MacGyver (1985–1992): Season 2, Episode 12 - Family Matter - full transcript
While Pete's wife Connie, an archaeologist, and their adolescent son Michael, who resents his absentee father, are on a dig in Louisisiana, they are kidnapped by the men of mercenary Frank Bonner, a former agency colleague of Pete whom he blames for the death of the Bonner family in a Yemeni tribal pacification mission which went wring after Frank embezzled agency funds, planning a gruesome revenge: make Pete watch his own loved-ones die. MacGyver flies ahead so he can bug the gang's car at the meeting point. Even as they change vehicle, Mac works out where and sees trough Obadiah Moss they planted there to point him into the bayou, so he can make a surprising entry, frees Michael and together with him returns for his parents, pulling Macgyverisms all the time.
Woman: I think I got something.
What'd you find?
Looks like a cooking pot.
Could possibly be
apalachee Indian.
Man: It is!
Look at the water
symbol. That'sapalachee.
Woman: Right!
This some kind of test?
You just passed it.
We should be able to
take the lady and the kid
without any trouble.
What if he acts up?
What's the matter?
You can't handle a teenager?
It's nice here, isn't it?
Mmm, I love it.
Pete and I came down here
once before you were born.
We spent a week in New Orleans
and then ate our way
through the cajun country.
We had a wonderful time.
Mom, can we not talk about him?
Michael, he's your father.
Pete Thornton was
a part-time father.
And you don't
have to defend him.
You divorced him, remember?
Look, I know it's childish,
but when he didn't show up
for my high school graduation,
it hurt.
It was his work, Michael.
He was always using
that for an excuse.
Look, he promised me
he'd be there and he wasn't.
( Twig snapping )
What was that?
Woman: Who are you?
What's going on here?
Wh-wh-what do you want?
- Come here!
- What're you doing?
Move 'em closer together.
Get away from her!
Mother: What do you want?
Michael: What are you...
Let go of me!
Let her up! You're hurting her!
No, no...
( All talking at once )
Man with camera:
Okay, now hold her there.
Look at the camera.
Smile, lady.
We're gonna make you a star.
Please, what do you want?
We'll do it!
Man: It's a nightmare!
That's my family!
And it's all because of me.
I'm sure of that.
Do you have any idea
who these guys are?
No.
The message is a
computer printout.
No marks, no prints,
no way to trace it.
Real professional.
What about the videotape?
I've had experts go over it.
Nothing.
No, all these
kidnappers want is me.
The message begins
with me flying into
Sherman parish airport,
Louisiana, tomorrow morning.
And I'll just bet they want
you arriving without company.
Yeah, or else Connie
and Michael are dead.
Well, I guess I got
a plane to catch.
What?
Well, I figure I should get
to Louisiana before you do
so they don't connect us.
I can't ask you to
help me on this one.
So don't ask.
( Twig snaps )
Frank? Oh, you surprised me.
Surprise kills.
Remember that.
It's all arranged.
You'll pick up
Thornton in the morning.
I'm counting on you.
Don't worry.
Don't underestimate him.
Failure is betrayal.
Welcome to my small slice
of the world, Connie... Michael.
Who are you?
I'm an old friend
of your father's.
I've been looking forward to
our meeting one day, Connie.
What do you want from us?
I want to see the light of
happiness in your eyes.
And then I want to
watch that light go out.
You're crazy.
Am I?
Who do you think
arranged for the Grant
that brought you both down here?
That's right.
You're bait to attract your
husband... your father...
Peter Thornton.
MacGyver: My plane
got into Louisiana
three hours before
Pete Thornton was due.
It gave me time to rent a bike
And get a map.
Pete was scheduled to
arrive right about now.
He'd been instructed to hire a
cab and proceed to parish road,
M-12, a dirt road right
in the middle of nowhere.
As soon as he was
contacted by the kidnappers,
We planned to activate
our communications system.
He was wearing one of
those ultra-modern watches...
Tells time, reads the date,
and sends out a radio signal.
I had the receiver.
So I could be out of sight...
But not out of touch.
You sure this is where
you want let off, mister?
Yeah, thanks.
( Beep )
Get in, Mr. Thornton.
Thornton: You're right on time.
( Steady beeping )
I want to know if
my family's all right.
Man: No talking.
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
I had to stay in radio
range or lose him.
Sometimes the best
way to follow a car
without being spotted
is not to follow at all...
Especially when you have
a transmitter working for you.
( Beeping continues )
Empty wagon parked in
the middle of bayou country
with nobody around gave rise
to a very strong notion.
They planned a vehicle switch.
Figured I should hang around
to see which road they'd take.
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping stops )
Man: Out. This is where
we switch transportation.
So what's this all about?
Simple...
I don't trust you.
Now get your clothes off.
Everything you got on.
What's the matter?
You think I'm wired?
We're wasting
time, Mr. Thornton.
Thornton: Whatever you say.
( Zipper unzips )
Everything?
Man: All of it!
Your shoes, your socks,
jewelry, the whole bit.
Thornton: Hey, what about
my money and personal papers?
Man 2: And I thought
it was your family you
were worried about.
Thornton: All right.
You made your point.
Man 2: Just hurry it up.
Man 2: It's a good
thing we don't have
a plane to catch.
Man 1: Thornton,
we don't have all day.
Listen, anybody could come
driving down the road here.
I'm a little shy.
Do you, do you mind if I
finish dressing over there?
Long as we watch.
Sure.
Thornton: You guys
are really nervous.
Man 2: We're careful.
Thornton: You know, if you
guys really think I'm wired,
you should check everything.
I could have a micro-transistor
in my shirt buttons.
Man 2: Come on, move it.
Maybe I've got
radioactive toenails.
Then maybe we
ought to pull 'em out!
You wanna start
something out here
In front of god and
everybody, go right ahead.
Push it.
Man 2: Knock it off!
Come on, get those clothes on.
We're runnin' late.
Thornton: Oh,
we're on a schedule?
Where are we goin'?
Man 2: You'll find out
when we get there.
Just keep movin'.
You're startin' to
get on my nerves.
Will you hurry up?
You don't really think I'd risk
having someone
follow me, do you?
Maybe. Maybe not.
This way we have nothing
to worry about, do we?
Now what?
Step right in.
Don't you have
somethin' to finish?
All right, get movin'.
You can keep the cash.
Burn everything else.
( Engine starts )
( Beeping )
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
♪ ♪
( Beeping continues )
Good morning.
Keep your mouth shut.
( Beeping )
( Rapid beeping )
the signal was getting stronger,
which meant the vehicle
was coming back
toward me in a hurry.
Nobody in it but the driver.
They had Pete and I had
no way of tracking him.
All I could do was time my rie
And estimate where
they were let off.
Excuse me.
You wouldn't happen to
have seen a couple of guys
Come by here with a...
( With southern accent ):
No... I ain't seen nothing.
And I'm busy.
What kind of flies you use?
If you don't mind my asking.
My own. Ties 'em myself.
Well, as long as they work.
You fish?
When I have time.
What do you pull out
of here besides catfish?
Any bass or crappie?
Bass, for sure.
My name's obadiah moss.
MacGyver.
I'd sure like to try this.
But I'm looking for
a friend right now.
Guy may have come by
here about ten, 12 minutes ago
With a couple of other fellas.
Your friend bald?
Kind of on the hefty side?
That's Pete.
Well, I might have seen him.
I'd sure appreciate
anything you could tell me.
They got into a skiff
and headed upriver.
Any idea where they
might be headed?
Into the swamp.
About 800 mile of it.
Bayous, shallows,
gators and snakes.
Sounds like a great
place to get lost.
For sure.
'Ceptin' this bayou runs
straight up for a mile,
then she splits.
You take the right channel,
she take you
right to gator camp.
Can't miss it.
Big old branch in the water
with a tire nailed on it.
And you think that could
be where they're going?
Ain't no "could be."
Gator camp only
dry land for 60 miles.
Them old boys with your friend?
I spied them there a week back.
Didn't care to stop and
chat with 'em then neither.
Yep. They sound like
the guys I'm looking for.
I'm grateful.
My pleasure, son.
Fishermen's got
to help each other.
Besides, uh, your friend...
He didn't look real happy.
Yeah, that figures.
Listen, obadiah, I'd sure
try and make you a good deal
if you'd rent me your boat.
Ain't worth too much.
Engine, she's liable to
just up and stop on ya.
I'll risk it.
How much further?
Relax. Enjoy the view.
I'm worried about my family.
Do you mind?
They're fine... so far.
Thanks a lot.
Take care now, you hear?
( Normal accent ):
Riverhead one to gator camp.
Do you read me?
I read you, riverhead one.
Go on.
There's a man
following Thornton.
Name of MacGyver.
MacGyver. Of course.
Pete would bring MacGyver.
I sent him upriver in my skiff.
He should reach the tire
on the branch in the river
At approximately 1100 hours.
Good, very good.
Come on up.
You can help us Bury MacGyver.
MacGyver...
Obadiah started out by
saying he hadn't seen anything.
But for someone who
didn't seem to want
to get involved, he
sure wasn't too shy
About telling me exactly
where Pete would be headed...
Right for that old tire
nailed to the big branch.
Slow down, we're getting there.
Don't worry yourself.
I know the way.
Thornton: Where are they?
They're locked up in the back.
Oh, Pete, thank god!
Michael, you...
You both all right?
Yeah.
Have you any idea
who's behind this?
It's been a long time, Peter.
Frank bonner.
I thought you were dead.
Surprise.
You do know him.
We worked together once.
As I said, we go back
a long way, Michael.
Back into shadows and darkness.
Right, Peter?
Whatever happened,
whatever you think happened,
That's between you
and me, not my family.
Let them go.
I can't.
Not until we all hear the truth.
And then I will extract payment.
In full!
What's he talking about?
I don't know.
He's brought me here
for some crazy reason.
And he's dragged
you two into it.
He hates you, doesn't he?
He thinks he does.
Connie, I'm sorry.
I always used to say you
have such interesting friends.
Obadiah said he
tied his own flies,
but the ones I saw stuck
in his hat were store bought.
Made me start thinking about
the directions he gave me.
He didn't want me to get lost,
But maybe he wanted
me to get found.
Well, I didn't
want to disappoint
Whoever was going
to be looking for me.
He said he was a mercenary.
Who is he?
He was one of our top agents
until he went sour.
We all had to deal in
violence, but he enjoyed it.
How many other men
have you seen besides him?
Three. The three who grabbed us.
Have you notified
the FBI or the police?
No, I couldn't risk that.
But I have got help coming.
MacGyver. He's a good friend.
You remember him.
One guy?
I thought with your work you
have a million connections.
They gave me
instructions, Michael.
If I had an army follow
me in here, they'd arrive
and find us all dead.
MacGyver is the best I know.
Yeah, but he's
still only one man.
Come out.
Move!
Somebody once told me
that when you're
alone in enemy territory,
you have to stay low,
stay careful, and
make a moving target.
So I made one.
When it comes to
art, I'm no expert,
But I know what I like.
Corey, frank
gave us a little job.
Stay close. You
might learn something.
Peter, I'd like your opinion
on a matter of tactics.
The use of a backup man.
Boone failed to pick him up,
but you failed, too.
What's the matter? Did
you forget the importance
Of a secondary line of defense?
Your man's good,
but he's not perfect.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
( Chuckles )
MacGyver.
Dunn, come in.
I can hear his motor.
Figure maybe another 30 seconds.
Corey: You sure
it's the same dude?
No question about it.
That's obadiah's boat.
He's dead and he
doesn't even know it.
( Explosion )
Hey, frank...
That sound you heard?
We got him.
Message received.
Return to base...
And we'll go on with our
next piece of business.
Back in the room.
Well, the alligators ought
to be happy... free lunch.
Just make sure they
don't leave anything.
Don't worry.
I'm going back to the cabin.
It was pretty obvious
that obadiah had
sold me down the river,
so I wasn't too upset
that I hadn't given him
a deposit on his boat.
I figured
I'd just shell out a
bonus to his buddies.
( Groans )
( Muffled yells )
Hey, wish me luck.
'Cause if I don't make it back,
you could retire right here.
Look, we can't just sit here.
We wait.
We heard an
explosion, that's all.
MacGyver is damn hard to kill.
Oh, come on. He's dead. Face it.
If we're going to do anything,
we have to do it right now.
Michael, listen!
Look, we're in here
because of you.
And now you're gambling
mom's life for one miracle man?
He's dead!
Temper, temper.
And to hell with you.
Ho-ho-ho!
Stop it!
I can ice him, frank.
No!
No, not that way.
Not that quickly.
No...
And you, Michael,
if you ever raise your
voice to me again,
I'll cut your tongue out.
Why can't you just
tell us what you want?
He wants revenge.
I want justice!
What are you talking about?
Your husband...
Killed my wife and my son.
This your courtroom, frank?
You sit in that
chair over there.
I want your family
to hear the truth.
Three and a half
years ago in Yemen,
I was Pete's point
man in the field,
and I moved my wife
and my son there to live.
Well, that was your choice.
You said it was under control.
It was when we started.
Three other agents
moved their families there
To live, too, remember?
Safety factor was fine.
You know what went wrong, frank.
Corey,
Give me the pliers.
Come on.
( Grunts )
We were sent there
to keep the peace,
And we ended up in the
middle of a tribal war, didn't we?
And that's when you ran
out on me and my family.
Have you ever explained any
of this to your wife and your son?
Everything about that
operation was classified
Until a couple of months ago.
I couldn't explain anything...
Not even to my family.
What about my wife, and my son?
What I had was a donkey
engine, which got its name
because it works like a mule.
( Grunting )
And I had a fair amount of rope.
By attaching the
rope to the engine,
I could create an awful
lot of pulling power,
the kind of power
that would hopefully
Get Pete and his family out.
But I had one little problem.
I had to start the engine
while I was up
close to the house,
which was about 50 feet away.
Sometimes, the only way
you can solve a problem
is to be in two places at onc.
By splicing a piece
of wire into the rope
and then connecting
it to the ignition switch,
I had just what I needed...
A long distance starter cord.
Frank's wife and son got
caught in a guerrilla raid.
Like the rest of us.
The only difference was
they got caught alone
Because you weren't
there to protect them.
I was in the field.
I sent them to you for safety.
And you ran out on them.
That's what you've
been telling yourself
for the last three years?
That's what happened.
What happened to
the almost $800,000
you were given to
buy us information
so we could make
the right moves?
Don't change the subject.
Oh, that is the subject, frank,
because you never
contacted anybody.
You never recruited anybody.
You never paid anybody.
You faked intelligence
reports and you kept the money.
What the hell are
you talking about?
You embezzled
agency funds, frank,
so that when the
sharit attacked,
we had no warning. Not a clue!
Shut up! You're lying
now just like you did then.
Oh, you sent your wife
and your son to me, sure!
And you weren't there.
But it wasn't for
their safety, was it?
It was so they'd
be out of the way
while you shipped out
the money you'd stolen.
You weren't there!
No, because I
got hit in the attack
you didn't warn us about.
The same attack
that killed your family.
No! You're responsible
for their death!
And payment will be made.
Shh!
♪ ♪
You are the one
who's paying, frank.
And it's killing you.
You can't lay your guilt on me.
It doesn't work.
It won't fit.
Look, what
happened was terrible,
and you're going to have to
live with that your whole life.
But doing this
isn't going to help.
For god's sake, frank,
we were friends once.
Friends?
( Chuckles )
That's good, Peter.
But not good enough.
There will be a death.
There will be an execution.
No...
Oh, I wouldn't dream
of killing him now.
I want him to learn
something first.
I want him to see his son dead
like I saw mine.
Dad!
In order for my plan to work,
I had to get the bad
guys out of the house.
To do that, I had
to get their attention.
This can of gas should
do the trick just fine.
An oil-soaked rag
makes a perfect fuse.
It'll burn slow
So I can get away
before I blow myself up.
It's very hard, I know.
Don't blame me.
Blame your father.
Now I want you to stand up.
Let's go outside very quietly.
Lock 'em up in the room, quick!
Come on, come on!
Move!
( Explosions )
( Flames crackling )
What's happening?
It's got to be MacGyver.
( Engine starts )
Come on!
Go!
Head that way!
I'll distract 'em.
Oh! Oh!
- Come on.
- Oh!
Don't even think about moving.
There's nothing
we can do right now.
- Come on.
- But mom...
If we can get away,
we can come back.
Now come on.
Where's the boy?
Where is he?!
Find the boy!
Find him!
All right, move.
Move it!
Stay close.
I think we lost 'em.
Shh!
Get down.
Don't sweat it, we'll find them.
I want that MacGyver.
I don't know how he
got past me last time.
Hi. Name's MacGyver.
I know.
So what're we gonna do?
That guy, bonner's, crazy.
He could kill my mom and Pete.
No, not while they're
still out hunting for us.
We got time.
You know what methane is?
- Swamp gas.
- Yeah.
I'm no chemist, but I
know it stinks and it burns.
It also explodes
when it's confined.
So, if we put some
swamp gas in a container,
we got a little bomb.
And for containers...
Bamboo?
To make bombs?
You bet.
It's hollow and it's got
its own built-in plugs.
So...
Start cutting some lengths
about three, four feet.
Then we'll start
our own fireworks.
Well, I thought he was Corey.
I mean, he was
wearing Corey's fatigues.
He took Corey out.
And you.
You didn't find him.
It'll be dark soon, frank.
We'll nail him in the morning.
Sure, all we got to do is wait.
Oh, is that your
expert opinion? Huh?
Then you take the first watch.
Go on. Get out of here!
Methane's lighter
than gas, so it rises,
pushes the air out
of the bamboo piece
Until it's full of gas.
Well, how do you
know when it's full?
Use your nose.
Whoa!
( Chuckles ): It's full.
This is the tricky part.
All right, there she is.
Loaded, armed and fused.
What if you're wrong?
I mean, methane's
supposed to burn, but...
You're right.
So what do you say we
try a little field test, huh?
Whoa!
( Whistles )
Oh, my god, it might work.
Yeah... it better.
Pete's a really good
friend of yours, isn't he?
The best.
You call him "Pete," huh?
Yeah, I guess that's
the way I think of him.
He was never very close.
Not much of a father.
Yeah, well, he's made
some mistakes, that's for sure.
He's not perfect.
But he tried, didn't he?
Yeah, I'll give him that.
It's just that he never
let me get close.
And I, I just found out why
he missed my graduation.
And he had a
reason, a good reason.
It's just that he never
explained it to me.
He never let me understand.
It was classified. He couldn't.
That was three years ago.
And two of his men
were held hostage
for 31 months of
that three years.
He couldn't say anything.
He couldn't explain that?
Are you kidding
me? He took an oath.
He lives by that.
He wanted to tell you
when they were finally freed.
About five months
back, remember?
You wouldn't see him.
I was busy. I...
I didn't want to get in a fight.
I guess I was afraid
of being angry or hurt.
I don't know, I just...
I don't understand him.
Yeah, well, he doesn't
understand you very well either.
But he sure loves you.
When do you
graduate from college?
In two years. Why?
Invite him.
I can guarantee
you he'll be there.
It's over, frank.
MacGyver's clear.
He'll be back tomorrow...
And he won't be alone.
Wrong.
The only way out
of here's by boat,
And we've got that covered.
Double check it.
And see that Dunn's
on his toes out there.
If this sours,
if I lose the boy,
the rules change.
Connie first, then you.
( Pebble plunks )
( Gunfire )
MacGyver!
Find him!
Let's go. Outside.
Come on, move!
( Whispers ): Mike!
Come on.
We gotta hustle.
They're out there.
They got Dunn.
Well, we'll give them
something to watch.
Oh...!
Shoot her!
Shoot her!
No...!
( Explosion, gunfire )
( Screams )
Stay here.
Obadiah: They're throwing bombs!
Frank: Where in the
hell did they get 'em?
Obadiah: How do I know?
Look out! There's another one!
( Grunting )
( Groans )
Michael, no!
He was gonna kill you.
Thornton: That's what he is,
not what we are, son.
Listen to your father, Mike.
You know he's right.
MacGyver: I call this
my cajun cuisine special...
Bayou burned blackened redfish.
Don't tell me you picked that up
while we were down
in New Orleans?
Oh, I flew in early, remember?
I had time enough to collect
a few recipes, pass the time.
Are you sure you're supposed
to add that much tabasco?
Trust me, Connie, trust me.
Come on, mom, live dangerously.
Speaking of which...
He said subtly...
How would you like to go to
the Lakers game tomorrow night?
Are you all of a sudden
playing dad, dad?
Yeah, I am.
In that case, it'd be terrific.
( Sighs )
Great.
Listen, maybe
we could all go out
And, uh, have a bite afterwards?
No, Pete, thanks.
You two have a
lot to catch up on.
You know, Connie,
for what it's worth,
I, uh, I'm really proud of you.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the infamous MacGyver's
bayou burned blackened redfish.
Wha...!
Ooh!
Whoa!
( Laughing )
Whoops.
( Laughing )
What do you say we send
out for cheeseburgers?
What'd you find?
Looks like a cooking pot.
Could possibly be
apalachee Indian.
Man: It is!
Look at the water
symbol. That'sapalachee.
Woman: Right!
This some kind of test?
You just passed it.
We should be able to
take the lady and the kid
without any trouble.
What if he acts up?
What's the matter?
You can't handle a teenager?
It's nice here, isn't it?
Mmm, I love it.
Pete and I came down here
once before you were born.
We spent a week in New Orleans
and then ate our way
through the cajun country.
We had a wonderful time.
Mom, can we not talk about him?
Michael, he's your father.
Pete Thornton was
a part-time father.
And you don't
have to defend him.
You divorced him, remember?
Look, I know it's childish,
but when he didn't show up
for my high school graduation,
it hurt.
It was his work, Michael.
He was always using
that for an excuse.
Look, he promised me
he'd be there and he wasn't.
( Twig snapping )
What was that?
Woman: Who are you?
What's going on here?
Wh-wh-what do you want?
- Come here!
- What're you doing?
Move 'em closer together.
Get away from her!
Mother: What do you want?
Michael: What are you...
Let go of me!
Let her up! You're hurting her!
No, no...
( All talking at once )
Man with camera:
Okay, now hold her there.
Look at the camera.
Smile, lady.
We're gonna make you a star.
Please, what do you want?
We'll do it!
Man: It's a nightmare!
That's my family!
And it's all because of me.
I'm sure of that.
Do you have any idea
who these guys are?
No.
The message is a
computer printout.
No marks, no prints,
no way to trace it.
Real professional.
What about the videotape?
I've had experts go over it.
Nothing.
No, all these
kidnappers want is me.
The message begins
with me flying into
Sherman parish airport,
Louisiana, tomorrow morning.
And I'll just bet they want
you arriving without company.
Yeah, or else Connie
and Michael are dead.
Well, I guess I got
a plane to catch.
What?
Well, I figure I should get
to Louisiana before you do
so they don't connect us.
I can't ask you to
help me on this one.
So don't ask.
( Twig snaps )
Frank? Oh, you surprised me.
Surprise kills.
Remember that.
It's all arranged.
You'll pick up
Thornton in the morning.
I'm counting on you.
Don't worry.
Don't underestimate him.
Failure is betrayal.
Welcome to my small slice
of the world, Connie... Michael.
Who are you?
I'm an old friend
of your father's.
I've been looking forward to
our meeting one day, Connie.
What do you want from us?
I want to see the light of
happiness in your eyes.
And then I want to
watch that light go out.
You're crazy.
Am I?
Who do you think
arranged for the Grant
that brought you both down here?
That's right.
You're bait to attract your
husband... your father...
Peter Thornton.
MacGyver: My plane
got into Louisiana
three hours before
Pete Thornton was due.
It gave me time to rent a bike
And get a map.
Pete was scheduled to
arrive right about now.
He'd been instructed to hire a
cab and proceed to parish road,
M-12, a dirt road right
in the middle of nowhere.
As soon as he was
contacted by the kidnappers,
We planned to activate
our communications system.
He was wearing one of
those ultra-modern watches...
Tells time, reads the date,
and sends out a radio signal.
I had the receiver.
So I could be out of sight...
But not out of touch.
You sure this is where
you want let off, mister?
Yeah, thanks.
( Beep )
Get in, Mr. Thornton.
Thornton: You're right on time.
( Steady beeping )
I want to know if
my family's all right.
Man: No talking.
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
I had to stay in radio
range or lose him.
Sometimes the best
way to follow a car
without being spotted
is not to follow at all...
Especially when you have
a transmitter working for you.
( Beeping continues )
Empty wagon parked in
the middle of bayou country
with nobody around gave rise
to a very strong notion.
They planned a vehicle switch.
Figured I should hang around
to see which road they'd take.
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping stops )
Man: Out. This is where
we switch transportation.
So what's this all about?
Simple...
I don't trust you.
Now get your clothes off.
Everything you got on.
What's the matter?
You think I'm wired?
We're wasting
time, Mr. Thornton.
Thornton: Whatever you say.
( Zipper unzips )
Everything?
Man: All of it!
Your shoes, your socks,
jewelry, the whole bit.
Thornton: Hey, what about
my money and personal papers?
Man 2: And I thought
it was your family you
were worried about.
Thornton: All right.
You made your point.
Man 2: Just hurry it up.
Man 2: It's a good
thing we don't have
a plane to catch.
Man 1: Thornton,
we don't have all day.
Listen, anybody could come
driving down the road here.
I'm a little shy.
Do you, do you mind if I
finish dressing over there?
Long as we watch.
Sure.
Thornton: You guys
are really nervous.
Man 2: We're careful.
Thornton: You know, if you
guys really think I'm wired,
you should check everything.
I could have a micro-transistor
in my shirt buttons.
Man 2: Come on, move it.
Maybe I've got
radioactive toenails.
Then maybe we
ought to pull 'em out!
You wanna start
something out here
In front of god and
everybody, go right ahead.
Push it.
Man 2: Knock it off!
Come on, get those clothes on.
We're runnin' late.
Thornton: Oh,
we're on a schedule?
Where are we goin'?
Man 2: You'll find out
when we get there.
Just keep movin'.
You're startin' to
get on my nerves.
Will you hurry up?
You don't really think I'd risk
having someone
follow me, do you?
Maybe. Maybe not.
This way we have nothing
to worry about, do we?
Now what?
Step right in.
Don't you have
somethin' to finish?
All right, get movin'.
You can keep the cash.
Burn everything else.
( Engine starts )
( Beeping )
( Beeping continues )
( Beeping continues )
♪ ♪
( Beeping continues )
Good morning.
Keep your mouth shut.
( Beeping )
( Rapid beeping )
the signal was getting stronger,
which meant the vehicle
was coming back
toward me in a hurry.
Nobody in it but the driver.
They had Pete and I had
no way of tracking him.
All I could do was time my rie
And estimate where
they were let off.
Excuse me.
You wouldn't happen to
have seen a couple of guys
Come by here with a...
( With southern accent ):
No... I ain't seen nothing.
And I'm busy.
What kind of flies you use?
If you don't mind my asking.
My own. Ties 'em myself.
Well, as long as they work.
You fish?
When I have time.
What do you pull out
of here besides catfish?
Any bass or crappie?
Bass, for sure.
My name's obadiah moss.
MacGyver.
I'd sure like to try this.
But I'm looking for
a friend right now.
Guy may have come by
here about ten, 12 minutes ago
With a couple of other fellas.
Your friend bald?
Kind of on the hefty side?
That's Pete.
Well, I might have seen him.
I'd sure appreciate
anything you could tell me.
They got into a skiff
and headed upriver.
Any idea where they
might be headed?
Into the swamp.
About 800 mile of it.
Bayous, shallows,
gators and snakes.
Sounds like a great
place to get lost.
For sure.
'Ceptin' this bayou runs
straight up for a mile,
then she splits.
You take the right channel,
she take you
right to gator camp.
Can't miss it.
Big old branch in the water
with a tire nailed on it.
And you think that could
be where they're going?
Ain't no "could be."
Gator camp only
dry land for 60 miles.
Them old boys with your friend?
I spied them there a week back.
Didn't care to stop and
chat with 'em then neither.
Yep. They sound like
the guys I'm looking for.
I'm grateful.
My pleasure, son.
Fishermen's got
to help each other.
Besides, uh, your friend...
He didn't look real happy.
Yeah, that figures.
Listen, obadiah, I'd sure
try and make you a good deal
if you'd rent me your boat.
Ain't worth too much.
Engine, she's liable to
just up and stop on ya.
I'll risk it.
How much further?
Relax. Enjoy the view.
I'm worried about my family.
Do you mind?
They're fine... so far.
Thanks a lot.
Take care now, you hear?
( Normal accent ):
Riverhead one to gator camp.
Do you read me?
I read you, riverhead one.
Go on.
There's a man
following Thornton.
Name of MacGyver.
MacGyver. Of course.
Pete would bring MacGyver.
I sent him upriver in my skiff.
He should reach the tire
on the branch in the river
At approximately 1100 hours.
Good, very good.
Come on up.
You can help us Bury MacGyver.
MacGyver...
Obadiah started out by
saying he hadn't seen anything.
But for someone who
didn't seem to want
to get involved, he
sure wasn't too shy
About telling me exactly
where Pete would be headed...
Right for that old tire
nailed to the big branch.
Slow down, we're getting there.
Don't worry yourself.
I know the way.
Thornton: Where are they?
They're locked up in the back.
Oh, Pete, thank god!
Michael, you...
You both all right?
Yeah.
Have you any idea
who's behind this?
It's been a long time, Peter.
Frank bonner.
I thought you were dead.
Surprise.
You do know him.
We worked together once.
As I said, we go back
a long way, Michael.
Back into shadows and darkness.
Right, Peter?
Whatever happened,
whatever you think happened,
That's between you
and me, not my family.
Let them go.
I can't.
Not until we all hear the truth.
And then I will extract payment.
In full!
What's he talking about?
I don't know.
He's brought me here
for some crazy reason.
And he's dragged
you two into it.
He hates you, doesn't he?
He thinks he does.
Connie, I'm sorry.
I always used to say you
have such interesting friends.
Obadiah said he
tied his own flies,
but the ones I saw stuck
in his hat were store bought.
Made me start thinking about
the directions he gave me.
He didn't want me to get lost,
But maybe he wanted
me to get found.
Well, I didn't
want to disappoint
Whoever was going
to be looking for me.
He said he was a mercenary.
Who is he?
He was one of our top agents
until he went sour.
We all had to deal in
violence, but he enjoyed it.
How many other men
have you seen besides him?
Three. The three who grabbed us.
Have you notified
the FBI or the police?
No, I couldn't risk that.
But I have got help coming.
MacGyver. He's a good friend.
You remember him.
One guy?
I thought with your work you
have a million connections.
They gave me
instructions, Michael.
If I had an army follow
me in here, they'd arrive
and find us all dead.
MacGyver is the best I know.
Yeah, but he's
still only one man.
Come out.
Move!
Somebody once told me
that when you're
alone in enemy territory,
you have to stay low,
stay careful, and
make a moving target.
So I made one.
When it comes to
art, I'm no expert,
But I know what I like.
Corey, frank
gave us a little job.
Stay close. You
might learn something.
Peter, I'd like your opinion
on a matter of tactics.
The use of a backup man.
Boone failed to pick him up,
but you failed, too.
What's the matter? Did
you forget the importance
Of a secondary line of defense?
Your man's good,
but he's not perfect.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
( Chuckles )
MacGyver.
Dunn, come in.
I can hear his motor.
Figure maybe another 30 seconds.
Corey: You sure
it's the same dude?
No question about it.
That's obadiah's boat.
He's dead and he
doesn't even know it.
( Explosion )
Hey, frank...
That sound you heard?
We got him.
Message received.
Return to base...
And we'll go on with our
next piece of business.
Back in the room.
Well, the alligators ought
to be happy... free lunch.
Just make sure they
don't leave anything.
Don't worry.
I'm going back to the cabin.
It was pretty obvious
that obadiah had
sold me down the river,
so I wasn't too upset
that I hadn't given him
a deposit on his boat.
I figured
I'd just shell out a
bonus to his buddies.
( Groans )
( Muffled yells )
Hey, wish me luck.
'Cause if I don't make it back,
you could retire right here.
Look, we can't just sit here.
We wait.
We heard an
explosion, that's all.
MacGyver is damn hard to kill.
Oh, come on. He's dead. Face it.
If we're going to do anything,
we have to do it right now.
Michael, listen!
Look, we're in here
because of you.
And now you're gambling
mom's life for one miracle man?
He's dead!
Temper, temper.
And to hell with you.
Ho-ho-ho!
Stop it!
I can ice him, frank.
No!
No, not that way.
Not that quickly.
No...
And you, Michael,
if you ever raise your
voice to me again,
I'll cut your tongue out.
Why can't you just
tell us what you want?
He wants revenge.
I want justice!
What are you talking about?
Your husband...
Killed my wife and my son.
This your courtroom, frank?
You sit in that
chair over there.
I want your family
to hear the truth.
Three and a half
years ago in Yemen,
I was Pete's point
man in the field,
and I moved my wife
and my son there to live.
Well, that was your choice.
You said it was under control.
It was when we started.
Three other agents
moved their families there
To live, too, remember?
Safety factor was fine.
You know what went wrong, frank.
Corey,
Give me the pliers.
Come on.
( Grunts )
We were sent there
to keep the peace,
And we ended up in the
middle of a tribal war, didn't we?
And that's when you ran
out on me and my family.
Have you ever explained any
of this to your wife and your son?
Everything about that
operation was classified
Until a couple of months ago.
I couldn't explain anything...
Not even to my family.
What about my wife, and my son?
What I had was a donkey
engine, which got its name
because it works like a mule.
( Grunting )
And I had a fair amount of rope.
By attaching the
rope to the engine,
I could create an awful
lot of pulling power,
the kind of power
that would hopefully
Get Pete and his family out.
But I had one little problem.
I had to start the engine
while I was up
close to the house,
which was about 50 feet away.
Sometimes, the only way
you can solve a problem
is to be in two places at onc.
By splicing a piece
of wire into the rope
and then connecting
it to the ignition switch,
I had just what I needed...
A long distance starter cord.
Frank's wife and son got
caught in a guerrilla raid.
Like the rest of us.
The only difference was
they got caught alone
Because you weren't
there to protect them.
I was in the field.
I sent them to you for safety.
And you ran out on them.
That's what you've
been telling yourself
for the last three years?
That's what happened.
What happened to
the almost $800,000
you were given to
buy us information
so we could make
the right moves?
Don't change the subject.
Oh, that is the subject, frank,
because you never
contacted anybody.
You never recruited anybody.
You never paid anybody.
You faked intelligence
reports and you kept the money.
What the hell are
you talking about?
You embezzled
agency funds, frank,
so that when the
sharit attacked,
we had no warning. Not a clue!
Shut up! You're lying
now just like you did then.
Oh, you sent your wife
and your son to me, sure!
And you weren't there.
But it wasn't for
their safety, was it?
It was so they'd
be out of the way
while you shipped out
the money you'd stolen.
You weren't there!
No, because I
got hit in the attack
you didn't warn us about.
The same attack
that killed your family.
No! You're responsible
for their death!
And payment will be made.
Shh!
♪ ♪
You are the one
who's paying, frank.
And it's killing you.
You can't lay your guilt on me.
It doesn't work.
It won't fit.
Look, what
happened was terrible,
and you're going to have to
live with that your whole life.
But doing this
isn't going to help.
For god's sake, frank,
we were friends once.
Friends?
( Chuckles )
That's good, Peter.
But not good enough.
There will be a death.
There will be an execution.
No...
Oh, I wouldn't dream
of killing him now.
I want him to learn
something first.
I want him to see his son dead
like I saw mine.
Dad!
In order for my plan to work,
I had to get the bad
guys out of the house.
To do that, I had
to get their attention.
This can of gas should
do the trick just fine.
An oil-soaked rag
makes a perfect fuse.
It'll burn slow
So I can get away
before I blow myself up.
It's very hard, I know.
Don't blame me.
Blame your father.
Now I want you to stand up.
Let's go outside very quietly.
Lock 'em up in the room, quick!
Come on, come on!
Move!
( Explosions )
( Flames crackling )
What's happening?
It's got to be MacGyver.
( Engine starts )
Come on!
Go!
Head that way!
I'll distract 'em.
Oh! Oh!
- Come on.
- Oh!
Don't even think about moving.
There's nothing
we can do right now.
- Come on.
- But mom...
If we can get away,
we can come back.
Now come on.
Where's the boy?
Where is he?!
Find the boy!
Find him!
All right, move.
Move it!
Stay close.
I think we lost 'em.
Shh!
Get down.
Don't sweat it, we'll find them.
I want that MacGyver.
I don't know how he
got past me last time.
Hi. Name's MacGyver.
I know.
So what're we gonna do?
That guy, bonner's, crazy.
He could kill my mom and Pete.
No, not while they're
still out hunting for us.
We got time.
You know what methane is?
- Swamp gas.
- Yeah.
I'm no chemist, but I
know it stinks and it burns.
It also explodes
when it's confined.
So, if we put some
swamp gas in a container,
we got a little bomb.
And for containers...
Bamboo?
To make bombs?
You bet.
It's hollow and it's got
its own built-in plugs.
So...
Start cutting some lengths
about three, four feet.
Then we'll start
our own fireworks.
Well, I thought he was Corey.
I mean, he was
wearing Corey's fatigues.
He took Corey out.
And you.
You didn't find him.
It'll be dark soon, frank.
We'll nail him in the morning.
Sure, all we got to do is wait.
Oh, is that your
expert opinion? Huh?
Then you take the first watch.
Go on. Get out of here!
Methane's lighter
than gas, so it rises,
pushes the air out
of the bamboo piece
Until it's full of gas.
Well, how do you
know when it's full?
Use your nose.
Whoa!
( Chuckles ): It's full.
This is the tricky part.
All right, there she is.
Loaded, armed and fused.
What if you're wrong?
I mean, methane's
supposed to burn, but...
You're right.
So what do you say we
try a little field test, huh?
Whoa!
( Whistles )
Oh, my god, it might work.
Yeah... it better.
Pete's a really good
friend of yours, isn't he?
The best.
You call him "Pete," huh?
Yeah, I guess that's
the way I think of him.
He was never very close.
Not much of a father.
Yeah, well, he's made
some mistakes, that's for sure.
He's not perfect.
But he tried, didn't he?
Yeah, I'll give him that.
It's just that he never
let me get close.
And I, I just found out why
he missed my graduation.
And he had a
reason, a good reason.
It's just that he never
explained it to me.
He never let me understand.
It was classified. He couldn't.
That was three years ago.
And two of his men
were held hostage
for 31 months of
that three years.
He couldn't say anything.
He couldn't explain that?
Are you kidding
me? He took an oath.
He lives by that.
He wanted to tell you
when they were finally freed.
About five months
back, remember?
You wouldn't see him.
I was busy. I...
I didn't want to get in a fight.
I guess I was afraid
of being angry or hurt.
I don't know, I just...
I don't understand him.
Yeah, well, he doesn't
understand you very well either.
But he sure loves you.
When do you
graduate from college?
In two years. Why?
Invite him.
I can guarantee
you he'll be there.
It's over, frank.
MacGyver's clear.
He'll be back tomorrow...
And he won't be alone.
Wrong.
The only way out
of here's by boat,
And we've got that covered.
Double check it.
And see that Dunn's
on his toes out there.
If this sours,
if I lose the boy,
the rules change.
Connie first, then you.
( Pebble plunks )
( Gunfire )
MacGyver!
Find him!
Let's go. Outside.
Come on, move!
( Whispers ): Mike!
Come on.
We gotta hustle.
They're out there.
They got Dunn.
Well, we'll give them
something to watch.
Oh...!
Shoot her!
Shoot her!
No...!
( Explosion, gunfire )
( Screams )
Stay here.
Obadiah: They're throwing bombs!
Frank: Where in the
hell did they get 'em?
Obadiah: How do I know?
Look out! There's another one!
( Grunting )
( Groans )
Michael, no!
He was gonna kill you.
Thornton: That's what he is,
not what we are, son.
Listen to your father, Mike.
You know he's right.
MacGyver: I call this
my cajun cuisine special...
Bayou burned blackened redfish.
Don't tell me you picked that up
while we were down
in New Orleans?
Oh, I flew in early, remember?
I had time enough to collect
a few recipes, pass the time.
Are you sure you're supposed
to add that much tabasco?
Trust me, Connie, trust me.
Come on, mom, live dangerously.
Speaking of which...
He said subtly...
How would you like to go to
the Lakers game tomorrow night?
Are you all of a sudden
playing dad, dad?
Yeah, I am.
In that case, it'd be terrific.
( Sighs )
Great.
Listen, maybe
we could all go out
And, uh, have a bite afterwards?
No, Pete, thanks.
You two have a
lot to catch up on.
You know, Connie,
for what it's worth,
I, uh, I'm really proud of you.
And now, ladies and gentlemen,
the infamous MacGyver's
bayou burned blackened redfish.
Wha...!
Ooh!
Whoa!
( Laughing )
Whoops.
( Laughing )
What do you say we send
out for cheeseburgers?