Customer Reviews

MacGyver - The Complete Second Season

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A unique and different kind of TV action series, MacGyver made its television premiere in the Fall of 1985 to much fanfare. Audiences immediately responded to the title character and his unusual penchant for turning everyday items like chewing gum and paperclips into elaborate life-saving contraptions. In this way, it maintained a slight resemblance to The A-Team, and this recurring plot device helped MacGyver build a strong cult following...

Richard Dean Anderson plays the title role of MacGyver, an energetic employee of the fictional Phoenix Foundation for Research. An unorthodox hero by action series standards, MacGyver has a deadly fear of heights. A pacifist who refuses to use weapons, he relies heavily on his ability to use his brain and tinker with the various materials at his disposal. MacGyver's best friend, and the director of the Phoenix Foundation, is Pete Thornton (Dana Elcar). Pete often sends MacGyver on Foundation missions and sometimes comes to his aid (usually after MacGyver has saved the day). In addition, MacGyver is joined on a regular basis by his airplane pilot friend Jack Dalton (Bruce McGill), a man who constantly entangles himself in illegal activities and other troublesome situations. Between the usual slew of bad guys, the vendetta of archenemy Murdoc (Michael Des Barres), and his multitude of troublesome friends, MacGyver is always in the midst of interesting and dangerous events, and the show's true entertainment value derives from watching MacGyver's distinctive method of dealing with each one...

The MacGyver (Season 2) DVD features a number of action-packed episodes including the season premiere "The Human Factor" in which MacGyver and the Phoenix Foundation are called upon to test the security of a top-secret military installation. When MacGyver makes a bet with the security designer, Dr. Jill Ludlum, he successfully gains entry, but the automated system traps them both inside (with a dwindling supply of oxygen) where they're forced to race for their lives against a ticking clock... Other notable episodes from Season 2 include "The Road Not Taken" in which MacGyver encounters his former fiancée while helping a nun, and "Birth Day" in which MacGyver must guard a pregnant woman from her husband, who's out to kill her...

Below is a list of episodes included on the MacGyver (Season 2) DVD:

Episode 23 (The Human Factor)
Episode 24 (The Eraser)
Episode 25 (Twice Stung)
Episode 26 (The Wish Child)
Episode 27 (Final Approach)
Episode 28 (Jack of Lies)
Episode 29 (The Road Not Taken)
Episode 30 (Eagles)
Episode 31 (Silent World)
Episode 32 (Three for the Road)
Episode 33 (Phoenix Under Siege)
Episode 34 (Family Matter)
Episode 35 (Soft Touch)
Episode 36 (Birth Day)
Episode 37 (Pirates)
Episode 38 (Out in the Cold)
Episode 39 (Dalton, Jack of Spies)
Episode 40 (Partners)
Episode 41 (Bushmaster)
Episode 42 (Friends)
Episode 43 (D.O.A.: MacGyver)
Episode 44 (For Love or Money)

The DVD Report

It's amazing that Season 2 has come so quick on the heels of of Season 1. The first thing that the buyer who purchased season 1 will notice different about the complete second season is the new slimmer packaging. The set is six discs but they have got those babies squeezed in a nice small box. The discs are housed in jackets-2 in eack jacket case. Another plus about this set is no nasty dual discs like a lot of other one hour releases currently on the market. The discs are a bright yellow color with the disc number clearly marked and the episode names on the disc. The set includes 22 episodes from the second season.This set is noticably smaller than the complete first season. The art work is similar to season 1. The images aren't particularly crisp, but they did manage to include the now popular Terri Hatcher in a still photo on the back cover. You can also check out a very 80's picture of Terri on the back of the jacket for discs 3 & 4.

The season opens with the exciting episode, "The Human Factor." MacGyver gets trapped in a computer and has to get out or else he will be toast. There were a lot of exciting episodes from the second season. In the episode, "The Road Not Taken," Macgyver makes a trip to South East Asia in an attempt to rescue a nun and a group of orphans only to discover his ex-girlfriend there.

The episodes are well, MacGyver episodes. This show has never really went away and can still be seen in syndication on many networks. It aired on WGN Superstation at one time. If you are a MacGyver fan you will enjoy this set. The episodes look about the same as they do on the television episodes and just like season 1, there are no new extras. No commentary or interviews. It's Macgyver! If you are a MacGyver fan you will be pleased. This set would also make a great Father's Day gift.

The MacGyver television series can be divided roughly into two separate phases, each plagued by different problems. The first phase would be the first few seasons, blessed with great writing and acting but unfortunately overtly dated with campy special effects and the overuse of stock footage. The second phase, particularly the last couple years of the show, saw the special effects improve but unfortunately the writing suffered. The storylines became corny and MacGyver became more of an urban-savior, dealing more with ghettos and gangs rather than rugged CIA-type secret agent work. Still, the second season marks a time when the show was finding its stride, and the second, third, and fourth seasons really were the best of the entire series. The episode plots in season two are similar in style to those of the first season -- MacGyver travels all over the world to foil plots involving drugs, kidnapping, environmental destruction -- all while using his brains and science rather than brute strength or guns. But the characters are better developed in the second season, particularly that of Pete Thorton (MacGyver's boss), who becomes a prime player and good friend of MacGyver's. Like in all seasons, MacGyver rescues countless women, all of whom he seems to have dated at some point in his past. But it's good wholesome fun from an era when television action shows weren't all about computerized special effects.

Although I do not consider myself a die-hard viewer of MacGyver, I would nevertheless like to point out with regret that Dana Elcar (ne Ibson Dana Elcar), who portrayed Pete Thornton and whose real-life battle with glaucoma was incorporated into the script, passed away around June 6 or 7, 2005.

In spite of his struggle with the glaucoma that eventually cost him his eyesight, he continued to work using a special computerized text-writing device. He was a great character actor, appearing in countless movies and television episodes and more recently, in roles tailored for him. One such role was in an episode of ER as a sightless diabetic.

He will be greatly missed.

Loyalty is what really keeps people coming back to MacGyver. It has been fifteen years since MacGyver ended his 7 season run and I still love the show. I recognize that it is campy (just ask MSN), the plot is often thin and the way that items show up just perfect for MacGyver's use is...well, predictable. However, even though this is a formula show, I would guess that, just as with me, many people love and watch this show because of the memories surrounding watching the original broadcasts. I wasn't able to get into the first few seasons when it originally aired as I was only 3 years old. But I do remember that on Monday nights I got to stay up late so that I could watch MacGyver with my Dad, who would remark at every commercial break, "MacGyver's a dead man." Simple memories like this make me want to continue to watch this show. It is this same loyalty and memory that allows me to give this show three stars. I have no intention of telling anyone that this show is masterful in its acting, directing or plot, it is often silly. I know that the show is sometimes stupid, but as someone that can't turn on the TV anymore because the current programming saddens me, I long for the campy shows of just a few years ago. The entertainment value of the show builds this show up. My own roommate will only watch the show when I'm watching it. Mostly so he can make fun of it, but it also is entertaining him. MacGyver will remain on my shelves. Hopefully, there will come a day when I'll be able to watch it with people that won't "Waa Waa" (trumpet sound) the silly acting, the strange villains and impossible scenarios and will just enjoy it as it was meant to be enjoyed, as an entertaining show of the mid-late 80s and early 90s.

As all true Angus Macgyver fans know, getting the series on dvd has been like pulling teeth. As one of the best shows ever on television, you would think it would be an easy choice. However, it is here, and I am overjoyed.It has something for everyone. For the girls, it has a hot star and the hero every girl wants to be there when they have a crisis. For the guys, it has action, adventure, bombs, and even some nail biting moments. During the second season, we see a little bit more about our reluctant, but always present hero. Give him a stick of gum and a wire, he'll make a bomb. To all those who are complaing about no extras...get over it! It was hard enough just getting the dvd. I am looking forward to this season because, my personal favorite character (besides Mac) Murdoch will be out in full force. Everyone will enjoy this dvd.

yes the first season didnt have any extras and im sure this one wont either, but come on people this is MACGYVER finally out on dvd. my personal favorite show of all time this is and will be without a doubt a must have, even if youve never watched the show before-buy it, you will not be dissapointed and will be instantly hooked (not to mention impatiently waiting for the next season, and the one after and so on). I for one am extremely excited about the best tv series in the history of tv finally out on dvd. keep em coming.

in the 1980's a show called macgyver premeired on abc at the time it revolutionized the action hero, i mean, come how many people do you know can disable an acid leak with chocolate bars, this show was popular with some people. i believe my interest did not peak until a madman, by the name of murdock made his way into the series(i hope his apperance is in the second season), here is a guy who is just as crafty as mac is, and can play any role set forth to him by his employers(he was a hitman), this is a very ineresting series with lots of wit, i give this series 4and a half stars but due to the rating system i was forced to round up!

I would have givin it 5 stars, but there was some wierd episodes i didn't like. But Jack Dalton is in a bunch of episodes, murdoc? shows up, lots of good story's, so I guess it's ok. Great season, gotta get the 3rd now.

Macgyver is my favorite show, and I would definitely recomend buying it. The first and second seasons are funny, interesting, and action-packed. The show Macgyver is about Angus Macgyver who works at the Pheonix foundation for research. Evil robbers, assasins and thugs confornt Macgyver. Macgyver uses every day items to invent things. If you want a show that's similar to James Bond, but way better, get Macgyver season two.