Hammond’s buggy catching fire, and Clarkson using his own fire extinguisher… on May’s perfectly fine vehicle. 4. “Lochdown” (Season 4, Episode 3) The Scottish Lockdown Special
The first of the “road trip” specials after the studio tent was retired, Seamen sees the hosts swap wheels for waves. Tasked with navigating the Mekong River from Vietnam to Cambodia, they choose three absurd vessels: Clarkson on a speedboat, May in a traditional wooden riverboat, and Hammond on a floating RV. The episode is a masterclass in slow-burn comedy—watching three middle-aged men learn to pilot boats while arguing about navigation is unexpectedly thrilling. best the grand tour episodes
Season 3 hit a creative high note. Sent to the Namibian desert, each man builds his own dune buggy from scratch. Clarkson’s is overpowered and terrifying; Hammond’s is small and flips constantly; May’s is meticulously engineered to be slow. The episode captures what makes the show great—not just speed, but the genuine friendship that emerges when you’re stranded in 40° heat with a broken suspension and no phone signal. Hammond’s buggy catching fire, and Clarkson using his