Aw, thank you *so* much, Beth and Traveller!! I'm glad you're enjoying my "reviews!"

Right now I'm at my parents' house, (but going home tomorrow), so I haven't been able to watch any MacGyver whatsoever for the last couple days; the winter is just around the corner so we're making last minute preparations and car repairs...

If I can, my "goal" is to watch at least one episode per day, and not watch another until I've posted a "review."

Since I know my parents will probably wake me up early tomorrow I'll post a more elaborate response as soon as I can, reading Beth's post I realized I had some things to add.

Once again, thank you, I'm so glad I found this forum, I'm truly delighted to discuss these episodes with you all!

We're glad too!

I guess I'd better watch "Jack In the Box" tonight.

Having grown up right bang in the icebox of the Cold War, one of the things I enjoy about MacGyver as a 'retro' experience is the fact that that part of my childhood is now history. At the same time, there's a nostalgia for some elements of it: the Bad Government/Good People is more a stereotype than a trope, but it did make for some easily digestible storytelling.

There sure were. And as you said, the show aims for a very careful balance that allows for belief in the fantastic, while still holding its roots in solid reality. Have you ever heard the expression "Keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out?" This is a perfect illustration.

If you have a chance, check out Lothithil's story "Sleight of Mind" -- she does some terrific exploration of this, and Starkoss makes an appearance!

Nikki's portrayal in this episode drove me nuts. From the bad German to the bad shoes, and the business with the horse -- the story would have worked well, and been stronger, if she'd been portrayed as competent but out of her element. Instead, she's ridiculous.

Incidentally, did you notice that the final scene of the episode, Mac has no lines? It's a very powerful moment, all the more so because of that -- his role is all silence. It doesn't make up for the lousy writing of Nikki's character, but it's a great bit of scripting.

I think you're dead on with the business of why Mac made Nikki jump -- it was safer for her. In addition, it meant he'd have a few free minutes with Starkoss, to give him complete freedom (and quiet) to decide what he'd do next.

Incidentally, I'm having a lot of fun with these discussions -- thank you! Are you watching on any particular schedule?

There, finally home and by myself--but I'm really, really tired, just had about three hours of sleep last night, and it's been an intense weekend and Monday, so pardon me if I'm incoherent!

The "Keep an open mind..." is indeed a very good expression. Don't think I've heard the exact phrase before, I'm trying to remember if I've heard an equivalent expression in my mother tongue. I'll remember this one, though!

And I will check out Loth's story, sounds wonderful--but right now I'm terribly behind on my MacGyver episode schedule, I'll have to do something about it right now!

You're also very right about Mac's silence at the end--I didn't think about it really until you mentioned it, it *is* very powerful! And yeah, this episode would definitely have been an "Excellent" for me too, had it not been for Nikki's ridiculousness. My "inner feminist" is screaming... (well, we all know that I'm *not* feminist, but I think every woman has an inner feminist still, no matter how we deny it... )

And yes, Mac wouldn't have got that moment alone with Starkoss had Nikki not jumped! That scene had many purposes, and was well written indeed.

Once, I heard a very good expression that really applies to creative writing: Sometimes, it's very difficult to find problems for all the solutions. It sounds a bit clumsy in English--but I think all writers out there know what I mean. You have a perfect scene or situation, where you can really *see* something happen to your characters, but the problem is, you're not quite sure of the circumstances that *lead up* to that situation. Finding them--and making it plausible--is a true writer's challenge!

I liked this one because of the mission Mac was sent on to destroy what was left of an experimental aircraft that went down in East Germany. The best part was when Mac and Nikki and the defecting psychic made a hot air balloon out of whatever was laying around to escape to the West. The episode is politically dated now because the Cold War is over and no more Soviet Union. Back when I was growing up the Cold War was very real and the threat of war with the Soviets a possibility. For those fans to young to remember the era the Cold War theme may seem outdated but the Macgyverisms were great.

I love this episode! I love the look on Mac's face when he is looking at Starkos through the binoculars and Starkos looks right at him.

The trouble I have with Nikki is that the writers apparently decided, out of nowhere, that she and Mac had to be constantly bickering for no apparent reason. Apart from the fact she's clearly very jealous of Heidi. But really, it's tough but she should suck it up and accept that Heidi won, she lost.

One tiny bit I did like was when Heidi has the glass of champagne (I assume that's what it is) and the writers did remember that Mac is teetotal, so instead of their clinking glasses, he taps her glass with a strawberry.

I was quite amused when Nikki (trying to be nice, I think) congratulated Mac on having been a "perfect gentleman" the previous night. It might have been more tactful of him to have just said, "Yes, I always am" rather than sarcastically let her know that he wouldn't have wanted to make a pass at her.

I just watched this episode for the second time in a few months and must say I got more out of it this time around. What really impressed me was the many sides of MacGyver that you see: Just a guy on a date in a balloon, throwing a childish tantrum with Nikki (the first time!), the outdoorsman, his struggle with believing in the physic, the grief and guilt over his mother's death/funeral. It's all there and it all seems genuine. Love his laugh when Starkoss (sp?) tells him he will come to love Nikki...need to hear that laugh more often!!

This is one of my very favourite episodes, even though the whole building-a-hot-air-balloon thing is very far-fetched! But I love the relationship between Mac and Nikki, and the humour in this episode that results from their bickering. RDA and Elyssa Davalos have such great chemistry on screen, which is why they brought her back, I guess.

Most of all though, I love the scene between Mac and Starkoss, when Mac is starting to get everything together to build the balloon. RDA is wonderful in that scene (as is Walter Gotell), and it gives me goosebumps.

My take on this was that the whole plan was for Nikki to stay behind at the resort the whole time. Therefore, she would have had no reason to pack hiking gear. When she overhears the men she probably takes off on instinct to warn Mac. This, in a way, actually happened to me....I was teaching at a learning center for troubled teens. One got mad and walked out before his ride came. It was a November evening: Cold, dark. My only thought was that I had to get him back in the center so I took off after him....no coat, 2-inch heels, my cell phone conveniently left on my desk. I followed him for at least three blocks. My point being, we do what we have to do whether or not we're prepared. Besides, it wouldn't have been half as fun if Nikki had all the right gear. Watching her flounder around created some comic relief.

Great summary - there is a lot packed into this episode - and so much to love!

The first scene when Mac sees Nikki is gold. I laugh every time. Personally frustrated MacGyver (whether at Jack/Penny/Nikki/etc) is my favorite lol.

Love the scene where Starkos brings up Mac's guilt - well acted for sure.

I love Nikki, I'm surprised she's not more popular in the comments. Also I can't believe women wrote into the show protesting Mac having love interests - if I have a crush on someone I WANT to see them have romantic interests in the show, lol.

Another masterpiece, the Mac / Nikki duo is glorious, Starkoss is mythical here and mysterious at the same time.

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