Top Gear - Reviewing how the final chapter was closed

After 22 seasons produced over the last 13 years, the current Top Gear format will cease to exist as we know it on the BBC. The finale to the world's most popular motoring show was broadcast yesterday evening (Sunday 28th June 2015 / 8:00pm / BBC Two) In a 75-minute special, consisting of Hammond and May in a vacant studio and two feature-length films.

The show kicked off with James May saying "Hello, and welcome to what's left of Top Gear" which put me in a pretty cold mood before the first film even started! Still, there was some subtle humour with an Elephant being located in various places during studio segments - a reference to the very fitting 'Elephant in the room' idiom.

The first film was a traditional cheap car challenge where Clarkson, Hammond and May had to purchase a classic car and turn it into a project which was worked on for months and meet up with fellow car enthusiasts at motoring events. The hosts purchased a Fiat 124 Spider, MGB GT and Peugeot 504 Convertible respectively. Once that film had finished, the show went back to the sombre mood of the empty hangar (albeit with the Elephant still lurking in the background) and swiftly moved on to the second film where they hosts had to purchase a Sport Utility Vehicle for £250 and undergo a series of challenges.

While both films provided their fair share of humour, but there was no getting away from the fact that this is the last episode of Top Gear as we know it. Despite how short they were compared to the actual films, the studio segments left a more lasting impression on me because it truly reflects the situation Top Gear is in right now - broken beyond repair. There was virtually no on-screen chemistry, a lack of banter between the hosts, a lonely atmosphere and it looked like neither Hammond or May even wanted to be there.

Then we get to the end where James May closes the show by saying "Thank you very much for watching. Goodbye." in the most downbeat way possible. The Top Gear theme did not play during the credits, although someone had the nerve to advertise another show on the right hand side of the screen with a voice-over.

As expected, Jeremy Clarkson was not able to have his final say during the show (other than "I hate working on Top Gear" towards the end of the SUV film) but he has made his feelings known on Twitter, as have Hammond and May thanking their fans for the support.

It was an sentimental conclusion to what many will view as the end of the greatest motoring show on TV. However, Jeremy Clarkson has not ruled out being part of another motoring show as he noted in The Sun: "I won't miss making a car show - because other broadcasters are available so I don't have to stop doing that." and it is extremely likely his colleagues will tag alongside him to another television network.

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As for Top Gear on the BBC, we know that the show is getting a massive overhaul next year with Chris Evans as the confirmed host and open auditions being held for his co-hosts. Chances are the Top Gear will never be entertaining in the same way with Clarkson, Hammond and May at the helm, but I am willing to give it a chance and hopefully we can get a decent motoring fix once again on Sunday evenings.