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MacGyver Online Forums > Episode Discussions > 1-6 Wrench

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 28 October 2016 - 03:17 AM

1-6 Wrench

Airdate: 28 October 2016
Writer: Brian Durkin
Director: Alec Smight
Guest Cast: Aina Dumlao (Andie Lee) , Emerson Brooks (Charlie Robinson) , Christain Chamberlin (Soldier)
Keith Meriweather (Truck Driver) , Lobo Sebastian (Alfred Pena) , Niko Nicotera (The Ghost)
Zoe Smith (Annabella Pena)

MacGyver must diffuse a bomb set near the United Nations by his old nemesis, “The Ghost” (Niko Nicotera), a notorious criminal whose work killed his mentor, and track him down before he strikes again.

Posted by: Jediferret 28 October 2016 - 07:41 PM

First of all, this is obviously inspired by Countdown because they brought in the character of Charlie Robinson. But that was more of an easter egg. Seems like it was a mix episode, with some elements of Blow Out and Prometheus Syndrome.

The emotional scenes were more natural... nice tearing up there Lucas Till. I actually felt bad for MacGyver. However, two things still need work...

1. Lucas still lacks RDA's sincerity. I don't think this is Lucas' fault though.
2. There's no time to connect with other characters. I think because there's so many characters already that it bogs down the show and doesn't allow this to happen. I think this is also affecting the first point... because there's so much going on with Riley, Thornton and Jack, we don't have time to really connect and get to know Lucas' MacGyver.

My advice is to not cut out, but cut down on all characters. Even though Pete was a major character, he wasn't in every episode. There were many episodes where MacGyver was strictly on his own and did his own thing without any connection to Phoenix.

Let us get to know Lucas' version of MacGyver instead of throwing us all over the place... it's actually somewhat exhausting.

HOWEVER, I think they did a great job this time around. The MacGyverisms were brilliant, and you can tell they're trying pretty hard here. Props to the cast and crew.

Just need some more tweeking kids!!

Posted by: Eadsfan7 28 October 2016 - 07:57 PM

I like this episode and to me the show is getting stronger. I do want more of the back story of MacGyver but also the whole back story of MacGyver and Jack. The Bozer character is the only one that needs either a bigger part or something. Not really sure why he is there, my only real complaint so far.

Posted by: InVader 29 October 2016 - 12:33 AM

It was a pretty good episode. The music seems to be getting a bit better. They seem to still throw up the on screen text occasionally. It didn't happen for the final macgyverism, but the one with the cell phone seemed kind of unnecessary. Also...did anyone else notice the extended music in the final credits, it added a bit more from the original theme.

oh, and it looks like MacGyver will be a bit more on his own next week.

Posted by: KiwiTek 29 October 2016 - 02:42 AM

Well this episode seemed to focus more on character development, which is good.

I still find the general pace of the episodes very hard to follow. Everything still seems to fly past before you've had a chance to process it - maybe I'm just getting old and slow but I have real trouble trying to put it all together to make a story.

Did anyone else find that whole final rope to undo the bolt completely pointless (and unfeasible)??
Pulling from one side like that would pull the bolt to the side as it came out unless you could pull it so fast that it unwound itself with enough speed that it popped out of the hole - which MacGyver clearly didn't do.

I also feel that the MacGyverisms are still being glazed over too quickly. You can't see what's being done and you don't get to take in the MacGyver Magic.

It felt like there was more MacGyver and less team this week which was nice.

Was this the first episode without excessive shooting from both sides?

Posted by: Joe SAKic 29 October 2016 - 07:31 AM

QUOTE (KiwiTek @ 29 October 2016 - 06:42 AM)

Yes, I agree. The average length of the clips are dramatically shorter than in the original series. Pass the Gravol, a mandatory act before the start of each episode. Unfortunately we are living in an ADHD world these days, and so you can't let scenes 'linger' or viewers will be pulling out their smart phones et al and you'll lose them. So, you baffle and bedazzle them with a barrage of rapid fire clips that one can't really comprehend and (hopefully) will justify by saying "wow, I don't know wtf just happened, so it must have been really cool!"

Totally generic, totally useless in the long term process of establishing, endearing and grooming an educated audience.

Posted by: shadowrider 29 October 2016 - 09:28 AM

QUOTE (KiwiTek @ 29 October 2016 - 02:42 AM)

That whole scene is jut a convoluted mess.
Why did Mac need to get that far away to pull the rope? Why use the SAK wrench if you're using tape wrapped around the bolt to unscrew it anyway?
Who looped the rope inside the van? Also check the rope placement magically changing position between mark 36:33 and 36:36.

Posted by: Miasma 29 October 2016 - 11:00 AM

I pretty much agree with most of you about this episode.

Overall, looking at last week and this week, I feel the show IS getting better than it was for the first few episodes, and it was nice to see Mac getting a bit more background story and emotion in this one. It was also nice to hear a proper soundtrack.

But, as others have said, the pacing is still wrong. The writers (or editors) need to let the stories breathe a bit more.

My main problem with the show is still MacGyver himself. I still feel he's just missing something in terms of personality. He's just a guy who goes on assignments and comes up with creative solutions to things. And I'm still at a total loss to explain Bozer. If he was a character who showed up once every six or seven episodes to flesh out Mac's home life, fine, but EVERY week? It's completely unnecessary and a waste of time.

Posted by: DXS 29 October 2016 - 11:56 AM

The minute I heard CHARLIE ROBINSON, my first thought was, "OH GOODY! They are redoing COundown!!!" I was right, it was kind of Countdown, but in a different way.

My second thought was..... "Are they reading our forum? Are they paying attention to what we want?"

I liked this episode. I am liking Lucas Till's narrations, but still not quite with the flair of RDA.

Nice touch, the tears at watching his former commander on video. Nice touch! I liked that.

One of my male friends remarked that Riley's clothing was "not as revealing as in the first two shows....." Something like that........

I hope someone is keeping up with the MacGyverisms. They are way too high tech for me to give it a try......

Posted by: DXS 29 October 2016 - 12:00 PM

QUOTE (Jediferret @ 28 October 2016 - 07:41 PM)

My advice is to not cut out, but cut down on all characters. Even though Pete was a major character, he wasn't in every episode. There were many episodes where MacGyver was strictly on his own and did his own thing without any connection to Phoenix.

In the original MacGyver Pete Thornton NEVER (or hardly ever) went out in the field. Patricia Thornton is going out in the field way more than necessary for her position.

Posted by: Frog 29 October 2016 - 02:42 PM

I liked it at the end when he introduced himself to the little girl as just "MacGyver"

Posted by: KiwiTek 29 October 2016 - 03:35 PM

QUOTE (Frog @ 30 October 2016 - 10:42 AM)

I liked it at the end when he introduced himself to the little girl as just "MacGyver"

OMG! Yes!

I thought "Finally!!" I've been waiting 6 episodes for that!

I actually thought that last scene with the little girl was THE most MacGyver-like scene we've had int he whole series so far.

Lets hope there are plenty more to come.

Posted by: Walter 29 October 2016 - 03:40 PM

QUOTE (DXS @ 29 October 2016 - 03:56 PM)

One of my male friends remarked that Riley's clothing was "not as revealing as in the first two shows....." Something like that........

Did he sound disappointed?

I get the feeling she's the only reason some people are watching.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 October 2016 - 03:40 PM

QUOTE (Frog @ 30 October 2016 - 12:42 AM)

I liked it at the end when he introduced himself to the little girl as just "MacGyver"

Yes! I've noticed that one right away!

It's nice to realize that writers and producers might actually take our comments to their hearts... It might look to the outside that we're just complaining a lot, but I believe that most negative comments are reasonable...

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 29 October 2016 - 03:47 PM

QUOTE (DXS @ 29 October 2016 - 09:56 PM)

One of my male friends remarked that Riley's clothing was "not as revealing as in the first two shows....." Something like that........

I never noticed Riley's rather revealing clothes until people on Twitter pointed it out several times; I thing it was around episode 2 and 3.

I don't mind it, but I do think it's rather inconvenient clothing while being on a mission. But I guess it also sets a counterpart to Thornton who's attire is rather strict and business.

I have to say that I was a bit surprised about the "Tristin-Bashing" on social media; mostly about her hair (and mostly by women with rather rude words

). It's probably a real pain in the "mikta" (Stargate reference, *lol*) to tame, but I'd love to have such hair...

Posted by: Miasma 29 October 2016 - 04:51 PM

QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 30 October 2016 - 11:40 AM)

It's nice to realize that writers and producers might actually take our comments to their hearts... It might look to the outside that we're just complaining a lot, but I believe that most negative comments are reasonable...

I don't think anything we're seeing in the show now is a response to our comments. I think (though I'm not sure) that these episodes were filmed before anyone at CBS would have had a chance to look at any feedback. But either way, it's nice to see that the show is gradually changing into something that's a bit more like what many of us had hoped to see. I expect we might see more drastic changes in the second half of the season, since those episodes aren't yet filmed, so the powers-that-be will have time to absorb what viewers are saying.

Posted by: Agent MacGyver! 29 October 2016 - 07:38 PM

This has been my favorite episode so far. It reminded me of Countdown, of course.

I am really glad that the show has SLOWED down in the past 3 episodes. There is much more focus on a specific situation and it's easier to see what Mac is working on.

Posted by: Walter 29 October 2016 - 08:15 PM

QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 29 October 2016 - 07:47 PM)

QUOTE (DXS @ 29 October 2016 - 09:56 PM)

One of my male friends remarked that Riley's clothing was "not as revealing as in the first two shows....." Something like that........

It might be a cultural thing. You live in a country which is far more open about nudity and body parts than we are in the U.S. so would make sense that you wouldn't notice such things.

QUOTE (Dash)

It's probably a real pain in the "mikta" to tame *lol*

Did you just get around the site filters by using a different language?! Legend!!

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 30 October 2016 - 02:07 AM

QUOTE (Walter @ 30 October 2016 - 06:15 AM)

It might be a cultural thing. You live in a country which is far more open about nudity and body parts than we are in the U.S. so would make sense that you wouldn't notice such things.

I think I mostly gave up noticing *lol*

I was more weirded out that MacGyver would touch that bomb fully suited in EOD Tech gear, but without gloves on. I was pleasantly surprised he had at least one blue latex-glove on later at that explosion site; it always bugged me watching CSI that they walk around high-heeled and long hair free-flowing in the wind and touching everything and therefore compromising evidence. (Well, Original MacGyver did it, too - but that was an action show, not a CSI-Profiler-Show.)

Posted by: denizen 30 October 2016 - 08:04 PM

Well, certainly an improvement for me. Since the pilot, i have been rating them 2 stars. (Pilot got 3 from me). STILL. Eads is the thorn in my stride. Was hoping the bomb would go off and his character would be extracted indefinitely but i never had much luck. And then of course, if an assassin could take out Bozer think it was MacGyver, then its all happy days!

Posted by: Macgyver12186 31 October 2016 - 05:28 AM

I enjoyed it. Personally the show gets better and better for me. Was hoping to see Penny again but oh well Wiltz was annoying but somehow less so...

Mac seems to be on his own next week which is fantastic and I like the ghost as a potential long running character for the franchise.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 31 October 2016 - 09:57 PM

Maybe I don't get it, but should these represent time zones? Because I don't think that's how they work???

Posted by: Yogi 3 November 2016 - 11:49 PM

What Model of the SAK did he use, I'd love to know?

Posted by: denizen 4 November 2016 - 01:42 AM

According to our brainy's in the SAK thread Mac used a Victorinox Evolution S557 model.

You can view this thread http://www.macgyveronline.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=8942&st=0&#entry1000089379

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 27 May 2018 - 01:57 PM

Looking back, this is still one of my favorites Episodes of Season 1 - mainly because we got some more insight into MacGyver's psyche.

I never posted the final ratings of the premiere of this episode. Here you go (via Showbuzz, as always). All shows lost a bit in ratings with sports going on, but the reboot still had good numbers.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 3 October 2018 - 06:41 AM

Here's the blog post by Rhett Allain - Technical Consultant for the Reboot - about the "MacHacks" used in this episode:
https://rhettallain.com/2018/10/03/macgyver-season-1-episode-6-hacks/

As before, we get to know about some MacGyverisms that were written differently in the first script - e.g. in the Opening Gambit, the car was supposed to be under water. I guess that filming the scene in a tank or adding the water as CGI would have been too expensive, so they changed the premise; making it inadvertently similar to the episode of "Bones" where they also escaped a buried car with the help of the airbags.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 4 October 2018 - 03:50 AM

So, rebooting Countdown. One of the original first season best episodes only this time around we got our first background peeks of the new Mac. This was an explosive episode.

Change in mood and pace though still fast-paced enough. This episode was even a step in a darker direction, which I think it always gets when things gets personal or brings something back from the past.

The opening gambit was massive, all three of them buried alive in a car. You also noticed how Till rolled over the dirt when they escaped... RDA would've done it the same way. Interestingly we got our first action sequence without Jack or Riley and definitely doesn't have to pay into quality. Looks like it can fun without them as well. I also think it was interesting to set this episode in New York. A place where our Mac actually has never been. I wonder if this was shot on location.

The flashbacks were a nice touch to have some sort of look into his past. He's been trained into defusing bombs and does make mistakes. I wonder how the original Mac would've done this and what his superiors thought of him when he registered in the army. I like it how Alfred Pena showed his respect to MacGyver by saying he never had such a good student before who was willing to put in great effort for the cause. I also like the emotion shown by Mac when he was watching the video.

Then we get to the bomber, who we only saw briefly. Despite I liked the fact he got away, I still thought: why not just track him down and catch him after they saved Jack, but I think it's a nice touch. This also never happened in the original series; they're either caught or dead. This could be the beginning of a long-term rivalry between Mac and The Ghost. Maybe just like our Mac and Murdoc only this time it should be about Mac not being able to catch him. I surely expect The Ghost back. Besides this would've been great episode title: The Ghost.

Best episode yet.

Posted by: Miasma 8 October 2018 - 05:02 AM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 4 October 2018 - 11:50 PM)

Besides this would've been great episode title: The Ghost.

Or "A Ghost From The Past," which is a common English expression referring to something that happened in your past that you'd rather leave behind. And, of course, it has a double-meaning here since the Ghost is literally a character from Mac's past. I still wish they gave the episodes more meaningful names so I could remember them better. I would have had no idea that this episode was called "Wrench," if I hadn't just happened t to read your review of it now.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 8 October 2018 - 05:10 AM

QUOTE (MacGyverGod @ 4 October 2018 - 01:50 PM)

Besides this would've been great episode title: The Ghost.

Funny thing: The German title for this episode is actually "Der Geist", the Italian title is "Il fantasma" and the French title is "Le Fantôme". So they pretty much titled the episode after the villain in other countries

Posted by: MacGyverGod 8 October 2018 - 07:21 AM

Also a good one, Miasma.

I think it's a shame that episode titles seems to be no longer relevant, as long as it has a name. Not that it bothers me though but it would indeed make it easier to remember. I know the original episode guide by heart. I can name them all.