I like your irreverent sense of humour. Perhaps Murdoc starts to regret having made it his mission to kill Mac, but then he finds out that Mac wouldn't date Murdoc if they were the only humans left on Earth, which makes Murdoc even more furious and determined to kill Mac ...

RDA actually made a comment in one of his interviews while discussing MacGyver's love life "People are starting to talk about MacGyver."

So I think there was a bit of an in joke on the set about "are we REALLY sure he likes women? cos he doesn't seem very comfortable around them?"

The writers' options were limited. Couldn't have written Mac as being gay or bisexual. Ergo, his orientation had to be straight or asexual. Back in the mid-80s, there was very little awareness that some people are naturally asexual.

So, heterosexual.

I'm assuming RDA was joking. I don't think there was any doubt about 's heterosexuality. Who remembers this particular bit from "Passages" where he is distracted by a woman? Imagine the director going over the directions with him: "So, Rick, Mac's actually dead at this point, and about to be reunited with his dead parents for the first time in many year, and he takes the time to stare at a woman in a tight dress. And that makes him think that the afterlife might not be too bad."

MacGyver: so heterosexual that he's thinking about sex even when he's actually dead.

I think the "Mac is afraid of commitment" thing was probably an in-joke.

I don't think so. In the 1980's, characters were never held down to relationships as this would always complicate their vulnerability. Making them susceptible to being hurt. Also, it refrained characters from flirtatious behavior in occasional episodes because you would always know at the back of your head, "Wait a minute! Isn't he dating..."

By keeping him single, the road was always open and there were no obligations.

Very good points.

I could imagine Murodc deep down having a twisted thing for Mac , kinda like Drax in 007 might be suppressive gay.

Kinda like Joker might have a thing for Batman ( yes , Harley Quinn but I dont think Joker really loves her , lol)