SLOW DEATH
01.19 Episode 19 (#40191-019)
Airdate: April 2, 1986
MacGyver's train trip through India is derailed by a hijacker seeking revenge on two unidentified Westerners who sold his son, a doctor, poisonous medicine.
Written by: Stephen Kandel
Directed by: Don Weis
Guest Starring: Frances Bergen as Eleanor Kingman, Kenneth Danziger as Peter Kramer, Anthony DeFonte as Hassan, Alan Fudge as Paul Webster, Carrell Myers as Laura Dillon, Tracy Reed as Andrea Collins, Pamela Roylance as Diana Kingman, Warwick Sims as James Grant, Mark Tymchyshyn as Andy Ellis, Noël de Souza as Batu Das, Tom Simmons as Blade, Thomas H. Middleton as Lyman, Elias Zarou as Badur, Gerald Papasian as Barman, Xahra Maliza as Little Girl
Nielsen Ratings: 17.4 rating / 27 share / 2nd (23rd overall)
Reference: Badur, Batu Das, Blade, Andrea Collins, Laura Dillon, Andy Ellis, James Grant, Hassan, India, Diana Kingman, Eleanor Kingman, Peter Kramer, Lyman, Paul Webster
MACGYVERISMS
Convinced an engineer to let him board a moving train
Made a little girl's doll with a sock, a handkerchief, and a pen
Used a jar of olives, salt, seltzer, and a jug to distract and disable the enemy
Ignited the local moonshine with a match to force the enemy to jump off the train
Booby-trapped the control panel circuits on the train to overload
Made a high-pitched whistle from a bottle spout to distract the horses
Built a lie detector from a sphygmomanometer and an alarm clock
Threw his boots to create a distraction
NOTES OF INTEREST
- The episode has no Opening Gambit or teaser and begins immediately with the theme music.
- Although not specifically stated in the episode, the TV Guide places the episode in India. Words and text (like "taxi" and "explosives") appear in English, and the two locations that are mentioned by name, Rajmir and Chattur, may be placed in India, although they do not appear in Google Maps.
- MacGyver gives two versions of his mission in India before catching the train: that he intercepted plans for a guerrilla raid, and that he hijacked proof of an illegal arms-oil deal and if he gets the proof out of the country in time, it could help thwart a little war.
- The series frequently used a hand double for Richard Dean Anderson during second unit work and close-up scenes. The hand double is especially noticeable as MacGyver is making the doll and booby-trapping the train engine.
- Apparently not yet a vegetarian, MacGyver eats an enormous roast lamb sandwich with a glass of milk.
MEMORABLE REMARKS
- Well, you know that old saying, "Lord, give me the strength to deal with what I can, and endure what I can't"? Well, I'm enduring. [MacGyver]
You know, in a weird way, you're a comfort, MacGyver. [Andrea] - Another day. A whole 'nother set of fresh possibilities. I'm a sucker for mornings. [MacGyver]
FOR THE RECORD
- Swiss Army Knife Count: (2)
- Used the knife blade to strip wires
- Used the knife to make a bottle spout into a high-pitched whistle
- Duct Tape Count: (1)
- Used duct tape to connect wires to the sphygmomanometer to create a lie detector
- MacGyver Science:
- When you lie, your blood pressure goes up and you sweat. Sweat creates a conductance that will complete a circuit.
- Injury Scorecard:
- MacGyver is hit on the right side of his head by Webster's gun.
IMAGES
