The Top Gear Middle East Special (Series 16, Episode 2), originally aired on December 26, 2010, follows Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they drive 1,200 miles across the Middle East in used two-door convertibles. The 76-minute episode features the trio retracing the Three Wise Men's journey from Iraq to Bethlehem, navigating challenging terrain, and participating in "Old Testament NASCAR". The special is available for viewing on platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV. Middle East Special - Top Gear (Season 16, Episode 2)
Disaster struck early when James, attempting to scout a route, fell and suffered a concussion. For a brief, terrifying moment, the bickering stopped. But once the doctors cleared him, the mockery resumed with double the intensity. James spent the rest of the trip wearing a helmet decorated with "flowers" (courtesy of Jeremy) to protect his "gentle" head. top gear - middle east special full episode
The Hamster went with the sensible choice: a Japanese Mazda MX-5. It was reliable, handled well, and had a decent heater. The problem? Hammond overspent slightly and bought one with a "leisure center" for a rear wing—an enormous, hideous aftermarket spoiler. The Top Gear Middle East Special (Series 16,
Israel & Palestine: The final leg involved a stop at the Sea of Galilee and crossing the West Bank barrier to reach Bethlehem . Production and Reception Middle East Special - Top Gear (Season 16,
The special concluded with the trio arriving at a nativity scene in Bethlehem to present gifts they found along the way: : A gold-relief medallion. : A bottle of shampoo labeled "Frankincense." : A Nintendo DS (as he could not find myrrh). The Reveal
One of the most fascinating aspects of watching this episode in retrospect is the geopolitical snapshot it provides. At the time of filming, the borders between Northern Iraq, Syria, and Turkey were porous enough for a BBC film crew to navigate with relative ease (and a lot of paperwork).
On the final leg into Bethlehem, the trio arrived at a stable. Inside, they didn't find gold, frankincense, or myrrh. Instead, they found a small, screaming baby... who looked suspiciously like a miniature version of The Stig, complete with a tiny white racing helmet.