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 089 - Halloween Knights
MacGyver's not sure whether it's a trick or a treat when his ruthless rival Murdoc strikes a deal in return for MacGyver’s help to free his innocent sister from a vengeful ex-employer, planning to execute her during an elaborate Halloween party.
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Season: season 1
Episode:Jack in the Box (...possibly!)
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
votes from October 2006 Poor [ 0 ] [0.00%] Average [ 0 ] [0.00%] OK [ 0 ] [0.00%] Good [ 3 ] [18.75%] Excellent [ 13 ] [81.25%] Total Votes: 16
MacGyverGod Posted on May 14 2006, 01:16 PM
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I voted excellent on this excellent episode. A strange cooperation between killer and victim. The MacGyver/Murdoc team seemed to work well. This is an episode very rare in it's kind. Still it doesn't reach that MacGyver-classic thing. But it is one of my favourites. This also explains somewhat about Murdoc's character. No 'MACGYVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRR!!!' death this time but that shouldn't spoil the fun. 'Don't worry MacGyver!!! You'll see me again. Just keep looking over your shoulder!!'
MacsChick Posted on May 14 2006, 01:36 PM
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I love this one, too! It was nice for a change to have Murdoc need something from MacGyver. Having a sister also humanizes Murdoc a little bit, along with his fear of snakes! "I can't do it, okay?" I love the whole scene where MacGyver's carrying him on his shoulders. I heard Rick was laughing during the shoot for that part--I don't blame him--it had to be pretty silly! This episode came as a pleasant surprise for me the first time I saw it, and I remember enjoying it then, too.
Fave line:
Murdoc (after Mac puts on joker hat): "Charming."
MacGyver's expression after he says that is so sarcastic and funny!
MacGirl Posted on May 14 2006, 02:53 PM
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I also voted excellent. This is one of my faves from S5. You have a totally unexpected twist to the whole MacGyver/Murdoc rivalry. It definitely humanizes Murdoc, as did Cleo Rocks. I was at the snake scene!
And I liked Ashton, what little we saw of her. She was so sweet, and Murdoc so twisted. It makes you wonder about the paths of peoples' lives, and the choices they make.
MacGyver Posted on May 14 2006, 05:07 PM
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It had Murdoc in it- of course, "Halloween Knights" is an excellent episode!!! But this one is definitely a great episode that takes an interesting look at the relationship between MacGyver and Murdoc- their usual game of cat and mouse is suddenly changed when Murdoc has to depend on MacGyver to free his sister Ashton Cooke- and MacGyver has to trust Murdoc not to stab him in the back. And yeah- Murdoc's concern for his sister, (it's implied that he helps her financially- though anonymously of course) and his fear of snakes definitely helps make Murdoc more human (and I agree that "Cleo Rocks" also helped do this too.) And MacGyver was really at his best with some great MacGyverisms as well- making the fingerprint out of chalk and wax- and totally confounding Murdoc with asking for a cabbage and apple! And I sure didn't know that kerosene might help repel snakes- though I could probably have figured that from the snake scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"!
And I really love the chilling ending! "Greetings from the grave, MacGyver."
MacGyverGod Posted on May 14 2006, 09:37 PM
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Now you mention it, it was indeed little Raiders of the Lost Ark style. Murdoc was great, the way he crawled out of that coffin. Oh, and hitting Sonia as well.
Another good line is: Don't split hairs with me. And: Hand me that apple and the cabbage. Apple and the cabbage?
The chilling ending was also very good and then again very rare in the series. About the finale, just love that corner shot of the explosion. What if Murdoc got away on time? How do you think their relationship have proceeded if he survived along with MacGyver? A possible friendship?
Macs Lab Rat Posted on May 15 2006, 08:25 AM
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I loved this episode! It gets an excellent from me! The MacGyver/Murdoc double act was funny. I agree with MacGyvergod that they seemed to work pretty well together. Uhm... Is it wrong that I found Murdoc endearing in this episode? There was still some of Murdocs creepiness there though – especially in the note at the end.
penny Posted on May 15 2006, 09:59 AM
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Loved it! This was the first episode I watched when I got my season 5 set! I thought the whole beginning was great with Mac thinking that Jack had emptied the houseboat. I had to laugh with him at the "royal flush" meeting.
MacGirl Posted on May 15 2006, 03:13 PM
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QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ May 14 2006, 10:27 PM) How do you think their relationship have proceeded if he survived along with MacGyver? A possible friendship?
You sort of have to wonder, don't you? Then again, Murdoc does pop up one more time, in S6, and is back to his old tricks. I suspect that even if he had gotten out along with Mac, he would have reverted to his nature sooner or later.
What's really interesting about this is that you see that Mac and Murdoc aren't that different, after all. I found that more than a little creepy.
And I also found Murdoc rather endearing in this eppy. I think it was just the fact that we finally got to see that he was human, after all.
Sheepy Posted on May 15 2006, 08:09 PM
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One of my all time favs! I love this episode to bits!!
The way Mac and Murdoc have to start working together instead of trying to kill one another.. I love it.
I think Murdoc comes across in a very humane way. I even felt for him in this ep. I love Mac in the joker suit and the way het gets inside the training room. (When he's wearing this suit, you can reallt see he has a distinct shape of hands)
The "operation" field reminds me a bit of "Bird on a wire" with Mel Gibson (when they're in the zoo, chased by the bad guys)
One of my fav parts is when they have to go through the snake pit...
I really loved this episode. Next to the good plot I have to admit RD looks stunning.
*sigh*
MacGyverGod Posted on May 16 2006, 02:23 AM
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QUOTE You sort of have to wonder, don't you? Then again, Murdoc does pop up one more time, in S6, and is back to his old tricks.
Guess so. But he saved Mac's life first to have a clear conscience. 'I arranged this, to pay off a debt. We're even. Now I can hunt you with a clear conscience MacGyver. But be warned. You're a target and I don't intend to miss.'
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QUOTE The "operation" field reminds me a bit of "Bird on a wire" with Mel Gibson (when they're in the zoo, chased by the bad guys)
Somewhat yeah, but not really. Though it would've been cool if they had some real tigers in the operation field.
Amy Posted on May 16 2006, 05:08 AM
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Boy I'm behind in the ep discussion!
I LOVE this one! It has Murdoc in it...how can it NOT be excellent!
It was really cool to see the reluctant cooperation between the M & M's ( ) since they are sworn enemies. You could tell Murdoc hated to depend on Mac and Mac's distrust caving enough to help was cool. And I liked the qualifiers Mac put on the whole thing, doing it his way and Murdoc having to turn himself in when it was done) He wants to help because it's in his blood...but so's that sense of justice. I really like it when you see a bad guy as a human being, not some evil force out there that exists only to be the bad guy. We finally get to see a peek of Murdoc's life apart from HIT ( I think we saw some in Cleo, too) it makes their ongoing "path-crossing" more interesting later. The ending was great! And I love the fact that Mac does look over his shoulder.
MacNancy Posted on May 27 2006, 05:42 PM
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Hi Y'all! Just joined this forum. Someone had posted a link to this on one of the rda forums and thought I would sign up. Just thought I would add my comment to this episode too. I really liked it. I agree about Mac and Murdoc working together instead of trying to kill each other. I guess this is the only episode where it shows them actually trusting each other and helping each other out. And I also agree that it shows a more humanistic side of Murdoc. Quite a transition from the evil side of him. I think it's interesting how it shows Murdoc actually depending on MacGyver to help him save his sister. He knows that MacGyver is the only one who can accomplish this task of saving his sister from HIT. I agree about the way he "lured" Mac to that cemetary by taking everything out of Mac's house. I thought that was pretty cool. I guess the fact that they are working together as a team makes this a very special episode. The trust between them, and the respect that Murdoc has for Mac and his ability to figure things out. I think that's neat. It's really interesting at the end where they end up going back to being adversaries. Murdoc gives Mac the list of names for HIT but doesn't turn himself in. That's definitely true to form for Murdoc. Anyway, this was a great episode! Looking forward to commenting on the other episodes.
All The Best, Nancy
Amy Posted on May 28 2006, 01:03 AM
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Welcome MacNancy!!! Have fun!
MacNancy Posted on May 28 2006, 04:20 PM
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Hi Amy! Thanks! Nice to meet you. I also belong to Kate R's forum and I have a lot of fun on that. Looking forward to all the great discussions on all these great episodes. I was just watching the first part to The Legend of the Holy Rose. I thought that was a great episode. Guess I shouldn't expound too much on that considering this is the Halloween Knights forum. Anyway I'll be watching the second part tomorrow. This is a really neat site, and that's neat that there's a forum here too. Looking forward to chatting with everyone.
All The Best, Nancy
Toni Posted on May 29 2006, 07:45 AM
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I voted excellent for this one. I like the interaction with Murdoc and Mac.
Murdoc is such a great actor and the way he bounces lines of Rick is great.
Great acting, Loved the way they wrote in about Murdoc afraid of snakes as I believe he is in real life. loved it.
Toni
MacNancy Posted on Jun 5 2006, 01:22 PM
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Hi again,
Sorry I'm a little behind on this. I agree. I think Michael DesBarres is a really good actor. Of course I only saw him do Murdoc on MacGyver. But it shows how really versitile he can be. To play such a devious, evil, cold-hearted character such as Murdoc, you really have to get inside the criminal mind, to portray a character like that. And Michael really does it with a lot of panache' not to mention a little tongue-in-cheek. LOL.
I too love the way he plays off of Rick. You can tell that they really have a good time doing that. I read either on this forum or Kate's where when they did that scene where Murdoc gets on Mac's shoulders when Mac has to carry him over those snakes, Rick started laughing. He thought that was really funny. Don't you wish you could have been there when they were filming these episodes, just to hear the comments they made about the scenes? That would have been priceless!
I think it's interesting how Murdoc does let down his guard, and show some sensitivity toward the young woman who was his sister, and almost pleads to Mac to help him save her. He plays on Mac's own sensitivity and compassion, in order to get his help. And we all know that Mac would Never want anyone's death on his conscience. That would be ubearable! I think it's interesting in another way, how Murdoc relies on Mac's skills to help him get through that maze of machine guns and landmines, to get to Ashton. It's obvious that Murdoc has a deep respect, and appreciation for Mac's skills for getting out of tight situations and in this episode he relies solely on Mac to help him get to Ashton.
I guess that's why I like this episode so much. They both rely on each other as a team, and trust each other as well. All in all, this is a great episode!
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Season: season 3
Episode:Rock The Cradle (today)
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black/Navy flight
House: House boat
Is it just me or were the head of HIT a little clueless as to who MacGyver was?
Shouldn't they recognize the person that Murdoc failed to kill on so many occasions. Especially when they were in the process of disavowing him because of his failures?
~ MacNymph ~
Sometimes the uncontrollable urge to mess with people outweighs the millstone of humility.
Re Murdoc knowing about Jack moving Mac's furniture previously and how he got to know, I have the answer:
Murdoc is all-knowing (as creepy as the fact that he is never-dying)
It did kinda seem like the writers found it amusing and just decided to use it again, without actually thinking about it it would work in the MacGyver universe...
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Season: season 3
Episode:
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Brown bomber
House: House boat
I assume Murdoc could have gathered that information from anyone who knows Mac or Jack! A nitpick: Murdoc shoots out MacGyver's tire at the beginning of the episode. However, when Mac shows up at the cemetery, there's no spare tire on his truck-it's the original with the rim still on it and all. Now, how did he find time to buy a new tire in the midst of that?
I assume Murdoc could have gathered that information from anyone who knows Mac or Jack! A nitpick: Murdoc shoots out MacGyver's tire at the beginning of the episode. However, when Mac shows up at the cemetery, there's no spare tire on his truck-it's the original with the rim still on it and all. Now, how did he find time to buy a new tire in the midst of that?
Don't those trucks have a spare wheel under the tray at the back?
Posts: 1,170
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Season: season 3
Episode:The Widowmaker
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: Black leather
House: House boat
Does anyone notice that the female assassin Sonya who Murdoc slugs is wearing almost the same (or maybe it is the same) white evening gown that Penny wears in Cleo Rocks (she got it as a present from Murdoc aka Jacques LaRue)?
"For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
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Season: season 3
Episode:Ghost Ship
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket: ---
House: House boat
Excellent episode. Mac's friends are always asking him for help and this time he has to help Murdoc. I like it when Murdoc says that if MacGyver doesn't help him, he has to live with an innocent girl's life on his conscience. To say something like that is a sure way to get MacGyver agreeing to help.
I liked Halloween Knights because it showed Murdoc in a different kind of light. He has a heart, and was smart enough to get Mac to help rescue his sister. The guns that were used were motion detection. I don't like that Murdoc went back on his word and tried to kill Mac again. But I guess there is no redemption.
I assume Murdoc could have gathered that information from anyone who knows Mac or Jack! A nitpick: Murdoc shoots out MacGyver's tire at the beginning of the episode. However, when Mac shows up at the cemetery, there's no spare tire on his truck-it's the original with the rim still on it and all. Now, how did he find time to buy a new tire in the midst of that?
Don't those trucks have a spare wheel under the tray at the back?
Most Jeeps like Mac drove have a full size spare tire on the back. Where the door opens. I do know of some that have them underneath. My good old step father said never rotate the full size spare tire with the tires on that actually touch the road. He's an old Kentucky boy like my husband.
Spoke to my hubby who said that the spare tire was underneath the rear of the truck and that the jack would have been located under the front seat. He also said the truck was around a 1930-1940. Being the old Kentucky boy that he is.
Decided tonight to go throw the scenes again. Gene did say that some of those older trucks did have the spare tire on the inside fender. Like I said he is an old and I mean old Kentucky boy, who turned over more vehicles in his life then Mac did in a day
I've seen them with the spare standing up in the bed of the truck. I can only go by what the Old Kentucky boy says. I wish I had that truck, or even one simiular to it. Went to Google to find out if I could see a truck with the spare tire either on it or underneath it. I didn't find one, but I can tell you the Old Kentucky boy was wrong about the year it's a 1940. I found a picture simular to the one Mac drove and they are some beauties. http://www.1940Chevypickup.com
I think this was a great twist to the MacGyver series. I really liked seeing MacGyver and Murdoc work together instead of trying to kill each other. It would have been a good recurring situation. Can you imagine Murdoc partners with Mac and working for the Phoenix Foundation?