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THE ENEMY WITHIN

The Enemy Within

01.15 Episode 15 (#40191-015)
Airdate: February 12, 1986

MacGyver must protect a defector who can identify the killer of four DXS agents.

Written by: David Abramowitz
Directed by: Cliff Bole

Guest Starring: Victoria Fyodorova as Viktoria Tomanova, Lynn-Holly Johnson as Ingrid Bannister, Michael W. Goodwin as Craig Bannister, Dana Elcar as Peter Thornton, Beau Starr as Anton Lem, Douglas Dirkson as Reverend Mather, Arthur Malet as Ed the Pathologist, Richard Balin as Fritz, Adam Gregor as Jaeger, Gene Bori as German Captain

Nielsen Ratings: 14.9 rating / 22 share / 2nd (46th overall)

Reference: Craig Bannister, Ingrid Bannister, DXS, East Germany, Ed, Federal Building, Fritz, International Peace Through Science Symposium, Jaeger, Anton Lem, Reverend Mather, Robert, Viktoria Tomanova, Venice Beach, Wilshire Memorial Hospital

MACGYVERISMS

MacGyverism

Escaped from German officers by speaking dreadful German and distracting the dogs with a dead bird

MacGyverism

Repaired brakes by filling the brake cylinder with power steering fluid, while riding the hood at 140kph

MacGyverism

Used an ultrasonic beam to shatter eyeglasses and disable a shooter

MacGyverism

Created nylon using adipic acid, hexamethyline diamine, iron particles, and a magnetic field

MacGyverism

Used spinning wires, mirrors, and a spiral ash tray to induce relaxation and to assist in memory recall

MacGyverism

Built a defibrillator with candlesticks, electric cords, and rubber floor matting for insulation

NOTES OF INTEREST

  • The episode has no Opening Gambit or teaser and begins immediately with the theme music.
  • Richard Dean Anderson broke his right hand shooting an action sequence during this episode. The cast on his right arm was incorporated into the story or disguised during the next two episodes, but in this episode it is briefly visible during the scene with the pathologist.
  • The secret password when meeting Jaeger refers to the signature basketball shot of the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: "Kareem" - "Skyhook"
  • MacGyver has a limited vocabulary of a few basic words in German, just enough to confuse someone who speaks German.
    • He says: "Esel! Ich bin ein Soviet officer. Und wir muss gehen zu dem Hause, bitte, fur es gehe eine Freunde sind there in the appelsuss... or in der Flugplatz. Und Sie is meinen Frau."
    • Translation: "Idiot! I am a Soviet officer. And we have to go to the house, please, for one of our friends is there in the applesuss... or at the airfield. And she is my wife."
  • Viktoria calls MacGyver a "bolvan" ("болван"), which means blockhead or jackass.
  • Wilshire Memorial Hospital is identical to St. Matthew's Hospital from "The Prodigal."
  • Pete Thornton has been named the new Executive Director of Operations at the DXS.
  • MacGyver works only part time for the DXS.
  • MacGyver is packing up his Venice Beach apartment in order to move to a great new house down on the beach.
  • MacGyver dabbles in chemistry but has a solid basic understanding of the field.
  • MacGyver doesn't like formal parties or attire and appears uncomfortable in a rented tuxedo.
  • MacGyver wears the iconic brown leather jacket.
  • MacGyver twice declines an offer of alcohol.

MEMORABLE REMARKS

  • When you think about it, I take on a lot of jobs nobody else would want. The question is -- why do I want them? [MacGyver]
  • Ever think about making a living as a hood ornament? [Bannister]
  • John Wayne would not have been afraid. [Viktoria]
    Bolvan? [MacGyver]
  • I mean, this man's idea of black tie is a dirty shoelace. [Bannister, about MacGyver]
  • You saved my life. The Chinese say if someone saves your life, you're in debt to them forever. [Viktoria]
    Strange folk, the Chinese. They also call their beautiful children ugly for fear the gods will punish them for the sin of pride. If we were in China, I'd be obligated to call you the ugliest woman in the world. [MacGyver]
  • Okay. I trust you. Almost. Kiss me. [kiss] Now I trust you. [Viktoria]
  • John Wayne could not have done it better. [Viktoria]

FOR THE RECORD

  • Swiss Army Knife Count: (3)
    • Used the blade to punch a hole in the spiral ash tray
    • Used the blade to cut and strip electric cords
    • Used the blade to cut sections of rubber floor matting
  • MacGyver Science:
    • A compound including adipic acid and hexamethyline diamine, when added to a solution containing iron particles and exposed to a magnetic field, will create nylon.

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