MacGyver (1985–1992): Season 6, Episode 6 - Lesson in Evil - full transcript

(Both screaming)

Ah!

Kids: Trick or treat!

Help the homeless, mister.

Oh, you bet.

We were just kidding.
We're not really monsters.

Yeah. Sure you're not.

(Elevator bell dings)

I know, I know, I'm sorry.

It's about time, MacGyver.

We were beginning to think
you weren't gonna make it.



How's it going?

Well, zito is behaving
like a perfect gentleman.

Ah, the mask of sanity?

Yeah, he always
did put on a good act.

But we're in for big
trouble if the judge buys it.

If zito's declared sane, he
walks out of here a free man.

No way.

What about all those murders
the d.A. Still has to prosecute, huh?

That was five years
ago, MacGyver.

Witnesses have
died, evidence is cold.

D.a. Probably doesn't even
have enough of a case left

to even bring the man to court.

And that hospital shrink, Skinner,
she's making zito sound like a victim

instead of a serial killer.



Well, how'd your testimony go?

- All right.
- It went well.

Except for zito sitting there
staring at me the whole time.

Howard: According to
your written statement,

you first met Dr. Zito two
years ago. Isn't that right?

MacGyver: Yes.

Mr. MacGyver,

you sometimes work for
the Phoenix foundation

which has a contract to supply

forensic and scientific assistance
to the police department?

That's right.

And you encountered Dr. Zito when
the Phoenix foundation helped the police

track down an escaped
serial killer named Eric cross?

Yes, I was searching cross' cell

for forensic evidence.

And you discovered that
zito helped cross escape?

MacGyver: That's right.

He engineered the whole thing.

Howard: Engineered?
Would you clarify that?

Zito called the orderlies,

And he told them cross was sick.

They thought he had a heart
attack, which was not the case.

What cross was suffering
from was alkalosis.

The same symptoms
as a heart attack,

only self-induced chemically.

Cross had ingested a solution
with a very high alkaline content.

Zito provided him
with the drinking cup.

Then he came up with a way
to deliver it all to cross' cell.

I figured out zito's plan,
and I proved it to him.

Do you have an opinion as to what
zito's motive was for doing all this?

Yes.

Revenge.

See, cross wasn't really free.

Zito controlled
him psychologically.

He manipulated cross
to attack his real target,

Which was lieutenant Murphy.

The same police officer who
arrested zito for his original murders?

Yes.

In zito's eyes she beat him

And his ego just
couldn't handle it.

So he used cross to retaliate.

Murphy and her partner,
sweeney, were lured into a trap,

in which detective
sweeney was killed.

Zito had cross convinced
he could purge his sins

By performing a human sacrifice.

And, of course, zito
chose the sacrifice victim.

In his twisted mind, I'm sure he
thought it was the perfect murder.

And it almost worked.

There is absolutely no proof to
these outrageous accusations!

You're here to provide
medical testimony, Dr. Skinner,

not act as counsel.

Did cross ever admit that
zito was behind his actions?

Cross hanged himself in his cell
before anyone had a chance to ask.

Mr. MacGyver,

how would you describe zito?

Evil.

Howard: I have no further
questions, your honor.

Any questions for this witness?

No, your honor.

You may step down, Mr. MacGyver.

(Sighs)

All right. I've
reached a decision.

Dr. Skinner says you're sane.

Fit for release.

I think she's dead wrong.

The testimonies of Mr. MacGyver
and lieutenant Murphy

tell me that you're as dangerous

As when you were
first committed.

Perhaps more so.

Therefore,

the petition for your
release is denied.

And you are ordered
to remain incarcerated.

(Gavel pounding)

This hearing is adjourned.

(Laughing) We did it, MacGyver.

Congratulations.

You made a noble
attempt, Dr. Skinner.

Thank you for your
help and Patience.

It's not over yet. Sign this.

I'm going to help your attorney
file an immediate appeal.

Uh...

Oh, really.

Do you have to keep him
chained like some wild animal?

Oh, they're only
doing their job, doctor.

(Chuckles)

I, uh, I can't thank you enough.

Your faith in me has been a
great comfort through this ordeal.

Well, we're going
to keep fighting.

You've made too much
progress to give up now.

Oh, be assured, I never
give up, Dr. Skinner.

I think you forgot
something, Dr. Zito.

Oh.

(Laughing) Where's my mind?

Your pen, doctor.

And again,

- My gratitude.
- I'll see you soon.

Once again,

The fates have
brought us together.

As long as they keep
you locked up forever.

Oh, the same predictable Murphy.

Nothing you said to
the judge was surprising.

But you, Mr. MacGyver,

your description of
me was fascinating.

Do you actually think you're
qualified to judge what is evil?

I just call it as I see it.

I'm an expert on the subject.

One day I'll educate you.

A lesson in evil, you might say.

(Sighing)

Well, Charles,

It seems you just
can't get rid of me.

Fine by me,

so long as you
don't step out of line.

Oh, wouldn't dream of it.

Oh, may I?

Yeah, sure.

Man: I'm not sure, ma'am.

Woman: I thought
it was on this floor.

Charles: Family courts
are on the fifth floor, ma'am.

I... i want the counselor.
Would that be with the court?

Uh, yes, ma'am. That's, uh,
right on up those steps there.

Just go on up
to the fifth floor.

Oh, thank you very much.

You're welcome, ma'am.

(Thornton rasping)

That zito, he's a walking
cold front, isn't he?

I'm just glad the
judge didn't buy his act.

It's not an act, lieutenant.

(Sighing)

(Mumbling)

(Elevator bell dings)

(Screaming)

(Woman crying)

(Grunts)

(Sighing)

Lieutenant Murphy, Metro
division. What happened?

Zito escaped. We
sealed the building.

Both of his guards are dead.

Thornton: How did it happen?

Chief: Zito strangled one
of them with his chains.

- Oh, no! Oh, my god!
- The other was stabbed repeatedly.

Murphy: Stabbed? With what?

We don't know. Something small.

We're still looking
for a weapon.

Did anyone see him
come off the elevator?

No one.

It's like he, he
just disappeared.

We've got to find him, before
he gets out of the building.

I've got people mobilized
to cover every exit.

It's happening now.

(Kids screaming)

Both: Trick or treat, mister.

Oh. Ha.

For a couple of fine-looking
monsters like you, trick.

(Exclaiming)

I saw him, I saw him! He left
the building dressed as a bailiff.

It was zito!

He's gone.

Oh, god.

Zito's out there.

Paramedic: All
right. Ready. Lift.

It's unbelievable that one man
could bring about that much carnage

with a simple ballpoint pen.

I let him use it to
sign some papers.

He only had it for a moment.

That's all he needed.

We found this on
one of the bodies.

It's addressed to you.

"Your lesson in evil
begins, MacGyver.

"6 times 2 minus 8 equals?"

Does that mean anything to you?

It means something to zito.

He promised MacGyver
a lesson in evil.

6 times 2 minus 8
equals 4. That's so simple.

How does that fit in
with zito's twisted brain?

I think it has to do with where
he wants the lesson to start.

(Gate opening)

Why would he deliberately
lead us back to his cell?

He likes to play
games, remember?

(People chattering)

Murphy: Library card.

Yeah, it's a message.

He remembered.

The book,

the chemicals, the
means of transport,

They all connect
to your cell, Dr. Zito.

You helped Eric cross escape.

So,

Now what?

Are you gonna have them
take away my library card?

He wanted me to find this.

He could have left it
there unintentionally.

No, no, zito doesn't do
anything unintentionally.

I'll bet this lesson started
the day I stopped cross.

Two years ago?

Yeah.

Just about the same time he
started therapy with Dr. Skinner.

You know,

He never expected to
win that sanity hearing.

You mean everything he's
done for the past two years,

He did to manipulate his escape
today? No. No, that is too...

Evil, maybe?

MacGyver, telephone.

Hello?

Zito: I assume you're well into
the game by now, MacGyver.

(Whispering) Zito.

I hated to cut short our
little discussion about evil.

It's a subject
close to my heart.

Why don't you just
get to the point, huh?

Oh, sorry, MacGyver.

This you'll have to
do by the numbers.

Evil cannot be beaten

simply by confronting it.

That will be the first
lesson in your education.

My so-called lesson in evil?

Oh, I do so enjoy
teaching a bright pupil.

You'll find your homework
assignment at the pay phone

in front of the east
entrance of the hospital.

I'll see you in
school, MacGyver.

Let us out of here.

MacGyver.

- "3 times 10 divided by 2?"
- 15.

Fifteen what?

(Telephone ringing)

Murphy: Now let me see
if I follow this, MacGyver.

You're saying the number four got
you to his cell and the library card,

so the number 15 should tell you
something about his reading habits?

That's the general idea.

So where does all this stuff

from the shopping
cart come into it?

I have no idea.

Maybe Pete'll come
up with something

after he runs the stuff
through the Phoenix lab.

Well, these are all the books that
zito checked out at the hospital library

in the past two years.

Well, well, would
you look at that.

And here I thought he spent
all his time conning shrinks.

All right, ladies, what do
you say we get started?

Where?

Fifteenth book? Fifteenth
page? Fifteenth paragraph?

Yes. All of the above.

(Telephone ringing)

Here we go.

Page 15.

Murphy: He's written
another equation.

That'll be three.

"The three fates."

Yeah, you remember
what zito said in court

about the fates
bringin' us together?

Mmm-hmm.

Murphy: It says here the
ancient Greeks believed

- (telephone ringing)
- They controlled the future.

MacGyver.

Zito: This is your
teacher speaking.

I'll get a trace.

So speak.

Just interested
in your progress.

(Chuckling) Have you
read any good books lately?

As a matter of
fact, I'm on page 15

of myths and legends
of ancient Greece.

Ah, you deciphered my message.

Bravo, you are a good
student, MacGyver.

Shall we see if you
can solve the riddle?

Riddle?

Look hard,

Be diligent, and it will happen
when you least expect it.

Remember, evil is
never predictable.

It follows no pattern.

It strikes friends,

loved ones, coworkers.

Then, when you least expect,

it comes home for the kill.

That will be your next
lesson, MacGyver.

Got a question
for you, professor.

Why me?

Call it a rematch.

You think you beat me last time,

But the game never
ends, MacGyver.

I will win this time.

No one can stop me.

It's in the hands of the fates.

(Phone goes dead)

Not enough time.

He's playing with us!

He mentioned the fates again.

Yes. The three fates.

Somehow they're
the key to his riddle.

(Telephone ringing)

Captain Kiley.

Yeah, Pete. What do you have?

Uh, j-just hold on, let me
put you on the speaker.

We just found another
of zito's math puzzles.

The formula was written on
the shears from the shopping cart

in fluorescent paint.

The lab spotted it
under an ultraviolet scan.

Better write it down.

"2 times 12, minus 4."

Got it.

I'm leaving now for
the police station.

See you back here, Pete.

Twenty.

What could he be telling us?

If we could just figure
out what twenty means,

maybe we could find
some sort of pattern.

Then we can really nail him.

Nail him, lieutenant?

Isn't it your job to arrest
zito rather than execute him?

You still don't get it, do you?

As long as zito is
alive, he is dangerous!

Someone should blow
him out of his shoes.

Captain, is it normal
police procedure

to allow someone who
is so emotionally involved

to be assigned
to a case like this?

Doctor, we do everything in our
power to capture any suspect alive.

Zito is no exception.

That's our standard
operating procedure.

Isn't that right, lieutenant?

Yes sir.

It's sop.

Zito: (On tape)
It strikes friends,

loved ones, coworkers.

Then, when you least expect,

it comes home for the kill.

MacGyver, what are you on to?

What you said about
standard procedure.

We know zito prides himself on
his knowledge of police procedure.

He proved that with
the cross investigation.

So, he'd know that all the stuff
he left us in that shopping cart

would be examined
by the Phoenix lab.

Right again. So?

So maybe he's found a way to connect
the number 20 with the Phoenix lab.

The same way he did with
4 and 15 in his other clues.

The question is, how?

Friends, loved ones, coworkers.

(Rewinding)

follows no pattern.

It strikes friends,
loved ones, coworkers.

(Stops)

friends,

coworkers...

Oh, man.

Twenty.

That's Pete's parking
space at Phoenix research.

(Ringing)

(Gun clicking)

I've been expecting
you, Mr. Thornton.

Um, how did you
sleep, Mr. Thornton?

Well, I trust?

Tell me, how do you
like my sanctuary?

(Muffled mumbling)

Don't bother struggling.

This device was made
a hundred years ago

to restrain particularly
violent prisoners.

The clamp kept them
from biting off their tongues.

Very humane.

Save your strength.

I need you for
MacGyver's next lesson.

(Grunting)

Murphy: This is crazy.

All these formulas and numbers.

We'll never find
Pete at this rate.

(Typewriter clacking)

(Sighing)

I don't get it.

And where does
all this stuff fit in?

Well,

I think it's the
key to zito's riddle.

Here, take a look.

Murphy: The three fates.

Greek mythology was
my worst subject in school.

Well, they were supposed
to control the future.

One was a Weaver of
cloth, which symbolized birth.

Second weighed life
on a scale or balance.

(Telephone ringing)

And the shears

cut the thread.

Death.

Yeah.

But what does it mean?

I don't know. I think
maybe in his own sick mind,

he's trying to
control the future.

They just found
Pete's car. Come on.

Dumped right in front of the
police station in broad daylight.

(Sighing) It's crazy.
Doesn't make any sense.

(Sighing) It's just
an old doormat.

That's mine.

- Come on.
- I'll call for backup.

It's sop, MacGyver.

(Groaning)

You okay, Pete?

(Grunting)

(Groaning)

Thornton: Zito's gone.

He left another message.

(Gun clicking)

Murphy!

(Screaming)

Murphy!

(Breathing heavily)

No!

Male paramedic: Patient is female,
Caucasian. Multiple fractures to one leg,

evidence of concussion.
Standby for vitals.

I'm starting iv with
9% normal saline.

Prep the er for eta 20 minutes.

Let's move her.

MacGyver?

Right here, Murphy.

Zito planted that bomb for me.

He knew I'd do a
room-to-room search.

It's sop.

Get him, MacGyver.
Get him for me.

(Whispering) All right.

Lieutenant.

I'm so sorry.

I guess,

guess you were right about
not being emotionally involved.

I didn't anticipate zito
the way I should have.

That makes two of us.

You know, maybe she's right.

Maybe he can't be
stopped until he's dead.

The answer to the math
problem on the wall there is 18.

I wrote it down with the others.

(Sighing)

Pete, do you remember anything
about where zito took you?

No, not really.

I was blindfolded until
he chained me to the wall.

That was in a small
room with an old bathtub.

The building
itself felt big, old.

It smelled musty, like
an abandoned building.

He called it his sanctuary.

Sanctuary.

He's used that word before.

The monastery.

What was that, Dr. Skinner?

Something zito said.

In our final session
before the hearing,

I asked him what
he was going to do.

If he were set free, where
he planned on going.

He said he wanted
to go to a monastery.

Did you make transcripts
of those sessions?

Yes. I have it all
on tape at my office.

Can you get them for us?

Oh, yes, of course.

I'll bring 'em to the
police station right away.

I hope the lieutenant
will be all right.

You know, I can't
shake the feeling

that zito is just
laughing at us.

You mean, like, he's
changed the rules of the game

without telling us?

Yeah. Like that.

(Sighing) Oh, man.

Mike, let me see that.

He's got two 15s.

Why two?

Oh, great.

Perfect timing.

Oh, boy.

Of course.

That's why he
repeated the number.

What, what, what?
You lost me. What?

Well, these numbers stand
for letters in the alphabet.

Thornton: That's an o.

T.

P, q, r!

Doctor.

Doctor.

Both: Skinner.

State psychiatric
hospital, and hurry please.

Excuse me, what
is this back here?

It's the battery from
your car, Dr. Skinner.

I took the Liberty
of removing it.

(Car engine starting)

(Creaking)

Zito: (On tape) ...Intimacy
with other people.

I've grown accustomed to
the routine of the hospital.

I'd miss it.

Skinner: (On tape) You
wouldn't return home?

(telephone ringing)

My only true home

Where would you go?

MacGyver.

How is lieutenant Murphy?

Well, I'm sorry, zito.

She's gonna be just fine.

I must send her a get well card.

What have you done
with Dr. Skinner?

You deciphered my code.
Very good, MacGyver,

a plus.

Now, your final exam.

You must solve the riddle.

But to do it,

you'll have to
find my sanctuary.

You have one hour, MacGyver.

If you don't,

the good doctor will die.

So be sure and come alone.

This is a private
lesson, MacGyver.

(Phone goes dead)

Still no trace.

Sanctuary.

He said it again.

Oh, what does it mean?

We've got less than
an hour to find out.

I've chosen a fitting
tomb for you, doctor.

Here,

in this relic of your
barbaric profession,

surrounded by the
tools of your trade,

these cruel devices

to hold and torment
the so-called insane,

abandoned people,

locked up,

Left to rot in their madness.

This is your legacy, doctor.

This was prescribed treatment
to calm violent patients.

No.

The ice water rises,

slowly numbs the body,

deadens the nerves,

Until all feeling is
temporarily gone.

(Sighing)

This, ahem, will make the
sensation more permanent.

It's my own version of
electroshock therapy.

Zito: (On tape) You
must solve the riddle.

But to do it,

you'll have to
find my sanctuary.

You have one hour, MacGyver.

(Sighing)

What else can sanctuary mean?

My people have checked every
monastery and church in the city. Nothing.

Well, you don't find this
kind of thing in a church.

You know, when
zito put that on me,

he laughed and he said

that it was used to keep violent
prisoners from biting off their tongues.

Not prisoners,

Patients.

Patients?

Listen to what zito
says to Dr. Skinner.

(Tape rewinding)

Zito: Intimacy
with other people.

I've grown accustomed to
the routine of the hospital.

I'd miss it.

Skinner: You
wouldn't return home?

My only true home is the asylum.

Zito's sanctuary is an asylum.

What better place for
him to feel at home.

Now, the health department
shut down that old asylum

out on river road
about 40 years ago.

And that was a monastery
before they turned it into an asylum.

10 minutes. I can still make it.

Forget it, MacGyver. Last
time we almost lost Murphy.

I'm not letting you go
in there without backup.

Mike, you know we'd lose
Skinner if he sees anybody but me.

Kiley, he's right.

Okay, but we'll be no
more than a block away.

(Skinner quavering)

You look cold, doctor.

Don't worry.

The water will heat up soon.

Goodbye, Dr. Skinner.

You've been a great help.

(Grunts)

(Skinner groaning)

MacGyver! Help!

Oh, thank god, help me!

MacGyver, the water's rising,
I'm gonna be electrocuted!

(Doorknob rattling)

Help me, please!

(Skinner exclaiming)

Zito: Do you really
think I'd give you a door

With a lock that you can
pick open, MacGyver?

(Metallic clanking)

zito: That sound you hear

is the only key that
will open that door.

Come and get it.

(Door creaking)

Welcome to school, MacGyver.

This is your classroom.

Without this key,
Dr. Skinner will die.

You are about to kill the only person
in this world who wants to help you.

The nature of evil, MacGyver.

And you'll have to kill me

to pass the exam.

Can you, MacGyver?

Do you have what
it takes to kill me?

You do want me dead.

I know it.

This is your chance.

Pick it up.

It's a shame about
poor lieutenant Murphy,

Lying in the hospital, her
insides broken like glass.

I must pay her a visit.

I hate to leave
a job unfinished.

Pick it up, MacGyver!

Sorry, zito.

I know your riddle.

Oh?

The three fates.

They control the future.

The rope is the thread of life.

The gun, the
shears that cut it off.

That leaves scales,

or a balance.

Add a little extra weight

To trigger it off.

(Bell clanging)

(Grunting)

(Gasping)

Evil never plays fair.

That's why it will always win.

And you lose.

End of lesson,

MacGyver.

(Grunting)

(Bell clanging)

(Groaning)

(Grunting)

Now look!

Take a look!

(Grunts)

I'm keeping you
alive for Dr. Skinner.

But this is for Murphy.

(Bell tolling)

(Skinner groaning)

MacGyver, hurry!

Hurry!

(Screams)

(Buzzing)

(Sighs)

- Take it easy.
- Would you stop mothering me?

- I've got the hang of these.
- Ow!

(All cheering)

Oh, thank you.

You knew about this, didn't you?

- Who, me?
- Yes.

The sign says
it all, lieutenant.

Welcome home.

Thanks, captain.

It's good to be back
on my feet again.

Well, one of 'em, anyway.

(All laughing)

Listen, considering zito's track
record, I'd say you're pretty lucky.

When I think that it all started
because of a simple ballpoint pen.

Well, zito is back
in maximum security

Under close guard and restraint.

And he'll never escape again.