SHEN WEI

Dr. Shen Wei was a cultural historian whose particular area of interest focused on the 1200-year-old Chinese legend of the Wish Child. According to legend, by linking one's soul to the Wish Child, one may achieve immortality.

Lee Wenying, an elderly Chinese businessman, was among those who believed in the Wish Child legend, and he sought immortality for himself. Stone, a criminal, thief, and swindler, saw an opportunity to use the legend to prey upon those willing to believe it. He had made the acquaintance of Paul Chan, a 14-year-old boy from Santa Monica who shared a similar backstory and appearance to the legendary child, and he convinced Paul to portray the Wish Child. Lee Wenying hired Dr. Shen, an expert in the study of the legend, to meet with Stone and Paul in Chinatown to determine the legitimacy of their claim.

As a test, Dr. Shen produced the Rock of Shin Tze, from the dynasty of the Wish Child. According to legend, the true Wish Child would find the soul of the rock and bring forth a sign. Using sleight of hand, Paul deftly switched the rock for a small block bearing the sign of the Wish Child, and this feat was enough to convince Dr. Shen that the Wish Child had indeed returned in modern times. He delivered the news to Lee Wenying, who arranged to meet the child.

MacGyver, a friend of Paul Chan, recognized the danger of Paul's association with Stone, and he had been searching throughout Chinatown for the boy. At the Golden Era Museum, he encountered Dr. Shen, who explained the Wish Child legend and ensured MacGyver that Lee Wenying was only interested in the child as a scholar, and that he would cherish the boy and protect him as long as he was alive. However, MacGyver made Dr. Shen realize that he had just helped to sell a 14-year-old boy into slavery for life, and though he didn't want to believe it, Shen relented and agreed to tell MacGyver how to find the boy.

Lee Wenying intended to leave no loose ends, however, and he sent his associate, Teng, to kill Dr. Shen. Teng secretly arrived at the museum and shot Dr. Shen, but with his dying words Shen directed MacGyver to find Paul in the forward hold of Lee's freighter at Pier K-63.

Portrayed by: George Takei

Cross Reference: Paul Chan, Chinatown, Golden Era Museum, Lee Wenying, Rock of Shin Tze, Stone, Teng, Wish Child

Episode Reference: The Wish Child