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MacGyver Online Forums > Episode Discussions > 3.01 Improvise

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 23 August 2018 - 01:07 PM

3.01 Improvise

Airdate: Sept 28, 2018
Writers: Executive Producers Peter Lenkov and Craig O’Neill
Director: Stephen Herek

Recurring Cast: Tate Donovan (Oversight) , Reign Edwards (Leanna Martin) , David Dastmalchian (Murdoc) , Kate Bond (Jill)

Guest Cast:Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Solomon) , Ilia Volok (Roman Mareks) , Sibongile Mlambo (Nasha)
Richie Stephens (Serhiy Yaroslav) , Gil Darnell (Oleg Vadim/Voice) , Yan Dron (Russian MP # 1)
Ryan Constantine Monolopolus (Russian MP # 2) , Shinar Frazier (Suited Limo Driver) , Dalon Huntington (Airport Security)
Georgui Kasaev (Mareks Soldier) , Pavel Kozlov (Driver)

Three months after quitting the Phoenix Foundation and moving to Nigeria, Mac puts aside his differences with his father and returns when he hears Jack is the target of a murderous dictator he double-crossed.

Posted by: Dragondog 28 September 2018 - 05:58 PM

I find it obnoxious that Mac's dad commented that the only reason Bozer got hired is because Matty said so. That was Thornton.

Posted by: BabyEinstein 28 September 2018 - 06:22 PM

Maybe once Thornton was arrested he wanted Bozer gone. In all I loved the feels in this episode. Mac and Jack NEED to work together lol. and Leanna didn't bother me altho I'm perplexed by dad. What did he really expect? that the past 15 years didn't happen?

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 28 September 2018 - 07:05 PM

I really liked this episode.

I think a lot of it was down to there only being one storyline throughout. They didn't confuse things with B and C story plots, just stuck to the main story and did it well.

Hope they stick to this style throughout this series.

Posted by: EadsFan7 28 September 2018 - 09:26 PM

I liked this episode and do find Leanne annoying and do not like the whole Dad thing.

Posted by: Miasma 29 September 2018 - 01:52 AM

This was a good start to the season. Despite there being many characters, Mac was clearly the one in charge, and the hero. I also think they're finally styling Lucas's hair right-- it looks appropriately disheveled, as opposed to the somewhat preppy look he often had in the past (yes, I know it's a trivial thing, but still....) The beginning of the episode, in Nigeria, did a good job of showing MacGyver's humanitarian side. And as MacGyverOnline said, it was nice to have an episode that focused on one story throughout, rather than jumping back and forth between two or three stories.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 29 September 2018 - 02:51 AM

QUOTE (Miasma @ 29 September 2018 - 09:52 PM)

I also think they're finally styling Lucas's hair right-- it looks appropriately disheveled, as opposed to the somewhat preppy look he often had in the past (yes, I know it's a trivial thing, but still....)

I don't think hair style is trivial in general (the 80's proved that

) but in MacGyver's case I think it's even more important considering it's always been a central focas of the character's overall look.

I agree with your comment, the season 2 hair style was very Ken doll, which fits CBS's apparent appetite for plastic perfection.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 04:39 AM

QUOTE (Dragondog @ 29 September 2018 - 03:58 AM)

I find it obnoxious that Mac's dad commented that the only reason Bozer got hired is because Matty said so. That was Thornton.

I noticed that as well, but then I remembered that when Matty started she probably had to re-evaluate all the positions or at least all people hired by Thornton.

Oversight says he rejected Bozer twice - so probably once with Thornton who hired Bozer initially, the second time with Matty who wanted to keep him.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 04:45 AM

Hm. I noticed in the new opening credits, it's Lucas, then Tristin and George before Justin and Meredith.

I'm pretty sure in S2 it was Lucas, George and then Tristin.... are they reducing Jack Dalton's screentime?

Posted by: BabyEinstein 29 September 2018 - 06:31 AM

I rewatched the episode on CBS All Access and George is after Lucas so it's all good

Btw even better the second viewing

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 06:32 AM

QUOTE (Miasma @ 29 September 2018 - 11:52 AM)

I always preferred his hairstyle in the first half of Season 1. As mentioned, it looked too "preppy" for me. The agency might prefer their agents to be clean-shaven but being undercover and out in the field on missions all the time, I doubt they shave everyday and gel their hair

Also, both Mac and Jack seem to be some "wild spirits" that don't look at the rules too closely - and because Mac is the best agent Phoenix has, I'm sure he gets away with more than other agents. (And Jack gets away with more because of his status in being Mac's protector.)

Posted by: Dragondog 29 September 2018 - 07:00 AM

About the new opening:

Anyone else notice that they showed prosthetic masks, then someone firing a gun? Like they're showing Bozer and Jack's skills as well, not just Mac's.

So... the ending. I never really cared one way or another about Jill. Then after bingeing the seasons before this one, I started to see why people like her. Then Murdoc kills her. I was like, "Whhhyyyyyy would you betray me like that?" Then I thought, "Dude, Murdoc's a villain. Either learn to expect that, or get some professional help,"

So, I'm hoping that, like Cage, Murdoc is wrong about Jill being dead.

Posted by: Frog 29 September 2018 - 10:26 AM

QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 29 September 2018 - 04:45 AM)

That was the first thing I noticed too. Tristin Mays second billing over George Eads.

Favourite part of this episode was when Murdoc showed up. I'm really liking Davids portrayal of him.
The episode still felt really cluttered to me though. So many people on board with these missions.

Posted by: BabyEinstein 29 September 2018 - 10:56 AM

I'm a little confused because I saw George with second billing. I doubt CBS all access changed the opening credits. My eyes were glued to the screen to be sure

Anyways, Murdoc has no soul. Can't wait for episode 6. Poor Mac just can't have a normal life.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 01:53 PM

QUOTE (BabyEinstein @ 29 September 2018 - 08:56 PM)

I'm a little confused because I saw George with second billing. I doubt CBS all access changed the opening credits. My eyes were glued to the screen to be sure

I can't say anything about the US credits because I didn't pay enough attention since it airs at 2am in my timezone. I rewatched the Canadian Version I think (on GlobalTV) and that's when I noticed.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 02:07 PM

Preliminary Ratings: http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/the-sked-friday-network-scorecard-9-28-2018.html

Last Man Standing was really strong, stronger than expected.

It's normal for ratings to drop over the seasons. I'm happy that the Reboot got at least a 0.7 in demo, but the audience is the lowest-rated number ever. It's never been under 6 millions live-viewers so far.

Not sure what to think about that. Of course, the ratings will settle over the next few weeks (hopefully some peeps watching LSM flocking over to MacGyver). Also, CBS had a pretty - pardon my words - *censored*ty Premiere Week when it comes to their action shows.

They had good enough ratings for the usual action/drama suspects (NCIS and Co), but all other action dramas underperformed:
> Magnum Pilot: 1.2 / 8.12 (that's really disappointing, considering the pilot was the most expensive one they had ordered this year plus the big, expensive promo cycle they did.)
> Bull: 0.9 / 7.33 (not bad per se, but compared to last year's averages of 1.18 / 10.62, it's not so good either)
> SWAT: 0.7 / 4.7. (yeah, that's bad, and last year wasn't so great either audience-wise with 0.94 / 5.89. I can't see that one lasting for another 3 seasons to reach syndication. Rush Hour - also a quite famous name with syndication appeal - had been cancelled with those numbers.)
> FBI: 1.3 / 10.08 (not bad, but it's one of the expensive rookie shows along with Magnum and should hold up over the season. when push comes to shove, they might keep FBI and drop Magnum)

Overall, the other non-rookie shows lost about 1-2 million live-viewers as well in Premiere Week, so MacGyver fits right in. But under 6 millions isn't good. Both Code Black and Limitless had better numbers and were cancelled.

Posted by: Jediferret 29 September 2018 - 02:31 PM

Like everyone else, I thought this was a pretty good start to a new season.

I kinda found it amusing that while in Nigeria, MacGyver had rigged up a water pump system... similar to what Mac and Jack were being rewarded for in Brainwashed, except it was in Kimbala, I think. Just kinda came to mind when I watched it, though I'm sure it was just coincidence. lol

I also thought MacGyver was a being a bit unreasonable with his Dad, even though his Dad was a jerk and was in the wrong, you'd think that after all that time, he'd at least listen or something.

And as much as I loved to see Murdoc, his appearance did seem a bit convenient and felt a little out of place.

Was it just me?

Other than that, great episode! Happy to have a new season so we have more to talk about! Yay!

Posted by: BabyEinstein 29 September 2018 - 02:49 PM

I was disappointed with the numbers. MacGyver was trending so I thought it would do better. No help from Cbs which did little promo while fox promoted the he** out of LMS. I saw ads weeks before and Thursday night football was one huge promo. LMS was even on ET multiple times. and I have read nothing but negative reviews for Cool Kids. and I am not a fan of Tim Allen ever since he went on Fox News and played the victim card.

I'm hoping numbers for MacGyver are up all around this Friday.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 02:53 PM

I thought it was a very good episode. And the beginning of Mac building wells in Africa is SO Original MacGyver. I really loved that.

Overall, a bit fast paced and I could have done with less fighting violence by Mac - although I thought it was cool that Jack not once used his gun. He pointed it at Mac, but then it disappeared. He never tried to shoot at the bad guys at all.

And, I'm still miffed about Jill

. Though I kinda called that this would happen, so not a total surprise. I'm curious why they tasked Jill with doing a Task Force for finding Murdoc, though. That would actually have been a good reason for Matty to hire Leanna for?

I can kinda understand Mac's position. His Dad kinda neglected and then just disappeared on him without explanation. That must have been pretty traumatizing after already losing his mother at this young age.

Now Daddy acts like it's all forgotten and everyone plays nice; trying to be friends? He's still Mac's boss. And watching over someone from afar and even meddling in ones life-decisions is not the same as being there for someone. Sometimes I'm actually surprised Mac doesn't have more issues than he has

Posted by: BabyEinstein 29 September 2018 - 03:07 PM

Thought about not posting this but it upset me very much. Some guy (I assume who knows with the internet) posted that he would no longer watch MacGyver because they had him kissing a Black woman. Is this for real? Are there people like this? I loved the scene with Nasha; so tender. Anyway, I found this so disturbing. I should heed my inner voice and not read random comments. I'll stick to this forum.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 29 September 2018 - 03:25 PM

QUOTE (Jediferret @ 30 September 2018 - 10:31 AM)

I kinda found it amusing that while in Nigeria, MacGyver had rigged up a water pump system... similar to what Mac and Jack were being rewarded for in Brainwashed, except it was in Kimbala, I think. Just kinda came to mind when I watched it, though I'm sure it was just coincidence. lol

I never made that connection.. but now you mention it.. it's all I can see!

I was connecting the motorcycle scene with Renegade episode of original though

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 September 2018 - 03:30 PM

QUOTE (BabyEinstein @ 30 September 2018 - 01:07 AM)

Oh, I think I saw this post on FB as well.

I really like Mac's girlfriend Nasha. A teacher seems fitting and Sibongile is georgeous. I thought they had great chemistry. Actually, I saw several posts on Twitter that stated they loved seeing Mac with a black girl. It might not seem that important at first glance, but having a white lead hero date a black person is still kind of rare on broadcast TV.

So far, MacGyver was paired twice with a black girl in the show. Sure, the pairing with Leanna for the undercover mission in 2x16 was a "job", but it's not standard-fare CBS. So I was actually happy to see that; especially since it wasn't used as a convenient way to tell a story about racism and the problems of interracial relationships like it so often happens.

Posted by: Dragondog 29 September 2018 - 03:50 PM

Some people just want to watch the world burn. Some even help supply the matches. They either need a lot of ignoring, or they need someone to give them a "Gibbs slap" upside the head. I vote for ignoring, they want to start fights.

Anyway, I'm bummed about the ratings. But I do think lack of promo had a lot to do with it. I was actually commenting on another forum I'm part of, and a friend was like, "I forgot that was on tonight! Thanks for the reminder!" And I was like, "You're welcome! CBS sucks at promoting their shows" and she said, "Same thing happened with Timeless"

So, Timeless got canceled, now let's hope MacGyver doesn't suffer the same fate

Posted by: RidleyJ 29 September 2018 - 03:53 PM

QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 29 September 2018 - 03:30 PM)

QUOTE (BabyEinstein @ 30 September 2018 - 01:07 AM)

A friend and I had this conversation before the show aired. We live in the Deep South where my friend with a bi-racial child still feels unsafe in places. Please note that not everyone below the Mason Dixon line is a complete ingnorant a-hole but this is the Trump era and CBS caters to the middle class so I was worried -if that is the right word- that this would not be taken well in some demographics. Saying that, and enough about politics, I liked those scenes and the only complaint I had at all was I didn’t see Mac throwing his ‘first’ family away and calling Nasha his home so quickly. Of course I don’t like tension so
I want the team back together! Nasha can visit. Lol

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 29 September 2018 - 04:06 PM

QUOTE (Dragondog @ 30 September 2018 - 11:50 AM)

Unfortunately in cases of racism like this, they actually believe that skin color should define us.

Posted by: Dragondog 29 September 2018 - 06:04 PM

QUOTE (MacGyverOnline @ 29 September 2018 - 07:06 PM)

QUOTE (Dragondog @ 30 September 2018 - 11:50 AM)

Unfortunately in cases of racism like this, they actually believe that skin color should define us.

Well, you can't change people. I actually saw that post just a while ago, and I have to question why I even check facebook for MacGyver-related stuff. So many jerks on there (present company excluded, and then some). The jerks are louder, and always tick me off. I should just stick to the forum, lol.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 29 September 2018 - 07:08 PM

I prefer Facebook over twitter. At least Facebook has ways of dealing with the scum... Twitter has a couple of cosmetic options but neither work very well.

But at the end of the day.. lets be honest, we're better off if scum like this do stop watching and never comment again.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 30 September 2018 - 06:58 AM

It's a bit early to speculate about a 4rd season, of course. But because I've seen people discussion it on social media and asking questions, I can say: CBS sure intents to renew MacGyver for another reason, simply because it's only short of another full season to get to syndication (which is 88 episodes in total).

MacGyver is a big brand name and will 99% get a syndication deal if it makes it to syndication - unlike Scorpion that got cancelled because it didn't get a deal (ratings had been falling down to 0.82 in demo and 5.26 million live-viewers per episode, and not getting syndication led to it being axed instead of CBS trying to save it by giving it another timeslot, making it a Summer show to fill in for the cancelled "Code Black" or by giving it a shorter season after a little retooling).

Most rating sites actually see MacGyver as being renewed already; e.g. the TV Grim Reaper or SpoilerTV. If you want to keep track of the show's cancellation/renewal chances, you can check out the SpoilerTV Cancellation Predictor Table, which is pretty accurate usually: https://www.spoilertv.com/2018/09/spoilertv-cancellation-predictor-table.html

If you want to see the CBS shows only, here's the CBS overview by TV Watch US: http://www.tvwatchus.com/rencan/2018/09/30/cbs-predictions-bull-and-macgyver-renewed-fbi-and-magnum-p-i-on-the-right-track/

Posted by: Dragondog 30 September 2018 - 04:39 PM

I'll bet the reason the phoenix team looked like they were dressed for a funeral in BTS photos was because of Jill

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 1 October 2018 - 01:32 PM

Final Ratings are here: http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-9-28-2018.html

Audience adjusted down a bit, but demo stayed.

Posted by: Macgyver12186 1 October 2018 - 05:48 PM

Loved this episode

Sad to see Jill die

Posted by: Krug 1 October 2018 - 06:15 PM

This was definitely one of the better episodes of the series. Hopefully a good sign for S3.

Can really, really do without Bozer (and Riley to an extent) as a field operative though. That scene where Bozer and Leanna infiltrated the Russian military HQ was cringe. I get that it's not the Cold War era anymore, but it's a bit weird no one in Russia would even question two dark-skinned people in Russian military garb coming in and giving orders. That's a little too "woke" for reality...lol.

Would really love if the season cut back on full team field ops and just focused on Mac and maybe one other member tackling the mission. I really wanna see them let Till grab this role by the horns and run with it. I think he's capable. The writing seems staunchly against letting him though unfortunately.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 2 October 2018 - 03:15 AM

QUOTE (Krug @ 2 October 2018 - 02:15 PM)

This was definitely one of the better episodes of the series. Hopefully a good sign for S3.

Totally agree. I thought the same thing myself. As I mentioned earlier I think a a lot of the "goodness" was down to it being only one story-line. Having multiple stories in one episode just doesn't allow enough time to tell the story.

QUOTE

That scene where Bozer and Leanna infiltrated the Russian military HQ was cringe. I get that it's not the Cold War era anymore, but it's a bit weird no one in Russia would even question two dark-skinned people in Russian military garb coming in and giving orders. That's a little too "woke" for reality...lol.

Yes, I watched a documentary a few weeks ago with a black English reporter investigating Russian culture and he found that they are still REALLY racist and quite violent too. He had to leave a coupe of places for his own safety.. one was a public street parade.

QUOTE

Would really love if the season cut back on full team field ops and just focused on Mac and maybe one other member tackling the mission. I really wanna see them let Till grab this role by the horns and run with it. I think he's capable. The writing seems staunchly against letting him though unfortunately.

This wont happen because the show is following the CBS formula. H50, NCIS (all of them), Magnum PI, Bull,scorpion all follow the same formula of being a 5-6 person team with roles so defined you can literally match them across all the shows and quite easily swap characters or shows and everything still works.... basically just different actors in the same roles.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 4 October 2018 - 12:02 PM

Here's the blog post by Rhett Allain - Technical Consultant for the Reboot - about the "MacHacks" used in this episode:
https://rhettallain.com/2018/10/04/macgyver-season-3-episode-1-hacks/

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 4 October 2018 - 01:09 PM

Here's the S3 opening as being shown on Canadian network GlobalTV.

Billing is Lucas, Tristin, George and so on. Looks like Riley hacked the Opening Credits

Posted by: MacGyverGod 18 February 2020 - 06:50 AM

So, I started on the third season and it started off like a rocket. Just like in the beginning of the series, you really got to pay attention or you might miss it whatever it is: a line or something that happens.

Also weird on how they got briefed and the next moment they're already on Jack's tail with that truck. That was really weird, I actually thought I missed something. I rewinded to look back at the scene if I had missed something but I didn't. Mac and his dad arrives, the briefing follows, than it was a commercial break and the next scene they located the truck.

Besides at the first shot of Mareks, I swear I thought I saw Dennis Hopper. Besides the name Roman Mareks reminds me of the name "Mark Romanek" the director of One Hour Photo.

It was nice to see Matty respecting Mac a little more. She at least called him blondie in a more appreciating way.

The finale was great, one of the more spectacular ones. The fight on the bridge reminded my of Black Rhino a bit except it was more of brawl and the motorcycle chase was awesome. One of the coolest stunts so far, just as Mac and Jim's skydive scene.

Mac's new relationship with Nasha is a nice touch. I like that, only that beard wasn't real, was it?

And then what a final scene unfortunately it meant goodbye to one of my favorite new characters: Jill. I really liked Jill, shame they decided to kill her off. She was such a great character showing that brains and looks can go together. Something Joanna Remmings did in Twice Stung though but still… damn you, Murdoc for killing her yet good to see David Mastalchian again in the role.

Great start for season 3.

Posted by: Krug 18 February 2020 - 04:31 PM

Yes! Been looking forward to your reviews! Welcome back!

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 19 February 2020 - 02:23 AM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 18 February 2020 - 04:50 PM)

Mac's new relationship with Nasha is a nice touch. I like that, only that beard wasn't real, was it?

No, it was fake. I doubt Lucas would have managed to grow this thing within the 3-month-hiatus

Posted by: MacGyverGod 19 February 2020 - 03:11 AM

In three monts a lot can happen. Even growing a beard.

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 19 February 2020 - 03:17 AM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 19 February 2020 - 11:11 PM)

In three monts a lot can happen. Even growing a beard.

Not when you're a man-child like Lucas.