Actually got to watch this one live (this may become more common), so I'm gonna try something new by re-watching now and live-commenting on the episode:
-What's this? A Phoenix
Fight Club? Should I even be talking about this? LOL. I found this weird. What was the point? Since when is Mac a fighter? I get that there has to be self-defense training, but...OK.
-Wait, we're getting Peter Weller, Keith David and Jeri Ryan tonight? Nice.
-Hmm. Oversight and Russ haven't met yet? I mean, wouldn't they have at least connected at some point, given Russ just brought them all back to work, including Oversight?
-The mental conflict Mac is (and will continue to) going through over being the "invaluable asset"...boy, I don't wish that on anyone.
-"She would have been here if she could have." So what are the circumstances regarding Mama MacGyver's death?
-There it is. James is terminal. Well, here we go. Season 4's about to ratchet up.
-Mac and Oversight are off the grid. Hallelujah. Some time without the Deus Ex Machinas. Mac can be MacGyver.
-Desi's the hockey player? OG MacGyver fan in me is not happy about that not being Mac's hockey stick.
-LMAO at the Phoenix team thinking they have more authority than the CIA under "executive branch orders."
-Solves the mine problem, but creates another one with the solution! Now we're on foot. Yes, into the woods we go! Love it.
-Mason! Where'd you come from? How didn't they see him. LOL.
-This File 47 stuff makes my head spin.
-Is this the same cabin from "Hammock + Balcony"?
-Mason and the MacGyvers have been set-up!
-"Maybe we can make something to hold them off." *Mason opens secret door* "That'll work!"
-File 47! The CIA layer to this is...something.
-"This is our house." The Phoenix Foundation bows to no earthly Intelligence Agency, eh?
-I love this redhead (aptly named Scarlet). It might be the nose ring. Hope she's around for awhile.
-Chuck Taylors? New kind of villain here.
-Mac's never used 23andMe, has he?
-Some interesting ideas from Gwen and Codex here. Early on, James mentions sometimes having to "do the wrong thing for the right reason." We have an extreme case of that here with File 47's "societal restart"...at least in their minds.
-"This is...the TED Talk from hell." Mason gives us the line we all wanted to say but couldn't think of. Awesome.
-Hmm...how much can we believe Gwen about Mama MacGyver's involvement with DXS and File 47?
-Sometimes you just need to store barrels upon barrels of flammable liquid in your super secret hideout's garage.
-Mason's redemption arc?
-Interesting assumption by Oversight that Gwen would have mentioned stuff about Mama MacGyver to Mac and that it would be about
supposed involvement with File 47.
-James' redemption arc?
-Mason leaves...but the door remains open for a return...but as a hero or villain? Could go either way.
-The team found MacGyver
way too easily after he exited the tunnel.
-Uh-oh. Matty keeping secrets from Mac again. Hasn't she learned?
-"I don't need time." "I'll see you tomorrow. Back to work." Oh yes, here we go.
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Well, that was a fun one. Not perfect by any means, but strongly acted and really sets up the final stretch of the first half story arc for Season 4, and more than any ep in awhile has me
really wishing it was next Friday already.