Every week I will be posting a new topic titled "Episode Discussion". In this we will discuss an episode, what we liked about it, what we didn't like, etc.


Episode 34 - Family matter

MacGyver must travel to Cajon country to rescue a women and her son: Who turn out to be Pete’s ex wife and their son.

How did you rate this episode?
Poor [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Average [ 0 ] [0.00%]
OK [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Good [ 8 ] [80.00%]
Exellent [ 2 ] [20.00%]
Total Votes: 10

Mac on a motorcycle... always a good way to start an adventure!

This ep produced some good lines, as well as some nifty MacGyverisms! One of my favourites:

"Someone once told me that when you're in enemy territory, you should stay low, stay careful, and make a moving target... so I did!

I'm no expert on art... but I know what I like!"

I like the part where Pete beats up on the Frank. I'd never really pictured Pete beating the stuffing out of anyone.

I liked this episode because we got to find out about Pete's background - to understand where he is coming from - that he knows the job has to get done for the sake of national security - or whatever, but he still puts his family first - even though they are astranged. And of course... we know Mac will be helping him out - even though he was told not to (has that EVER stopped him?). Watching it again, in 2007 (it was made in 1986) the level of technology has changed dramatically. How many times have I wanted to yell "cell phone!". Oh well, I still enjoy the character development and I always like episodes with Mac and Pete working together. The location though is that same tired old riverbed in south LA, that doubled for Cambodia in The Golden Triangle and Afganistan in To Be A Man and several other episodes. OK - this bothered me... there are NO mountains in Louisiana. I was thrilled when they moved to Vancouver. Despite that - a good story!

Just watched this again. It's a good one with some cool, not-always-working MacGyverisms (one bamboo bomb didn't expose). I just have one thing bothering me: would it be better to use a tracking device without the beeping sound?

I never liked that tracking device. I've seen them used in other TV shows and have always thought they where stupid.

Loved this one MacGyver's friendship shines in this one, he could of have passed on this one but for a friend in need he's willing to help out that's what true friends do help out one other.

Seems like Mac forgot his SAK in this ep, eh? I would have expected him to bust out a model containing a saw to cut those bamboo reeds, but. Funny how he wound up with a wood saw that looks a lot like a giant folding knife. Maybe that was a special super sized SAK made just for the show?

I kinda like this ep, even though the chemistry/family/personality things don't really mesh at all. Not finding fault with the actors, it was more of a script problem. Pete's personality dosn't seem to fit the neglectful, absentee father. Those kind of people have issues that would show up at work and other areas in their life as well, they wouldn't be able to fully pass themself off as the genuinely good guy we know Pete was. We know that Pete would risk his own life and limb, traveling around the world to help his friends, even outside of Phoenix assignments, so we're suppose to believe this same guy never had time for his son? Egh. My imagination dosn't stretch that far.

I don't think they ever said Pete was a neglectful father.. only that his son thought he was.

To me it came across more like someone who had a job which required a lot of travel and time away... much like a traveling salesman or a CEO of a company. It seemed that Pete provided for his family quite nicely with the exception of having ot spend so much time away.

Micheal came across as a attention seeking little sh*t with a chip on his shoulders. Funnily enough I got exactly the same impression of him in Fraternity of Thieves.

There are some things that I absolutely *love* about this episode.

Most of the MacGyverisms are really ingenious, even though I thought the tracker was a bit annoying with that beeping sound. But from beginning to end, how MacGyver handled this hostage situation was just admirable. He risked his life several times to help Pete and his family.

In fact, in my opinion, there are so many different kinds of Macgyverisms in this episode. Should the term really be used for technical stuff only?
I'd definitely count the way Mac starts talking to the fisherman on the bridge, who didn't want to get involved. Mac got down to his level and talked about the fishing, in such a relaxed manner, in a natural attempt to make him open up. Well, now it didn't work, since the guy was already involved with the bad guys, but Mac does indeed have the ability to make people relax and open up, which sometimes even works better then the "technical" MacGyverisms...

The only thing I really didn't buy about this episode is that Pete should have been such a neglectful father. Well, maybe it was mostly in his son's eyes, but still... he seems to have such a big heart. Of course, I'm very well aware of that there are many people who seemingly dedicate their life to something like charity, and you think they must be the most good hearted souls on Earth... until you hear that they are neglecting their family, or their pets.

But still, Pete doesn't strike me as that kind of a person.

I also agree with some of the earlier posts in this thread--the chemistry between Penelope Windust and Dana Elcar doesn't really work. I can't see them as married. And Michael... well, I get more father-and-son vibes from Pete and MacGyver, really...

Still, I like this episode so much that it's an "Excellent" for me.

I liked that Mac comes to the rescue of Pete's ex-wife and son. We get to see how much Pete means to MacGyver and the depth of their friendship. The Macgyverism of making homemade bombs was the best.

I love Mac's little giggle when Michael stuck his nose over the bamboo to check to see whether it was full

And of course, as someone else said, bikes and leather and fatigues..... perfect

The dirtbike scenes make this a must watch for me. I agree the tracker beeping gets a little annoying and I thought it was funny how he rode right past the car while they had the windows down and let the tracker keep beeping, like they wouldn't hear it. Love the macgyerism with the boat and the dummy driver, also the methane bombs. Plenty of action and macgyverisms to keep people interested. Love this episode

Pretty good episode, one of the best from season 2. I always liked Pete's son comment to the bad guy when he enters the cabin ''YOU GO TO HELL!".

A good episode, with interesting macgyverisms and nice dialogue between pete and the villain.

Always cool to see Mac driving a motorbike.

3/5

How does one "send out for cheeseburgers"? I have never heard of it...

WoW sensational episode, a great time, 100% love it
5