I thought the camel joke was a bit overdone though. I loved the radar dogs and how Mac disarmed them, even the tightrope walk, though I wondered why he didn't remove his sneakers first | Printable Version of Topic
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| MacGyver Online Forums > Episodes > 023 - The Human Factor |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 2 November 2006 - 06:27 PM |
| Every week I will be posting a new topic titled "Episode Discussion". In this we will discuss an episode, what we liked about it, what we didn't like, etc. Episode 23 - The Human Factor While testing a technologically advanced security system for a military base, MacGyver’s expertise is really put to the test when he becomes trapped inside by a computer bent on destroying him . |
| Posted by: Macs Lab Rat 8 November 2006 - 11:10 AM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Votes from 26 March 2006 Poor [ 0 ] [0.00%] Average [ 0 ] [0.00%] OK [ 0 ] [0.00%] Good [ 4 ] [28.57%] Excellent [ 10 ] [71.43%] Total Votes: 14 Archived comments
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| Posted by: j12752 22 September 2007 - 05:24 AM |
| A great episode, the perfect transition from season 1 to 2. When they're climbing up the shaft, and Mac takes off his jeans, many thoughts always ran through my mind I thought the camel joke was a bit overdone though. I loved the radar dogs and how Mac disarmed them, even the tightrope walk, though I wondered why he didn't remove his sneakers first |
| Posted by: Tygr 22 September 2007 - 08:17 AM |
| Definitely a favorite! I love the whole man vs. machine aspect to this one. All throughout the first part (Beginning to where they get trapped) the lady seems almost a computer herself, with very little emotion. Kinda creepy, actually.  |
| Posted by: MacsChick 22 September 2007 - 02:56 PM |
| I've known some engineers, and a lot of them are like that--highly rational, analytical, and critical. Still, I didn't mind Dr. Ludlum's character too much. She begins as a character who is arrogant about her intellect and her creation, and has to learn to accept that even something she conceived as state of the art actually has its flaws. At the end of the episode, she has humbled herself and is a little "softer" and wiser from her experience. |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 23 September 2007 - 02:57 AM |
| I particularly like some of the MacGyverisms in this episode. I think things like tricking the hand scanner, using the flaming magnets on the "Daleks" and making the telescope really embody the whole essence of MacGyverisms. If you had to use one example of what MacGyverisms are all about.. or even what MacGyver is about... this might well be the episode to use. I'm not sure theres a better example of a MacGyverism than using dust and a jacket to fake out a hand scanner. I think this episode has parallels to the pilot episode, but is better in that it develops the Mac and Pete relationship further and provides some depth and understanding for us. So all in all this episode gets the coveted "Excellent!!" *air guitar* vote from me. |
| Posted by: j12752 23 September 2007 - 03:53 AM |
| lol, they do look like "Daleks" Exterminate, exterminate, exterminate, was all that would be needed. |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 24 September 2007 - 06:10 PM |
We watched this last night and my 11 year old said "Dalaks" as soon as he saw the robots, so it must be pretty obvious, he's only seen Dr Who a few times, but made that connection straight away.  |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 23 April 2008 - 12:20 AM |
| ok heres something a little weird. We've just finished watching this episode and my 12 year old said the computer voice sounds like Dori (from Finding Nemo) which was voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. Now I remember some time ago someone in here asked if the computer was voiced by Ellen DeGeneres becasue they thought it sounded like her. I can't for the life of me hear any similarities at all. But it does sound (to me) like the same "announcement" voice we hear in other episodes. I know Ellen DeGeneres's first TV credit was in 1989 in Full House... 3 years after this episode of MacGyver was filmed. |
| Posted by: jknnej 20 June 2008 - 08:06 PM |
| Loved this episode. One of my faves, probably. Very clever, very exciting, constant danger. A little like Star Wars meets Indiana Jones if you ask me. RDA looks great, of course, in this episode. I remember loving it when I was a kid, too. And always laugh at the Calgary line. |
| Posted by: androgyny 23 June 2008 - 12:13 AM |
| i really enjoyed this episode. i like the mac vs. computer plot. and most of all, lots of macgyverisms! |
| Posted by: Jack Thornton 15 October 2008 - 11:52 AM |
| Great episode. I liked the plot, MacGyverisms and the mood this episode has. My favorite thing is that Mac was saved by Pete's faulty memory. |
| Posted by: Zerocool1089 8 December 2008 - 01:12 PM |
| This was a great episode, and it was very entertaining to see Mac take on machine. I do agree also that this episode really elaborated more of MacGyver, and how him and Pete worked together. Now Season 1 did a superb job of introducing us to MacGyver, and establishing a great character, and when it came down to the first episode of Season 2.. you can really notice that MacGyver has become more dimensional. |
| Posted by: dinoman 28 March 2009 - 06:26 AM |
| Excellent episode though it does remind me of the Pilot: the lab setting, the destroy of lazer using mirror, chemical spill/acid bath. Both are good, in fact. We also know a bit more about Pete: he served in Nam too. Did Mac first meet Pete while they were both in Nam? |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 28 March 2009 - 01:58 PM |
| No the Partners episode explains how they first met... Murdoc, cab, bazookas. |
| Posted by: Beachbead 25 April 2009 - 07:19 AM |
| loved this EP where MacGyver is put up agest a Computer. |
| Posted by: Makedde 6 April 2011 - 08:47 PM |
| Good episode, I admit my fave part was him taking off his jeans, I tried to get a good perv, hehe. Pity the camera wouldn't stay still long enough for me to have a good look! LOL As to the voice of the robot...not Ellen. The sound is slightly similar, but this voice sounded just slightly deeper than Ellens. |
| Posted by: Dr Zito 7 May 2011 - 01:54 AM |
| one of my favourite mac episodes, Mac human factor was at his best, but I really didnt get the doctor character, supposedly a genius who couldnt help mac or contribute with any ideas of her own of note in the entire episode. |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 7 May 2011 - 02:41 PM |
| yeah your right. She designed the whole system yet had no ideas on how to stop it. Although I got the feeling they were trying to angle towards the "self aware AI" "skynet" type idea, but just didn't pull it off very well. |
| Posted by: Dr Zito 7 May 2011 - 06:55 PM |
| on the plus side, she was nice to look at, and you could sense that the writers were pushing some kind of sexual chemistry between the two, but really the brit chick was cold as ice and not a very good actress, IMO. I get the feeling that she played a russian spy on another character, or that was another blonde brit babe? and didnt this actress appear in V? (I think she was the rival of Diane) I could be mistaken, my memory is getting worst and worst |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 7 May 2011 - 08:58 PM |
| Yeah she was in V. June Chadwick is her name. |
| Posted by: Dr Zito 7 May 2011 - 11:19 PM |
| yep, I remembered her from V where she wasnt a good actress either, very stiff but nice to look at ive got to say for me the coolest thing about this episode were the robots, I was sad to see them retired at the end of the episode  |
| Posted by: MacGyverOnline 7 May 2011 - 11:50 PM | ||
Although, as has been mentioned before in this thread, they were very much the Dalek effect for the episode, really all we needed was a trench-coat or sonic screw driver and it would have been Dr. Who.  |
| Posted by: NightTinkerer 18 August 2012 - 05:55 PM |
I think this episode was a great start for the second season!  Though not on my top-ten list, it has lots of suspense, ingenious MacGyverisms, and also some very humorous moments. ("Why are you taking your pants off?!!" "You got a better idea?" )I thought the set (underground lab) reminded me much of the original Enterprise of Star Trek... maybe they repainted and recycled some parts? The "technology vs humanity" issue was often brought up in Star Trek too, and many other series of this era. I think the technophobia was an important part of our history, and all the science fiction evolving around it was probably inspiring for the computer scientists of that time... at least they learned the importance of many alternate override and backup systems!  The only thing I really *didn't* like with this episode was... well, you've already guessed it, I think... that she had to kiss him in the end. *sigh*. Naturally, she was grateful he saved her life and all that, but we've just seen enough of that already. (I know, I generally dislike romance a lot, but there are some episodes where I *do* accept it and even enjoy it, depending on the context. This one is, however, not one of these). A "Good" from me, but a strong "Good." |
| Posted by: Traveller 19 August 2012 - 05:43 AM | ||
That's an interesting observation. You could be right. So perhaps our Mac has contributed to a 'better' technology, at least better protected. It's fun to think of it that way. And I'm with you 100% on the kissing issue. Totally unnecessary. Bleh. The scene would have been much stronger if they were just talking and then parting like good friends. I love the end, by the way. Mac telling Pete he had made the right decision based on the wrong recollection. Pretty brilliant! |
| Posted by: NightTinkerer 20 August 2012 - 08:49 AM | ||
I think that many ideas originate from science fiction--in fact, I had a couple lectures on the subject for some young adults, a couple years ago. The lecture series were mainly based on Star Trek; but the principle is the same. ("Trekkers" are not too common in my corner of the world, and they were also looking for someone in my field of experience, so I was given this honorary assignment... )Though my research was mostly based around "concrete" inventions that were first seen in science fiction (for example the floppy disk, digital magazines and tricorders, just to mention some things from Star Trek)--I definitely think that people in the computer field have been inspired from works of fiction. Of course, some lessons have been learned the hard way from real life mistakes, but I think that the "what-if" scenarios based on our technophobia (and general fears) will always have an important impact on the human mind and help us think outside the box, realizing where some of the hazards may be. And, with shows like MacGyver and Star Trek, I think we have Paramount to thank for a lot. Oh, btw, I forgot to mention the end, about the elevator shaft. Completely agree with you there, loved that too! |
| Posted by: MacGyverisms 11 February 2013 - 04:18 PM |
| The first MacGyver episode I ever saw. I have good memories of watching this show for the first time about 4-5 years ago. I really liked this episode. The story was pretty cool, a lot of very cool MacGyverisms, and lots of suspenseful moments. Some funny moments. A "Good" episode in my opinion. Overall Rating: 8/10   |
| Posted by: Scwilson 7 August 2013 - 08:42 PM |
 I liked this one for season 2. The Macgyverisms were great and stacking the odds against Mac makes for a good story. Man versus technology make for good plot elements. |
| Posted by: MacFan092985 22 January 2014 - 04:44 PM |
| It was mentioned earlier that June Chadwick also starred on the original "V". Well, I found another "V" connection . . . The dome shaped control panel that Col. Scott Woodward uses to de-activate the pressure sensitive floor Pete steps on when the two of them and Mac are entering the lab, was used by the Visitors in "V: The Final Battle" to verify the passes the guests would need to get into the hospital for the special press conference. That makes two devices first used on the original "V" mini series, then re-used on MacGyver. (see season 2 / episode 17 / Dalton, Jack of Spies). I'll try to get pictures posted, just got to buy a copy of Photoshop first (never really had a need for it until I joined this site). |
| Posted by: KiwiTek 22 January 2014 - 09:24 PM | ||
You don't need photoshop, I use the free software called http://www.gimp.org/. I've been able to do everything I need to with it, including creating all the banners and graphics used on this site. Update: Make sure you download it from the gimp.com web site and not somewhere else. Apparently there are other downloads available but they contain extra little nasty bits of software you don't want on your computer. |
| Posted by: MiracleMac 27 January 2014 - 06:19 AM |
| I'll give **** stars. Useful tips too... telescope, white "dust" to hand censor. One thing came to my mind. When the oxygen started to disappear from the place, Mac shows the air condition hatch on roof, to be only way to get out. Unfortunately the roof was made from ceiling panels which hell no couldn't stand their weight.  |
| Posted by: denizen 26 June 2014 - 09:36 PM |
| Without doubt, My favourite MacGyver episode! Don't know why. I just remember watching it when it first aired & loved it. It used elements of Mac's character as he was in Season 1 & brought about something new as you saw his character evolve into the Mac we finally all grew to love. To me, it almost was a rehash of the pilot episode in many ways as Mac is brought in to infiltrate a base but instead of rescuing people, to ultimately test it's security. The episode is played well. They knew more or less what they intended on the characters development & it definitely shown through. And this time, it was Pete & not Andy Colson. |
| Posted by: MacFan092985 9 September 2014 - 03:52 PM |
| Just last week I had to buy a new laptop, I say "had to" because my old one, that I'd had since 2010, was starting to act funny, locking up on me at the most inconvenient times, I hate computers, or should I say I hate not always knowing what I'm doing on a computer, so it's thanks to a buddy of mine who sent step by step instructions for using MS Paint and to Kiwitek for helping me figure out how to post screen caps once I got MS Paint figured out. Now, I just need to buy a copy of the original miniseries "V". Stay tuned. |
| Posted by: MacGyverGod 15 October 2015 - 05:55 AM |
| Did you know that this episode airs on the same date as the first episode of Lost but 18 years earlier? |
| Posted by: Mr Duct Tape 5 January 2016 - 02:59 AM |
| A cool episode for the opening of the season. Macgyver shines as usual, and I thought the vietnam storyline about Pete and the Colonel was interesting. 4/5 |
| Posted by: RadiantRose 4 December 2016 - 02:23 AM |
| The mini-Daleks! Also, the scene where he takes off his jeans is a perfect example of why a person must wear clean underwear on all possible occasions. People who go commando may never be able to save the world!!  |
| Posted by: uniquelyjas 10 April 2017 - 02:38 PM |
| OK, two observations... 1. This episode answers the age old question of boxers or briefs  I was a bit disappointed though. I somehow thought Mac's underwear would be more colorful2. Ever notice that Mac does all these stunts in jeans/khakis and decent shoes while the female side-kick has to do the same in a pencil skirt and heels?? I've been noticing this in a lot of episodes. Not that it's a bad thing. In fact, I think it makes the female characters stronger. |
| Posted by: denizen 10 April 2017 - 07:58 PM |
| During this time, women were still considered to be less equal in strength / intelligence to men. So you have that damsel in distress with the hero typecasting going here. |
| Posted by: MacGyverGod 11 April 2017 - 01:56 AM |
| I hoped for black but that's just my taste. And what Jill Ludlum is concerned. She worked in a lab and office, so I don't see her in jeans shorts and sleeveless top. Plenty of other adventureous women like Kate Connolly or Nikki in The Widowmaker. |
| Posted by: uniquelyjas 11 April 2017 - 05:04 AM | ||
Oh, I understand that! And I'm not some feminist who is against damsels in distress. Quite the opposite, actually, I see a lot of myself in the way those women dressed. I taught high school in heels and have actually run after wayward students in them! I've crawled under tables in tight skirts to talk students out of a pout. I appreciate the fact that these shows were filmed during a time when women dressed like women as opposed to shows like Criminal Minds where they are in casual, almost gender-neutral clothes. Even Scully in the The X-Files dressed more professionally and often wore heels and Mulder was in a suit and tie. Yet they got in some messy situations. I admire that! |
| Posted by: Joe SAKic 11 April 2017 - 05:49 AM |
| They tended to 'dumb down' most of the 'MacGyver Women'. The 'MacGyver Girls' were more cerebral yet always needy/dysfunctional . Definite 'Valley Girl' tone/lingo to some of the female characters which kinda fits with an 80s California setting ... don't think I ever saw a bubble skirt though. Nikki was the definite exception to this trend/lean. |
| Posted by: denizen 11 April 2017 - 06:06 AM |
| Which is why a character like Nikki was a standout. She had spunk. |
| Posted by: Joe SAKic 11 April 2017 - 06:20 AM |
... +1  |
| Posted by: MacGyverGod 11 April 2017 - 06:54 AM |
| As long as they feel good about themselves. Whether it's a skirt with heels or a jeans with boots, it don't matter. Also Deborah in her good girls persona would fit the bill. |
| Posted by: sylvain1888 6 November 2020 - 02:55 PM |
| Episode, which isn't bad, but it's hard for me to pass. |
| Posted by: sylvain1888 6 November 2020 - 03:00 PM |
| Here is the treat of MacPhoenix. |