It’s the end of an era and instead of ending it on some extravagant high with outrageous stunts, explosions and all the rest of it, One for the Road ends it on a very gentlemanly high note with a touch of class and a very enjoyable last episode.
In their last adventure, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May ignore the instructions of Mr Wilman and head to Zimbabwe in three cars they’ve always wanted to own, a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag, for a stunning road trip through beautiful and sometimes challenging landscapes leading to an emotional ending on a strangely familiar island.
Seeing the end of the credits of this show is enough to make grown men cry, the production team all work together like a big family and how it ended was done superbly. No tears, no exaggerated goodbyes just a very heartfelt meaningful ‘Thank You’ from Jeremy Clarkson. A few handshakes later and that’s it, just like that, years of memories of this incredible trio come to a swift and sad conclusion.
Willfully ignoring an electric car the guys each choose their own 70s classics and suffer the consequences of picking these old aging cars.
What struck me with this final episode is that The Grand Tour has been heavily reliant on the more explosive side of things so having this rather subdued show arc’d back to the days of early Top Gear where it was just three guys who all shared the same passion enjoying the love of driving. I found that somewhat full circle and wholesome as opposed to ridiculous stunts.
Whilst a car does get lunged off a cliff it’s not a highlight as friendship and nostalgia take centre stage in this lovely send-off.
The original Botswana special callbacks are strong in this particular finale and if you’ve been watching for as long as I have it’s difficult not to get a bit emotional at this last hurrah.
As The Grand Tour concludes Jeremy Clarkson thanks us all for watching James May says “I hope we brought you a little bit of happiness.”
If you’re quiet for long enough you can hear a whole nation reply, Yes, yes you did.
The Grand Tour could have gone in one wild direction but instead chose to do it respectfully, in a memorable way and that’s what made the ending of the show hit much harder than it would have if they’d gone down the explosions and grand gesture route.
I’ve grown up with Richard, James and Jeremy and like all of the greatest shows, there’s a much deeper connection here than just three guys on a TV screen. This trio defined an era and even for non-car enthusiasts like myself still managed to make me tune in to every episode and indulge in three good friends making memories together.
Knowing there will never be another trio like it in the world of motoring TV shows is a bitter pill to swallow but for those who lived through it, who experienced it and grew up with them, we have those memories and those are the things we’ll never forget.
To Jeremy, James and Richard. Thank you for the perfect send-off.
Our Rating
Summary
The perfect send-off as these three TV legends solidify themselves amongst the greats. All fun, no filter and an incredible send-off for these three giants of motoring entertainment. Thanks for the memories.
