Having recently read Michael Palin’s excellent Erebus, I thought I’d revisit the Top Gear Polar Special.
Watching the lovable trio of – Jezza, James and Richard – flippant but funny morons, gradually realising how hardcore their undertaking, or rather their environment, is, is very entertaining.
And it makes excellent TV.
The arctic is, as you expect, breathtaking, sublime, awe-inspiring. It’s great to be able to watch such things from the comfort of the sofa in your warm home. And as oafish as the Top Gear trio are, they’re also brave (foolhardy!?).
Hammond goes via dog-sled, with a lady musher (whose name escapes me), whilst Jeremy and Cap’n Slow go in a modified Toyota four-wheel drive.
They encounter Polar Bears, a plane-wreck, and play ‘eye-spy’ (under limited conditions!), get exhausted, scared, and traverse some frighteningly beautiful landscapes. Great TV!
