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MacGyver Online Forums > Episode Discussions > 3.22 - Mason + Cable + Choices

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 8 May 2019 - 04:00 AM

3.22 - Mason + Cable + Choices

Airdate: May 10, 2019
Writer: Ji Adler
Director: Maja Vrvilo

Recurring Cast: Levy Tran (Desi) , Tate Donovan (Oversight)

Peter Weller (Elliot Mason) , Emerson Brooks (Charlie Robinson) , Jacobi Howard (LAPD Commander)
Rachael Thompson (Lead Bomb Tech) , CC Castillo (Operations Manager) , Mike Whaley (Guard)

MacGyver faces off with a cunning new adversary whose carefully crafted plans put Mac at the epicenter of an impossible choice: save the life of a friend, or save the lives of hundreds of innocents. Also, Mac receives new information that will drive a wedge between him and his father.

Posted by: Dragondog 10 May 2019 - 05:36 PM

Finally, I get an episode that holds my attention properly. It's been a long time since that happened...

Yeah, okay, this episode was... intense... and dreary...

This whole thing was a reference to Countdown. As soon as they showed Charlie behind the glass panel, I went, "It's a vacuum, Mac, a vacuum!... Charlie's gonna die, isn't he?"

Love how Bozer says that "It's never good when the robots start talking behind your back." Dude, you invented Sparky...

This new villain reminds me of Piedra. And if you ask me, he looks like Voldemort

Frustrated how Desi promised to tell them about the debt she owes Jack if they tell her about Cairo... next week. It's the season finale, there's no episode next week. AKA - We'll never know about either

Posted by: MacGyverOnline 10 May 2019 - 05:38 PM

Enjoyed this episode. Good ending for the season.

Really enjoy the one story-line episodes rather than multiple missions. Those ones are too hard to follow and give too little time to tell the stories.

I'm a little disappointed that they introduced a new character instead of using Murdoc, although with the inclusion of MacDaddy in Mason's background it makes sense... but then why not bring back Walsh? He has a personal vendetta against the MacGyver family as well and is already known to the audience?

Still... the episode was well written, produced and acted so a good ending to the season.

I'm a little confused about why MacGyver is now suddenly hating MacDaddy again though?

Posted by: Dragondog 10 May 2019 - 07:55 PM

QUOTE (MacGyverOnline @ 10 May 2019 - 08:38 PM)

About Murdoc, we already know him, and it'd probably be a bit boring for what's supposed to be a "going out with a bang" season finale.

As for Mac's attitude about DaddyMac, anger is often irrational. His thought process is probably, "You saved me, but he died as a consequence. His dad got mad, and as a result, Charlie died. You killed Charlie, dad." Besides, he'd rather die than let someone else die, so I guess he didn't appreciate the sacrifice. Something he has in common with his Original counterpart, though I doubt OG Mac would've been quite so angry

Posted by: Shy175223 10 May 2019 - 08:35 PM

I think they brought in a new character for MacGyver is because David Dastmalchian is doing the Suicide Squad and probably won't be able to be MacGyver for awhile. Anyways I thoroughly enjoyed watching this episode so far.

There are two things I would not like to see is Mac/ Des and Mac/ Rileyi in relationship other than friendship when season 4 begins . But it looks like it could go there if it DOES I hope it doesn't LAST. I have feeling that when season 4 begins, they will either be in a relationship or just beginning be in one . Also I understand Why MacGyver is mad at his Dad .Even though his Dad sacrificed Mason's son to save MacGyver life I thought he would least give him som leeway BECAUSE of that.

Posted by: real_ness 11 May 2019 - 01:58 AM

The guy's son didn't die in battle, he was used as a sacrifice. Considering the job that they do I'm sure Mac knows at any point for any mission he could come home in a body bag, but it would be chance, which is "fair". Someone laying down their life in an order or because things were set up that way, that's not fair and I'm sure that's why Mac is angry.

And the OG Mac does get angry, albeit rarely. Like when his youth center friend was killed by the racists and when the Russian agent lady used him to break the fugitive out of prison.

I like that they're not using Murdoc for everything as the OG did have other nemeses, like AxMister, etc.

Posted by: Chinna101 11 May 2019 - 03:49 AM

QUOTE (Shy175223 @ 10 May 2019 - 08:35 PM)

I enjoyed this ep as well.
I really want them to keep Mac/Riley as friends/siblings only. I can see Desi and Mac as more but don't want it to be rushed or they start acting uncharacteristic. I love Riley/Mac sibling bond but not as a romantic interest. Plz don't go down that road as it looked slightly like that. How is it she dropped Billy without an explanation? Which woman does that? Very unlikely. Where is Leanne?
Like how Desi's improvising. And feel free to let Desi and Riley work together too hope Mac and Bozer do their thing. Nothing too dangerous as we know Bozer can't fight to help Mac. And as always love Matty. What's up with her and James? I can't get Mac shutting out his father. Can understand him being disappointed and angry especially due to losing his friend.
Looking forward to Season 4.

Posted by: BabyEinstein 11 May 2019 - 05:30 AM

This episode was intense on so many levels.
Mac' choice: sacrifice the many to save one? This mirrors what happened to Mason's son. Here, Charlie made the choice to sacrifice himself for others. James made the opposite choice. The big difference: Charlie knew what he was doing. Mason's son and fellow soldiers were not told the truth. I think that's what horrifies Mac. He would have done the same as Charlie.

On another note I would prefer no entanglements with Desi but I like her as a team member. Can't wait to see where season 4 takes us.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 11 May 2019 - 07:15 AM

Early ratings are in: http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/the-sked-friday-network-scorecard-5-10-2019.html

Posted by: real_ness 12 May 2019 - 01:51 AM

This def pulled me in to the rest of the story. I'm actually lowkey worried for Mac lol. He's met his equal apparently (something the og never had). But Mac has always had rules, this guy has no rules. And anybody around him could be on the chopping block.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 12 May 2019 - 02:02 AM

I do have some nitpicks about this episode and the chosen villain for the storyline, but generally, it was a good one. Probably one of the best this season (I haven't made a mental ranking fo the episodes yet.)

The fact that they used one storyline for once and the way it was filmed drew me in within the first minutes. It was so much better than the last one. Just to think about that they actually switched the last two episodes and Episode 3x21 had been written and filmed with the intention of being the season finale - that would have been a horrible choice for a season finale

Episodes with one storyline are more difficult and more time-consuming to film. Probably also means a lot more work for the actors and post-production. But it's definitely worth it. And while this episode was really fast-paced, I wasn't bothered by it. The actors definitely have the chops to do it. And I noticed how much a good director elevates an episode.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 12 May 2019 - 02:13 PM

Blog-Post about the MacHacks in this episode by Tech Consultant Rhett Allain: https://rhettallain.com/2019/05/12/macgyver-season-3-episode-22-science-notes-mason-cable-choices/

Posted by: Miasma 12 May 2019 - 03:44 PM

Great episode! Easily one of the best of the series (and I know it's probably considered blasphemy to say this, but I think it was better than many episodes from the original series, too.) I love the fact that we finally have an interesting and threatening villain. Of course Murdoc is great, but it's hard to take him seriously. Mason, on the other hand, is a genuinely formidably foe for Mac, and while he's obviously a villain, it's easy to understand his mindset. I look forward to seeing more of him in Season 4.

And yes, as others have said, these single-story episodes work so much better than the typical episodes that have 2 or 3 stories running simultaneously. We've gotten several single-story episodes in Season 3, so I'm hopeful that we'll get even more next season.

Posted by: Krug 12 May 2019 - 06:41 PM

QUOTE (Miasma @ 12 May 2019 - 03:44 PM)

I agree. While the Murdoc episodes are entertaining, they have such a goofball slant to them that I think this introduction of Mason is the perfect Moriarty to Mac's Sherlock Holmes, and something the series needed.

Probably the best episode of the series thus far. Drew you in immediately and remained engaging without being overly predictable.

Did find the upbeat music for the 30 seconds where Mac was describing the Atwood Machine a little out of place...lol.

At first I was a bit taken aback by the reveal at the end of the episode...but thinking more on it, I think it's a nice way to show that both MacGyvers are definitely not the same person and definitely adds a layer of intrigue to the inevitable "elder MacGyver is dying/will die" storyline.

Here's also hoping that Season 4 ties up alot of the open-ended threads that are sitting out there.

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 13 May 2019 - 01:03 PM

QUOTE (Krug @ 13 May 2019 - 04:41 AM)

Here's also hoping that Season 4 ties up alot of the open-ended threads that are sitting out there.

While Peter Weller played a great villain and it was nice to have a more serioius threat for once instead of silly Murdoc, I'm not that happy with the villain they chose.

With all the build-up of the search for MacGyver Senior last season, I think they should have wrapped up the Walsh-Storyline. It still could have provided a reason to have a wedge between MacDaddy and Mac.

Another possibility was the Ghost - if they hadn't killed him off already in 3x08. I think he should have been the one to have a hand in Charlie's demise - for one because of the shared history, but also because the Ghost taunted Mac that he left a bomb that no one could find and might hurt someone Mac loves. Since we didn't know anyhting about the Ghost beforehand, they easily could have made him a "bad MacGyver" for the season finale.

Generally, I really don't understand whey they started to kill off all the potential villains so early since mid-season 2 - or let them get caught. It's a bit silly to think that for him to come back, Murdoc either has to break out again or they'll need his help for a case - again.

Id' be really disappointed if Mason isn't back for another episode next season. Both Fletcher (2x04), the Ghost (3x08) or the female villain in 2x05 could have been interesting villains to have in another episode. Instead, they decided to bring back Ethan for 3 or 4 episodes this season, despite him not doing anything for the character's (or rather Matty's) character development. She's a bit sad and then life goes on. Him being back again and again didn't really change anything in her personal life. At least we didn't see any aftereffect or consequences for her...

Posted by: DashboardOnFire 13 May 2019 - 02:02 PM

Final ratings are in: http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-friday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-10-2019.html

Posted by: real_ness 14 May 2019 - 12:33 AM

QUOTE (DashboardOnFire @ 13 May 2019 - 04:03 PM)

QUOTE (Krug @ 13 May 2019 - 04:41 AM)

Here's also hoping that Season 4 ties up alot of the open-ended threads that are sitting out there.

But Ghost is Ghost, they never introduced him as a "bad Mac" (nee being just as smart & capable) from the beginning, so it would be weird for him to suddenly be just as smart, when it took Mac a lifetime to develop those skills. Mason is and was that bout it bout it from the beginning.

Posted by: MacGyverGod 19 March 2020 - 09:35 AM

A good strong episode to end the season, yet I had a few concerns about it.

I just have this idea that Charlie simply gave up by sacrificing himself. Though noble but still he just gave up in my opinion and that it was just a way of killing off another character, that maybe shouldn't have died. Of course another nod to the original and interestingly it was Charlie behind the glass on the bomb

Also I thought Mason was caught a little too easy (Mason didn't notice anything?) and then we went back to the first season's finale: Phoenix in lockdown, which seemed a bit uninspired in my opinion.

Well played by Peter Weller (Robocop) and of course he directed a few episodes himself. He also has that menacing demeanor to play a good villain and while Mason may have made his entrance as a replacement-bomber for the Ghost, I think this can make an interesting chameleon like villain like indeed Piedra. Being a master of disguise is maybe not entirely necessary but being a villain on all sorts of terrains. Making bombs, stealing, selling, buying, killing (for the right price), doing whatever is necessary to achieve his goals. He could also be great Zito or mix of all sorts of Mac-villains.

We might have a good new recurring villain with this one in place for The Ghost. They shouldn't have killed him.

In all a good ending for the season but a few things went a little too easy as I said above: Charlie just gave up and Mason got caught too quickly in order to go to a Phoenix lockdown. But that aside this was a nice episode. Better than what Nancy and Lindsey wrote.

QUOTE

Episodes with one storyline are more difficult and more time-consuming to film. Probably also means a lot more work for the actors and post-production.

Now that you mention it. Would you like multiple storylines in an episode or rather have a clipshow episode every two seasons?

A clipshow in the reboot? Mac, Matty, Riley, Desi, Bozer and MacDaddy sitting in the War Room or at Mac's firepit talking about past adventures and as a special guest star: Jack Dalton?

Posted by: sylvain1888 20 October 2020 - 03:47 PM

WoW WoW WoW Peter Weller, OMG, plus he's a great enemy, he's scared of nothing, even Mac couldn't do anything against him, it's a really exciting episode ... Thanks