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MacGyver Online Forums > Episodes > 011 - Nightmares


Posted by: MacGyverOnline 2 November 2006 - 02:09 PM
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011 - Nightmares

Airdate: 15 January 1986
Writer: James Schmerer
Director: Cliff Bole
Guest Cast: Tammy Lauren as Lisa Allen, Dana Elcar as Pete Thornton, Robert O'Reilly as Curt Neilson, J.P. Bumstead as Barrett, Mike Mancini as Crisp.

Returning from East Germany with information, MacGyver is captured by German agents and given an hallucinogenic poison giving him 6 hours to either hand over the information or die from the drug.






Posted by: Toni 3 November 2006 - 06:34 AM
As everyone possibly knows

wub.gif I LOVE THIS EPISODE wub.gif

Fantastic acting, great story line etc etc


FANTASTIC

460.gif

Posted by: Macs Lab Rat 8 November 2006 - 08:59 AM
votes from 29 Mar 2006

Poor [ 0 ] [0.00%]
Average [ 1 ] [4.55%]
OK [ 2 ] [9.09%]
Good [ 3 ] [13.64%]
Excellent [ 16 ] [72.73%]
Total Votes: 22

Archived comments

Posted by: sonyab Oct 31 2004, 01:12 PM
QUOTE
Oh this was a great episode!!! Great acting on Rick's part.. He really looked like he was drugged.. The only thing that bothered me was the romantic music they had when they showed Mac and the teenager girl together.. Yuck.. 

Posted by: Murdoc Nov 1 2004, 07:21 AM
QUOTE
I just liked that episode.. I'm just glad that Mac got the antidote before he did die.. Where would us MacGyver fans be if he did die??   



Posted by: MacGyver Nov 1 2004, 02:21 PM
QUOTE
This is definitely a great episode. MacGyver being drugged and having to come up with the antidote in 6 hours was very supsenseful. I loved the ending because even when you thought MacGyver was done for, he just managed to make a magnet and get the antidote just in time. Also, it's interesting to note that Dana Elcar showed up in the character of Pete Thornton for the first time in this episode. From what I can understand, Pete is MacGyver's boss at the DXS from here on to the end of the first season, and in the 2nd. season Dana Elcar becomes a regular as Pete Thornton and both MacGyver and Pete go to work for the Phoenix Foundation.
Anyway, I thought there were great MacGyverisms throughout (as always) and it was very exciting.     


Posted by: MacGyverGod Nov 2 2004, 03:51 AM
QUOTE

This is indeed one of the way better episodes. I think this is the seasons topper. Mac's caught and the bad guys got him in the tight spot. Nice opener with the fish and the excitement in the harbor, great escape with the bed-slingshot and the trap to lure the bad guys out. I give this episode a 5 star rating. 


Posted by: Asbjørn Jan 6 2006, 07:28 PM
QUOTE
Yeah... great episode this one.

There's one thing I've always been curious about tough: Is Mac really scared of needles? - or just of what was inside that one...? 


Posted by: MACGYVERISMYDAD Jan 7 2006, 01:47 AM
QUOTE
i thought for sure he had some kinda plan to lead them to the stashed film and then beat them up or something and i was kinda shocked when he actually got injected with the needle. ever notice how the guy with the needle never told him what was in the needle to after he stuck mac??? i don't know about you but if i was mac i would have been freaking out and did everything to avoid getting injected with whatever drug is in the needle! 


Posted by: Amy Jan 7 2006, 03:43 AM
QUOTE
do do do do, do do do do...I feel like I'm in the twilight zone! Thought for sure I commented on this one already! Weird.

This is one of my all time favorites! I love the suspense! No matter how many times I watch this one I still get that wrenching feeling in my gut when the guy grabs Mac to restrain him.  Close to, if not at, the top of my favorite list! 


Posted by: Sheepy Jan 11 2006, 09:59 PM
QUOTE
This episode is excellent. When I got my season 1 DVD box it was one of the first I watched again. 


Posted by: MacNymph Jan 12 2006, 06:45 AM
QUOTE

QUOTE
QUOTE (MACGYVERISMYDAD @ Jan 7 2006, 02:37 AM)
i thought for sure he had some kinda plan to lead them to the stashed film and then beat them up or something and i was kinda shocked when he actually got injected with the needle. i don't know about you but if i was mac i would have been freaking out and did everything to avoid getting injected with whatever drug is in the needle! 


Well, they had him strapped down in a chair and had him around the neck in a choke hold.

Personally, I would have bit him... but I don't even think Mac could do that in the hold they had them in. Poor Mac.

*kicks the fake cop right in the nuts on Mac's behalf*


Posted by: Lothithil Jan 12 2006, 06:58 AM
QUOTE
Awesome ep! I loved everything from the gum-wrapper fishing lure, Pete's introduction, RDA's very believable performance, and every MacGyverism along the ride. This is the 1st season ep I watch more than any of the others (along with 'To Be A Man')

Stellar! 


Posted by: MacsChick Jan 12 2006, 03:51 PM
QUOTE
Hey! Another one of my favorite episodes! I don't know what it is, but I love the episodes where he's hurt and vulnerable. He looks so cute, I wish I was taking care of him, poor baby! Definitely excellent! 


Posted by: Toni Jan 15 2006, 05:40 AM
QUOTE
This is my fav ep and what got me hooked into MacGyver. I remember that sat afternoon coming home from shoping with my mum and seeing the credits start and thought I wonder what this is.

Then it started and I never was the same again   
Toni 


Posted by: MACGYVERISMYDAD Jan 17 2006, 06:16 AM
QUOTE
it looked so realistic when mac was drugged, it was if they really did drug him up on something to get a couple scenes in. i have to concur with the one scene where mac and the homeless girl are going into her home and it starts playing romantic music. don't know why they do that but i notice it a lot. it seems as if the song writer had some romantic music overstocked and he needed to use it somewhere so he just put it in where seems fit. you even hear it when pete and mac are together. strange!! good ep though i love the part where the one baddie says you dont even have the strength to do it and mac looks like he doesn't but he gathers what little energy he has left and knocks the guy out and falls on the ground as well. i also love the scene when hes in the room and the drug starts kicking in and it shows the screen getting all messed up. 


Posted by: rockatteer Jan 17 2006, 09:29 AM
QUOTE

QUOTE
QUOTE 
i have to concur with the one scene where mac and the homeless girl are going into her home and it starts playing romantic music. don't know why they do that but i notice it a lot. it seems as if the song writer had some romantic music overstocked and he needed to use it somewhere so he just put it in where seems fit



I guess it depends what you think is romantic music... if you consider any form of slow or quiet music to be romantic music then, yeah I guess your right.

TO me it sounds more like the wailing "down on your luck" type brass music you would expect to hear in an old detective movie, like Mike Hammer or something from that era...

...The kind of music you would hear as the lonely detective downs his last shot of whiskey, and heads out into the rainy night, pulling up the coller of his overcoat and tipping his head as he disappears from sight.


Posted by: Sheepy Jan 17 2006, 11:11 PM

QUOTE
Wow Rockatteer! I love the way your mind works! (except your opinion on RC hehehe)
With that remark about the music you just hit the nail on the head!
That was exactly what I have been thinking.
I found the music more depressing than romantic too. 


Posted by: MACGYVERISMYDAD Jan 18 2006, 01:48 AM
QUOTE
maybe its just because i am used to watching a lot of the 80's movies and they always haven romantic scenes with saxaphones in it. either way i dont think the music really fits in some of the scenes they play it in. mac is not necessary lonley even though he lives by himself he has pete,jack,penny and other people that pop in to his life on a regular basis. some of the music sounds like something you would here in a xxx movie. plus MacGyver wasn't a depressed man..i mean he had his ghost's and sometimes he saw them walking around!! but i think this music should have only been put in when needed. which they did do a good job of as you hear the same music when he remembers kate his old g/f or when pete tries to retire. i think they just overdid the music in some scenes. i just think the scen were he was going into the homeless girls home that it wasn't needed he was neither depressed or in love with her. 


Posted by: MacGirl Jan 18 2006, 12:17 PM
QUOTE
I voted excellent. One of my favorite S1 eps. It was a classic spy-style ep, but I liked the twist with Lisa. She helped Mac when he was in trouble, and he ended up helping her, too. I like how he refused to pass judgement on her for running away from home. I also like the moment where Lisa is saying, "I'm gonna make something of myself. I don't know exactly what yet..." Mac says, "How about a success?" Lisa answers sarcastically, "Yeah, right!" Mac replies to that with a very sincere, "Yeah, right," and looks her right in the eye for a moment. If I were in her position, I'd sure like to run into someone that understanding and encouraging.

I still love the scene where the bad guys are after them, and Mac unwinds the fire hose and feeds it out the window, with Lisa saying, "Oh, no, no way." The next scene has the bad guys rushing into the room (following the fire hose) and when they see the hose hanging out the window, they run down and out of the building. When they've gone, some of the junk against the wall is lifted, and here are Mac and Lisa!  Mac says, "Like the magician said, a little misdirection never hurt." That whole sequence cracks me up.

And of course... a very happy ending for both of them. The cherry on top! 


Posted by: deana Sep 20 2006, 08:24 PM
QUOTE
A very good ep.
Rda plays very good a druged out man.
I love him when he's nuts, wacko, no longer in position.
The music is romantic for the fan's how loves him when he's vulnerable.
When Mac/Jack goes fishing they never catch a fish, but Lisa cathed one.
That's wonderfull, you catch only a fish when you need it. 
That's why Mac never catch a fish, he didn't need one.




Posted by: rockatteer Sep 21 2006, 09:42 AM
QUOTE

QUOTE
QUOTE 
That's why Mac never catch a fish, he didn't need one.




Nah.. he's a just a bad fisherman.

Thats why he takes lots of dryed food with him when camping... cos he knows he can't catch fish.


Posted by: Mac Sep 21 2006, 02:47 PM

QUOTE
Lizard, on the other hand... 

Mac 


Posted by: deana Sep 27 2006, 02:27 AM

QUOTE
I don't agree with you,
In Gost-schip Pete said:
MacGyver is a experienced woodman.
Survives on what het can catch.

So we can't see it, but when he needs fish, he can catch one.
 

Posted by: Lothithil Sep 27 2006, 05:29 AM
QUOTE
Maybe he can only catch a fish with a spear? (Final Approach)

Or maybe Luther caught all the fish! LOL! 

Posted by: MacNymph 15 September 2007 - 08:32 AM
Okay, Rocky is otherwise engaged this weekend so I've scootched this over, hopefully, where it belongs.

sak.gif

Posted by: MacGyverGrrl 15 September 2007 - 11:05 AM
I voted excellent. I have always liked this episode, I think its my favorite from season 1.

Mac's portrayal of someone in a drug induced state is really well done. In my own current condition, I can relate. The medication I'm taking makes me really lightheaded, slightly nauseated if I don't eat (like I need another reason to eat chocolate) and off balance. It almost feels like I'm moving a half a beat out of synch with the rest of the world. Its a really weird feeling and its not easy to show it. RDA does an outstanding job of portraying the more subtle aspects of drug hallucinations.

Lisa was a little forced at times but she is one of the better actresses from season 1. The background music that so many people commented on was a little annoying. I don't think it was romantic so much as I found it intrusive. The saxphone brass band effect seemed too loud for the moment. Lisa is helping Mac because he helped her, no strings attached. She realizes he is in trouble, especially when he requests "no police". The easy thing would have been to go to the police officer anyway. Instead Lisa demonstrates compassion and caring by taking Mac into her home and caring for him as best she can. The music is supposed to convey and reinforce that sense of compassion, but to me it just comes off as abrasive.

There have been some minor nitpicks on this episode, but I think, over all that it is a well done show. The bad guys are totally believable. Neilson's expression is both cold and threatening, especially when he stalks Mac in the dream sequence. I thought the respect that Neilson has for MacGyver added a nice realism that was lacking in a villian like, oh I don't know, Axminster( yucky.gif ).

No matter how many times I watch this episode, I still get a charge from it. This episode is the one that turned me from a casual Mac watcher into a hardcore MacGyver fan. This is one of the best MacGyver epsiodes in the entire series.

Posted by: SAK 15 September 2007 - 11:40 PM
The following post is somewhat off-topic, and I apologize in advance.

QUOTE (MacGyverGrrl @ 15 September 2007 - 02:40 PM)
The medication I'm taking makes me really lightheaded, slightly nauseated if I don't eat (like I need another reason to eat chocolate) and off balance.  It almost feels like I'm moving a half a beat out of synch with the rest of the world.

This is what hypoglycemia feels like to me. It's kind of a spacey, disconnected feeling.

Please continue with the episode discussion...

(I wish I had my DVDs here at work.) sad.gif

Posted by: Lothithil 16 September 2007 - 04:46 AM
Really loved this episode wub.gif as stated above in the captures.

Favourite scene: Mac trying to negotiate torture methods with Neilson. happy.gif

Posted by: MacsChick 16 September 2007 - 01:27 PM
Mac: "The old rubber hose and bright light trick..."
"Hypnotism! It's been known to work. The KGB's got it down to a science!"
laugh.gif

I love that scene, too. I just watched this episode last night, and yes--what a brilliant portrayal by RDA.

Posted by: MacGyversCrush 18 September 2007 - 10:34 AM
I think RDA did a great job in playing drug inducted even got the blood shot eyes down.

Yeah I didn't like Lisa too much, but she did a good enough job.

I also love the

Mac: "The old rubber hose and bright light trick..."
"Hypnotism! It's been known to work. The KGB's got it down to a science!"

Too..

I gave it a good vote mostly from RDA's acting like a drunken drugged up guy. blink.gif

Posted by: Amy 19 September 2007 - 02:53 AM
blink.gif I'm actually here...and posting! clapping.gif

I said before that I love this episode and I voted excellent! RDAs just great, Nielson is a super bad guy, and I love Pete showing up for the first time as, well, Pete (not Colson). Lisa was ok, but on the good side of ok. LOL...love the negotiated torture part, too! That whole scene is on my "most intense moments of the series" list. wink.gif Also love at the end when Nielson thinks Mac's done for and Mac pulls out that knock-out swing! Go Mac.

Posted by: j12752 19 September 2007 - 05:28 AM
I loved this episode too! Loved seeing Pete as "Pete", and liked seeing Lisa with some intelligence despite her life. The bad guy reminded me of Ilya Kuriakan from The Man From Uncle

Posted by: trtlsoup 21 September 2007 - 01:23 PM
I don't remember what I voted... probably GOOD. This is a favorite from Season 1. I guess I like my Mac whumped. unsure.gif

I'll refresh myself by watching the episode later... I remember the line when the bad guy (Nielson?) says "good veins" and Mac just says thank you. laugh.gif That whole captured scene was funny... true RDA humor in the face of bad.

I looked up Tammy Lauren (Lisa) in IMBd. Wow... I had no idea she was a veteren child actor. Cool. Her acting in the beginning was a bit stilted, but she warmed up by the end.

And the introduction to Pete. More like a friends greeting instead of a boss.

I'm going to watch the epie now... ta!

Posted by: MacBeth 22 September 2007 - 01:56 PM
I think this is a brilliant episode; it was an instant favourite of mine when it first aired, and did as much as any episode to really thoroughly hook me. During the years when I missed out on the show, it remained one of the episodes I continued to remember clearly. Seeing it again, it was even better than I had remembered; how’s that for a treat?

The acting, writing, and directing are all superb. The episode is incredibly tightly written – the entire action takes place in a single day, within a limited physical area, and the plot keeps the drama tightly focused (the old “Dramatic Unities” do have some value even in TV).

Neilson as a bad guy is quietly, creepily nasty – and with a less implausible than usual accent. (Of all the “secret agent” episodes, this one entirely avoids any problems with location – no need to suspend disbelief and buy California as Mexico, or Bulgaria, or Russia.) The episode has terrific range – understated delivery and small, controlled actions can carry just as much inherent drama as screams and explosions, or more.

And RDA’s performance, first to last, is sensational. It’s the first time on the series that we see Mac in real distress – I remember it was a level of vulnerability really unusual in a male TV hero at the time. It would have been bad if RDA hadn’t made it plausible; instead, it became one of his great strengths as an actor.

And there’s something beyond just the “Joy of Whumping”. When events or trauma peel away the upper, superficial layers of the self, it can put the most fundamental values on display. In the middle section of the episode, when MacGyver is isolated, confused, and in pain, his character is shown in this light – from his empathy to Lisa to his ability to improvise even through a fog.

This episode not only introduced Pete (at last!), I think it was the first time Mac ever arranged a "bonus" at the end.

favourite moments:
Mac’s smartassed bravado when well and truly pinned down
Mac exhorting himself in the cell – “C’mon, think, MacGyver, think!”

Posted by: MacsChick 22 September 2007 - 02:48 PM
I remember Henry Winkler remarking on RDA's vulnerability and how it endears audiences to him. He does it so subtly that it is never over-acted, and he's always believable when in pain or in difficult emotional situations.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 23 September 2007 - 02:35 AM
Was anyone else disappointed to see how easily Pete was shoot and wounded?

It seemed to amateurish. The first shot they fired at him and he's down and out... dry.gif

Posted by: Sheepy 23 September 2007 - 02:43 AM
Yeah I noticed that too.

But still this is one of my alltime favourites.
I actually use this phraze myself: I have this thing with needles. Cause I HATE shots.

I loved RD's acting in this one. I totally believed he was getting sicker by the moment.
Loved it. wub.gif

Posted by: j12752 23 September 2007 - 03:52 AM
Yes, that was odd, we're just to used to seeing many shots not hitting anything

Posted by: MacsChick 23 September 2007 - 03:36 PM
Pete getting shot and falling so easily was a little lame, I admit.

Still...

I love this episode! biggrin.gif

Posted by: Old Fan 23 September 2007 - 04:36 PM
Going back to MacBeth's post about vulnerability and how RDA does it so well... I rate this episode up along with Abyss from Stargate SG-1 season 6 - for the same reason. If you haven't seen that one - do so - it's worth it.

RDA is very good at what he does. As an actor, he has always been under-appreciated in the emotion department. He does it so naturally that he doesn't overwhelm you and that's the beauty of it. He just makes it believable. No mistaking... this is a very hard thing for an actor to do - to find just the right balance, and make the right "choices" - the little things that determine the character's internal thinking process. This is why many people who go to acting workshops drop out. When you get a scene like this to work on, you dig deep into your personal reservoir (real life and imaginary sense memory) to bring the moment to life and make it believable. It is a scary thing - because you are exposing your inner self for everyone to examine.

"... Acting is hard, skiing is fun, avalanches are dangerous..."

unsure.gif jeep.gif

Posted by: MacNymph 23 September 2007 - 04:51 PM
I love this episode. Way up there in my rank of favorites. One reason…. Nice recovery after Target MacGyver. Ugh! I also like the cloak and dagger feel. But mostly the moral of the story. That too many people just walk on by because “it’s none of their business”. If MacGyver hadn’t helped Lisa on the dock, a couple of hours later she wouldn’t have known him from Adam and might have taken her friends advice and just kept walking. sad.gif

Premise was kewl, acting was great. I thought the girl who played Lisa did a great job. Some of the dialogue they gave her was a little lame but I think she’s probably in the top five female actors they had throughout the series. Nielson and his goons were good too. The guy that always had a sandwich… LOL “Can’t you do anything without eating?” ~ “I’m listening!” laugh.gif

Despite thinking it’s one of the better episodes of season 1 if not all the seasons, I still had some hmm.bmps

There are two things that really bug me.

One is that unfortunate splice of footage of Mac rolling on the ground drugged after the cop punches him in the parking lot. Real bad choice by someone. And that when Mac retrieves the list, it’s kinda obvious it was filmed at the same time he put it in there but that’s no biggie I guess.

Second is when the bad guys are coming in Lisa’s building… Mac takes the time to set up the chairs, battery and television tube for an explosion saying “Got to buy some time. Try to give us a running start.” Well the time it took him to set it up they could have been off, but then he cranks up the radio and says “This oughta get them up here in a hurry.” What the….? Make up your mind Mac! laugh.gif

On a lighter note…

When Pete gets upset that the operator didn’t get the message from Lisa to him sooner, and the guy said it had no emergency code on it. And Pete says “Well there is now! Code 101!” That cracked me up. Code 101. happy.gif

Did anyone else notice that when Lisa finds Mac on the street and goes to take him home.. Just as they cut to commercial she starts laughing? I’ve seen it before and wonder if anyone warns people acting with RDA that he goes all out. I don’t think she expected to have to take that much of his weight. biggrin.gif

And I can’t help thinking that if the scene at the dock had been extended, we would have seen Lisa fighting the seagulls for that fish. laugh.gif

As for the music they used during certain scenes, I think better choices could have been made, and that the music could be used either way. But since Nielson is doing a dramatic monologue on how Mac’s going to suffer (“each second that ticks away cuts him like a knife”) and eventually die, I know which way I’ll interpret it. rolleyes.gif

QUOTE (Rockatteer @ 23 September 2007 - 11:10 PM)

  Was anyone else disappointed to see how easily Pete was shoot and wounded?

It seemed to amateurish. The first shot they fired at him and he's down and out...  dry.gif


I don't have a problem with that. It's more believable than someone dodging a reign of bullets. Dust flying up in a battery behind them as they run. Always leaves me thinking... "Why are the bad guys shooting at the dirt two feet behind him?"

QUOTE (Old Fan @ 24 September 2007 - 01:11 PM)

  Going back to MacBeth's post about vulnerability and how RDA does it so well... I rate this episode up along with Abyss from Stargate SG-1 season 6 - for the same reason. If you haven't seen that one - do so - it's worth it.

RDA is very good at what he does. As an actor, he has always been under-appreciated in the emotion department. He does it so naturally that he doesn't overwhelm you and that's the beauty of it. He just makes it believable.

I've seen RDA do some brilliant acting... and some really bad acting, if you can even call it acting. Was more like RDA showed up on set. He has the ability but I've heard him say it himself, sometimes he just gets plain lazy. This was definitely in the better category. biggrin.gif

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 26 September 2007 - 07:44 PM
QUOTE (MacNymph @ 24 September 2007 - 01:26 PM)
There are two things that really bug me.

One is that unfortunate splice of footage of Mac rolling on the ground drugged after the cop punches him in the parking lot. Real bad choice by someone.  And that when Mac retrieves the list, it’s kinda obvious it was filmed at the same time he put it in there but that’s no biggie I guess.


Oddly enough I never noticed that footage until I saw it mentioned as a nitpick.. and now I can't help but notice it.

QUOTE (MacNymph @ 24 September 2007 - 01:26 PM)
And I can’t help thinking that if the scene at the dock had been extended, we would have seen Lisa fighting the seagulls for that fish. laugh.gif

laugh.gif I think you might be right. Those birds certainly seemed determine didn't they.


QUOTE (MacNymph @ 24 September 2007 - 01:26 PM)
When Pete gets upset that the operator didn’t get the message from Lisa to him sooner, and the guy said it had no emergency code on it. And Pete says “Well there is now! Code 101!” That cracked me up. Code 101.  happy.gif

Yeah thats just goofy laugh.gif

I noticed in Death lock Pete used a code "Red red" when he tried to ring for help.
I can't help thinking that maybe they should have used the "Red Red" emergency code instead of 101, or something similar.

Posted by: MacsChick 28 September 2007 - 07:33 PM
Okay class, welcome to Code 101... happy.gif

Posted by: SMeeceymouse 16 February 2009 - 01:45 PM
I liked the part when the gentleman giving Mac the injection says "You have very nice veins." and Mac says "Thank you." It was like they were preparing to drug him to clean his teeth. blush.gif

Posted by: dinoman 25 March 2009 - 04:26 PM
This is an excellent episode! Great acting of RDA, I agree every bit of the previous posts regarding his ability in acting out pain and distress. I really wish I could play Lisa's role: who can resist taking care of Mac and holding him in her arms? wub.gif

Posted by: Beachbead 22 April 2009 - 01:06 PM
Fantastic acting by RDA.

Posted by: Keyan 20 May 2009 - 03:36 AM
QUOTE (MacsChick @ 17 September 2007 - 09:27 AM)
Mac: "The old rubber hose and bright light trick..."
"Hypnotism! It's been known to work. The KGB's got it down to a science!"
laugh.gif



I agree it's the best scene. I think it's great when a hero can have a sense of humor even when threatened with death.

Posted by: Dennman 12 March 2010 - 12:28 PM
One of the best episodess, IMO. Great villain, and many many MacGyverisms. 1st episode I taped off the air when I was a kid, so it has nostalgic value to me.

Posted by: beckylarae 4 April 2010 - 03:41 PM
Definitely one of my fave MacGyver episodes! I think someone else said this too, but it was the episode that hooked me into the show. I thought the actress who played Lisa was sort of hit-and-miss but overall she did a fine job. It had to have been pretty difficult for her to hold her own next to RDA's powerhouse performance.

I had one nitpick with the show (also brought up by someone in an earlier post): when he gets hit by the fake cop he already looks drugged out. blink.gif


Posted by: MacLovin 5 April 2010 - 03:58 AM
The homeless girl's make-shift home in a warehouse was nicer than my first apartment. biggrin.gif

Posted by: Hannibal_Smith 25 February 2011 - 09:48 AM
QUOTE
RDA is very good at what he does. As an actor, he has always been under-appreciated in the emotion department. He does it so naturally that he doesn't overwhelm you and that's the beauty of it. He just makes it believable. No mistaking... this is a very hard thing for an actor to do - to find just the right balance, and make the right "choices" - the little things that determine the character's internal thinking process. This is why many people who go to acting workshops drop out. When you get a scene like this to work on, you dig deep into your personal reservoir (real life and imaginary sense memory) to bring the moment to life and make it believable. It is a scary thing - because you are exposing your inner self for everyone to examine.


Fellow SG-1 fan just wanting to say... This, exactly. Good example with "Abyss."

Posted by: Makedde 21 March 2011 - 07:55 PM
It was a great episode, it should be airing again here within a couple of days so I'll have to watch it again - I missed the first ten minutes of it last time!

The only thing I didn't like was that Mac gets his antidote about two minutes before he dies - a pill doesn't work that quickly so I thought that was a little unrealistic.

But other than that, it was an awesome episode.

Posted by: NightTinkerer 3 August 2012 - 08:29 AM
This is definitely the best episode of season one, in my opinion--in fact, one of my all time favorites! Some people have already discussed the best aspects of this episode here, but there are some things that I just can't praise enough. smile.gif

To quote MacBeth:

QUOTE
And RDA’s performance, first to last, is sensational. It’s the first time on the series that we see Mac in real distress – I remember it was a level of vulnerability really unusual in a male TV hero at the time. It would have been bad if RDA hadn’t made it plausible; instead, it became one of his great strengths as an actor.

And there’s something beyond just the “Joy of Whumping”. When events or trauma peel away the upper, superficial layers of the self, it can put the most fundamental values on display. In the middle section of the episode, when MacGyver is isolated, confused, and in pain, his character is shown in this light – from his empathy to Lisa to his ability to improvise even through a fog.


I completely agree with that! I willingly admit that I'm quite a hurt/comfort junkie, and I do enjoy most episodes where Mac is sick/injured/vulnerable--as long as someone's there to comfort him and offer him the proper care and/or emotional support. As MacBeth pointed out, it was quite unusual for a male TV hero at the time, and could easily have come out bad or implausible had it not been for RDA's acting skills!

I wouldn't call myself "cold", but I'm usually not the first one to choke up watching sad movies. However, watching RDA featuring Mac in distress or pain really gets me every time--which may also be part reason why I fell for the series in the first place--he feels so genuine for a TV series character, displaying both his strengths and his vulnerability!

This is also the main reason why I find it very hard to imagine someone else in the role of MacGyver for a future film. I doubt they'd ever find anyone else who'd make it work for me. (And no, I can't really see RDA return to MacGyver either, after all these years. But that's a topic for another thread).

Anyway--back on topic--I really liked Lisa as a character. Considering her background, you must admire her strength. And the way she cared for Mac was heartwarming indeed. In fact, that's another thing about this episode that I really loved--Mac and Lisa just helped each other out though they were total strangers to each other in the beginning--they just felt it was the right thing to do!

And she got rewarded in the end! It would have been interesting to see what happened to her; considering how intelligent she seemed, she must have gone far! smile.gif

Despite my love of this episode, I do have *some* nitpicks though:

Considering Mac's vertigo, and the extreme pain he was in, I very much doubt that he'd be hungry as they finally made it to Lisa's apartment. In fact, everyone I know who've experienced this kind of vertigo have also suffered from extreme nausea and vomiting. I can totally understand why you'd neglect that aspect when producing a TV show with this rating, but still, the fact that he was hungry felt rather implausible.

Also, had I been Lisa, I'd never ever handled Mac a knife in that state! blink.gif

Many have already commented the fact that Mac really got the cure at the last moment, and that it wouldn't have had the time to work before his time ran out. Well, they actually said that it could be a little more (or less) than six hours, so it might be that he had a little more time than implied, but naturally, the watch was set for exactly six hours to make him feel the pressure.

For those of you who wonder about his "drugged" appearance, there is a simple way to make an actor look teary eyed or sick, and which they might have used: Just add a stroke of tiger balm or any peppermint ointment under each eye. (that's UNDER, mind you, not above). It will do the trick. (And yes, I'm talking from experience).

Anyway--my first "Excellent" rating, so far! smile.gif

Posted by: KiwiTek 3 August 2012 - 03:43 PM
QUOTE (NightTinkerer @ 4 August 2012 - 04:32 AM)
Considering Mac's vertigo, and the extreme pain he was in, I very much doubt that he'd be hungry as they finally made it to Lisa's apartment. In fact, everyone I know who've experienced this kind of vertigo have also suffered from extreme nausea and vomiting. I can totally understand why you'd neglect that aspect when producing a TV show with this rating, but still, the fact that he was hungry felt rather implausible.


That's a good call. In fact any sort of illness will generally throw you off your food, even a common cold can take away your appetite.

Posted by: Traveller 6 August 2012 - 06:11 AM
I agree with NightTinkerer. I've always found this scene highly improbable. When you're that sick, food will only make you feel worse. So I think the writers forced the scenario this way, because they needed to make some points.
Something else has been puzzling me just as much, from the first time I saw this scene: when Lisa comes into the room with Mac, the bag with the fish she just caught is gone. Instead, she takes a package from a shelf, apparently with another fish in it, for Mac to take the bones out of it. Seems highly inconsequential. It would have been much more logical to take and prepare the fish she caught thanks to Mac's lure.

Posted by: NightTinkerer 6 August 2012 - 07:33 AM
QUOTE (Traveller @ 6 August 2012 - 04:14 PM)
I agree with NightTinkerer. I've always found this scene highly improbable. When you're that sick, food will only make you feel worse. So I think the writers forced the scenario this way, because they needed to make some points.
Something else has been puzzling me just as much, from the first time I saw this scene: when Lisa comes into the room with Mac, the bag with the fish she just caught is gone. Instead, she takes a package from a shelf, apparently with another fish in it, for Mac to take the bones out of it. Seems highly inconsequential. It would have been much more logical to take and prepare the fish she caught thanks to Mac's lure.

Yeah, Traveller, you have a good point there--why did she handle him an "old" fish? smile.gif I didn't even think about it until you pointed it out, I guess I was too focused on Mac's pain...

And yes, the writers were obviously forcing the scenario to show that Mac "makes the best of what [he's] got," to quote Lisa. The scenario was still improbable, though... (and actually, handling fish even though you're just slightly nauseated... well, it's not an ideal situation for anyone, I think... tongue.gif)

Posted by: Traveller 6 August 2012 - 08:28 AM
By the way, I like how you go through the episodes. It freshens up some of the thoughts I have, but never put on paper – so to speak. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Posted by: NightTinkerer 6 August 2012 - 12:21 PM
QUOTE (Traveller @ 6 August 2012 - 06:31 PM)
By the way, I like how you go through the episodes. It freshens up some of the thoughts I have, but never put on paper – so to speak. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Thank you! smile.gif

I think it's great fun to get to know all of you here on this forum. Even though many of my thoughts and observations have been discussed already since I was late to jump the bandwagon, we're all individuals, and we'll se different things.

Posted by: Mela_007 29 January 2013 - 06:45 PM
I agree with most of the comments on this thread. I voted excellent and this is thus far one of my very favorite episodes. I saw it on the tv version recently and they had cut out the part where Mac was giving Nielson other options to get the info from him. I watched it from my DVD the other day and that cracked me up!

I don't have a problem with the timing of the antidote because when Nielson gave Mac the drug he said that "after 6 hours, give or take a few moments, the drug would be irreversible and would kill him". He didn't say it would kill him in exactly 6 hours.

I was also truly amazed by RDA's acting in this episode!!! His acting is so darn believable. I agree with what was said earlier that he doesn't seem to force the emotions they just occur as they should.

The reason I am remembering to comment on this episode right now is due to the first part of this episode...Mac's commentary prior to walking down the dock. Mac quotes the statistic about the pleasing sound of rushing water, "but 10 and a half days at sea is enough rushing water for anybody". I go to sea for work for 2-3 weeks at a time, so his comments about this really cracked me up...in fact, I am sitting aboard the ship right now as I type this reply. Just a little note from a fellow sea traveller. wink.gif

Posted by: MacGyverisms 14 February 2013 - 01:50 PM
I agree with everything everyone has said in this thread. This is probably one of my favorite episodes of Season 1. RDA's acting is very realistic, very believable, probably his best of the whole series. A lot of realistic, suspenseful moments. A lot of creative MacGyverisms. I really liked the part where Mac made the bad guys think he went out the window, but the whole time he was hiding under a couch. Overall a good episode.

Overall Rating: 10/10 swissopen.gif

Posted by: MacManx 29 March 2013 - 01:35 PM
One of my top favs.

RDA was excellent in his performance.

The bad guys were not really dumb or over the top.

Mac lightheartedly requesting other torture methods was great. roller.gif His humor in these situations is one reason we all love him.

Did want to point out that the poison did not kill him in 6 hours, he had 6 hours to take the antidote or it would be too late for the antidote to work.

I think one reason this is a favorite is that when this aired I was lightly contemplating running away from home and said if I do I do it like Lisa did, real smart. A few years later, I opted for going to DCFS and actually got the state of Florida to legal remove custody from my mother and place me with my grandma.

I image Lisa going to college, with Macs help, becoming an engineer and then working for the Phoenix foundation someday.

Posted by: Scwilson 1 August 2013 - 08:19 PM
matchs.JPG one of the best, Mac must save himself within six hours. The suspense was great when first seeing it its a kid.

Posted by: blondmama 29 May 2014 - 11:07 AM
I loved this Episode and so did my son he thought it was good it makes you catch your breath I was amazed at what he was able to do while having his vision being blurred I was like oh you hope that he gets the pill that helps him from dying. I guess it just takes your breath away this was another favorite of mine

Posted by: blondmama 29 May 2014 - 11:07 AM
I loved this Episode and so did my son he thought it was good it makes you catch your breath I was amazed at what he was able to do while having his vision being blurred I was like oh you hope that he gets the pill that helps him from dying. I guess it just takes your breath away this was another favorite of mine

Posted by: Mela_007 29 May 2014 - 12:10 PM
Ok, I have to reply again to this thread. After Blondmama replied and I got the email, I reread through the old posts.

First, I think OldFan was right on with the comparison to the SG1 episode Abyss!! Now that I've seen both I TOTALLY agree!!! RDA's acting when in distress is truly amazing and it carried through greatly into Stargate SG1 as well.

I liked the comment here where they may not have warned Lisa about having to take on RDA's weight, because I have really noticed this. Most of the time when a character is being "carried" or helped like that you can see the actor helping out (whether consciously or not). RDA seems to be able to consciously NOT help them out. I have paid more attention to it as I have watched the SG1 series because of especially this MacGyver episode. Many actors wind up basically carrying RDA in several episodes and it just makes it so darn believable!!!

The other thing that I have to laugh at right now is the timing of this thread. I reread my own post for this episode and noticed my reference to the beginning of the episode where Mac was talking about the sound of rushing water and 10 days at sea...I am again sitting on the ship, at sea, and this time even in a room at water level so I can hear the water rush by the hull. We've been gone 12 days!! Timing cracks me up sometimes!! roller.gif

Posted by: cmbj67 27 July 2014 - 02:48 AM
I think this episode shows how a good actor RDA is.

It must be difficult to act so well if you're not really hurting or drugged. He makes it so credible blink.gif

I also like him with Lisa. smile.gif

Posted by: Harry1982 3 August 2014 - 04:03 PM
To me Nightmares is one of the best episodes of Season 1 if not the best. I think it's my favorite one. I always liked RDA 's acting in this one, very strong performance. Like cmbj commented earlier, shows how good actor RDA really is. Great episode with suspense that keeps you nailed to your seat to the very end.

Posted by: MiracleMac 12 September 2015 - 05:45 AM
Neilson's Warehouse today...

Looks like somebody tripped with thinner can and "washed" the whole wall...

Posted by: Maclover 23 September 2015 - 01:11 PM
I have also spent similar periods of time at sea and agree with all those comments regarding the sound of the water! I also get a lot out of those episodes which explore a hero's vulnerability and RDA makes it soooo convincing. Story wise I thought it interesting that many years later in the new Knight Rider series they ran a storyline with a very similar premise, and it is a common theme in many of the series of the time - Star Trek certainly used similar ideas on a number of occasions all with 'last minute' cures and I bet there were others.

Posted by: sylvain1888 15 November 2020 - 04:04 PM
Excellent episode, seeing Mac in this state makes me sad for him, but gives him strength to fight even more ...
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Posted by: sylvain1888 15 November 2020 - 04:11 PM
QUOTE (MiracleMac @ 12 September 2015 - 05:45 AM)
Neilson's Warehouse today...

Looks like somebody tripped with thinner can and "washed" the whole wall...

Thank you, always nice to see the "before and after" for the shooting locations, moreover if I had the chance to travel to the USA and Canada, I would go to the shooting locations of the series, and "walk »In the footsteps of the RDA ...

Posted by: sylvain1888 15 November 2020 - 04:13 PM

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