"Top Gear" Best Episode Guide

When it comes to television programs, everyone has his or her favorite. Some like watching dramas and clever mystery shows. Others go for sitcoms and shows meant to make you laugh. Of course, there are those rare shows on television that manage to combine the elements from each genre and come up with a product with is truly unique. One of the these such programs is Top Gear. Top Gear combines expensive sports cars, unpredictable humor, dramatic challenges, and may very well be one of the best shows currently running on television. Sadly, however, those of that live in the United States don't get the opportunity to see every episode, as BBC America only shows a select few at very varied time slots. Generally, we are also about a year behind what is being shown in Britain. However, those that have watched the show usually end up hooked. And, with that in mind, this guide is presented to detail the five best episodes in the current series of the show.

Number 5: Season 3, Episode 2 - In this episode, the show does a tribute to the "M" division of BMW. Any fans of classic BMWs, or just sports cars is going to love the look back at the classic M vehicles, from the first M5 to the road test and track test of the brand new M3 CSL, an M3 that has been lightened and tuned up. Following that, a comparison is done between entry level roadsters from BMW, Porsche, and Honda. The presenters drive each others cars, and, as always, are too busy arguing to come up with a clear winner. Of course, it wouldn't be a top gear episode without some ridiculous antics, so a Volvo 240 Station wagon is challenged to jump 4 caravans (campers to us in America) with mixed results. This episode is great combination of some serious car comparison and some fun as well, definitely a must watch episode of the series.

Number 4: Season 8, Episode 3 - In the style of many other Top Gear antics, the challenge for this episode is for the presenters to each build an amphibious car. Although I won't spoil too much for you, the results are hysterical, and definitely worth watching. The show also features the beautiful Lotus Exige S. Although there are a couple of other interesting cars mentioned and looked at, the sole reason that this episode makes the top five chart is for the challenge of trying to build an amphibious car. In a subsequent episode, the presenters attempt to go back and create improved versions of these vehicles, but the originals are still the best. Definitely a good episode for those who want to laugh.

Number 3: Season 12, Episode 8 - This episode strays away from the traditional format of Top Gear and instead does something different. Much in the same line as the other episodes which feature a "road trip" the presenters are sent to a location and given a certain amount of money in which to buy a car and then complete challenges with it. For this episode, the presenters are sent to Vietnam, and given only enough money to buy a motorcycle. It is definitely something different, and it is incredibly interesting to see the entire country of Vietnam as the episode progresses. There are some very funny moments along the way, and it is definitely one of the most interesting and unique episodes in the series. Well worth watching for any fan of Top Gear, or any motoring fan who wants to watch something a little different.

Number 2: Top Ground Gear Force - Although technically not an actual episode of the show, it's incredibly hard to beat this special. Done for charity, the three presenters attempt to follow the format of the old "Ground Force" television show. To do this, they select Sir Steve Redgrave (a former Olympic rowing champion) and "improve" his lawn. Needless to say, things do not go as planned. The resulting chaos and confusion as the three presenters use a backhoe for digging up weeds, a shotgun for trimming trees, and 40,000 psi water pump for a small fountain is something that definitely has to be witnessed. It may not be a traditional episode of Top Gear, and it may have little to nothing to do with actual cars, but, it was for charity, and it may very well be one of the funniest things to ever watch on television.

Number 1: Toss Up - It's incredibly hard to pick the "best" episode of any TV series. There's so much that goes into the selection of top episodes that picking the single best one becomes a very strong challenge. For that reason, the winner of the number one spot is going to depend largely on what your looking for and what you want to see. As far as humor and fun goes, my personal pick for the number one spot would be the American Special, which is Season 9, Episode 3. As far as seriousness and a genuinely good television show go, one of the best episodes is the first one of Season 9, in which Richard Hammond returns from his Vampire drag car accident.No matter what one is looking for, it is very difficult to argue against what a great show Top Gear really is. Whether or not one likes cars, the program is almost universally enjoyable. So, with this list as your guide, good luck watching some old favorites and perhaps finding some new ones as well.