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MacGyver Online Forums > Episode Discussions > 1-21 Cigar Cutter

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 24 March 2017 - 07:01 PM

1-21 Cigar Cutter

Airdate: April 7, 2017
Writer: Craig O’Neill (EP) and David Slack (EP)
Director: Liz Allen Rosenbaum
Guest Cast: David Dastmalchian (Murdoc) , William Mapother (“The Client”/Daniel Holt)
Mark A. Sheppard (Fake Dr. Zito) , Kate Bond (Deidre) , Farshad Farahat (Farhad)
Aina Dumlao (Andie Lee) , Troy Rudeseal (Dr. Zito) , Adam Roby Southard (EMT)
Jeff Wolfe (Guard)

Murdoc puts his plans for revenge against MacGyver into action when he recruits his recently released former cellmate to infiltrate the Phoenix Complex as a “lab technician” and kill everyone inside.

Posted by: DXS 14 April 2017 - 07:39 PM

I haven't seen the episode yet, but I'm glad it's a MURDOC one. And I'm glad Murdoc appeared THREE TIMES this year. But, I gotta say, I am disappointed they didn't keep the whole... "Murdoc falls to his death yelling MAC-GY-VAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" thing. That was what Murdoc was all about! And so far, the current Murdoc doesn't even COMPARE to Michael Des Barres...... His version was GREAT!

Posted by: Joe SAKic 14 April 2017 - 08:11 PM

Whoa! Mini-Matty can not only talk smack but tis a crack shot as well we have learned. That was hilarious!

Umm ... fairly violent episode and once again loads of characters both villains and 'staff' .... with a plethora of flat -> dark lighting and oodles of generic office corridors. Well Done!

That Riley wrestling scene was pretty funny too - sort of like WWF meets Kama Sutra.

Bozer, even on his deathbed, was still cracking out jokes.

Entertainment wise this was a good episode, but rather sad that they feel a need to pack so much action/characters into one show. Didn't think they'd end the year with the predictable Murdoc escape - but could have been a lot worse and good food for summer thought.

Posted by: Widowmaker 14 April 2017 - 08:28 PM

That was a bit more MMA than WWE, with the armbar and the triangle choke. They're real submission holds that can be used in actual combat.

I liked the episode, but I do hope they eventually get around to Murdoc's faked deaths, hopefully along with more elaborate disguises like the mask his protege wore.

I'd rather they'd stop naming random characters after characters from the original though unless they're relatively similar. While Mark Sheppard's character wasn't bad, having him murder and pose as the real Zito who was merely an innocuous lab technician was a waste of a great villain.

Posted by: Miasma 14 April 2017 - 10:45 PM

Really enjoyable finale. Lots of fun action, but also plenty of character moments. The whole Cairo thing fell a bit flat for me after so much talk throughout the season, but whatever, it didn't ruin the episode.
In a way, I'm actually glad they're not doing the fake Murdoc "MacGyvvvveeeerrrrrrrrrrr!!" death scenes. They're showing he's resilient, but not turning him into a cartoon character, so I'm fine with that.
Glad the season ended better than it started. Does it feel like old MacGyver? No, but these last two episodes were perfectly enjoyable in their own way.

Posted by: DXS 14 April 2017 - 11:30 PM

This episode was a big disappointment to me.

Opening Gambit: MacGyver: "I thought Nikki blocked the cell phone signals." Um.... NIKKI? I thought she was in prison or something. I think it was supposed to be Riley, not Nikki......

Didn't know Dr. Zito was going to be in this. But what was the point? The whole Dr. Zito thing came across as... "we went down the checklist and OOPS we forgot to do a Dr. Zito episode!!"

I'm guessing this was filmed before they knew whether or not there was going to be a second season and just HAD to get a Dr. Zito in, but it just didn't work.

And Murdoc? What was the point?

This whole thing was scattershot to me and not well planned. Well, Murdoc did an escape, but it would have been so much better if he had fallen to his "death" shouting MAC-GY-VAHHHHHHHHHHH.

At least the ending, where he was going to search for his Dad, would have worked even if there was not going to be a season 2.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 15 April 2017 - 12:16 AM

QUOTE (DXS @ 15 April 2017 - 09:30 AM)

Opening Gambit: MacGyver: "I thought Nikki blocked the cell phone signals." Um.... NIKKI? I thought she was in prison or something. I think it was supposed to be Riley, not Nikki......

They have been talking about Cairo since the pilot episode because that mission happened years ago.

It was established in the pilot that Nikki was with them on that mission. She even says "what happens in Cairo, stays in Cairo" at one point; I think right in the first few minutes when they're at Lake Como.

Posted by: Joe SAKic 15 April 2017 - 05:37 AM

QUOTE (Widowmaker @ 15 April 2017 - 12:28 AM)

That was a bit more MMA than WWE, with the armbar and the triangle choke. They're real submission holds that can be used in actual combat.

Perhaps .... but I was referring more to the choreography .... re: looked very 'staged'. Could have sworn that was the makings of an old school 'piledriver' too.

Posted by: Miasma 15 April 2017 - 08:09 AM

QUOTE (DXS @ 15 April 2017 - 07:30 PM)

They didn't even know Riley yet. She joined them a few years later (she joined them in the pilot episode, which took place a few years after the Cairo mission.)

Posted by: Mac2Nite 15 April 2017 - 09:11 AM

Loved it!!!!

Posted by: Widowmaker 15 April 2017 - 12:56 PM

QUOTE (Miasma @ 14 April 2017 - 10:45 PM)

I guess they don't have to fake kill him in every appearance, but it would be nice to at least have it happen a couple of times over the course of the series. I want him to have those cool facial burns.

Maybe the best compromise is to only have one really big "he MUST be dead after that" moment, where he ends up disfigured, and have everything else just be him vanishing into thin air, like in the first Murdoc episode where he vanished after falling down the stairwell and off the balcony.

Posted by: Frog 16 April 2017 - 04:29 AM

Good episode. Enjoyed it.
I liked the Riley fight scene. And further accentuating her cleavage with her opponents blood....well done.
I wonder if the AI robot is gonna become a part of the team.

Looking forward to the next season.

Posted by: tvero 16 April 2017 - 05:09 AM

QUOTE (Frog @ 17 April 2017 - 12:29 AM)

Good episode. Enjoyed it.
I liked the Riley fight scene. And further accentuating her cleavage with her opponents blood....well done.

Is this the 21st century ? Have women won the right to be treated as equal to men , competent, talented ?... and not reduced to a deep cleavage ?
Kidding ...still I think (one of ) the main difference (s) between the original and the reboot is that this show is mainly 'made' for men' s 'tastes' (action, a pretty girl showing her... you know what I mean) whereas RDA mainly attracted a female audience (good looks , but shy, modest ,non violent ...) .
That's probably why this show doesn't grow on me...

Posted by: Joe SAKic 16 April 2017 - 05:48 AM

QUOTE (tvero @ 16 April 2017 - 09:09 AM)

QUOTE (tvero)

...still I think (one of ) the main difference (s) between the original and the reboot is that this show is mainly 'made' for men' s 'tastes' (action, a pretty girl showing her... you know what I mean) whereas RDA mainly attracted a female audience (good looks , but shy, modest ,non violent ...) .
That's probably why this show doesn't grow on me...

Yes, it's well lost it's innocence ... which was one of the most endearing characteristics of the original series. Every time I see Riley's Boobs pushed in through my TV screen ... I think to myself .... "They(the producers) have absolutely no confidence in the story line, and feel the need for T&A to push the ratings to what will satisfy. TOS did not need to feel so insecure nor stoop so seedy low - they knew that they had what it takes with what they had in the clothed characters & storyline. That was more than enough.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 16 April 2017 - 12:35 PM

QUOTE (Frog @ 16 April 2017 - 02:29 PM)

I wonder if the AI robot is gonna become a part of the team.

Oh, I really hope not.

I liked this Episode, but I really hate this Robot.

I think humour and funny Scenes should happen due to the "real" (living) characters of Team Phoenix, not by the Robot. I just don't think it's the right Show for this kind of thing.

Posted by: Joe SAKic 16 April 2017 - 02:08 PM

QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 16 April 2017 - 04:35 PM)

QUOTE (Frog @ 16 April 2017 - 02:29 PM)

I wonder if the AI robot is gonna become a part of the team.

Oh, yes - the all knowing smartasp robot. Mac won't need to even think for himself if that gizmo starts tagging along. Again, this C-3PO is just another technology gadget that detracts from, not enhances - the whole MacGyver modus operandi.

Posted by: MacGirl0629 16 April 2017 - 04:44 PM

It’s taking me a little while to comment on the season finale as I had to re-watch it again because there was so much going on, I felt I needed to make sure I understood it all before I put all my thoughts together.
This episode was awesome in my opinion. It had action, humor, tension, and emotion (Riley’s reaction to the shooting was well done) As I was reading through other posts and hearing from others, I think I have some different perspectives than others.
Would love to hear what everyone thinks…sorry if it is a bit long...

1. Thornton/Nikki connection?
Mac sent the letter to his Dad prior to meeting Murdoc, but Dr. Zito tells him Murdoc knows how much Mac’s dad means to him. To me, this means someone had to tell Murdoc this information. They also knew the blueprint of the Phoenix and just so happened to attack it on Cairo day. The only 2 who would have all of this information are either Thornton or Nikki. Plus, if Nikki was working undercover in the organization, how did she not have this information about the attack. As much as I never believed Thornton was the mole and still believe it is Nikki, I really don’t want to see Nikki return. I never liked her character and I think Mac needs to move on from her. If the writers are sticking to Thornton, I think this means we will definitely see her next season.

2. Cairo
I am glad we got to see the backstory on Cairo, but did anyone find it strange that Nikki couldn’t block their signal good enough? Still say she is not an undercover operative working on the good side.

3. Bozer/Riley
Let me first say, I am not a fan of Bozer/Riley as a couple, but I do like them as friends and partners and think it works better. I was afraid when I first saw some spoilers and promo pictures that the whole Bozer getting injured was going to be strictly a catalyst for getting Riley to admit she likes him, but that is not what I saw. Yes, some have said that Bozer immediately reverted to his old feeling of being entitled to a kiss from Riley even after Jack’s friendzone speech, but I think there was more to it. This was the first-time Riley truly saw the potential danger to her friends. Yes, there have been other missions with some danger, but never seeing one of them be stabbed. When she grabs Bozer’s hand and not wanting to leave it was a natural instinct when seeing a friend hurt. It is the same thing Mac or Jack would have done to each other in the same instance. This is your partner and friend. I say this because after this scene she has a scene with Jack in the greenhouse where her worry is not seen as I think after liking someone it would be. At the end, Riley is in the hospital with Bozer as a natural friend and partner would be (once again like Mac/Jack). Yes, she held his hand, but once again natural. Bozer states at the end ignorance is safer, but it isn’t bliss. I think this means maybe he realized he was being ignorant when it came to expecting more from Riley because it was safer for him to think she likes him rather than be hurt that she doesn’t. In the end, Bozer and Riley needed to go through experiences that Mac and Jack have to truly understand what they signed up for and how it can make them better partners and friends.

4. Riley
I think the scene with Riley having to shoot the gun was very well done. You saw the emotion on her face and couldn’t help but think what it must be like for her. Even Mac and Jack looked concerned as well. This will play out next season in my opinion.

5. Mac
You can see how important protecting his friends is important to Mac. Mac
immediately does everything he can to save Bozer, he hears the gunshot and Jack call Riley and immediately goes to see what is happening even risking losing Dr. Zito. In addition, he can do some serious fighting...

6. Jack/Matty
Both of them were on point in this episode and I can’t wait to learn more about them next season

7. Mac/Riley potential romance brewing?

I have read and heard from some that various episodes this season have featured what was believed to be hints of something more between Mac/Riley. I will have to go back and re-watch some episodes to see what some are talking about, but I will admit this episode did get me thinking as well. Some scenes were:

When Bozer mentions not dying until he can kiss Riley, I found it funny that at that point Mac pulls the cord really hard to stop the bleeding. Some can say that was just to put Bozer back into reality, while others may say could Mac have been jealous at that point since he likes Riley and doesn’t want Bozer to keep talking about her?

I found it interesting that the writers chose to have Mac be the first one in to see if Riley was okay in the data lab when he clearly didn’t know if someone still had a gun or not. With Riley and Jack being close, I thought Jack would be the first one in to save her. Once again, there can be a different interpretation such as feelings for Riley?? Jack usually does protect Mac when gunshots are heard. In addition, Mac is the one who picks her up and sees if she is hurt.

Overall, these are my thoughts and I hope you enjoyed reading. Can’t wait for season 2!!!!

Posted by: Frog 16 April 2017 - 05:30 PM

QUOTE (MacGirl0629 @ 16 April 2017 - 04:44 PM)

Very interesting thoughts and points you make.

Posted by: MacGirl0629 16 April 2017 - 05:47 PM

QUOTE (Frog @ 16 April 2017 - 05:30 PM)

QUOTE (MacGirl0629 @ 16 April 2017 - 04:44 PM)

Very interesting thoughts and points you make.

Thank you!

Posted by: Macgyver12186 21 April 2017 - 11:44 AM

great episode looking forward to season 2

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 28 April 2017 - 03:50 AM

QUOTE

As much as I never believed Thornton was the mole and still believe it is Nikki, I really don’t want to see Nikki return. I never liked her character and I think Mac needs to move on from her. If the writers are sticking to Thornton, I think this means we will definitely see her next season.

I would love to see Nikki and Thornton next season. I don't like Nikki, but I think the storyline needs to be resolved. She's undercover in the Organization - why didn't she know about the attack on Phoenix in advance? Why didn't she warn them that somethings's brewing? Is Mac still in contact with her? (They did spend the night together and seemed to be still on speaking terms at the end of Episode 12, after all.)

Also, why didn't they ever visit Thornton and confront her (especially after Episode 17)?

I think it's a shame involving them in this big story plot about "The Organization" without having them showing up or being mentioned more often. Then I'd rather have episodes with storylines that stand on their own; similar to the original show.

Sadly, I don't think we will see them soon. Sandrine got the lead role in a new show; and Tracy is busy with another show as well. I'm happy for them, but if Sandrine's show gets picked up that means she's not available.

QUOTE

I am glad we got to see the backstory on Cairo, but did anyone find it strange that Nikki couldn’t block their signal good enough? Still say she is not an undercover operative working on the good side.

I didn't find it that strange; I wouldn't mind if it turns out she screwed up somehow (maybe not even on purpose). I think it's annoying though that they finally get back to that Cairo story without having the characters of Nikki (and Thornton) being available.

The show was picked up in May; and they reshot the pilot in July. I think they should have filmed the entire Cairo backstory then with all the actors available. It would also fit a lot better as a flashback with Lucas' hair looking different back then. They could draw the Cairo story out over the entire second season (or even longer) if they want to keep it going.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 August 2017 - 11:11 AM

There will be a rerun of the Season Finale on Friday, September 22: https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-MACGYVER-on-CBS-Friday-September-22-2017-20170829

That's just a week before the premiere of Season 2.

Posted by: Murdoc is back 6 December 2017 - 01:06 PM

Only want to say, I enjoyed the whole first season and that final Episode VERY MUCH

Especially because I gotten my huge Murdoc fix again

Kind of happy he could escape so I can look forward for more great episodes with him!!

Big shout-out to DashboardOnFire who did an amazing job in promoting the show and episodes every week, 'watching' with me and the other fun guys and just 'being there' answering questions and posting these great BTS pics

I am very looking forward to our next 'MacGyver Monday Evening' - hopefully soon next year!!!

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 6 December 2017 - 01:14 PM

QUOTE (Murdoc is back @ 6 December 2017 - 11:06 PM)

Big shout-out to DashboardOnFire who did an amazing job in promoting the show and episodes every week, 'watching' with me and the other fun guys and just 'being there' answering questions and posting these great BTS pics

I am very looking forward to our next 'MacGyver Monday Evening' - hopefully soon next year!!!

You're welcome

There are "MacGyver Saturdays" for me at the moment - I think Episode 1x13 premieres on Austrian TV this week. But "MacGyver Mondays" are definitely more fun

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 3 July 2018 - 11:31 AM

Final Ratings of the premiere of this episode.

The S1 finale ratings weren't overwhelmingly good, but also not that bad for a premiere in April with the weather getting warmer.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 3 July 2018 - 11:32 AM

And here the ratings back from the rerun in September, just a week before the premiere of Season 2:

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 3 July 2018 - 12:51 PM

So MacGyver was matching H50? Can't complain about that.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 15 October 2018 - 06:15 AM

After that final scene in the last episode, I just had to watch the finale. So I watched three episodes instead of two.

I got to get a few things of my chest again first.

What is the problem here with Riley? Honestly, I don't know what you guys are talking about or are bothered by. I know it has been addressed before in previous episodes but I ignored it then. 21 episodes in, a whole season and I never ever noticed any cleavage on Riley, no matter what she wears. If there is something attractive about her it's her face and mainly her eyes. But I never had any distraction of the way she dressed or whatever was supposed to be visible. Usually I don't miss out on that stuff but I feel like people here think Riley is supposed to be some kind of bimbo, which she isn't. Attractive? Yes. But that the show is typical made-for-man-tastes? No. Sounds like an accusation of chauvinism. I'll admit, Jack is a little more macho but in a laughable kind of way and Bozer thinks he's a player when he isn't. But I disagree here on the heat Riley gets. The other way around is exactly the same. How do you think it comes over to male fans to hear the women drool over RDA, or that they wanna marry him? The advice I would give him is: run.

Again, why do we want an exact copy of Murdoc? At this point anything can still happen but if this Murdoc ever dies, it could all as well be just once and done right. Or use the fake death scene once to come back and have him die twice. Maybe that'll happen at the end of series run alone.

Now that's off my chest, I agree with most what MacGirl0629 said. Though I think there could've been various reasons why neither Nikki nor Patricia was in this episode. Maybe both unavailable, even though they both were pivotal characters in the storylines, but it didn't bother me at all. I'm glad with what I got for a seasons finale. It was basically Phoenix Under Siege meets Die Hard but ten times as spectacular. Lots of explosions and fighting.

I do agree on that the use of Zito was wasted. I was already wondering when or where we would meet the character but I think this was a good opportunity wasted. We still have Piedra, Axminster, Deborah and the Von Leer Brothers but when it comes to Zito... the chances of having a good psychopatic killer in the vein of Dr. Lecter is gone, or they should come up with a whole new character, instead of re-using the name. The guy's name was Mark Sheppard, any chance he's related Morgan W. Sheppard or is this coincidence?

This would've actually been a great episode to kill off Bozer. Bozer still wisecracking after being hurt was not needed. I'm glad Mac pulled that cord on hard. Though I like to believe it was to shut him up. This would've been a great ending for the character and above all it would show that the team is vulnerable to Murdoc.

Riley had a great moment in her fight scene. You might wonder where her skills suddenly came from but it was great to show her other abilities besides tapping a keyboard. It wasn't raw or brutal but it was nicely done. I hope she's more involved in fighting scenes in the future. Can't say if I see a Mac/Riley romance yet, though there was a clear indication in Large Blade that she seemed to harbor feelings for him. I think they make of a more interesting pair then Riley/Bozer. Also it appeared to have been her first kill so no wonder she was distraught afterwards.

The Cairo mission would make a great episode if they ever want to deepen it out more. Maybe they could make that like Partners, like 2 episodes in 1. I wonder if every season would have a Cairo day. The day were everything goes wrong. This one for starters but besides it took place on Cairo day it didn't had anything to do with the actual mission.

The robot is I think a nice touch and maybe the only good reason to keep Bozer in but still I felt he should've died in this one. He had the whole season but I don't see him as a part of the team.

I also liked that the voice overs came back which stopped about halfway the season for no reason whatsoever. Or it was part of the changes Lenkov talked about. Strangely enough I felt the voice overs were used too long in the original series. There they should've ended at the start of season 4.

In all a very good first season. Better then the original? I don't know yet. I've seen more action in the first few episodes than in a full season of the original together. I do have to say there were a couple of less good ones in the second half of the show than in the first half and I agree 50/50 with most points of critique here. But I'm sure that whatever we saw in the reboot happened in the original, everyone would've been cheering. The imperfections of this show is not anything we can't overcome, only those decisions lies with the producers/writers. Yes, MacGyver drinks beer now and he is protected by guns and Murdoc doesn't fall to his death, Riley's pretty and Patricia Thornton and Nikki were traitors and it all happens kinda of fast, but the season began with a bang and ended with a bang. Just how I like it but only in the end (even if it's just at the end of entire show) I think I can judge if it's better then the original. Probably not but the show sure isn't unnoticed. I look forward to season 2.

Posted by: Miasma 15 October 2018 - 08:17 AM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 16 October 2018 - 02:15 AM)

The guy's name was Mark Sheppard, any chance he's related Morgan W. Sheppard or is this coincidence?

I believe Mark Sheppard is Morgan Sheppard's son (though I may be remembering incorrectly.)

Glad to see you enjoyed the first season! And I agree that it was definitely more action-packed than the original series (and it had a lot more MacGyverisms than later seasons of the original series did, though they're usually not as memorable.) As much as I complain about the reboot, I do appreciate that it sticks to being a fun adventure series, rather than turning into a Public Service Announcement the way the original series sometimes did.

Overall, I think season 2 is a bit stronger than season 1, though you shouldn't expect any really significant changes to the formula-- it's still very much the same show, but with slightly stronger writing. There are a few fun guest stars (i.e. familiar faces) to look forward to. I look forward to reading your thoughts on it.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 15 October 2018 - 09:14 AM

Yep and it is his son too. Just checked it.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 15 March 2019 - 02:21 PM

Here's the blog post about the MacHacks by Technical Consultant Rhett Allain: https://rhettallain.com/2019/03/15/macgyver-season-1-episode-21-science-notes-cigar-cutter/