April A-Z Challenge: Top Gear - an Eulogy

It was the best of times, the grandest of adventures, the fastest of engines, the swiftest of horses, the funniest of challenges, the top of all car shows. It started out as a small show on a tiny island clinging to the edge of Europe and grew into an international phenomenon, and by Jove, it was a great ride. 

It's over now, though. The lights have gone off, the engines have gone cold, the track is empty; the party's over. It was great while it lasted, but it's time to go home now. With Jeremy, Richard, and James out of the driver's seat, Top Gear's future hangs in the balance. It'll go on, of that I'm sure, but it'll be... Different, somehow. It'll live on, but the difference will be marked. It'll be like the difference between the old series of Doctor Who and the new ones - it'll have new faces, new cars, and a brand new dynamic, and, yeah, maybe it'll be Top Gear for the newcomers, but it won't be the Top Gear we know and love. It won't be that show that captured out hearts and stole our collective breaths away with each lap around the track. Top Gear's body will still be there years from now, but as for its original soul... Well, that's moved on. 

So, rest in peace, Top Gear. You truly were top.