along the way.

As always however, great camera work and scenery.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
I just realized that Hammond said his vehicle not finishing in this for the first time in any of their travels, but his Land Cruiser didn't finish in Bolivia/Chile

Donkey made it 99% of the way...if only a couple of hands hadn't given it a shove upon seeing the Pacific

BTW- I think that episode is the greatest of all the specials they've ever done.

It was a weak episode, but I wonder how much of that had to do with the COVID shutdown? Did they have to scramble and put together a bunch of footage they'd already shot just to have an episode? The whole thing just felt...unfinished.

It was fun watching May be miserable though. He always seems to get the car that fills with water. Man takes it like a sport. He's probably become my favorite of the three and his solo shows are generally really enjoyable as well.

Finally got around to watching this today.
Still quite amusing, but not up to what prior episodes have been.

Hilarious watching the flows of mud repeatedly washing over May.

quote:

Hilarious watching the flows of mud repeatedly washing over May.

Having been to a few third world countries.....that wasn't JUST mud.

A used/filled/trashed Port-A-Potty at a large outdoor festival in July doesn't smell near as bad as "muddy water" in a third world shithole.

And that is why I laughed my ass off during those scenes.

I watched it and enjoyed it for what it was

the photography is still pretty awesome