Ranking the Murdoc Epsiodes
  Reply to this topic Start new topic Start Poll
Track this topic | Email this topic | Print this topic
zoeryan
Posted: 28 October 2018 - 03:57 PM                                    
Quote Post


DXS Operative
****

Posts: 361
Joined: 3 Oct 2018
Gender:  Female
Country: USA
SAK owned: Lthrman Squirt

Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:ETSS, Partners
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Apologies if this thread has been done before, but I didn't find one doing a search - I had a hard time doing this, as they are all very different types of episodes!

1. Partners - this is one of my all time favorite MacGyver episodes, so it's an easy first pick for me. Mac, Pete, Jack and Murdoc? Also what a ballsy way to introduce a villain, it really felt like he'd been around before in the series. Great combo, humor and suspense, good back story - love it!

2. Halloween Knights - forcing them to work together is pretty classic, plus gotta love the beginning and how Murdoc makes Mac think it's Jack - how did he know about that first time? laugh.gif

3. The Widowmaker - Although I dislike the new version of Mike, Nikki was good in it, and Murdoc was at his classic maniac mode.

4. Strictly Business - Even though I'm not a big fan of amnesia Mac, it's entertaining seeing Murdoc pretend to be MacGyver
"I could fix it if I only had some duct tape" laugh.gif

5. Cleo Rocks - I almost had this lower, because the Penny musical subplot is so over the top, but the ending is pretty entertaining.

6. Obsessed - by far the better episode of season 7, even if the the MacGyverisms aren't the best.

7. Serenity - Not usually a fan of the dream sequence episodes but this was by far the best of that bunch. Sad how they took Cuba Gooding Jr.s character out of it so quickly.


Those bottom 3 can be rearranged without too much convincing - depending on my mood!


How do you rank the Murdoc episodes?



"I'm not perfect.... yet."

"Are you crazy?" "It's been rumored..."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Jediferret
Posted: 28 October 2018 - 04:33 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Special Agent
********

Posts: 3,483
Joined: 19 Sep 2012
Gender:  Female
Country: USA
SAK owned: Spartan

Favorites
Season: season 4
Episode:Deadly Dreams
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Black leather
House:  House boat



Hmmm... interesting! I'll give this a go!

1. Widowmaker - Mostly because this episode stood out in my memory and was the reason I rewatched MacGyver on Netflix. I wasn't disappointed. This episode was the reason I have issues watching people fall in movies... and I'm always worried falling or someone else falling. Thanks a lot MacGyver.

2. Obsessed - I guess because it was interesting watching Murdoc get under Mac's skin. Kinda like in Strictly Business. By the end the series, it kinda made you wonder how much longer Mac's luck would hold.

3. Halloween Knights - I just find this episode incredibly cute. From their costumes, to working together, to Murdoc's "charming" comment. This episode made me wonder if maybe Murdoc just really admired Mac, and saw him a rival more than an enemy.

4. Partners - Young, innocent Mac! XD Some great comedic moments as well. Just an all around great adventure!

5. Serenity - The beginning when Mac exclaims "I need a hair cut!" gets me every time. Also, his annoyance to everyone he knows made me relate to him so much. That, and I also thought to myself... Damn, they sure use him a lot, don't they?

6. Strictly Business - Again, another one that stood out in my memory. I remember Murdoc falling down the mine shaft. Just adding to the falling fear.

7. Cleo Rocks - Still a great episode despite being at the bottom of this list. Always thought the Cleo Rocks song was catchy, and holy hell did Teri Hatcher have a great body. Not being shallow... just sayin' lol



"Walk in love. Walk in service. And you will walk in honor." (Good Knight MacGyver)
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow." - Albert Einstein
"What are ferrets made of? Happiness."

Twitter ~ Twitch ~ YouTube

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
Dragondog
Posted: 28 October 2018 - 05:26 PM                                    
Quote Post


Phoenix Special Agent
********

Posts: 3,386
Joined: 11 Dec 2017
Gender:  Female
Country: U.S.A.
SAK owned: none

Favorites
Season: ---
Episode:Halloween Knights
Vehicle: Motorcycle
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Hmm, I've been wanting to do this for a while, but as a massive Murdoc fan, I thought it'd be too hard. No time like the present!

1. Halloween Knights. As my profile shows, it's my favorite episode. I love seeing Murdoc's human side, and watching him and Mac bicker is the best! laugh.gif And the snake scene sealed the deal for me. Seeing Murdoc that scared and having to climb up on MacGyver for safety? Wouldn't trade that for the world roller.gif

2./3. Probably a tie between Cleo Rocks and Strictly Business. Both episode are fun, but both have their own perks.

I love watching Murdoc in disguise in CR, and it's pretty surreal watching him talk casually to Mac. And then his crush on Penny blink.gif I'll admit, the first time I saw that episode, I didn't expect that at all.

Strictly business is pretty cool, mostly because of A.) Murdoc's over-abundant supply of weapons B.) Watching him scarf down random food out of stranger's refrigerators and C.) Him impersonating Mac biggrin.gif

4. Widowmaker. Not just for Murdoc, but for the whole plot in general. Love seeing the vulnerable side to Mac, as he battles guilt, depression, and his own fears. Murdoc didn't mean to help him, but in a way, he did XD Also the first "MACGYYYYVEEEERRRRR!" Yell.

5. Partners. Love seeing the debut of Murdoc, and the first meeting between Mac and Pete. Love seeing how different younger Mac was, and Jack's freak out over his cab. And Murdoc's cross-dressing never fails to knock me back a bit.

6. Serenity. Murdoc's role was fairly generic, but still fun. Which describes the whole episode XD

7. Started off great, but by the time Murdoc captured Mac, it kinda went downhill. And the boss lady (Sorry, can't remember her name) was infuriating.



"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" - Hank The Cowdog

"You have the heart of a chief, and the soul of a dragon"- How to Train Your Dragon 2

"[T]he more we try to understand one another, the more exceptional each one of us will be" - Zootopia

"Love makes you do strange things." - Charlie Brown

"When something looks too perfect, it probably sucks" - Dreamworks Dragons Race to the Edge

 
PM                                                                     
Top
zoeryan
Posted: 28 October 2018 - 07:27 PM                                    
Quote Post


DXS Operative
****

Posts: 361
Joined: 3 Oct 2018
Gender:  Female
Country: USA
SAK owned: Lthrman Squirt

Favorites
Season: season 3
Episode:ETSS, Partners
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Brown bomber
House:  House boat



Ooo I love that so far there is no clear consensus to the best or worst Murdoc episode - it really is quite a variety of episodes - and he was such a great villain, I give MDB so much credit for pulling off all these outrageous plots and never seeming corny or cheesy. Especially with all the long winded speeches he had to give.

QUOTE
(Dragondog) And the snake scene sealed the deal for me. Seeing Murdoc that scared and having to climb up on MacGyver for safety? Wouldn't trade that for the world roller.gif

Priceless. laugh.gif

QUOTE
(Jediferret) 6. Strictly Business - Again, another one that stood out in my memory. I remember Murdoc falling down the mine shaft. Just adding to the falling fear.

Did you rank it that low because of the falling? wink.gif



"I'm not perfect.... yet."

"Are you crazy?" "It's been rumored..."

 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
MacGyverGod
Posted: 29 October 2018 - 03:48 AM                                    
Quote Post


Director of Intelligence
*********

Posts: 7,728
Joined: 13 Jan 2004
Gender:  Male
Country: Belgium
SAK owned: Don't know

Favorites
Season: season 5
Episode:Serenity, Passages, Humanity
Vehicle: Jeep
Jacket:  Black/Navy flight
House:  House boat



1. Strictly Business.

It was pretty much the first episode with Murdoc I had ever seen. It wasn't until much later I realized this is actually the best episode with Murdoc. He's all cleaned up: no more scars, nice hair cut, dressed in black, all business and professional like and determined to get back in the business and he nearly succeeded in getting Mac this time. He's an assassin once again. That dude had a rocket launcher.

2. Obsessed.

This was actually the second episode I saw with Murdoc. Strictly Business and Obsessed were the only episodes I had on VHS for a long time. I like this one mostly because of the military theme, the rocket and the car chase. Even though it may seem silly but Murdoc adjusting his goals to "be all that I can be" under the rank of general of a country he's not even from is just hilarious.

3. The Widowmaker.

The first time Murdoc really pulls all the stops to get MacGyver. Out for revenge for what happened last time he comes back like a scarred Rambo-like character. Dressed like a soldier with knives, rifles and even a flamethrower. That dude had a flamethrower. While Mac is grieving, he has to face his biggest fears: Murdoc and heights. I also liked Nikki in this episode for actually pretty much the main reason why I think they should've been together. She can get through to him and she understands him, even in a way not many characters do. Maybe not even Pete.

4. Halloween Knights.

This one is just classic in terms of concept. What if your worst enemy needs your help? There is actually not much to say about this except: classic. Maybe I can consider this one to be ranked higher and switch it with The Widowmaker.

5. Serenity.

Also another classic. Maybe he's role was generic but this episode keeps it simple and for one time we actually see him try to kill MacGyver by simply shooting him. This should've actually been the 100th episode.

6. Partners.

How it all started. Mac, Pete, Jack, Murdoc. Nice to see how this episode combines two storylines dealing with the same characters. Good episode.

7. Cleo Rocks.

Again for years just like Strictly Business and Obsessed I had to make do with the clips of this episode in Hind-Sight because I had it on VHS. Those clips pretty much gave away to good moments. Murdoc pulling of his face mask and the escape and fight in the cellar. Thats why I can give this episode points for. But the whole idea of Murdoc trying to set up an entire musical and use Penny Parker to get to Mac is a little too farfetched for me now. That's why it's also at the bottom of the list.

QUOTE
And the boss lady (Sorry, can't remember her name) was infuriating.

Cindy Finnegan. Actually I kinda liked her. But this was also an episode I could've seen Nikki in. Only she would've believed him from the start since she met Murdoc before. Also Cindy would've been a great recurring character.



I think the poison that was used was applied to this knife, passed to the mutton when it was cut and then activated by the wine. - MacGyver.
Sometimes you just have to die a little inside to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you.
It's better to be a little sad than to be fake content.

 
PMEmail PosterMSN                                                                     
Top
Hannibal_Smith
Posted: 25 May 2020 - 05:37 PM                                    
Quote Post


Special Forces Agent
***

Posts: 110
Joined: 24 Feb 2011
Gender:  
Country:
SAK owned:

Favorites
Season: 
Episode:
Vehicle:
Jacket:  
House:  



1. Halloween Knights.

Murdoc just wasn't very interesting before this. He was a mentally unbalanced assassin who showed up once a season to try and kill MacGyver. This episode gave him a past, both professional through HIT and personal through his sister, priorities more important than "kill MacGyver," character development in his willingness to let go of his job and his grudge against Mac, and, well, a personality. And seeing him work alongside MacGyver was fantastic. Yes, "hero teams up with villain" is one of the oldest "twists" in the book, but there's a reason it's so popular. Helps that RDA and MDB had great chemistry, in a weird buddy-cop kind of way.

2. Strictly Business.

This one used to be on TV a lot, and it's easy to see why. Surprisingly enough, it's the only time (in the main timeline at least) that we see him in the context of his actual job: a professional killer carrying out an assignment. In the next episode, he'd be an aide to a dictator, in the previous episode, he was teaming up with Mac, in the previous ones, he was basically a rogue element on a personal mission for revenge. His personality's still a lot more enjoyable than in his earlier episodes, and it's a lot of fun watching the amnesia-induced "switch" where he pretends he's the good guy and Mac's the outlaw. Also, I loved the opening scene where he meets HIT (the metal detector gag alone would've been worth it). And he actually beats MacGyver in the opening sequence!

3. Serenity.

I liked this one a lot, but mostly for non-Murdoc related reasons (I'm always a sucker for the time-displacement episodes). Still, he was good in this one, and I liked his interactions with Thornton especially (though more for Pete than for him). I did also like the whole "I have a reputation for always completing my professional assignments" showing that there are things more important to him than money. (Things that make him worse, not better).

4. Obsessed.

I like this one for the same reason that I liked Halloween Knights and Strictly Business: character evolution. I know a lot of people didn't like him as a general/enforcer for a Central American dictator, but you can't really keep him as a contract killer, given his track record of failure with HIT. And since he's not getting any younger, it kind of makes sense that he'd want to settle down in something a little stabler than being hunted as an underworld figure. Since fly-by-night dictators from south of the border were already a staple MacGyver villain, it works out.

5. The Widowmaker.

I like it better than the bottom two, but like Serenity, mostly for non-Murdoc related reasons. It's one of the few moments in the show where Mac hits absolute rock bottom and his whole personality changes, even if it's temporary. It's also a highlight of the Mac-Nikki relationship. I love the fact that Pete couldn't snap him out of it, but Nikki, who doesn't know or like him nearly as much and is a lot more willing to be unpleasant to him, gets a lot farther. (And also that despite all that, Nikki does in fact care enough to go up and see him). Murdoc is... basically just a plot device to introduce some more conflict into the episode, but doesn't have much to do beyond that.

6. Partners.

It's okay, but again, Murdoc isn't all that interesting. He's, again, mainly a plot device for an episode that's mainly about the heroes (Mac, Pete, and Jack in this case). There are funny moments (Pete's wig, "YOU CANNOT EXPLAIN BAZOOKAS!!!") but mostly not involving him. I do like the backstory that before he had that archenmity with MacGyver, he had the same one with Peter Thornton.

7. Cleo Rocks.

What MGG said. The whole plot of setting up a musical and all was... really far-fetched even for this show and not terribly interesting. The crush he had on Penny was presumably supposed to be more character development (if nothing else, the writers seem to have clearly understood from pretty early on that "guy shows up and tries to kill Mac once a season" was going to get old real fast if they didn't have anything to spice it up with), but... I guess it doesn't do much for me? The way it's written, it mainly just makes him more unhinged and delusional.



 
PMEmail Poster                                                                     
Top
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
 0 Members:
     

 Topic Options Reply to this topic Fast Reply Start new topicStart Poll