Drat1964

Nova has a pretty good track record on this type of science documentary, this continues that tradition, covering both the mission of the craft/rover as well as the problems encountered along the way, like Covid. There's a solid mix of scientists and engineers who contributed to the mission covering topics from the craft it's self, to the mission objectives and plans for the future, like the possibility of returning samples to Earth. The announcer is informative and adds a good deal of detail in a basic and easy to understand way. There also some high quality CG effects showing the mission as it unfolded. One small quibble would be one of the experts, has the most annoying high pitched and nasal voice, you'd have to wonder why, in the editing, someone could not have at least turned down the volume a little on her audio, towards the end of the doco her audio is given through a Covid mask and is a little less annoying.

I gave this an 8, knocking off one star due to the very annoying voice.

The original UK Topgear took a bit of time to find its feet, the first season was very little like it would later become. In season 2 they dumped the big guy who did the used car prices bit, (few even remember him) over a couple of seasons it evolved, the last few seasons (with the original hosts) continued to evolve. Till the BBC killed the golden goose, firing Clarkson led to the other two hosts leaving as well as the producer/creator. The UK version floundered after that with a string of hosts trying to keep it alive. There where also German, French, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Russian and American versions most, only lasting a season or two with the American version lasting longer than most, but still just a pale copy of the original.

The Australian version floundered from the start, a couple of seasons on SBS Australia, replacing most of the cast each season, then channel 9 had a go but despite putting in a lot more money even importing the UK hosts for the pilot with just 4 episodes in that first season, 9's second season was just 6 episodes, then they cancelled it.

Then a 12 year gap to the current version, now on it's 3rd host (Paramount+), coming out the same year as the BBC finally cancelled the original version, this new version is just the same tired old copy of what the original was doing at it's peak well over a decade ago, now in fact it's also going to air on free to air network 10, which will come as great news to anyone who actually paid to see it on Paramount+. With the ending of the Grand Tour (also really just Topgear) this year, the Australian version is now the last version of the show, and sadly doesn't look like it will last long either. With the drastic changes coming to the car industry over the next few years, you would think someone could come up with an original idea for a car show.