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UGLY DUCKLING

Ugly Duckling

01.18 Episode 18 (#40191-018)
Airdate: March 12, 1986

Black marketeers are after a 15-year-old genius who's the only one capable of fixing their stolen missile's guidance system.

Written by: Larry Gross
Directed by: Charles Correll

Guest Starring: Darcy Marta Kate Lafferty, Lee deBroux as Hatcher, Dana Elcar as Peter Thornton, Richard McKenzie as Professor Willis, Ned Bellamy as Larkin, Melinda O. Fee as Carol Lafferty, Russell Johnson as Oslow, Rob Paulsen as Rogers, Michael Francis Clarke as Walker

Nielsen Ratings: 15.3 rating / 23 share / 2nd (35th overall)

Reference: Clinton Narrows Bridge, DXS, Federal Building, Hatcher, Carol Lafferty, Kate Lafferty, Larkin, Oslow, Rogers, Snake-Eye Missile, South Bay Marathon, Walker, Professor Willis

MACGYVERISMS

MacGyverism

Used psychology to determine Kate's computer password: UGLY DUCKLING

MacGyverism

Used a painfully amplified sound oscillator to deter the enemy

MacGyverism

Used Kate's clue and FAA tracking of a SAR-SAT signal to determine Kate's location

MacGyverism

Kate used a battery and jumper cables to create an arc welder to cut through iron bars

MacGyverism

Used hydrocarbons from a spray can to cool down heated iron bars

MacGyverism

Used electrolyte acid from the liquid in a cactus to power a radio

MacGyverism

Used two radio antennas, batteries, wire, watches, and the sun to triangulate a position

MacGyverism

Used two jeep mirrors, a binocular lens, and focused sunlight to heat a rifle shell and blow up a jeep

MacGyverism

Reconfigured the missile guidance system to target, intercept, and destroy the test weapon

NOTES OF INTEREST

  • The episode has no Opening Gambit or teaser and begins immediately with the theme music.
  • Professor Willis was one of MacGyver's college professors for two years at a college in/near Los Angeles, but there is no specific indication of the name of the college, when he attended, or what he studied, although Professor Willis's field was likely related to mathematics.
  • The buyer of the missile, played by John Milford, is never identified by name in the episode and is not listed in the credits.
  • Kate is young for a college student, and is listed in the TV Guide episode summary as 15 years old, but her exact age is not specified in the episode.
  • The selected target for the missile demonstration is the fictional Clinton Narrows Bridge in the South Bay, using the coordinates 37° 47' N and 122° 30' W. Those coordinates actually pinpoint a location near the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, San Francisco, just southeast of the Golden Gate Bridge.
  • As he dies, Professor Willis quotes Shakespeare, "'Tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church door, but 'tis enough, t'will serve," which are Mercutio's dying words from "Romeo and Juliet," Act 3, Scene 1.
  • This episode marks the beginning of MacGyver's blond hair. In some scenes, Richard Dean Anderson's hair is still dark brown, and in others (and subsequent episodes) his hair has been given blond highlights.
  • MacGyver's DXS identification number is X-C 4479.
  • MacGyver drives a black jeep, but not the Wrangler model.
  • MacGyver wears the brown leather jacket.
  • MacGyver has run the South Bay Marathon twice.
  • MacGyver is familiar with computers, but is not an expert, and relies more on psychology than technology to determine Kate's password.

MEMORABLE REMARKS

  • So, best of luck. I'm a phone call away if you need me. Stay out of trouble. Keep expenses down. Come back alive... [MacGyver]
    Took the words right out of my mouth. [Thornton]
  • You are special, Kate. And it's not so bad to be special. You just have to learn to feel good about it, that's all. [MacGyver]
  • Look, everybody makes mistakes once in a while. The trick is learning to live with it. Like we all do. Even if you are special. [MacGyver]
  • Friendship is something I don't take lightly. It's too hard to come by. [MacGyver]
  • All for one... [Kate]
    And one for all! I can't believe you said that. [MacGyver]

FOR THE RECORD

  • Swiss Army Knife Count: (1)
    • Used the blade to make cuts in a cactus to access the liquid to power a radio
  • RIP - MacGyver's Friends Who Have Been Killed: (1)
    • Professor Willis, MacGyver's college professor, was shot and killed in a botched abduction attempt.
  • Injury Scorecard:
    • MacGyver is cold-cocked and knocked unconscious with a blow to the back of the neck.

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