Last Episode - Planes, Trains and Automobiles (almost...boats instead of planes)
So, this is it. The end of The Grand Tour. The end of our boys together on a car show.
I really enjoyed the last episode. Nothing much really happened, but had a little bit of everything. Trains, boats, Automobiles. It was like a little bit of a "Best Of".
But I thought the chemistry was very good throughout. And everybody seemed quite in a good mood. James May seemed more lively than in some other episodes before (like in "Seamen").
Throughout the episode there were some sad little moments. Jeremy looking at the landscape at the end - while everyone else was hugging, shaking hands. James voice breaking lightly while saying "I hope we've brought you .... a little bit of happiness". And Richards really sad face in the very last scene - while parting FF7 style. Richard had a sad look more than once in this episode. It seemed like it did hit him the most of the three.
The scenes in Botswana were really nicely done. With James' and Jezzas car still there. Even though of course they didn't just happend to come across them. But still, that was a nice flashback. And more followed at the very end. It was a nice mix between the new and old scenes.
And then they parted. It's been 22 years. And I was with them since the first season of the new Top Gear. It feels like I just lost a very very good friend. I didn't watch the last ep in one sitting. I did it over three days. Somehow I tought I can delay what ultimately isn't possible: The end of our three blokes as we know them.
The Trio has come to an end. Status Quo stopped touring. What's next to come in 2024? All my heroes have gotten old. And no more heroes are left.
It just feels strange, knowing that we won't see them together like this again. Or will we? Is there hope for some kind of reunion? I hope. I'd watch anything with them in it together. Be it on some streaming service, some shorts on YouTube. Wherever, whatever. Bring it on! Or how about a short-series about "The Interceptors"??
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLp4FhDAfQk
On a personal note: I was in my hometown in 2017 walking my dog. Three cars were driving through the old town. One was exotic looking. Didn't think much. Saw some cameras down the street later on. Didn't think much. Went home. The next day I've read it online: Top Gear Stars in town yesterday! It was them. They took a break a few minutes after they drove by me. Took pics with fans, shook hands. Had some beers. And me....I went home without realizing. So close to meet them. Now I probably never will. To this day I can't believe I missed to realize it was them driving by me. What a wasted chance...