Okay so to start I'm a massive fan of these three and their work so I'd like to think I have a basic idea of their best and worst. This episode of season 2 is a promising start, the new celebrity section is a welcome change to the joke section in the previous series. The locations cars and cinematography is as always on top tier. I very much like the interaction between the three presenters and road trips with the three of them is arguably their finest asset but this leads me to my one niggle that this episode has heaps of evidence of. There is quite a contrived feel to the 'storyline' that happens. Don't get me wrong I understand the need for a narrative in the pieces. It's the pantomime nature of things like the bad choice of hotel or the way they sometimes react to things obviously planned out well in advance.My favorite moments are when there is genuine laughter at each other caught on camera. Personally, i just wish the pantomime style would be dropped as them being themselves has always been enough and despite the fact they are all a lot more clever than they let on, its the knowledge and combined experience of these three that makes funny and silly actions the funnier when they do happen for real. (for example in this episode Clarkson's reaction in the drag race)
But although that section was long it is just a niggle for me that it seems more fictional than ever. On the more positive side, the passion these three and I can imagine the production crew has for putting this show together is infectious and the praise from the studio audience and the willingness of celebrities to be there shows it.
As said before the cinematography is seriously good making the cars and locations really shine, just wish I could watch in 4k through a browser to fully appreciate it. The addition of a permanent studio has clearly be done for logistical reasons and this to me does not make the programme any worse.
Conversation street is a good segment, regardless of any silly parts the conversation is genuinely interesting and the to and fro opinions on matters are good although its hard to tell how rehearsed it may be (I imagine its a good thing if I can't tell)
Overall this is one dedicated fan of these three and my opinion so take from it what you will, I've tried to be fair but honest with a self-proclaimed knowledge of the repertoire of the three hosts.
to sum up in one line
A solid start well worth the wait but hoping it can get even better.
But although that section was long it is just a niggle for me that it seems more fictional than ever. On the more positive side, the passion these three and I can imagine the production crew has for putting this show together is infectious and the praise from the studio audience and the willingness of celebrities to be there shows it.
As said before the cinematography is seriously good making the cars and locations really shine, just wish I could watch in 4k through a browser to fully appreciate it. The addition of a permanent studio has clearly be done for logistical reasons and this to me does not make the programme any worse.
Conversation street is a good segment, regardless of any silly parts the conversation is genuinely interesting and the to and fro opinions on matters are good although its hard to tell how rehearsed it may be (I imagine its a good thing if I can't tell)
Overall this is one dedicated fan of these three and my opinion so take from it what you will, I've tried to be fair but honest with a self-proclaimed knowledge of the repertoire of the three hosts.
to sum up in one line
A solid start well worth the wait but hoping it can get even better.
