Ep 9. The Last Ride

The Last Ride is the poignant ninth episode of the twelfth and final season of American Chopper, the hit reality television documentary that follows the lives of the Teutul family, the founders of Orange County Choppers, a custom motorcycle fabrication company. The episode achieves a somber and reflective mood as the family faces the end of an era, with OCC closing down for good.

The episode opens with Senior reflecting on his journey as a builder and how much the business has meant to him, including playing a significant role in mending his relationship with his son, Junior, and other members of the family. However, with the business slowing down, Senior explains that they have come to the crossroads of having to stop the show and close the shop's doors forever.

As the last episode of the iconic show, the production team skillfully employs flashbacks and highlights some of the most memorable moments from the last twenty years of the show and showcases the significant impact they have had on the custom motorcycle industry. Fan-favorite builds also get a nod, and the viewer is left reminiscing on the impressive array of designs created by OCC over the years.

The episode then goes back to the present day to focus on the crew's final project, the Hail Mary bike, which marks the end of an era. The build team is under immense pressure as they work tirelessly on the most elaborate motorcycle of their careers, trying to make OCC's last project a fitting tribute to the company's legacy.

The finale showcases the challenges of building a custom motorcycle, from the initial design to the fabrication of each part, right down to the final assembly. As the team works, they frequently pause to reminisce on how far they have come and express their gratitude to the show's loyal fans for their unwavering support.

In between, the senior members of the Teutul family pay tribute to the show's team, highlighting everyone's contributions and talking about how much they have come to mean to them over the years. Each person's story is interwoven with the building process, creating an emotional journey for the viewers.

The episode concludes with a once-in-a-lifetime reveal of the Hail Mary bike and a final closeout of the series, as both the crew and family come together to, in a sense, "ride off" into the sunset, paying tribute to the many years of the show and its significance in their lives. The final moments are powerful, leaving viewers with a sense of loss yet giving closure to the series.

In conclusion, The Last Ride is an emotional ride, tying up loose ends, and celebrating the show's legacy. For fans of the show, the final episode is a must-watch, encapsulating the grandeur of a show that has been a significant part of their lives for almost two decades. A testament to the hard work of the Teutul family and their team, American Chopper will forever be remembered as one of the greatest and most influencial custom motorcycle shows.