Top Gear, The Specials Season 2 Episode 1

Ep 1. The Bolivia Special

  • December 27, 2009

Top Gear, The Specials, Vol. 1 season 2 episode 1 titled "The Bolivia Special" is an adventure-packed road trip documentary featuring the series' three legendary presenters- Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May. In this episode, the trio embarks on an epic expedition deep into the heart of South America, crossing Bolivia's treacherous and unforgiving Andes mountain range.

The show starts with the presenters in a market stocking up on supplies and vehicles for their journey. They are tasked with driving 1,000 miles across Bolivia starting in the Amazon Basin, through the Andes, and through to the coast of Chile. Each presenter has to pick a second-hand vehicle to undertake the journey, with the end goal of reaching the coast of Chile before their fellow presenters.

Naturally, the vehicles picked by the presenters are notoriously unreliable and absolutely unsuited to off-road conditions. There is a Pampero, May's 4-wheel drive Suzuki, and Hammond's beach buggy. The vehicles are a collection of toys, and during the journey, the presenters have to undertake seemingly impossible tasks. The roads are rough, and they have to drive across rickety bridges and streams. The Bolivia Special is an exceptional display of resilience and teamwork as the presenters band together (and at times against one another) to make it to their destination, even when their cars have given up entirely.

The trio's unpreparedness and adventure is put to the test with challenges that demand their wit and resourcefulness. Cliff-jumping 40 meters from high above a valley is just one of the ordeals that the presenters face, and it is not an easy task, especially when you descend with a wheelchair attached to your back. The presenters also have to face a daunting minefield, drive their cars to the top of a mountain, and then, using the brake of the car, bash through a wall.

Throughout the journey, the presenter's test each other's cars, driving each other's vehicles in keeping up with a well-hatched plan to make it through the journey. Of course, the presenters never fail to poke fun at one another and make good-natured jabs at each other's driving styles and cars. It is a hilarious display of Top Gear's penchant for witty and off-the-cuff humor.

The Bolivia Special is more than just a showcase of the presenters' humor and camaraderie. It highlights Bolivia's stunning and diverse landscapes, from its dense jungles to its rugged, snow-covered peaks. The journey takes us through some of the least traveled routes of the iconic Pan-American highway, and it is all captured beautifully on film.

Overall, Top Gear, The Specials, Vol. 1 season 2 episode 1, The Bolivia Special is a testament to the presenters' resilience and resourcefulness. The journey is perilous, but with their unique sense of humor and unorthodox approach to problem-solving, the presenters manage to make it through with a lot of laughs along the way. It is a reminder of why Top Gear remains one of the most beloved automotive shows of all time.

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Description
  • First Aired
    December 27, 2009
  • Language
    English