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MacGyver Online Forums > Episode Discussions > 1-20 Hole Puncher

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 24 March 2017 - 07:00 PM

1-20 Hole Puncher

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”)
Assaf Cohen (Joshua Abdal Khalid) , Kate Bond (Dierdre) , Michael Harding (Ed Morris)
Susan Macke Miller (Cindy Morris) , Hamid-Reza Benjamin Thompson (Guard) , Lycan Scott (Brett)
Candace Moon (Christine)

When the Phoenix team intercepts a terror group’s message meant for Murdoc, MacGyver poses as the psychopath to save the intended target and find out why they want Murdoc to assassinate him.

Posted by: Miasma 7 April 2017 - 05:09 PM

This may be my favorite episode of the season.

I'm starting to really like this version of Murdoc. Okay, yeah, he's not an exact replica of the original, but that's fine because he's quite good in his own way, and his scenes in the prison with Mac were a lot of fun to watch.

I also appreciated the fact that Mac was working on his own throughout most of the episode. I still wish Jack didn't have to come to the rescue at the end, but I guess the writers felt they needed to give Jack SOMETHING to do.

This was a good set up for next week's finale, I think. If the finale is as strong as this, then the season will be ending on a high note.

Posted by: Joe SAKic 7 April 2017 - 05:27 PM

Dastmalchian plays an excellent psycho. Till not so bad either. And the teaser at the end was gr8 and setting up a possible hospital escape by our favorite villain in the finale. But this episode was nauseatingly too busy. The clips were being fired at a Gatling Gun pace and and you have to either pop more Gravol or turn the channel over to the hockey game where such a fast past is the norm and justified. And now the Riley/Bozer tandem have their own mini-episode within the main course! Really, why don't they just get a room .... and a spin-off!

The series would be so much better off.

Posted by: Miasma 7 April 2017 - 06:21 PM

QUOTE (Joe SAKic @ 8 April 2017 - 01:27 PM)

The series would be so much better off.

QUOTE

But this episode was nauseatingly too busy. The clips were being fired at a Gatling Gun pace and and you have to either pop more Gravol or turn the channel over to the hockey game where such a fast past is the norm and justified

Compared to most episodes, I thought this one was much better paced. The long prison scene between Mac and Murdoc was, perhaps, my favorite scene of the season because it didn't have all the commotion that this show usually has. It was just a long scene filled with tense drama between two characters talking to each other. Compared to all the explosions and running around that most episodes are filled with, this made a nice change of pace.

QUOTE

And now the Riley/Bozer tandem have their own mini-episode within the main course!

I could have lived without that, but on the other hand, I liked that they weren't interfering with the main story line. It was refreshing to see Mac on his own, rather than being surrounded by Bozer, Riley and Jack all the time.

QUOTE

why don't they just get a room .... and a spin-off!

The series would be so much better off.

No argument there!

Posted by: Joe SAKic 7 April 2017 - 06:55 PM

Yeah, the Murdoc/Mac faceoff was definitely the high point. Low points were the opening baseball gambit that was just gibberish and sounded like they adlibbed the whole take & to get it off the plate(pun intended) fast. The fog macgyverism was nauseatingly done with fast clips and insets and as if they don't have a clue into how to tantalize us with suspense, timing, angles, and lighting - that appears to be too much work for this production. It's just flash and dash and so that the uninitiated viewer just capitulates and decides 'Wow, I don't exactly know what just happened there ... so it must have been cool!". And Eaton has one voice gear and it is absolutely grating, especially when she does the ubiquitous historical timeline recital of the villain de jour. Yikes!

Posted by: Joe SAKic 8 April 2017 - 04:43 AM

Then there's these blips on a screen to simulate the threat approaching and to tee up the macgyverism. Must be 3 or 4 times that they've used this technique where (again through technology) the whole world but Mac knows of and can track the approaching danger. No different than watching an approaching storm system on the 6:00 News satellite weather. Magic deflated again & again!

Posted by: DXS 8 April 2017 - 05:40 AM

I feel asleep trying to watch it. TWICE! And I was all excite cuz it was a MURDOC episode. I'm going to try to watch it again.

But from what I remember seeing.......

I'm starting to like Lucas Till as MacGyver. I'm LOVING Meredith Eaton's part. But George Eads and his "dippity do" hair..... not doing it for me. I miss the Bruce McGill version.

Ok, Michael Des Barres was a great Murdoc, but he wasn't SCAR-RY like this one. And in this episode, MacGyver trying to PRE-TEND to be Murdoc? From what I saw while I was awake.... DIDN'T CUT IT!

But I'm going to watch again....

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 8 April 2017 - 12:28 PM

QUOTE (Miasma @ 8 April 2017 - 04:21 AM)

The long prison scene between Mac and Murdoc was, perhaps, my favorite scene of the season because it didn't have all the commotion that this show usually has. It was just a long scene filled with tense drama between two characters talking to each other. Compared to all the explosions and running around that most episodes are filled with, this made a nice change of pace.

I've been waiting for such scenes since the pilot episode. Finally!

There are tons of Action-TV-Shows out there nowadays. With a decent budget, any of these shows can make big kabooms and shoot-out-action. It's nothing special anymore.

The Original Show was very different, but sadly MacGyver-type-scenes aren't that special anymore, either - what with the show and the concept of MacGyverisms being copied (e.g. "Burn Notice", "Scorpion").

Lenkov and Wan have been talking all the time about the reboot being about the team and the family, not the action. Interestingly, they've been mostly about the action since the pilot so this was a nice change indeed.

I liked this episode a lot. There are still some minor nitpicks and complaints (as always, I'm never fully satisfied

) but overall, I think this might be the best one yet.

The pacing was so much better; also the music and the fact that MacGyver had finally some more "lone-wolf-scenes" without Jack being attached to his hip. It also gave Lucas enough time to show off some his acting chops.

I like that "Bozley" had their own storyline. They didn't have that much to do in this episode, but I think it works so much better this way. It also fits the concept of "Mac and Jack" they had hyped so much in the beginning. I didn't like the fact that Jack had to come to MacGyver's rescue again in the end - on the other hand, I'm glad they didn't send him posing as Murdoc (because it would have made sense since he has much more undercover experience than MacGyver).

Posted by: Jediferret 8 April 2017 - 12:52 PM

I don't think any of us are going to be completely satisfied with the reboot... XD At least, I won't be. But I try to be as fair as humanly possible. I know they're doing a really good job so far, and my complaints are... pretty minor. I know it won't be perfect, but I can live with some imperfections.

I did like this episode though. GREAT acting on David Dastmalchian's part. He is perfect for this version of Murdoc. Of course, Lucas Till was excellent! What a great idea to have him try to be Murdoc... original Mac never tried to do that. Makes you stop and wonder how that would have worked out...

My only complaint is Matty's attitude... it's awful. They try to make her seem tough, and it's not convincing. Threatening staff members with their jobs just makes her a terrible director, as I'd have zero respect for people like that. But, minor complaint...

What I'd love to see is Michael Des Barres and Dastmalchian work together in an episode. How cool would that be!?

I give this episode a 4.5 out of 5!

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 8 April 2017 - 01:22 PM

QUOTE

GREAT acting on David Dastmalchian's part. He is perfect for this version of Murdoc. Of course, Lucas Till was excellent! What a great idea to have him try to be Murdoc... original Mac never tried to do that. Makes you stop and wonder how that would have worked out...

Yes, the performances were great! The scenes between Meredith and Murdoc, too! That's why I think Meredith's other scenes in the "war room" and/or with other employees are even worse. I don't know what the writers are trying to achieve. Yes, she's a tough cookie. We get it. But Thornton was a tough cookie, too.

I've been wondering how this episode would have turned out if they hadn't made Thornton a traitor and she was still the "big boss".

QUOTE

What I'd love to see is Michael Des Barres and Dastmalchian work together in an episode. How cool would that be!?

That sure would be like the icing on top! I really hope they get some more actors of the original show for the next season. I know that Teri Hatcher and Bruce McGill are quite busy. And we probably can't hope for Cuba Gooding Jr.

.

But Michael DeBarres and others (e.g. Jason Priestley) have shown interest when asked by fans, so...

Posted by: sinyib 9 April 2017 - 08:34 PM

I haven't watched the old version, but I like the new version with team work and great bromance and bonding.
Love to see Jack have Mac' s back all the time

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 11 April 2017 - 06:35 PM

QUOTE (sinyib @ 10 April 2017 - 05:34 PM)

I haven't watched the old version, but I like the new version with team work and great bromance and bonding.
Love to see Jack have Mac' s back all the time

Interesting to hear the perspective of someone who doesn't know the old show.

Interesting that you didn't mention any of the values which represent MacGyver though.

Is it the team work and interaction which draws you to the show?

Posted by: Widowmaker 14 April 2017 - 08:42 PM

QUOTE (DXS @ 8 April 2017 - 05:40 AM)

Till is easily the best part of the show because there isn't as much screwing-around with his character. I mean, he definitely doesn't have the same background as RDA's MacGyver, but in the present-tense, he has the right attitude and personality. I never understood where people were coming from when they said Till's MacGyver was too cocky. If he is, it's like the mildest form of cocky ever.

Posted by: cirubit 24 April 2017 - 07:56 AM

Sorry guys but I disagree.

Bad episode.
Lucas Till is a bad actor too. He's not credible as lunatic villain.

This reboot is going worse every new episode.

Posted by: denizen 24 April 2017 - 08:07 PM

To be honest, so far we have not felt the true might of Murdoc. It's all ooh and aaah! But this fella has done little to scare me. However even the absence of conjoined twin, Dalton for a few minutes was a major breather for me.

Certainly not the caliber of the original. But this was a better episode.

Strangely their new boss comes across as a warmer person than Patricia. Yes, she has sarcasm but its all a shield.

Posted by: Miasma 26 April 2017 - 01:03 PM

QUOTE (denizen @ 25 April 2017 - 04:07 PM)

To be honest, so far we have not felt the true might of Murdoc. It's all ooh and aaah! But this fella has done little to scare me.

In a way, he's been more like Dr. Zito than Murdoc, as he's been working from his prison cell throughout most of his time on the show. He scariness is also more like Zito's, I think, since it's more a more about manipulation, and less about coming up with overly elaborate traps.

I can't say I really find either Murdoc to be scary, but this one is bit less campy than the original (nothing against Michael Des Barres, his campy version of Mursoc was great, but it was usually more comedic than scary.)

Next season should be interesting, since he's out of prison now, and hellbent on killing Mac.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 21 June 2017 - 03:27 PM

QUOTE (Miasma @ 26 April 2017 - 11:03 PM)

Next season should be interesting, since he's out of prison now, and hellbent on killing Mac.

I assumed this will be a major storyline next season. Yet David is so high in demand right now and playing in so many different TV shows, I wonder how much time he will have to be in the reboot.

On the other hand: We had 3 Murdoc episodes in Season 1. I guess they want to tell other stories, too; so maybe we won't get that much more Murdoc in Season 2. As Lenkov said in an interview for the Season Finale, the story arc will be MacGyver looking for his father.

Posted by: denizen 21 June 2017 - 08:23 PM

For me, its all about first impressions. Not hanging around for him to escape prison and then feel his wrath.

The Murdoc of the 80's was campy, true. But in the 80's his depiction was also frightening. So it makes sense to turn up the heat. I dont expect him to chop peoples heads off but at least put the fear of Murdoc back into me.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 23 June 2017 - 04:03 AM

QUOTE (denizen @ 22 June 2017 - 06:23 AM)

I dont expect him to chop peoples heads off but at least put the fear of Murdoc back into me.

Yes!

That's also the reason why I like 1x20 better than 1x08. He seemed too goofy in that first episode while in this episode, there's more of something sinister and crazy-evil behind that goofiness.

This is actually my favorite episode of Season 1 and interestingly also the highest-rated on IMDb. But it's not even the story or characters - I really like the aesthetic look and the music. The camera angles are very interesting. Also, I think the acting is the best of all the episodes.

And while I'm not always into scenes with faces that fill out the whole screen (especially when it isn't a slow-going indie-movie with lots of touchy-feely scenes), I think the proximity of the camera really works here. It "sells" the danger and the high stakes.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 10 August 2017 - 02:03 PM

There will be a rerun of this episode on Friday, September 1st: http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Scoop-MACGYVER-on-CBS-Friday-September-1-2017-20170810

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 3 July 2018 - 11:27 AM

Final ratings of the premiere via Showbuzz:

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 3 July 2018 - 11:28 AM

and here the Ratings of the rerun back in September 2017:

Posted by: MacGyverGod 15 October 2018 - 03:25 AM

This episode was like Halloween Knights but backwards. Instead of Murdoc having to do what Mac says, Murdoc is giving the orders here. And what an original idea of having Mac to pose as hitman in Murdoc's stead. Mac has to be someone he's not and start threatening innocent people. How would the original one do this? He'd probably be more convincing. Thumbs up to Till for trying or should I say, doing it? Of course the whole point was that it shouldn't feel right and that he actually fails. Good to see he was there on his own most of the time.

Did you notice he unloaded the gun and threw it way in the bin? Classic Mac.

The jail scenes were some of the best of the season. The one problem I had was Matty. She really has got to drop that attitude and be more diplomatic in situations. Especially these ones but also towards her team. Threatening their jobs each time they say or do something she doesn't like while she clearly doesn't realize they're the best in the business. She can fire Bozer though. But the way she got Murdoc to work with them... Even though all she did was threatening to tell Murdoc's son the truth about his father. She wouldn't hurt the kid by a long shot. Still these were some nice touches. So Murdoc has a son (instead of a sister) and also has a line he wouldn't cross and it would infuriate him if someone else does. Also the fact that MacGyver has his breakingpoint was a nice touch but back on Matty... Either I was just going completely up in the scene but I couldn't help but saying: 'I hope he kills you.' Though I wouldn't say she ruined it just yet but with her threatening-to-fire- or daring-to-cross-lines attitude, she better watch out.

Also thumbs up to Dastmalchian for playing a darker Murdoc. He's more psychopatic but I think he's also more calculated in the way he does things. I think that's good. Go with the Strictly Business Murdoc and not so much Widowmaker Murdoc. Though I think that line would be easily crossed in the reboot as well and it would work.

They should've called this episode Predator, since they used the word quite sometimes and even used infrared camera.

Definitely a great episode.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 13 March 2019 - 02:37 PM

Here's the blog post about the MacHacks by Technical Consultant Rhett Allain: https://rhettallain.com/2019/03/13/macgyver-season-1-episode-19-science-notes-20-hole-puncher/