Top Gear tonight

[D Walker]

I am sorry - we could not change the plate in time is just lame,
Change the flaming car then.
Anybody involved in the show who says it was a "remarkable" coincidence is a liar.
As an ex soldier I found it deeply insensitive and believe me a better organised mob could have quite easily inflicted more than some broken windows and cuts etc.

 

[BennyD]

However, in the interest of a balanced debate, how many of us would have spotted the significance of the plate if it hadn't been a major media item before the programme was aired? The Argies found it offensive but how offensive is it? If the number had been H182FLD would that be better, similar or worse? The first letter is the same, then 3 of the 4 numbers of the year and then 3 consonants from the place. How about H198FLN? It could, and probably will, be argued that the original plate was most likely to cause offence but it could also be argued that all loss of life in that skirmish, and the associated angst, stemmed directly from the unprovoked Argentinian invasion of a UK dependency. Which is worse, the unsubtle dig by the TG team or the over-the-top reaction by the Argentinians? Discuss.

 

[Maser Sod]

I think the plate was just an unfortunate coincidence, unintended to wind up the locals.

Just like this message of peace in the deep south, which also unintentionally led to people taking offence:




Controversy doesn't sell. Otherwise, why would the Top Gear producers have caused offence in a mere 15 episodes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gear_controversies

 

[Contigo]

You think it was intentional that one of the cars on the Patagonia special just happened to be H982 FKL? Hmm I don't believe in that much of a coincidence at all!

 

[CatmanV2]

However, in the interest of a balanced debate, how many of us would have spotted the significance of the plate if it hadn't been a major media item before the programme was aired?

This

C

 

[Andyk]

Ben, unless someone told me I wouldn't have noticed the plate...My good lady also agreed........I will say I rather enjoyed it as well.........

 

[CatmanV2]

Ben, unless someone told me I wouldn't have noticed the plate...My good lady also agreed........I will say I rather enjoyed it as well.........

I'm quite enjoying the second episode right now.

C

 

[Andyk]

Just watched it myself with the family and yes we did enjoy.

 

[BennyD]

I think the plate was just an unfortunate coincidence, unintended to wind up the locals.

Just like this message of peace in the deep south, which also unintentionally led to people taking offence:

View attachment 25814

If you saw that driving through your town, would you be that moved to throw rocks at it? I certainly wouldn't. Nor would I be moved to throw rocks at an American driving through Nantwich with '1776 We won' or 'Lady love rules ok' emblazoned on his car. A sense of humour sometimes helps and it's such a shame not everybody has one.

 

[drewf]

Very true Ben, but it only takes the 'wrong' scarf when a mob of football supporters are in the mood to cause trouble in the UK. I think it would be pretty easy to bait a section of society and get much the same reaction.

Do all the French guys throw rocks at you for not liking their sausages/language/whatever? No.

Do all the Germans want to beat the **** out of you, because you used to wear a blue uniform? No.

But.... it's only 'no' for the sane, normal, balanced people; most of the people we tend to meet. There are certainly a small minority in all countries who are keen to have a pop when the baited hook is dangled before them. TG were stupid to expect no less.

 

[safrane]

So what will they do next? Swastika on BMW in Israel? Maybe tour Cyprus with Greek and Turkish flags...

 

[CatmanV2]

Is that Goodwin's law I hear?
C

 

[MAF260]

Do all the French guys throw rocks at you for not liking their sausages/language/whatever?

Do all the Germans want to beat the **** out of you, because you used to wear a blue uniform?

If either of these events ever happen please count me in for front row seats!

 

[Maser Sod]

You think it was intentional that one of the cars on the Patagonia special just happened to be H982 FKL? Hmm I don't believe in that much of a coincidence at all!

Sorry, I was attempting dry humour - of course it ain't a coincidence!

If you saw that driving through your town, would you be that moved to throw rocks at it?

Absolutely not. Unless it had Clarkson in it.

 

[Felonious Crud]

It was good entertainment for sure. Utterly beautiful part of the world which I'd love to visit but unfortunately due to the regrettable chaos at the end I'm unlikely to ever think going there would be a good idea, regardless of how anyone might choose to interpret the numberplate on my car.

 

[Contigo]

I wouldn't let the sway you, I'm sure not everyone is like that, Buenos Aires is stunning and the people friendly

 

[dem maser]

So what will they do next? Swastika on BMW in Israel? Maybe tour Cyprus with Greek and Turkish flags...

They go to Cyprus with Turkish flags and they won't make it out, police will kill them not protect them
Hope they do it next year

 

[Andyk]

It was good entertainment for sure. Utterly beautiful part of the world which I'd love to visit but unfortunately due to the regrettable chaos at the end I'm unlikely to ever think going there would be a good idea, regardless of how anyone might choose to interpret the numberplate on my car.

I thought Argentina for most of it didn't like look like a great place to visit..Thought Chile looked prettier....

 

[BL330]

We're a bit behind In Australia as the 2 part Argentina special has just aired tonight.
For the first time I thought it was all a bit predictable, except for the violence at the end.
Has any England or any UK team played Argentina in Rugby in the last 30 years, cause that would be violent?
Back to Top Gear, Haven't we seen this before ?
- Someone decides to take a short cut rather than use the straight forward highway
- unloading off a raft / bridge requires planks
- ferry decides to disembark their cars a mile downstream from the usual unload point
- cars are modified enroute in radical ways
- cars are sabotaged ( usually funny though )
- silly gifts are exchanged
Maybe I'm slow, but it is getting to be a predictable formula.
On the plus, scenery was nice and it was informative about an area of the world unknown to me previously.

 

[Parisien]

Bruce, you aint far wrong, by using same formula......with unexpected turns its still pretty predictable.

The 2 parts could have been fitted into one....TG brand fatally wounded by the whole debacle.



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