3.08 - Revenge + Catacombs + Le Fantome

Airdate: Nov 16, 2018
Writers: Brian Durkin
Director: Lily Mariye

Recurring Cast: David Dastmalchian (Murdoc)

Guest Cast: Emerson Brooks (Charlie Robinson) , Holland Roden (Eileen Brennan) , Sean C. Michael (The Ghost)
Kellen Boyle (Patrick Quinn) , Clark Moore (Army Lieutenant) , Michael James Thomas (Soldier)
Gabrielle Byndloss (Wounded veteran)


MacGyver and the team set off on a dangerous capture operation after an Irish military intelligence officer
approaches them claiming to know the whereabouts of “The Ghost,” a lethal bomb maker whom Mac has been
hunting for years.

I don't ship Mac and Riley, but even I had to admit, this was MacRiley heaven


Murdoc was apparently supposed to appear tonight, according to press releases, but he never did. I'm assuming he was in a brief scene that got deleted. Something to look forward to in the season 3 dvd bonus features.


I really hate The Ghost.


WOW! (the entire last fifteen minutes)


Yeah, it did NOT just switch from 58 seconds to 9 seconds. That's not how time works, people, even with bombs.

What an awesome episode.

A much more serious and tense episode.

My only grip really is that this would have been a perfect episode to have Jack in.
Bozer should have been back at base and Jack in the field with them.

Terrific episode. Love how Mac understood how he needed someone (Charlie) to keep his emotions at bay.
Also love how Mac is the central focus.

In the beginning I thought Eileen would end up seeing Mac, especially since she understands what he does. Sure missed the mark on that one!

So suspenseful!Great acting.

The only thing that could have been better is Jack. Also, a preview of ep. 9.

There's no episode on next week hence no preview.

Preliminary MacGyver audience numbers stay above 6 millions; beating "Last Man Standing" for the second consecutive week and winning the time-slot in audience: http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/the-...11-16-2018.html

Now if we can just somehow move up that demo rating a little bit...

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Poor CBS

(there were some non-Jack-related comments on Facebook in between; but only a handful)

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*sigh* I'm sure there's a good reason he's not here all the time, so I don't mind, but I really wish someone would answer so all these comments wouldn't flood the pages. Not to mention all the needless worrying everyone's doing

It's basically showing some respect to the people who keep the show going. If we all stop watching, the show is dead. So when lots of fans are asking why the most popular actor in the show isn't in it much anymore they deserve an answer.

Doesn't need to be details on his situation, just that he's taking time off and will be appearing sporadically or in every second episode, or whatever.

Another very solid episode! The more serious tone worked well, and I really appreciated the fact that we got a villain and side characters who were at least somewhat fleshed out. Season 3 is really fixing a lot of the issues that I had with previous seasons.

Personally, I don't like that Season 3 is much more violent than the previous seasons. While I don't mind a more darker tone for TV per se, I'm not sure if it does the Reboot any favors. It could not only affect the ratings, but also let it loose its 8pm timeslot. In comparison, Lenkov's rebooted "Magnum PI" doesn't seem as dark to me despite being a 9pm show (though maybe the Hawaiian backdrop with it's bright colors helps a bit).

Cast and crew stated several times that they're proud of being a family-friendly 8pm show. It used to be a lot more campy and was a bit of a replacement for the cancelled CBS-Show "Scorpion" last year. I'm curious if CBS demanded them to go darker or if they decided for themselves.

It's probably more interesting to write darker and I always felt there was a bit of a lack of the emotional aftermath of being field-agents (something I certainly lamented for "Stargate SG1"), but I really don't think it was needed here. It's also a bit cheap to have the guest stars kill the villains they want to have killed (it just happened in both 3x05 and 3x08).

Sure, that way it means Team Phoenix stays "innocent", but the plot-twist for this episode (which the guest-star playing the ghost actually spoiled on Twitter weeks ago ) and its execution was certainly dark. The ghost was a bomb-maker. Why not have him "killed" in an explosion? They still could have decided to bring him back or let him stay dead, whatever convenient.

I used to be confused why the Reboot is rated FSK16 in Germany (meaning 16 years and older) while the Original is rated FSK12. While I don't think it was necessary for S1 and S2, this season certainly deserves the FSK16 label. Personally, I wouldn't let my nephew (he's 11) watch this one by himself.

Yes, that's what I think as well. Sure, George Eads doesn't owe us an explanation, but I still think CBS or Lenkov should have commented on this.

Not because I think showrunners need to explain themselves, but because CBS kinda put themselves into a corner with this because MacGyver - despite the show being named after the main hero and being a team show, was never presented as such.

It had always been promoted and advertised as a buddy-bromance with MacGyver and Jack being the main leads. George got to be on the official poster for S2 and for the DVD cover. And on the official show website and CBS All Access they always used a promo photo of them both from the S1 promo material. They never bothered to advertize it as a team show; they never switched the promo photo for a team photo.

George Eads is still seen as the secondary lead by the audience, and with Jack not showing up in several episodes without a statement, the questions won't stop. People are asking about Leanna as well, but that's not the same because she wasn't a regular and certainly not one of the lead actors. (Personally, I think she should have at least been mentioned in one of the recent epsiodes. Interestingly, Lenkov has a lot of experience in that with "Hawaii Five-0", so not sure why they completely ignore it here.)

It wasn't as bad as for 3x04, but for 3x08 it's already pretty hefty. It will only get worse because neither George nor his Stand-In have been seen on set since October 16. He won't show up in 3x12 and I'm not sure about Episode 3x13, either.

I remember Lucas in a S1 interview talking about his friendship with George and how he helped him deal with missing his little girl. Possibly George asked for more time to spend with her. I can understand that but who knows because producers won't address fans' concerns. I don't bother with Lenkov's twitter anymore since all he cares about are his Hawaii shows. I find that disconcerting and annoying to the max. Either you're a showrunner or you're not.

Jack is Mac's overwatch and their bromance is terrific so I definitely want more of that As for the tone I don't find it particularly different. and I love focus on Mac. His relationship with Riley is presented nicely too.

I don't like Bozer in the field. He has nothing to offer. Stay in the lab. and I hate Leanna as part of the team. She adds nothing imo and she's boring .

They should stick to Mac/Jack in the field with Riley as tech aid. but then I'm not a producer I still love the show and remain a faithful fan. December will be tough for me with only 1 new episode.

well, maybe fans thought that the episode was intense like a Mac x Jack one, for that they ask a lot about George -or Jack in the case- that, and the begining, show was presented like (and for me): Mac x Jack in the action line, Riley and Bozer in tech lab or aid and Matty, the boss, and the others doing anything... and now they change the trama, mh...

If George Eads is not on set since 16th octuber, is yet a worried thing, is a month...

Anyways, I really hate how CBS manage the *crisis* situation about it... fans always love a simple explanation, just that...

About the episode, lol! I will watch it until next year, if I'm lucky

MacHack video by Technical Consultant Rhett Allain:

I'm curious about the oldest video-files. So in Dec 2006, Mac was only 16 or so - not old enough to be in the army yet. Or is the video of his dad?

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Good point. I believe the cops in last season's Christmas episode said Mac was in the army 2009 to 2011.

Personally, I don't like that Season 3 is much more violent than the previous seasons. While I don't mind a more darker tone for TV per se, I'm not sure if it does the Reboot any favors. It could not only affect the ratings, but also let it loose its 8pm timeslot. In comparison, Lenkov's rebooted "Magnum PI" doesn't seem as dark to me despite being a 9pm show (though maybe the Hawaiian backdrop with it's bright colors helps a bit).

Cast and crew stated several times that they're proud of being a family-friendly 8pm show. It used to be a lot more campy and was a bit of a replacement for the cancelled CBS-Show "Scorpion" last year. I'm curious if CBS demanded them to go darker or if they decided for themselves.

It's probably more interesting to write darker and I always felt there was a bit of a lack of the emotional aftermath of being field-agents (something I certainly lamented for "Stargate SG1"), but I really don't think it was needed here. It's also a bit cheap to have the guest stars kill the villains they want to have killed (it just happened in both 3x05 and 3x08).

Sure, that way it means Team Phoenix stays "innocent", but the plot-twist for this episode (which the guest-star playing the ghost actually spoiled on Twitter weeks ago ) and its execution was certainly dark. The ghost was a bomb-maker. Why not have him "killed" in an explosion? They still could have decided to bring him back or let him stay dead, whatever convenient.

I used to be confused why the Reboot is rated FSK16 in Germany (meaning 16 years and older) while the Original is rated FSK12. While I don't think it was necessary for S1 and S2, this season certainly deserves the FSK16 label. Personally, I wouldn't let my nephew (he's 11) watch this one by himself.

I think it's still a very innocent show compared to plenty of other things on tv. The violence is rarely graphic. Even when Jack shot the guy in last week's episode, we didn't see blood or anything, and it wasn't given much attention. The guy just flopped down, and that was it. It was about as violent as a storm trooper being shot in Star Wars, so it still seems kid-friendly.

But when I referred to the "more serious tone," I wasn't referring specifically to the level of violence. I just meant that the situation felt more serious, and the episode wasn't laced with as many silly jokes and whimsical music cues as usual. The characters seemed to be taking their situation seriously, which I prefer.

Regarding the violence, I remember the original series also changed at some point. I can't remember which season it was, but I do remember reading in advance that it would get more violent, and I remember I used to watch the show with my mother back then, and she commented that she did not like the newer, more violent tone. But now that show seems so innocent and child-friendly by today's standards, it's kind of funny to think that anyone complained about it being too violent.

I think you hit the nail on the head Dash when you pointed out that CBS or Lenkov should just give a straight answer. It's so disrespectful of the fans. They wouldn't even have to explain or exploit anyone's personal life or privacy. Just that George Eades will be leaving temporarily or only doing a set number of episode. I would really just like to know one way or another. And are you sure that he hasn't been on set since October or that he hasn't been seen, because Lucas seemed to be missing out of a lot of the behind the scenes pics and I was hoping that meant maybe he and George were filming elsewhere.

Lenkov might keep quiet because apparently, he mentioned Grace Park leaving H50 to spend more time with her family - which she debunked online; stating she never gave this as a reason and that he had no right in saying that *ouch*.

So maybe he doesn't want to say anything . He had promised to post more BtS stuff of George and he never posted anything at all. In fact, he hasn't posted anything MacGyver-related on Instagram since October 5 which is a bit disappointing.

Of course, sometimes we don't see the actors for several days or even a week or two but for George, it's been a month now. And he used to be the secondary lead actor. Of course, he could be better at hiding if his screentime is as reduced now as the one for Meredith maybe. Sometimes, we don't see her for quite some time, either.

Jack beating the bad guys into unconsciousness with a laptop last week was pretty graphically violent.

He really went to town on them.

My issue is that the violence completely eliminates the whole reason and ideal behind MacGyver not using a gun.
It shows that the writers and producers clearly either have no understanding at all about what made and continues to keep MacGyver popular or they simply no longer care are are just doing whatever the hell they want to do.

Human life means nothing to this MacGyver. It has none of the original traits other than the MacGyverisms - which aren't even called that any more.

Calling this show MacGyver is now just a bad joke.

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Here's the blog post by Technical Consultant Rhett Allain: https://rhettallain.com/2018/11/21/macgyver...mbs-le-fantome/

The mentioned MacHacks are
> SQUID Device
> Methanol fire
> Carbon Dioxide Putting Out Fire
> Pick a lock with a knife
> Comeback Can.
> Chemical Detector
> Tarp Bomb Lift

It was posted in the wrong category, so took me a while to find it... Here's the final ratings: http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/show...11-16-2018.html

Audience numbers adjusted down a bit, but it still won against "Last Man Standing" in numbers.

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Bozer is so completely useless. I get that he is the comedy, but he has no business going on any of these missions lol. He is so out of place. Can't they just use him at the Phoenix?

And another great one.

The return and (final appearance?) of the Ghost? Hmm, I don't know about this turn of events? I think the Ghost was one of the more compelling villains of the reboot and now they killed him?

For starters, he and Eileen both had such delicious accents. I really like the Irish accent, maybe even more then the Scottish ones. So they finally met and spoke but I don't think killing the Ghost was a good move. Of course it's a way of ending but I think Murdoc and the Ghost together, could've made a good team.

It would've been more ironic or maybe in some way poetic justice if the Ghost indeed died in an explosion. Died by his own device or something.

Jack was indeed missing in this episode. I also felt he belonged in it. He actually missed the Ghost's death, a guy he was so eager to get his hands on.

I understand that but he's not using it. Just because MacGyver doesn't use guns, doesn't have to mean Jack can't use it. As long as MacGyver is not using one, I don't see a problem here. If MacGyver starts blasting away with a gun, then they really didn't get it.

Pete carried a gun and Mac never said anything about it. Pete even offered Mac a gun in Bushmaster. Of course Pete doesn't shoot people left and right but still, he had one and used it if necessary.

I don't see much difference with the previous two. In fact, I think this is the first episode in a long time that hardly had any fighting in it.

I also think Mac went a little darker in the series progress as I've read before mainly in season 4 but also in season 6. But I grew up with season 6 and it took me a few years to understand what it was all about.

I was like 5 or 6 when I saw Lesson In Evil the first time. By the time I was 7 or 8, I saw Duncan's skeleton bobbing up and down the lava and Mac's bloody face in Strictly Business.

An 11-year old can handle this episode by himself. This one is much lighter in mood then Lesson In Evil.