Top Gear - — Middle East Special Link Full Episode

After crossing into Jordan, the trio visits the Dead Sea—the lowest point on Earth. They attempt to demonstrate the high salinity by having a buoyant Clarkson float. But the real drama comes when they try to drive away. The salt and mud have corroded everything. Hammond’s MX-5 refuses to start. May’s BMW makes a sound like a dying walrus. Clarkson’s Fiat begins to smoke. For ten minutes, three of the UK’s most famous motoring journalists look utterly defeated by a puddle of salt.

The Middle East Special was a ratings success, watched by approximately in the UK, making it one of the top ten most-watched episodes of the series. Jeremy Clarkson has since described it as the best of the adventures to watch, and it remains a staple of holiday television marathons. Today, the three main cars from the special are part of the World of Top Gear exhibition at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu. top gear - middle east special full episode

The episode begins in Iraqi Kurdistan, a region rarely featured in mainstream Western entertainment at the time for anything other than news coverage. The hosts openly address the dangers and misconceptions of the area, contrasting the grim headlines with the staggering natural beauty of the landscape and the immense warmth and hospitality of the local population. Key Highlights and Challenges After crossing into Jordan, the trio visits the

In the Syrian desert, James May suffered a genuine, nasty head injury after tripping over a tow rope. He spent a portion of the trip in a local hospital, leaving Clarkson and Hammond to playfully mock his memory loss upon his return. The salt and mud have corroded everything

The journey began in the relative stability of Iraqi Kurdistan. The presenters faced immediate challenges negotiating heavily fortified checkpoints and damaged infrastructure. To avoid the volatile regions of central and southern Iraq, the production team routed the journey north through the mountainous borders into Turkey. 2. The Syrian Desert