The (Series 16, Episode 2) remains one of the show’s most historically significant and visually striking episodes. Released as the 2010 Christmas special, it followed Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May as they attempted to recreate the journey of the Three Wise Men from Northern Iraq to Bethlehem . The Cars and the Mission
The episode drew 7.5 million viewers and won praise for its ambitious scope. The Guardian called it “a return to form – daft, dangerous, and oddly heartwarming.” However, some Middle Eastern media outlets criticized the depiction of the region as “lawless and primitive.” The BBC defended the episode as “light-hearted entertainment, not a documentary.”
The trip includes humor, breakdowns, cultural moments, and a final challenge of crossing the desert to reach the Dead Sea — the lowest road on Earth. It’s famous for the “Jesus” car rental gag and the three wise men–style ending.
The climax, featuring three exhausted middle-aged men in battered sports cars slowly following a shepherd into a church in Bethlehem, was surprisingly tasteful. It avoided mockery and instead leaned into the absurdity of their journey. The final shot—a static frame of the three cars parked outside the Church of the Nativity, illuminated by the night—was poignant. It was quiet, respectful, and deeply satisfying.
