The Holy Trinity (The Grand Tour)

{{Infobox television episode

| series = The Grand Tour

| image = The Grand Tour trio in The Holy Trinity.png

| alt =

| caption = Clarkson, Hammond, and May take the stage for the first time in the series' airing.

| series_no = 1

| episode = 1

| director = {{ubl|Phil Churchward|Brian Klein|Kit Lynch-Robinson}}

| writer =

| release_date = {{Start date|2016|11|17|df=yes}}

| length = 71 minutes

| presenter = {{ubl|Jeremy Clarkson|Richard Hammond|James May}}

| guests =

Jérôme d'Ambrosio – during film
Chris Goodwin – during film
Hothouse Flowers – performed in intro

Celebrity Brain Crash appearances:

| prev =

| next = Operation Desert Stumble

| episode_list =

}}

"The Holy Trinity" is the first episode of British motoring series The Grand Tour. It was made available exclusively through the Amazon Video streaming service, first on 17 November 2016 . Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, who previously presented as a trio on BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear, present the show.

Prior to filming, Clarkson's contract was not renewed by the BBC after he was involved in an altercation with a Top Gear producer in March 2015, leaving Hammond, May, and Wilman to follow him in departing the show following the end of the series. Later in 2015, they signed a deal with Amazon to create an original series. Filming for the introduction and tent scenes took place in Los Angeles, California in September 2016. The episode features the trio introducing the new bits of the show, as well as their film. For the film, the trio traveled in three supercars to the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal, where they had timed laps performed by race car driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio.

The episode received very positive reviews from critics upon its release. Critics noted similarities between the episode and Top Gear in their reviews. It attracted nearly two million viewers in its first weekend of release and was eventually made available to non-Amazon Prime members for free viewing from 23 to 26 December 2016.

Summary

Clarkson, Hammond and May launch their new series with a film showing Clarkson leaving London to fly to Los Angeles where he meets Hammond and May (both of whom, along with Andy Wilman, left Top Gear to stick with Clarkson). Irish rock band Hothouse Flowers plays "I Can See Clearly Now" as the trio drive modified Ford Mustangs (Clarkson in blue, Hammond in red, and May in white) through the California desert to Rabbit Dry Lake, while being accompanied by a range of cars and a fly-over by the Breitling Jet Team. The trio greet the audience and viewers and also introduce the show's tent.

The film presented in the episode shows Clarkson, Hammond and May testing three hybrid hypercars; the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and LaFerrari at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal. After the first portion of the film, Clarkson, back at the tent, introduces the "Conversation Street" segment, where the trio talk about a speeding ticket that May received for driving a mere {{convert|37|mph|km/h}} (which to the trio is ironic as they had long nicknamed May as 'Captain Slow'). Then the show's new test track, the "Eboladrome" at RAF Wroughton, is revealed, where after a Ferrari 488 is driven, Clarkson test drives a BMW M2, which is then taken around the "Eboladrome" by their new driver, former NASCAR champion Mike Skinner (billed as 'The American' as their new show's equivalent to The Stig). Afterward, the "Celebrity Brain Crash" segment is introduced, featuring celebrities who are scheduled to appear on the show, but are all humorously "killed" before being able to take part. Jeremy Renner, Armie Hammer and Carol Vorderman all appear individually during this segment.

Returning to Portugal, Belgian race car driver Jérôme d'Ambrosio performs timed laps in the hypercars. Clarkson makes a bet with Hammond and May that they will be able to demolish his house, if the McLaren P1 is not the fastest in a timed lap. The episode ends with the lap times being revealed back in the tent, showing that the P1 did not have the fastest lap. Clarkson's house would later be destroyed in "Opera, Arts and Donuts", the third episode of the first season.

Filming and production

File:The Grand Tour opening scene shoot (31077806105).jpg during filming for the opening sequence in Lucerne Valley, California]]

Prior to the filming of The Grand Tour, Clarkson, Hammond, and May presented BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear, with Wilman handling the executive production.{{cite news|title=Top Gear producer Andy Wilman quits show|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32437814|work=BBC News|date=23 April 2015|access-date=9 January 2017}} In March 2015, it was reported that Clarkson had come under fire by the BBC for entering an altercation with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon while filming for the show. The BBC chose not to renew Clarkson's contract after news of the altercation came to light.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/jeremy-clarkson-dg-statement|title=BBC Director-General's statement regarding Jeremy Clarkson|publisher=BBC|date=25 March 2015|access-date=9 January 2017}} Hammond, May,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32431956|title=James May 'will not return to Top Gear' without Clarkson|work=BBC News | date=23 April 2015 | access-date=9 January 2017}} and Wilman also left the programme afterward. Later in the year, the four signed a deal with Amazon to have an Amazon Video original series. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had described the deal as "very, very, very expensive" during an interview with The Daily Telegraph.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/amazon/11800890/jeff-bezos-interview-amazon-prime-jeremy-clarkson.html|first=James|last=Quinn|title=Amazon's Jeff Bezos: With Jeremy Clarkson, we're entering a new golden age of television|work=Daily Telegraph|date=16 August 2015|access-date=9 January 2017}} After the deal was made, the four also created their own production company, named W. Chump and Sons.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetvfestival.com/2016/05/the-grand-tour-with-executive-producer-andy-wilman|title='The Grand Tour' with executive producer Andy Wilman|first=Mindy|last=Juss|publisher=Edinburgh International Television Festival|access-date=9 January 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120022134/http://www.thetvfestival.com/2016/05/the-grand-tour-with-executive-producer-andy-wilman/|archive-date=20 November 2016|df=dmy-all}}

"The Holy Trinity" marked Jeremy Clarkson's return to presenting since his departure from the BBC.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/12/21/with-the-grand-tour-amazon-bets-millions-on-jeremy-clarksons-car-show/ |title=With 'The Grand Tour,' Amazon Bets Millions On Jeremy Clarkson's Car Show |last=Robehmed |first=Natalie |magazine=Forbes |publication-date=21 December 2016 |access-date=11 January 2017}} Filming for the arrival in California and the studio recordings took place on 25 September 2016.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a30268/the-grand-tour-california-tickets/ |title=Here's How You Can Get Free Tickets to a U.S. Taping of The Grand Tour |last=Perkins |first=Chris |magazine=Road & Track|publication-date=4 August 2016 |access-date=7 January 2017}}{{Cite web |url=http://jalopnik.com/heres-what-happened-at-the-grand-tours-epic-launch-tapi-1787139212 |title=Here's What Happened At The Grand Tour's Epic Launch Taping |last=Hoover |first=Tyler |publisher=Jalopnik |publication-date=27 September 2016 |access-date=7 January 2016}} Amazon had enabled a sweepstakes in July for customers to enter in order to get tickets for the tent recording of the episode.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/entertainment/news/a29895/clarkson-hammond-may-grand-tour-amazon-free-tickets/ |title=The Grand Tour Is Coming to California, Here's How to Get Free Tickets |last=Silvestro |first=Brian |magazine=Road & Track |publication-date=8 July 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}} Though acting as the show's first episode to be aired, it was the second episode to have its studio recordings filmed; studio recordings for "Operation Desert Stumble", the second episode,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/2016/11/25/grand-tour-episode-twooperation-desert-stumble-clarkson-still/ |title=The Grand Tour episode two review: Operation Desert Stumble and Jeremy Clarkson is still off the leash – plus all the talking points |last=Power |first=Ed |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |publication-date=25 November 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}} were filmed in Johannesburg, South Africa earlier on 25 July.{{cite news |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/sport-and-outdoors/jeremy-clarksons-the-grand-tour-kicks-off-in-exotic-south-african-setting-20160717-gq7t4g.html |title=Jeremy Clarkson's The Grand Tour kicks off in exotic South African setting |last=Bowden |first=Ebony |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |publication-date=18 July 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}} In October, it was revealed that the opening scene for the episode cost £2.5 million (equivalent to $3.2 million) to make, making it the most expensive scene made in television history.{{Cite web |url=http://jalopnik.com/the-grand-tours-3-2-million-opening-is-reportedly-the-1787388997 |title=The Grand Tour's $3.2 Million Opening Is Reportedly The Most Expensive TV Scene Ever |last=Westbrook |first=Justin T. |publisher=Jalopnik |publication-date=4 October 2016 |access-date=7 January 2017}} Production of the episode was handled by Clarkson, Hammond, May, and Wilman's independent production company W. Chump & Sons. Similar to Top Gear, Wilman served as the executive producer. The episode is presented, at maximum, in 4K Ultra HD, running at 23.98 frames per second with HDR.{{cite interview |last=Wilman |first=Andy |subject-link=Andy Wilman|interviewer=Elaine Bedell|title=The Grand Tour Masterclass|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yLzAU48ruA&t=17m35s|location=Edinburgh|publisher=Edinburgh International Television Festival|via=Youtube|date=25 August 2016|access-date=7 November 2016|quote=(2:01) ...they want everything in 4k, they want a specific framerate, they want it in HDR ... (17:35) ...built a new server to deal with the 4k framerate, the 23.98... (22:18) first show ...comes out at 70-odd minutes. ... we're trying to discipline ourselves to 60 minutes}}

Release and reception

The Grand Tour is an Amazon Video original series and is exclusive to Amazon Prime members. It was scheduled for an 18 November 2016 release at 00:01 GMT,{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/670762/The-Grand-Tour-when-motoring-show-starts-Amazon-Prime-Jeremy-Clarkson-Richard-Hammond-Jame |title=The Grand Tour: When does Clarkson's new motoring show start on Amazon Prime? |last=Foster |first=Alice |newspaper=Daily Express |publication-date=16 December 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}} but was released an hour earlier on 17 November at 23:00 GMT instead.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/2016/11/18/the-grand-tour-episode-one-tweaked-bbc-noses-and-other-five-talk/ |title=The Grand Tour, episode one: How Jeremy Clarkson's new £160m show blew Top Gear out of the water |last=Power |first=Ed |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |publication-date=22 November 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}} The opening weekend for the episode attracted about 1,954,000 viewers in the 18–49 age range, tripling that of The Man in the High Castle, another show on Amazon Video.{{cite news|url=http://www.thewrap.com/the-grand-tour-tv-ratings-man-in-high-castle-amazon/|title=Amazon's 'Grand Tour' Triples 'Man in the High Castle' Viewers|format=Exclusive|first=Tony|last=Maglio|date=28 November 2016|access-date=10 January 2017}} Non-Prime members were able to watch the episode for free from 23 to 26 December.{{Cite web |url=http://jalopnik.com/watch-the-grand-tours-first-episode-for-free-this-weeke-1790420756 |title=Watch The Grand Tour's First Episode For Free This Weekend |last=Schrader |first=Stef |publisher=Jalopnik |publication-date=22 December 2016 |access-date=8 January 2017}}

"The Holy Trinity" received very positive reviews from critics upon its release.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-grand-tour/news/a814477/the-grand-tour-review-round-up-jeremy-clarkson-richard-hammond-james-may-amazon-prime/ |title=The Grand Tour gets rave reviews from critics as Jeremy Clarkson and co make triumphant Amazon Prime debut |last=Warner |first=Sam |website=Digital Spy |publication-date=18 November 2016 |access-date=10 January 2017}} Comparisons were often drawn to Top Gear by critics. Luke Reilly of IGN awarded the episode a score of 8.0/10, stating that the show had gotten off to a "confident start" with the episode and that it "doesn't reinvent the Top Gear formula, but rather refines it."{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/11/24/the-grand-tour-the-holy-trinity-review |title=The Grand Tour: The Holy Trinity Review |last=Reilly |first=Luke |website=IGN |publication-date=23 November 2016 |access-date=10 January 2017}} Neela Debnath of Daily Express complimented the episode's similarities with Top Gear, feeling as though it was "basically like Top Gear on steroids."{{cite news |url=http://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/733633/The-Grand-Tour-review-Jeremy-Clarkson-Top-Gear-Richard-Hammond-James-May-BBC-Amazon |title=The Grand Tour DE FORCE: Jeremy Clarkson doesn't disappoint with 'Top Gear on steroids' |last=Debnath |first=Neela |newspaper=Daily Express |publication-date=18 November 2016 |access-date=10 January 2017}} Jack Shepherd of The Independent had a similar feeling about the episode, labeling it as "the best of Top Gear but with a much bigger budget" in his review headline.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-grand-tour-episode-1-review-top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-richard-hammond-james-may-amazon-prime-a7424556.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-grand-tour-episode-1-review-top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-richard-hammond-james-may-amazon-prime-a7424556.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The Grand Tour episode 1 review: The best of Top Gear with a bigger budget|author=Shepherd, Jack|date=18 November 2016|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=10 January 2017}} For The Guardian, Sam Wollaston wrote that the trio "leave the BBC in their dust" and that they are sure to please fans of Top Gear due to the similarities between the two.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/nov/18/the-grand-tour-review-jeremy-clarkson-james-may-richard-hammond-leave-the-bbc-in-their-dust|title=The Grand Tour review – Clarkson and co leave the BBC in their dust|first=Sam|last=Wollaston|newspaper=The Guardian|date=18 November 2016|access-date=10 January 2017}}

References

External links

{{IMDb episode|5715192|The Holy Trinity}}
{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpRFNi3G9t8|title=The Biggest Opening Scene of The Grand Tour!|publisher=The Grand Tour|via=Youtube|date=2021-05-26}}

Category:2010s British television series premieres

Category:2016 British television episodes

Category:The Grand Tour (TV series)