Recently I got a DOA MacGyver script and wrote a blog post comparing it to the final episode. I'm planning to do the same thing for the Pilot episode, and Mark (one of the blog readers) is going to do one for Nightmares. I thought it would be fun to do as many episodes as possible since I find it really interesting to see what was in the original script, so if there's anyone who owns some original scripts and would be willing to participate (either by writing up a guest post on my blog or by scanning and emailing me a copy so I can write about it), send me a direct message. Thanks!

Yes, I have 18 or so episodes in various states. Unfortunately, I've only had time to scan through them briefly to date and won't have some time til the first of June or so to thoroughly go through them. Some appear to have little or no changes from the final product. Collusion Course stands out in my mind where the daughter was not placed as a daughter at all at first but as a reporter and with the hots for Mac, iirc. The powers that be soon snuffed that little scheduled romance out, apparently.

I've been going through a(not thee) final draft of arguably the most curious of all the episodes: The Mountain of Youth. It's labelled a 'Final Draft' & dated November 8, 1991. There are substantial changes to what actually was included in the aired episode and only has furthered my suspicions about this episode. Anyway, it's a bit more time consuming that I thought and so I'll do this over the course of a few days/posts and not all in one swoop:

---------------------------------------------------------------


Draft
1. Ext. Ammukash Valley - Long Establish Shot (STOCK)

The valley, green & pastoral, is partially shrouded in a rolling mist. A high mountain breeze whispers softly. Roll Credits.

Actual

Not included.

comment: Might have been a tad better opening than just the temple with the mountain art painting.

------------------------------------------

draft

2. Ext. Temple Courtyard (SFX - 1)

of Eastern design, the temple sits at the base of a snow-capped mountain. We hear the drone of high-pitched nasal chanting. It comes from a gathering of devotees, their backs to the camera seated on Asinas(prayer mats) facing the temple. At the top of the steps leading up to the temple a lone figure, Baba, sits in a Raj-Gaddi, an aide, Ram, standing at his side. They are too far away to be seen clearly.

actual

I can hear some faint chanting (I think) but definitely no 'drone of high-pitched nasal chanting. Perhaps they are praying on prayer mats and Baba is seated on pillows but all too far away too discern - will give benefit of doubt.

comment: with asinas and rajgaddis(these were Hindu equivalents of European thrones) being mentioned we can now place this fictional land firmly within South Asia.

-------------------------------------------

draft
3 Angle

The Chanting continues, loud, reverberating. Then a sudden rumbling(as the camera shakes). a murmur. The Chanting stops. We hear a high pitched voice echoing through the courtyard.

actual: No rumble in the jungle. no murmur. no high pitched voice unless they are referring to Baba who is about to make his voice-over speech. A gong beat is definitely there though.

comment: no comment.

---------------------------------------

3 Draft
Baba: "It is written another stranger will follow the first. A resourceful man. He is drawn to our abomination, and our destiny, as we are all connected. He will come from the sky. Out of the West."

actual

Baba: "It is written another stranger will follow the first. A resourceful man. He is drawn to this abomination, and to our destiny. He will come from the sky. Out of the West."

comment: 'We are all connected" ? Interesting that this didn't make the cut. I'm thinking that it's a bit too spiritual a statement for the times.

-------------
draft
5 close - MacGyver in air

Adjusts his chute to follow signals of radio-receiver he's carrying

actual

this scene is edited out.

-------------------------
draft
8 Angle - wreckage

MacGyver wades through the wreckage fearful of finding Jack's body, he lifts part of a wing, anticipating, then nothing. He breathes a sigh of relief and then reacts to whistling, he looks up to SEE:

actual

Peers into the cockpit remnants in a manner that makes you believe he's gonna see Jack's
body, then looks toward the fuselage, & finally toes one of the wings with his foot but does not lift it.



to be continued (lots of juicy changes to come ..... )

Alright, this has got my full and undivided attention.

11 Wide Angle

As Mukti (pronounced MOOK-TEE) Enters and crosses to them

Dalton Mukti, my lovely! You're right on time

Mukti clasps her hands together and bows her head slightly to Dalton, in traditional greeting. Dalton returns the bow. Dalton dons the yolk.

actual

Dalton does not bow

script

Dalton: Mukti, this is MacGyver, an old buddy of mine.

Mukti bows, and MacGyver returns the bow. Mukti looks at MacGyver, intrigued, impressed.

actual

MacGyver does not return the bow.

comment: probably the network didn't want them to appear to fluent in the gestures/customs of
this faraway land that Mac seemed to know very little about.

script

20 Ext. Courtyard steps - Podium - Baba

Mukti, MacGyver & Dalton climb to the top, where Baba sits crossed-legged on a
raj-gaddi. He is the oldest living man you've ever seen! His face more weathered &
wrinkled than you've ever looked into!!

actual

Baba is not sitting cross-legged at all.


script

57 Ext. Woods - Angle Across Lake

Capt. Samad - old looking for thirty years, sharp-eyed, vital -- watches MacGyver, Dalton & Mukti from a position in the bush. He is with a Lieutenant, and three soldiers. all armed, their weapons ready. A small lake separates Samad and his men from our trio.


actual
He's Mukti's twin @ 42 years


script


70 New Angle from Below

There is no quick way to cross the lake separating Samad and his prey.
He lowers his pistol slowly. He appears shaken. The Lieutenant and his
soldiers look to him for their next move.


Lieutenant: they're getting away!

Samad: They won't go far

Lieutenant: With all respect, Captain, why do you wish the girl to be spared?

Samad: I once lived in Ammukash, Lieutenant. The Mir banished me for life.
I swore I would return one day, a man of great power, and kill the Mir
and make slaves of these people.

Lieutenant(understanding): The girl will be caught. And your ambitions fulfilled, Captain.

Samad: Not quite. If the Americans knew what is in Mount Ammukhash, they can stop our
president's secret work. We will continue, a third rate power, and my career will be over ...
sen out patrols to search the valley!


Lieutenant: Yes, sir!


He exits hurriedly. Samad goes to a field phone carried by one of his men, and rings it up. Into phone:

Dr. Liang? Captain Samad. The two Americans under surveillance have seen the pump. I have given the
order to kill them.

Actual:

Lieutenant: they're getting away!

Samad: They won't go far

Lieutenant: why do you wish the girl to be spared?

She could be of some value. Now find them!


Lieutenant: Yes, Sir!


comment: Whoa! Make slaves of the people!? Would also have made it sort of
of Temple of Doomish too - had they gone along with that angle.




Baba (in the cave)

You understand now why I decreed this area forbidden.
draft


script

MacGyver

Sir, it's important that I find out exactly why they're diverting
the water. I must go. Back to the pump house, and past it.

actual

MacGyver

Well not exactly but I'm sure I will.

script
Baba(in cave)
Still your babbling mind, Dalton
MacGyver is enlightened. He understands!

actual
Shhhh! MacGyver is enlightened.

Comment: Lol, the former would have been much more appropriate.

Mukti(still in cave) hesitates

script

Baba: Obey me. I am your Mir!

actual

Baba
Go. Go now. Go.

OK, so you're just writing down the scenes that were actually altered. The dialogue between Mac and Jack at the crash site and their entire walk to the temple with Mukti and their talk with Baba up the temple was exactly how we had seen it?

I think Mac as an experienced traveller knows more than enough about Asian gestures/customs. I think Mac was very annoyed by Jack trying to get him back home that he didn't return the bow. If it wasn't that Mac would've been plain rude and that's not his style.

Obviously a lengthier moment with Samad and his men. Maybe cut for time and in the end his actual plans didn't really matter. Enslaving the people? I think there was plenty of hints throughout the episode already of what Kabulstan was trying to do to Ammukash so no need to rub it in any further.

Pretty much. Too time consuming to do every little stray from the script. So just the major, eye catching ones. RDA, in particular, appears to have been given the power to slightly alter or adlib his lines a tad without any retake. Nothing major just little words/adjectives thrown in, taken out - here & there.

Also, I have a second revision of this episode that is dated just a few days later and will go over that one too. Keeping in mind that shooting date begins November 13th, 1991 and we (with this script) are already @ November 10th. So it's all very fluid, mind you that most of the changes are shortenings, reductions of the slave/spiritual part of the script( in this episode case) ... so nothing extra/new to learn for the cast at all.

That explains it.

72 continued Baba(in cave)


You understand now why I decreed this area forbidden.
draft


script

MacGyver

Sir, it's important that I find out exactly why they're diverting
the water. I must go. Back to the pump house, and past it.

actual

Well not exactly but I'm sure I will.

script

Baba: No. You will need help. Take Mukti and your friend Jack Dalton with you


Jack: Hey I can get what we came for without leaving the neighborood.
Right by the lake. I dropped a can there.


actual

Baba: Take Mukti and your friend with you.


Jack: what .. where ... hey I can get everything we came for without leaving the neigborood. I left three cans down by the spring.



script
Baba(in cave)
Still your babbling mind, Dalton
MacGyver is enlightened. He understands!

actual
Shhhh! MacGyver is enlightened.

Comment: Lol, the former would have been much more appropriate.

Mukti(still in cave) hesitates

script

Baba: Obey me. I am your Mir!

actual

Baba
Go. Go now. Go.

script

71 Close Angle - Baba and Ram

As Ram uncovers Baba's wound. His reaction tells us the wound is very serious. It
is our first indication.

actual

This scene is omitted

90 Back to Scene

MacGyver removes his radio receiver from his belt, hides it in a bush, picks up two
good sized rocks and flips one to Dalton.

Actual
Radio receiver removal to bush scene is omitted.

Comment: somebody was giddy about that high tech prop and was trying to give it
more screen time than it deserved. That's two cuts for it.


draft

102 POV - PLANT - A GROUP of WORKERS

several Ammukash people in prisoner uniforms among them, an armed guard watching them.

103 BACK to SCENE Mukti (recognizing, shocked) Vilmal! and Maheshi! This is where our people have been disappeaingr to. SLAVE LABOR!

actual

This scene was removed.

Comment: Looks like we are in Northern India or Nepal and probably the Kashmir dispute that was scoring lots of headlines at that time was the inspiration, somehow, for this episode. I

I think Mac as an experienced traveller knows more than enough about Asian gestures/customs. I think Mac was very annoyed by Jack trying to get him back home that he didn't return the bow. If it wasn't that Mac would've been plain rude and that's not his style.

Hmmmm. Thought about this one some more and since we learned that Mac was 'enlightened' then he is sort of obligated to, at the very least, exchange customary greetings & towards these peaceful people. It was rude not to in this case.

I think it was the annoyance towards Jack and the fact that he didn't believe the whole fountain of youth thing and despite knowing trouble was coming he didn't know what he was getting into exactly that made him a little snappy. In fact he is during the whole episode towards Jack.

Yup, it's a valid point but you don't become 'enlightened' by being a touch-feely, temperamental, flippant sort. My timeline puts me in that area and around that time and even I, serious country bumpkin with a next to zero spiritual IQ, was reciprocating the traditional Namaste greetings at all appropriate times. Could also be that they didn't want the little old ladies in the American bible belts spilling their Ovaltine with Mac appearing "too into" the Eastern spirituality thing.

I gotta say you got me real interested in that Kashmir thing you said that scored headlines back in the day. Apparently this is a territorial conflict between India, China and Pakistan which has been going on since 1947. It actually belongs to India for the largest part. Long lasting battles has taken place ever since and now even though they agreed to a cease fire with Pakistan and their relations seemed to loosen up the conflict still seems to be going. There's quite a lot of info on it especially on the English Wikipedia, too much to fully read right now but it might be that Brad Radnitz used this as a background story for the Ammukash/Kabulstan conflict.

I can highly recommend The Meadow as one of several good reads on the conflict and the tentacles that it had. These authors propose that it was there where the current Islamic radical terror thing all began.

Is Radnitz still alive? I know that he's definitely getting on in age, perhaps TMP can track him down and get some (less guess) details as to the actual inspiration behind the script. My timeline has me arrive in Delhi in the autumn of 1995. It was a tense time, bombs IEDs were going off all over the Capital District and in retaliation for various Kashmir happenings. My scariest encounter was with a balaclava clad man with Kalashnikov who entered the supermarket I was shopping in, starred me down with gun pointed towards my midsection and then left as quickly as he entered.

Brad Radnitz is still alive but he's 86 now. He was a writer with almost 25 years of experience before joining in on MacGyver. It was one of the last shows he worked on, I think he just retired on the proper age. Never stuck around long according to his filmography. Mostly for 3 episodes one show with exception of Call To Glory, a miniseries of 6 episodes which he all wrote. Other things mostly 3 and on MacGyver and another show 4 episodes and he did one tv-movie in the 60's. Even though he wrote for almost 30 years it seemed more like a little side earning.

script
111 Back to Scene

Liang

Did you find the Americans?

Samad

Not yet. My men are still searching

Liang

They must not reach he plant or your President will have us all shot!

Samad

They won't Doctor

Actual

This scene is omitted

script


125 INT. Observation Deck - DAY

MacGyver returns with the tape & sees Mukti alone!

MacGyver

Where's Jack?

Mukti

He went below. He's stealing water from a cart

actual

Mukti
He went below
script

126 INT Observation Deck - Section near stairway

Dalton comes up the stairway to the deck happily, his caution all but abandoned

no line for Dalton here


actually

Dalton

I got more water, enough to take tests. How did you do?





127 INT Hallway Off the Observation Deck

Samad and two soldiers, come down the hallway and stop suddenly when they see:

POV Dalton

Hurriedly passing on the deck

Samad (V.O) (Surprised)

One of the Americans!!!

Actual

Samad

This line is omitted

comment: They can't know they're Americans until they capture them in the plant and check ID.







script

134 Int. Holding Cell - Day
MacGyver removes his watch, and uses:

135 Insert - the Clasp of the Watch

to unscrew the panel, open it.

actual

This macgyverism is omitted

script

144 Angle Inside the Cell
Dalton
Hey! Just the guys I wanted to see.
My company, Be Young, is willing to
cut your government in! Forty cents on the
bottle.

Samad
Shut up, you fool. We know you're American spies!

Actual

Samad
Shut up, you imbecile. We know you're American spies!

script

Liang(to Samad)

Their presence here is "an embarassment." Take them back to the valley & execute them.
When you die, what you know of our secret plant will die with you.

actual
Liang

Organize a fire squad and execute them. When you die, what you know of our secret plant will die with you.


The Mandarin(?) one word exchange between Mac & Liang is not in this script version.


148 angle Favoring Cell

script

Dalton Who was that guy?

Mukti My younger brother

actual

Mukti My twin brother

comment: Smooth move. works alot better for comparative purposes.


script

150

MacGyver, Dalton, & Mukti step out of the cell. They move up the corridor cautiously,
whispering, Dalton, Panicky, checking his watch

Dalton 30 minutes til lift off! Let's get those water samples!

MacGyver would scold Dalton but he has no time. He makes sure the way is clear and
they exit around a corner.

actual

Dalton Chopper's on it's way - let's get those water samples!

(MacGyver does find enough time to scold Jack)

MacGyver WILL YOU STOP!!!!

Good stuff, thanks for sharing! As for Radnitz, I looked for him a while back but couldn't find any contact info.

Omitted scene(s)

151 INT. HOLDING CELL OFFICE ANGLE ON CORRIDOR DOOR

The cell guard is seated at the desk, reading. The door behind him opens outward silently, revealing our trio in the corridor. MacGyver motions Dalton & Mukti to enter
furtively and duck down between a second, closer desk in the office. They do. MacGyver removes the neckerchief we saw earlier (with the broken glass in) from his pocket, wrings it out on the corridor floor, and sets it on top of the door, then lets the door close slowly by itself, while he ducks in the office and out of sight-joining Mukti & Dalton.

152 INSERT - ANGLE INSIDE OFFICE - THE DOOR

closes, slowed by a pneumatic spring, and the door frame squeezes the neckerchief off the top of the door and into the corridor, now out of sight behind the closed door, we can hear the GLASS HIT the corridor floor.

153 NEW ANGLE

The cell guard turns and looks at the door to the corridor. It's closed. He jumps up from his desk, runs to the door, pushes it open, & runs into the cell block.

154 THE CORRIDOR

The cell guard's heel slips on the wet glass and he struggles to maintain his balance. MacGyver charges in after him, shoves him in an open cell, slams the door shut & exits.


155 BACK TO THE OFFICE
MacGyver ENTERS hurriedly from the corridor and he, Dalton & Mukti EXIT the holding cell Front Door on the run.

156 INT. PLANT - NEW AREA -DAY
Liang has resumed his inspection tour. The plant alarm suddenly goes off. He looks off
worriedly, toward the alarm sounding from the holding cell area.

157 INT. HOLDING CELL OFFICE - DAY

SAMAD and the three soldiers rush in. The cell guard is at the alarm switch.

SAMAD

Turn that off!

He does, surprised, babbling in fear:


CELL GUARD

The prisoners escaped. I don't know how they got out. I locked the door. You saw me ....

SAMAD

Shut up you fool!!!(thinking it out) The Americans want proof, tape .... (to a soldier)
Take some men and secure the recorders in the surveillance room!

The soldier exits on the run.

Okay, last post for this episode. Lots of juicy changes at the end of it:


script

160 INT TUNNEL - DAY

MacGyver, Mukti & Dalton run for the light at the entrance, MacGyver picking up a utility lamp stand as he goes, yanking it loose from a socket and completely darkening the tunnel.

161 EXT. TUNNEL ENTRANCE - DAY

Two armed guards are on duty. They turn to SEE who's approaching. MacGyver, Dalton & Mukti charge out of the darkness. MacGyver knocks the guards backwards with the utility stand and our trio run to daylight.

actual

bit different in that it was a step ladder used as the battering ram.

script

167 BACK TO SCENE

Macgyver\

Take Multi to the cave. I'll meet you there.

actual

MacGyver

Alright take Multi to the cave. I'm gonna try to put the plant on hold for awhile.

MacGyver hands Dalton the tape.

MacGyver

If I don't show, you're it!!! That tape has got to make it back to the U.N.!


actual
MacGyver

If I don't make it back. That tape has got to make it to the U.N.!!!

Dalton

You're crazy, Mac. I love ya!!!!

actual

You're trusting me? What a switch


178 EXT. WOODS - DAY

Dalton & Mukti enter on the run. Dalton stops suddenly, trying to get his bearings.

Mukti

The cave is this way!!!

Dalton

Go! I'll be right there!

Mukti guesses what Dalton is up to. But she has other concerns and she exits, running again for the cave.

179 Angle - Dalton

He searches the ground.

Dalton

It was around here somewhere

Suddenly he sees:

180 POV - THE DROPPED WATER CAN

lt lies on the ground, on it's side, top off!

181 BACK TO ANGLE

He shakes his fist heavenward

Dalton
Cursed luck! Am I doomed to be a poor shlepper all my life?!

He picks it up and shakes it. Some water sloshes around inside. His eyes light up!

182 INT. CAVE - DAY

Baba, feverish, his eyes close, lies on the ground. Ram praying at his feet. Mukti enters and realizes

Mukti

Baba!

Ram

He's dying

Mukti kneels at his side.

Mukti
Oh, Baba

185 ANGLE - UPHILL - SAMAD and his MEN

|Break out of the woods on the run, firing their weapons at MacGyver, stop short in surprise.

186 A VISION OF BABA

suddenly appears between MacGyver & Samad and his men.

187 NEW ANGLE

SAMAD's MEN drop their weapons

SOLDIERS

\IT'S A SPIRIT! WE ARE CURSED!!!! THE HOLY MAN HAS RETURNED TO PUNISH US!!!

The soldiers run back the way they came. Samad remains transfixed, disbelieving.

188 MacGyver reacts to the vision and then jumps behind a rock for cover.

189 THE PUMP HOUSE BLOWS UP.
190 SAMAD

Is hit by the blast of flying wood and water from the ruptured PUMP HOUSE and is
buried in debris, but still alive & moving.

191 MACGYVER

Gets to his feet, sees SAMAD and the PUMP HOUSE, both temporarily out of commission, and EXITs, running towards the cave.

192 EXT CAVE - DAY

Dalton waits, alone, nervously checking his watch. MacGyver enters on the run.

Dalton

You made it! Just in time to get to the crash sight.

MacGyver

Where's Mukti?

Dalton nods towards the cave and MacGyver enters. Dalton follows him in.

193 INT. CAVE - DAY

Baba, Mukti, and Ram as before. Baba, eyes closed, unconscious, as MacGyver and Dalton enter. Babz slowly opens his eyes, smiles peacefully, and lookd directly at
MacGyver.

Baba

You have done well, MacGyver. But there is more to do!

MacGyver reacts. The vision, Baba's omniscience, this is no ordinary man!

MacGyver

Yes, Baba.

Baba

You did what you had to do. All is perfect
(fondly)

This is a good place to end my journey.
Mukti

YOU CANNOT DIE!

Baba

Dearest Mukti ..... The people of Ammukash need guidance. The lineage of leadership
must continue ... I have chosen you to be the new Mir!

They all react, stunned!

comment: goodlord! I would imagine the TV audience would have been alot more than stunned had they kept these scenes in!

Mukti

No!! I cannot!!

Baba

See God in everything, and everyone! And you will be worthy.

Baba closes his eyes slowly & dies. Ram bows and covers Baba's face with a prayer
shawl.

194 Mukti

Pra-nams at Baba's feet and rises slowly.

195 ANGLE

Mukti & MacGyver exchange a look, and she walks to the cave opening & exits. MacGyver & Dalton exchange a look as we

FADE OUT

197 EXT. TEMPLE COURTYARD - DAY

MacGyver, Dalton, Mukti & Ram carrying Baba's covered body on a makeshift stretcher, enter, a crowd of elders converging. Only Dalton & MacGyver react to the distant sound of the incoming chopper as they set the stretcher down.

198 THREE SHOT

MacGyver

The chopper's here, Mukti. We have to go.

Mukti

I'm not going with you. My lace is here, in Ammukash! You & Dalton, in his own way, have helped me journey to the truth: of things beyond this valley, and inside myself. I know now what I have to do. I AM THE MIR!!!!

MacGyver nods, understanding.

Mukti

My people are counting on your MacGyver. To rid us of this evil.

MacGyver brandishes the tape.

MacGyver

By the time they replace that pump, this tape will put'em out of business.

Mukti clasps her hands together and bows, MacGyver returns the bow and they hold their bows together. MacGyver starts to move away. But Dalton deep in thought all this time,hesitates.

MacGyver

What's with you?

Dalton sheepishly removes a patched up can of water hidden under his shirt tail and hung
from the back of his belt. It's the first MacGyver has seen of it. He's surprised.

Dalton

I can't take this water.

Mukti

What of your plans?

I can't build a bottling plant here! It'll create create a media circus! Conmen and two-bit developers will converge like buzzards at a free lunch. You don't mess with perfection MacGyver! It's bad Karma!

MacGyver blinks. Dalton starts to pour the water out but then chugalugs it instead. MacGyver & Mukti watch him, amused. Mukti touches Dalton lightly on the forehead and MacGyver quickly pulls him away from her. Dalton sets the empty can down. They exit.

200 ANGLE - MUKTI

Is joined by Ram, and waves.

201 MACGYVER AND DALTON

RUN for the chopper, waving back. freeze frame.

comment: That was exhausting. No wonder it got 'lost'. Baba turns into a sort of spiritual freak, then kicks the bucket but not before 'MIRing' Mukti who takes control of the valley. Samad is left maimed by Mac's Pump House blowup.

Now that would've been a twist seeing Baba as a ghost and Mukti becoming a Mir. If she became a Mir, I would've stayed in Ammukash to help her out. Mac would probably have been pulling me to the chopper as well.

You know often that not, it appears that unused or alternate stuff seems far more interesting than the end result. However I always liked the ending in the courtyard with Baba alive and blessing everyone there and of course Jack's moment when he starts thinking about others instead of himself for a change and Mac spreading his arms in relief.

Nah, they blew it. Baba should have put a spiritual whammy on Mac and made him Mir. Then Jack & Mukti fly away with a massive vat of the spring water, then cut to all the worshippers gathered around the enlightened Mac the Mir showing a very peaceful Dalai Lama esque gaze. Fade to black. OMG that would have been epic, hilarious and the whole MacGyver Nation would have been

Were any of the various movie scripts ever leaked I know a few writers attempted it including the writer of black hawk down.

No, that would've blown it for us. I'd rather have him riding into the sunset with his son than becoming a holy mir to a third world nation no one has ever heard of.

No, that would've blown it for us. I'd rather have him riding into the sunset with his son than becoming a holy mir to a third world nation no one has ever heard of.

This was the last/lost episode for a reason. It's bizarre enough that we learn (especially within a Himalayan Cave) that Mac is enlightened, after really no indication of any spiritual ties throughout the entire series. If he had of stayed on to reflect/meditate/convalesce a bit after his Phoenix tenure - it might not have been such a bad thing and certainly not so cliché / predictable.

The Mandarin exchange between Liang & Mac, I believe goes like this:

Liang : “zài jiàn" Goodbye!
Mac: "Bù kèqì" No need to be polite!

Interesting to know. I always figured they were calling each other names.

They were ... but in the most sanitized of ways.

Liang's 'goodbye' really meant 'have a nice funeral'
... and Mac sensing the true meaning was really saying
'go fuddle yourself' .