Phoenix Foundation - A MacGyver Podcast

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 27th, 1989 — MacGyver helps to avoid booby traps and recover Soviet gold from a decades-old crash site MISSION: Phoenix Foundation is contracted to investigate the 50-year-old crash site of a plane loaded with Russian gold bullion. Step one, is defusing the traps left behind by the original crew. This week’s highlights include: SPECIAL GUEST: DAVID ENGELBACH! David Engelbach, screenwriter for this episode of MacGyver, was kind enough to share some time with us to discuss how the whole thing came about. Check out that other interview with Mr. Engelbach that I mentioned here. When Worlds Collide (Powerman 5000 song) “When Worlds Collide” is a song by the band Powerman 5000 from their album Tonight the Stars Revolt!. The song is virtually always the last song to be played at concerts. It is one of the band’s most well-known songs and has been used in the video games Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, WWE Smackdown! vs. Raw, and in the 2000 film Little Nicky. It is also used as the entrance music for Purdue Boilermakers home college football games played at Ross–Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Spider One has stated that the song is about social classes. In 2016 the band accused Square Enix of stealing the song for use in their popular MMO Final Fantasy XIV. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Worlds_Collide_(Powerman_5000_song). Watch S4E14: “Gold Rush” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 27th, 1989 — MacGyver rescues a teen prostitute from a tragic future and an equally depressing and abusive past. MISSION: When a teen propositions Pete at a technology convention, MacGyver makes it his business to learn her situation and help steer her out of it. Things get more complicated when her abusive father shows up to take her home. This week’s highlights include: National Runaway Safeline (Service) The National Runaway Safeline (also known as NRS or 1-800-RUNAWAY; formerly known as National Runaway Switchboard) is the national communications system designated by the United States federal government for runaway and homeless youth, their parents and families, teens in crisis, and others who might benefit from its services. It is confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental, non-directive, and free. The hotline number is 1-800-RUNAWAY. Calls are answered every day of the year, 24 hours a day. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Runaway_Safeline. Watch S4E13: “The Challenge” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 27th, 1989 — MacGyver is traumatized by a harsh lesson on the state of racism in America MISSION: MacGyver attempts to show a troubled African American youth how the deck is not stacked against him. He fails miserably. This week’s highlights include: Do yourself a favor and track this one down. Columbian necktie (Crime) A Colombian necktie (Spanish: corbata colombiana or corte corbata) was a form of post-mortem mutilation consisting of a deep incision under the victim’s chin, through which the tongue is pulled out and left hanging down in grisly resemblance to a necktie. A male victim’s genitals are sometimes also severed and put in the mouth. It originated in Colombia during the period of political violence known as La Violencia, as a method of psychological warfare, meant to scare and intimidate. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombian_necktie. Watch S4E12: “The Challenge” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 20th, 1989 — MacGyver must rescue a recently divorced co-worker’s kidnapped son from her jerk ex-husband’s crime family. MISSION: On the eve of a finalized divorce, young Tommy Giordano is kidnapped by his father and swept out of the country by a mafia patriarch on the run. Together with Tommy’s mother, MacGyver must steal back the child before a clash of mafia families puts Tommy in danger. This week’s highlights include: Some news on the theatrical remake of Stephen King’s It. Child custody (Law) Child custody and legal guardianship are legal terms which are used to describe the legal and practical relationship between a parent and his or her child, such as the right of the child to make decisions and the parent’s duty to care for the child. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_custody. Watch S4E11: “The Battle of Tommy Giordano” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 13th, 1989 — Mac and Pete hunt for a potential mole at Phoenix looking to sell intelligence MISSION: Phoenix Foundation finds themselves at the mercy of a mole when top secret information is stolen and offered to a nefarious big spender. This week’s highlights include: Microdot (Technology) A microdot is text or an image substantially reduced in size onto a small disc to prevent detection by unintended recipients. Microdots are normally circular and around one millimeter in diameter but can be made into different shapes and sizes and made from various materials such as polyester or metal. The name comes from the fact that the microdots have often been about the size and shape of a typographical dot, such as a period or the tittle of a lowercase i or j. Microdots are, fundamentally, a steganographic approach to message protection. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microdot. Watch S4E10: “Fraternity of Thieves” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 6th, 1989 — Penny scores the lead in a musical; someone wants her to break a leg MISSION: MacGyver shows up to cheer on Penny in her musical debut, but when a string of accidents befall the cast, the hunt begins for the mastermind behind the scenes. This week’s highlights include: Here’s that Joan of Ark short film (The Truth Wears Sideburns) from Clone High which we quoted liberally. Acrostic (Poetry) An acrostic is a poem (or other form of writing) in which the first letter (or syllable, or word) of each line (or paragraph, or other recurring feature in the text) spells out a word or a message. The word comes from the French acrostiche from post-classical Latin acrostichis, from Koine Greek ἀκροστιχίς, from Ancient Greek ἄκρος “highest, topmost” and στίχος “verse”). As a form of constrained writing, an acrostic can be used as a mnemonic device to aid memory retrieval. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrostic. Watch S4E9: “Cleo Rocks” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 23rd, 1989 — Mac and Jack team up to track down Jack’s estranged mother, a predictably wanted fugitive MISSION: Jack Dalton gets clues in the mail sending him on a path to finding his mother. As Jack and his mother approach a reunion, it becomes clear his mother is pushing him away to keep Jack clear of the mess she’s gotten herself into. This week’s highlights include: Did I hear you right? Did I hear you saying that you’re gonna make a copy of a game without paying? Midnight Run (Film) Midnight Run is a 1988 American action comedy film directed by Martin Brest and starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin. Yaphet Kotto, John Ashton, Dennis Farina, Joe Pantoliano and Philip Baker Hall play supporting roles. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Run. Watch S4E8: “Ma Dalton” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 16th, 1989 — MacGyver teams up with the local police to track down a brainwashed escaped convict MISSION: MacGyver tries to convince the LAPD to adopt his new invention for busting down doors when he is swept into an investigation tracking down an escaped serial killer who seems to be operating under the control of a fellow prisoner and criminal mastermind. This week’s highlights include: Here’s that chat with Stephen Downing from the MacGyver Project. Valhalla (Religion) In Norse mythology, Valhalla (from Old Norse Valhöll “hall of the slain”) is a majestic, enormous hall located in Asgard, ruled over by the god Odin. Chosen by Odin, half of those who die in combat travel to Valhalla upon death, led by valkyries, while the other half go to the goddess Freyja’s field Fólkvangr. In Valhalla, the dead join the masses of those who have died in combat known as Einherjar, as well as various legendary Germanic heroes and kings, as they prepare to aid Odin during the events of Ragnarök. Before the hall stands the golden tree Glasir, and the hall’s ceiling is thatched with golden shields. Various creatures live around Valhalla, such as the stag Eikþyrnir and the goat Heiðrún, both described as standing atop Valhalla and consuming the foliage of the tree Læraðr. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valhalla. Watch S4E7: “Deadly Dreams” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 9th, 1989 — Pete’s mandatory recertification boot camp is interrupted by smugglers and a downed DEA plane MISSION: MacGyver must run Pete through a gauntlet to keep him certified for field work, but their trek through MacGyver Land is quickly sidetracked when the wreckage of a DEA surveillance plane indicates trouble in the area. This week’s highlights include: Here’s that link to the MacGyver Project interview with Dale Wilson. Here is the insane synopsis Richard mentioned that has since been removed from imdb. Since this episode was recorded, it has been implied by various news outlets that the MacGyver reboot series will be premiering in the fall of this year, Friday’s at 8pm on CBS. ReBoot (Television) ReBoot is a Canadian-American CGI-animated action-adventure television series that originally aired from 1994 to 2001. It was produced by Vancouver-based production company Mainframe Entertainment, Alliance Communications, BLT Productions. The animated series was created by Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell, and John Grace, with the visuals designed by Brendan McCarthy after an initial attempt by Ian Gibson. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReBoot. Watch S4E6: “The Survivors” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 12th, 1988 — MacGyver fills in for an injured racer to prove the feasibility of a plastic engine MISSION: When a plastic engine exhibition is sabotaged, MacGyver and Pete are in a race against time and nitrous to find who is at fault. This week’s highlights include: MacGyver Project’s interview with actor Jerry Wasserman. G. Gordon Liddy (Historical figure) George Gordon Battle Liddy (born November 30, 1930), better known as G. Gordon Liddy, is a retired American lawyer who is best known as the chief operative in the White House Plumbers unit that existed from July–September 1971, during Richard Nixon’s presidency. He was convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and illegal wiretapping for his role in the Watergate scandal. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Gordon_Liddy. Watch S4E5: “Collision Course” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 5th, 1988 — MacGyver hitches a ride with Jack to rescue Pete from some Central American revolutionaries MISSION: When Pete’s solo mission gets him captured, it is up to Mac and Jack (posing as weapons dealers) to smuggle Pete and a nun out of a revolutionary camp. This week’s highlights include: GBU-44/B Viper Strike (Weapon) The GBU-44/B Viper Strike glide bomb is a GPS-aided laser-guided variant of the Northrop Grumman Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) munition which originally had a combination acoustic and infrared homing seeker. The system was initially intended for use from UAVs, and it has also been integrated with the Lockheed AC-130 gunship, giving that aircraft a precision stand-off capability. The Viper Strike is now produced by MBDA. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GBU-44/B_Viper_Strike. Watch S4E4: “On A Wing And A Prayer” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 28th, 1988 — MacGyver protects an Amish community threatened by eminent domain when a Baby Jessica situation unfolds MISSION: After a brutal accident, MacGyver is saved by an Amish community whose settlement blocks the construction of a planned interchange. After a few clashes with the construction crew, an emergency forces the teams to work together. This week’s highlights include: Spoiler Alert: Maximus has hover powers. Jessica McClure (Celebrity) Jessica McClure Morales (born March 26, 1986) became famous at the age of 18 months after falling into a well in her aunt’s backyard in Midland, Texas, on October 14, 1987. Between that day and October 16, rescuers worked nonstop for 58 hours to free her from the eight-inch (20 cm) well casing 22 feet (6.7 m) below the ground. The story gained worldwide attention (leading to some criticism as a media circus), and later became the subject of a 1989 television movie Everybody’s Baby: The Rescue of Jessica McClure on ABC. As presented in it, a vital part of the rescue was the use of the then relatively new technology of waterjet cutting. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessica_McClure. Watch S4E3: “The Outsiders” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 21st, 1988 — MacGyver reunites with some old friends to dig up a time capsule from their childhood. MISSION: A tragedy from MacGyver’s past is revisited when he and friends dig up a time capsule in their hometown. The friends must team up to diffuse a new threat involving guns, drugs, and their children. This week’s highlights include: Young MacGyver graduates from hand guns to nuclear weapons. Assassination of William McKinley (History) The 25th President of the United States, William McKinley, was shot and fatally wounded on September 6, 1901, inside the Temple of Music on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. McKinley was shaking hands with the public when he was shot by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist. The President died on September 14 from gangrene caused by the bullet wounds. McKinley became the third American president to be assassinated, following Abraham Lincoln in 1865 and James A. Garfield in 1881. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_William_McKinley. Watch S4E2: “Blood Brothers” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 31st, 1988 — Penny Parker inherits her aunt’s haunted mansion but MacGyver aint afraid of no ghosts. MISSION: Penny Parker enlists MacGyver’s help tracking down her loony aunt’s mansion on Halloween night. Right away it’s clear there is more going on in this small town than meets the eye and MacGyver the cynic sets out disproving all the paranormal disturbances. This week’s highlights include: You like a the juice? Aberthau House (Residence) Aberthau House (previously known as Rear House) is a spacious heritage mansion in Tudor Revival style, located at the intersection of West 2nd Avenue and Trimble Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, which currently serves as a facility of the neighbourhood’s community centre. Situated on the highlands of the Point Grey neighbourhood, it overlooks English Bay, the Gulf of Georgia, and the City of Vancouver. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberthau_House. Watch S4E1: “The Secret of Parker House” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 9th, 1988 — MacGyver protects the young heir to an international shipping company after his estranged grandfather’s assassination MISSION: When a shipping magnate is assassinated, a competing company sets their targets on his defenseless grandson in an effort to force a profitable merger. This week’s highlights include: Typo in the opening credits (possibly confusing Luke Chung with S2E4’s “Wish Child” Paul Chen). Acupressure (Alternative medicine) Acupressure [from Latin acus “needle” (see acuity) + pressure (n.)] is an alternative medicine technique similar in principle to acupuncture. It is based on the concept of life energy which flows through “meridians” in the body. In treatment, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points with the aim of clearing blockages in these meridians. Pressure may be applied by hand, by elbow, or with various devices. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acupressure. Watch S3E20: “Murderers’ Sky” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 2nd, 1988 — After a near(?)-death experience, MacGyver interrupts an illegal poaching plot to win back an ex-girlfriend. MISSION: MacGyver visits an old flame, hoping to rekindle things, only to find her romantically involved and fending of poachers on a nature reserve. This week’s highlights include: Distributor cap (Automotive) A distributor cap is used in an automobile’s engine to cover the distributor and its internal rotor. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributor. Watch S3E19: “The Endangered” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 18th, 1988 — Mac and Jack play father to a baby caught up in a counterfeiting scheme MISSION: When it’s mother is forced into hiding by counterfeiters, a young baby is left in Jack Dalton’s care. MacGyver, Jack, and Pete do their best to solve the funny money problem while keeping the kid safe. This week’s highlights include: Money laundering (Crime) Money laundering is the process of transforming the proceeds of crime into ostensibly legitimate money or other assets. However, in a number of legal and regulatory systems, the term money laundering has become conflated with other forms of financial crime, and sometimes used more generally to include misuse of the financial system (involving things such as securities, digital currencies, credit cards, and traditional currency), including terrorism financing and evasion of international sanctions. Most anti-money laundering laws openly conflate money laundering (which is concerned with source of funds) with terrorism financing (which is concerned with destination of funds) when regulating the financial system. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Money_laundering. Watch S3E18: “Rock the Cradle” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 28th, 1988 — Finally someone ropes Dalton into a treasure hunt, seeking out a legendary Native American artifact MISSION: Jack’s elderly Native American roommate sets him on a quest to locate the legendary Mask of the Wolf, and is subsequently kidnapped. Jack recruits MacGyver to rescue the “old man.” This week’s highlights include: Pictorgram (Language) A pictogram, also called a pictogramme, pictograph, or simply picto, and in computer usage an icon, is an ideogram that conveys its meaning through its pictorial resemblance to a physical object. Pictographs are often used in writing and graphic systems in which the characters are to a considerable extent pictorial in appearance. A pictogram may also be used in subjects such as leisure, tourism and geography. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictogram. Watch S3E17: “Mask of the Wolf” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 14th, 1988 — MacGyver must convince the witness to an illegal chemical dump to testify in court MISSION: An illegal chemical dump kills the dog of Vietnam vet “Earthquake” Toberman. MacGyver recruits Earthquake to present what he has seen in court, but his military past calls his testimony into question. This week’s highlights include: Cesium + Water = Big Explosion The Secret World of Alex Mack (Television) The Secret World of Alex Mack is an American television series that ran on Nickelodeon from October 8, 1994 to January 15, 1998, replacing Clarissa Explains It All on the SNICK line-up. It also aired on YTV in Canada, Channel 4 in the United Kingdom and NHK in Japan, and was a staple in the children’s weekday line-up for much of the mid-to-late 1990s on the ABC. Repeats of the series aired in 2003 on The N, but it was soon replaced there. The series was produced by Thomas Lynch and John Lynch of Lynch Entertainment, produced by RHI Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and Nickelodeon Productions and was co-created by Tom Lynch and Ken Lipman. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_World_of_Alex_Mack. Watch S3E16: “The Spoilers” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 7th, 1988 — MacGyver is blinded by love when he refuses to play ball with corrupt developers MISSION: After turning down bribes and ignoring death threats, MacGyver finds himself in the crosshairs of an assassin turned girlfriend. This week’s highlights include: Watch this scene to understand this week’s MacGruber references. Ericofon (Communication) The Ericofon is a one-piece plastic telephone created by the Ericsson Company of Sweden and marketed through the second half of the 20th century. It was the first commercially marketed telephone to incorporate the dial and handset into a single unit. Because of its styling and its influence on future telephone design, the Ericofon is considered one of the most significant industrial designs of the 20th century.It is in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In Sweden, the Ericofon is known as the cobra telephone for its resemblance to a coiled snake.   Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ericofon. Watch S3E15: “The Negotiator” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 29th, 1988 — MacGyver’s reeled into another one of Jack’s get-rich-quick schemes, only this time Pete follows. MISSION: MacGyver agrees, reluctantly, to co-pilot a jewel delivery with Jack’s fledgling airline Dalton Air. As usual, Jack hasn’t done his homework and the land themselves in Toulon, France and a great deal of trouble. Pete is recruited to help bust them out. This week’s highlights include: It appears I was mistaken. It wasn’t the Hope Diamond. It was the Cullinan Diamond. Cessna Citation I (Aeronautics) The Cessna 500 Citation I is a turbofan-powered small-sized business jet that was built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. The Citation line of business jets encompasses several distinct aircraft families, and the Citation I was the basis for the first of those. The Citation I/SP aircraft is another member of this family.   Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cessna_Citation_I. Watch S3E14: “The Odd Triple” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 1st, 1988 — MacGyver must coach a local hockey team through the championships in a friend’s absence. MISSION: When Mac’s old coach is hospitalized, MacGyver is tracked down to waste valuable Phoenix Foundation time coaching a minor league hockey team. Team leader Kirby has some lessons to learn about fair play if he intends to make the Olympic team. This week’s highlights include:   Chekhov’s gun (Literature theory)   Chekhov’s gun is a dramatic principle that requires every element in a narrative to be irreplaceable, with anything else removed. Remove everything that has no relevance to the story. If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it’s not going to be fired, it shouldn’t be hanging there. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chekhov%27s_gun. Watch S3E13: “Thin Ice” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 18th, 1988 — A deadly accident is falsely pinned on Pete and MacGyver must prove his innocence. MISSION: A nuclear disarmament goes wrong and several Phoenix Foundation employees are killed. When Pete is blamed for the mistake, MacGyver must prove the accident was sabotage before Pete’s nefarious replacement hatches an evil plan. This week’s highlights include:     Shrunken head (History) A shrunken head is a severed and specially prepared human head that is used for trophy, ritual, or trade purposes. Headhunting has occurred in many regions of the world. But the practice of headshrinking has only been documented in the northwestern region of the Amazon rain forest, and the only tribes known to have shrunken human heads are of the Jivaroan tribes. These include the Shuar, Achuar, Huambisa and Aguaruna tribes, found in Ecuador and Peru. The Shuar call a shrunken head a tsantsa, also transliterated tzantza. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrunken_head. Watch S3E12: “Early Retirement” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 4th, 1988 — MacGyver must help cover up an ecological outbreak caused by a renegade Phoenix Foundation scientist. MISSION: MacGyver must locate a virus that mutated in space and prevent the outbreak from causing anymore damage than it already has. The scientist responsible thinks the ends justify the means in her quest to end world hunger. This week’s highlights include:   Bushwhacked (Film) Bushwhacked is a 1995 comedy, action and adventure film starring Daniel Stern, Jon Polito, Anthony Heald and Brad Sullivan. This was Greg Beeman’s last theatrical film before he moved on to direct television movies for Disney Channel. This also marked Sullivan’s last theatrical appearance before his retirement in 2000 and his death in 2008. It was originally planned to be a spin off film to the Home Alone franchise with Daniel Stern reprising his role as Marv. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushwhacked_(film). Watch S3E11: “Kill Zone” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 21st, 1987 — MacGyver must protect Nikki from a terrorist she accidentally witnessed bombing a post office MISSION: MacGyver intends to track down a team of terrorists setting bombs all over the city and calling for the release of a fellow terrorist. When Nikki accidentally encounters one of them, she finds herself in their collective crosshairs. This week’s highlights include: Mythbusters tested the cement bomb in a mailtruck MacGyverism for their final season premiere just three weeks ago!   Eucalyptus (Plant) Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs (including a distinct group with a multiple-stem mallee growth habit) in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia. The more than 700 species of eucalyptus are mostly native to Australia, and a very small number are found in adjacent areas of New Guinea and Indonesia. One species, Eucalyptus deglupta, ranges as far north as the Philippines. Only 15 species occur outside Australia, with just nine of these not occurring in Australia. Species of eucalyptus are cultivated widely in the tropical and temperate world, including the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East, China, and the Indian subcontinent, though most species do not tolerate frost. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus. Watch S3E10: “Blow Out” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 23rd, 1987 — A college physics contest turns sour when an overbearing professor pushes his son too far MISSION: MacGyver returns to one of his many Alma Maters to judge an annual physics competition, but things turn ugly when a student contestant cracks under the pressure of his professor father’s judgement. This week’s highlights include:   The Hall of Presidents (Education) The Hall of Presidents is an attraction located in Liberty Square at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort. The attraction is a multi-media presentation and stage show featuring Audio-Animatronic figures of all 43 individual U.S. Presidents. It opened on October 1, 1971, along with the rest of the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World. It is housed in a building that resembles Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hall_of_Presidents. Watch S3E9: “Hell Week” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 16th, 1987 — In the wake of a friend’s death, MacGyver’s attacked by a familiar (heavily-scarred) face. MISSION: A climbing accident causes the death of a close friend of MacGyver. In his mourning, MacGyver is preyed upon by the returning master of disguise, Murdoch! This week’s highlights include:   Graboid (Science fiction) The Graboid is a fictional species of sandworm that acts as the primary antagonist of the Tremors franchise. The creature made its debut in the 1990 film Tremors (although the name “Graboid” was only mentioned briefly), and reappeared in its four sequels and the Tremors television series. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graboid. Watch S3E8: “The Widowmaker” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 9th, 1987 — MacGyver is baited down to Smiley, Arkansas by another of Jack’s many get-rich-quick schemes. MISSION: When MacGyver learns Jack has been incarcerated in Arkansas, he sets off to bail him out, only to learn Jack was captured on purpose for a chance at finding buried treasure in a corrupt prison camp. This week’s highlights include:   John Draper (Hacker) John Thomas Draper (born 1943), also known as Captain Crunch, Crunch or Crunchman (after Cap’n Crunch breakfast cereal mascot), is an American computer programmer and former phone phreak. He is a legendary figure within the computer programming world and the hacker and security community. Draper has long maintained a nomadic lifestyle; as of May 2013, he resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Draper. Watch S3E7: “Jack in the Box” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 2nd, 1987 — MacGyver and Nikki Carpenter must destroy an experimental military plane downed behind enemy lines. MISSION: Mac and Nikki are racing against a soviet psychic to find and destroy a downed experimental plane to prevent the technology from being stolen. This week’s highlights include:   Zener cards (Parapsychology) Zener cards are cards used to conduct experiments for extrasensory perception (ESP), most often clairvoyance. Perceptual psychologist Karl Zener (1903–1964) designed the cards in the early 1930s for experiments conducted with his colleague, parapsychologist J. B. Rhine (1895–1980). Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_cards. Watch S3E6: “GX-1” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 26th, 1987 — MacGyver teams up with a deceased friend’s sister to track down the jewel thief responsible. MISSION: After a friend is killed, MacGyver vows to track down whoever is responsible and in the process is paired up with Nikki Carpenter, much to his chagrin. This week’s highlights include: Here’s a link to our friend in the diamond business.   Diplomatic immunity (Law) Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity that ensures diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country’s laws, although they can still be expelled. It was agreed as international law in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), though the concept and custom have a much longer history. Many principles of diplomatic immunity are now considered to be customary law. Diplomatic immunity as an institution developed to allow for the maintenance of government relations, including during periods of difficulties and armed conflict. When receiving diplomats—who formally represent the sovereign—the receiving head of state grants certain privileges and immunities to ensure they may effectively carry out their duties, on the understanding that these are provided on a reciprocal basis. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplomatic_immunity. Watch S3E5: “Fire and Ice” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 19th, 1987 — During a routine mission for the Department of Interior, MacGyver is attacked by Bigfoot. MISSION: Investigating an abandoned ship in the Pacific Northwest, MacGyver comes face to face with the grandfather of cryptozoology himself. This week’s highlights include: The MacGyver Project site had a chat with this episodes producer Calvin Clements Jr. which can be found here. Cryptozoology (Pseudoscience) Cryptozoology is a pseudoscience involving the search for animals whose existence has not been proven due to lack of evidence. The animals cryptozoologists study are often referred to as cryptids, a term coined by John Wall in 1983. This includes living examples of animals that are otherwise considered extinct, such as non-avian dinosaurs; animals whose existence lacks physical evidence but which appear in folklore, such as Bigfoot and Chupacabra; and wild animals dramatically outside their normal geographic ranges, such as phantom cats (also known as Alien Big Cats). Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptozoology. Watch S3E4: “Ghost Ship” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: October 5th, 1987 — Jimmy “The Eraser” Kendall reappears publicly, much to the dismay of MacGyver and witness protection. MISSION: When the Banning family encounters photographic evidence of The Eraser’s presence in their town, MacGyver is dispatched to intercept his old friend and prevent yet another mafia hit. This week’s highlights include: United States Federal Witness Protection Program (Government) The United States Federal Witness Protection Program, also known as the Witness Security Program or WITSEC, is a witness protection program administered by the United States Department of Justice and operated by the United States Marshals Service that is designed to protect threatened witnesses before, during, and after a trial. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Federal_Witness_Protection_Program. Watch S3E3: “Back From The Dead” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 28th, 1987 — MacGyver’s lost love is held hostage in exchange for a priceless Chinese relic. MISSION: The Phoenix Foundation has been placed in charge of security for a priceless Chinese relic. Meanwhile, MacGyver learns a former flame he thought was dead is now married to a baddie from Mac’s past. Now she is being held hostage in exchange for the relic and MacGyver must circumvent a security system of his own design. This week’s highlights include: SPECIAL GUEST: ANTHONY DE LONGIS! Anthony De Longis returns to take over the role of Nikolaj Kosov! Anthony De Longis is more than just the awesome villain of MacGyver’s first season finale (not to mention his reappearance in season 3). He’s a weapons specialist and all-around nice guy. Hear us chat about his experiences on the set of MacGyver, acting and helping to choreograph fight scenes. We also discuss his various weapon skills and his experiences teaching iconic characters like Harrison Ford’s Indiana Jones and Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman how to properly use a whip on set. Arnold Palmer (Golf) Arnold Daniel Palmer (born September 10, 1929) is a retired American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in professional golf history. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955. Nicknamed “The King”, he is one of golf’s most popular stars and its most important trailblazer, because he was the first superstar of the sport’s television age, which began in the 1950s. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Palmer. Watch S3E2: “Lost Love: Part 2” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: September 21st, 1987 — MacGyver is reunited with his presumed dead ex-fiance and her formerly villainous husband. MISSION: The Phoenix Foundation has been placed in charge of security for a priceless Chinese relic. Meanwhile, MacGyver learns a former flame he thought was dead is now married to a baddie from Mac’s past. Now she is being held hostage in exchange for the relic and MacGyver must circumvent a security system of his own design. This week’s highlights include: Homing pigeon (Communication) The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) derived from the rock pigeon, selectively bred to find its way home over extremely long distances, using magnetoception. The wild rock pigeon has an innate homing ability, meaning that it will generally return to its nest and mate. This made it relatively easy to breed from the birds that repeatedly found their way home over long distances. Flights as long as 1,800 km (1,100 miles) have been recorded by birds in competitive pigeon racing. Their average flying speed over moderate distances is around 80 km/h (50 miles per hour) but speeds of up to 140 km/h (90 miles per hour) have been observed in top racers for short distances. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon. Watch S3E1: “Lost Love: Part 1” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: May 4th, 1987 — MacGyver is once again tasked with smuggling a Russian dissident out of an asylum. MISSION: MacGyver is reluctantly paired up with a face from his past to break a Russian dissident out of prison, but the prisoner won’t agree to emigrate without his wife in tow. This week’s highlights include: Whirly tube (Instrument) The whirly tube, corrugaphone, or bloogle resonator, is a musical instrument which consists of a corrugated (ribbed) plastic tube (hollow flexible cylinder), open at both ends, which is swung in a circle to play. The faster the toy is swung the higher the pitch of the note it produces. It produces discrete notes in the harmonic series like a valveless brass instrument. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whirly_tube. Watch S2E22: “For Love of Money” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 27th, 1987 — A bullet to the head erases MacGyver’s memory on the brink of an assassination attempt MISSION: MacGyver is ambushed collecting intel from another doomed Tony. An assassination plot in unfolding but MacGyver’s memory is temporarily wiped by a bullet to the head. With the help of Carol Varnay, he must get word to Pete what is happening. This week’s highlights include: Here’s a link to Jaison Starkes’ crazy website. By the way, we were wrong, Jared Hess has a new movie coming out. Check out the new trailer below. Also, here’s what happens when Hydrochloric acid and Ammonia are near eachother. Figwit (Fantasy) Figwit is a fan-created name for an unnamed Elven escort in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, played by actor and musician Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords fame. The name Figwit derives from an acronym for “Frodo is grea…who is THAT?!?” [sic]. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figwit. Watch S2E21: “D.O.A.: MacGyver” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: April 6th, 1987 — What’s the only thing worse than getting kidnapped on your birthday? A clip show! MISSION: MacGyver strongly considers resigning in the aftermath of a particularly dangerous mission and a clip show ensues. This week’s highlights include: Here’s a link to Nick Sweedo’s interview with Michael Greenburg. Iguana meat (Nutrition) Iguana meat has historically been important in the culinary traditions of Mexico and Central America; particularly in the states of Jalisco, Michoacán and Colima. Iguana meat is currently illegal in the United States of America and several other countries. To prepare your own Breast of Lizard a la MacGyver. Roast an iguana over an open flame until the skin is blackened and then peel back the charred layer of skin. Serves two. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguana_meat. Watch S2E20: “Friends” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 23rd, 1987 — The daughter of a POW unexpectedly tags along with MacGyver on a rescue mission. MISSION: MacGyver is sent off the San Perez to rescue another downed pilot, but finds out late in the rescue that the POW’s daughter has stowed aboard and intends to join the cause. This week’s highlights include: Joe Henderson’s mock funeral from M*A*S*H Military simulation (military) Military simulations, also known informally as war games, are simulations in which theories of warfare can be tested and refined without the need for actual hostilities. Many professional analysts object to the term wargames as this is generally taken to be referring to the civilian hobby, thus the preference for the term simulation. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_simulation Watch S2E19: “Bushmaster” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: March 2nd, 1987 — MacGyver and Pete fall into the trap of a nemesis they thought was dead. MISSION: MacGyver and Pete reminisce about the villain they where pursuing when they met, only to fall into his latest trap. This week’s highlights include:   Bazooka (chewing gum) Bazooka is a brand of bubble gum introduced in 1947. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazooka_(chewing_gum) Watch S2E18: “Partners” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 23rd, 1987 — Jack Dalton returns from the grave to escape the clutches of corrupt government agents. MISSION: MacGyver attends Jack’s funeral only to learn he is faking his death to avoid being murdered by corrupt agents with which he has unknowingly involved himself. This week’s highlights include: Here’s another link to that Kerry Lenhart interview. In case you didn’t get our Too Many Cooks references. And here’s that Venn diagram from our Wish Child post. Bronco Buster (Sculpture) The Bronco Buster (also spelled “Broncho Buster” as per convention at the time of sculpting) is a sculpture made of bronze copyrighted in 1895 by American artist Frederic Remington. It portrays a rugged Western frontier cowboy character fighting to stay aboard a rearing, plunging bronco, with a stirrup swinging free, a quirt in one hand and a fistful of mane and reins in the other. It was the first and remains the most popular of all of Remington’s sculptures. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronco_Buster Watch S2E17: “Dalton, Jack of Spies” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 16th, 1987 — After accidentally intercepting a microfilm on vacation, MacGyver and Pete are targeted by mobsters. MISSION: A spy hands off a microfilm to MacGyver seconds before an avalanche nearly kills him. A team of mafia hitmen, hellbent on getting the evidence back, kidnap Pete to get to Mac. This week’s highlights include: Monosodium glutamate (Chemistry) Monosodium glutamate (MSG, also known as sodium glutamate) is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids. Glutamate is found in tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, potatoes, mushrooms, and other vegetables and fruits. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate Watch S2E16: “Out In The Cold” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 9th, 1987 — MacGyver must rescue a treasure hunter and her sunken prize from modern day pirates. MISSION: A treasure hunter is robbed at sea and MacGyver is enlisted to bring the murderous pirates to justice. This week’s highlights include: Goat Island (Geography) Goat Island (previously called Iris Island) is a small island in the Niagara River, located in the middle of Niagara Falls between the Bridal Veil Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. The island is at the southwest corner of the City of Niagara Falls (and of Niagara County), New York, in the United States and is part of Niagara Falls State Park. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goat_Island_(New_York) Watch S2E15: “Pirates” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: February 2nd, 1987 — MacGyver’s fishing plans are derailed by a pregnant woman running for her life from ex-cons. MISSION: MacGyver and a pregnant stranger are on the run from her abusive husband and find themselves trapped in a warehouse. This week’s highlights include: Here is a clip of Rob Garrison’s “body bag” line from The Karate Kid. You can find “Carikazes” amongst other Key Terms Mr. Nihcolas Sweedo has tracked on the MacGyver Project website here. Long Beach Assembly (Manufacturing) Long Beach Assembly was a Ford Motor Company assembly plant located in Long Beach, California that operated from 1930 until 1957. The address was 700 Henry Ford Avenue, Long Beach, in a region called Cerritos Channel on Terminal Island. A bridge called the Henry Ford Bridge is still located at the former plant site. The Ford Model A was the first vehicle to be built, with operations beginning March 1930. The location was closed when the Los Angeles Assembly in Pico Rivera opened in 1958. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Beach_Assembly Watch S2E14: “Birth Day” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 19th, 1987 — Penny interrupts an assassination being planned by an FBI mole [SPECIAL GUEST: Michael Ensign!] MISSION: Using accidental intelligence gathered by Penny Parker, MacGyver must prevent the assassination of an informant in a major drug trial. This week’s highlights include: SPECIAL GUEST: MICHAEL ENSIGN! Michael Ensign as the snooty manager of the Sedgewick Hotel in Ghostbusters Michael Ensign has played some of your favorite snooty film characters. Not the least of which was a popular turn as the hotel manager in Ghostbusters pictured above. He also played the self-sacrificing Guggenheim in James Cameron’s Titanic. We’ll chat about how he got started acting and the Ghostbusters role he initially auditioned for. Here’s that Chips Ahoy! commercial we were both reminded of. Estevez family (Pop Culture) The Estevez family (also known by the stage surname Sheen) is an American acting family of Spanish and Irish descent. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estevez_family Watch S2E13: “Soft Touch” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 12th, 1987 — Mac heads to the bayou to help rescue Pete’s estranged ex-wife and son from terrorists. MISSION: Pete’s family is held ransom by a figure from his past and MacGyver enlists himself to join the rescue mission. This week’s highlights include: Pete’s son stayed in class when Bueller took the day off. Dead reckoning (Navigation) In navigation, dead reckoning or dead-reckoning (also ded for deduced reckoning or DR) is the process of calculating one’s current position by using a previously determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over elapsed time and course. The corresponding term in biology, used to describe the processes by which animals update their estimates of position or heading, is path integration. Check out the article on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_reckoning Watch S2E12: “Family Matter” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: January 5th, 1987 — Mac and Harry encounter a Die Hard situation on the way to a hockey game MISSION: When a team of terrorists set their sites on the Phoenix Foundation building, MacGyver and Harry throw a wrench into their plans by showing up in search of missing hockey tickets. This week’s highlights include: The Bizarre Scene from ‘Die Hard’ You Never Saw — powered by Cracked.com Sam Hill (Etymology) Sam Hill is an American English slang phrase, a euphemism or minced oath for “the devil” or “hell” personified (as in, “What in the Sam Hill is that?”). Etymologist Michael Quinion and others date the expression back to the late 1830s; they and others consider the expression to have been a simple bowdlerization, with, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, an unknown origin. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Hill_(euphemism) Watch S2E11: “Phoenix Under Siege” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: December 15th, 1986 — MacGyver hitches a ride with an old Hollywood couple being pursued by angry counterfeiters MISSION: When his contact is suddenly killed, MacGyver is left clueless and carless somewhere in the American southwest. After hitching a ride with a retired actor and his wife, an unexpected chase ensues. This week’s highlights include: Here’s another link to The MacGyver Project’s interview with Kerry Lenhart. I haven’t seen this recently enough to remember if it was under-rated or over-rated.   Zoë Bell and co-host Patrick O’Riley at a classic New Beverly Cinema double feature. (I want to say maybe Danger: Diabolik / Flash Gordon?)   If you haven’t already seen this. Please find it. Clear shot of Ricky Dean’s finger injury that will show up again next week.   Brodie knob (Automotive) A brodie knob (alternate spelling brody knob) is a knob that attaches to the steering wheel of an automobile. The knob swivels, and is intended to make steering with one hand less difficult. Brodie knobs are also known as “necker knobs”, because they allow steering with one hand while necking with the passenger. One disadvantage of the knob is that after letting go of the steering wheel after going around a corner, the steering wheel spins rapidly and the knob can hit the user’s forearm or elbow. Other names include suicide knob (a reference to Steve Brodie, after whom the knob is said to be named), granny knob, and steering wheel spinner. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brodie_knob Watch S2E10: “Three For The Road” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 24th, 1986 — MacGyver prevents the theft of military equipment that benefits a school for the deaf MISSION: MacGyver helps perfect a voice-activated tracking system, which quickly becomes the prize of a team of terrorists. A teacher at a school for the deaf describes her surprisingly psychic dreams to help Mac track down the culprits. This week’s highlights include: Here’s that trailer we mentioned for Evald Johnson’s High and Outside… And I was wrong about those submarine ashtrays. They cost $400.   2GAT123 (Automotive) 2GAT123 is a fictional license plate number that has appeared in a number of television shows and movies. It is used to prevent difficulties for a real person who might coincidentally have the same license plate number as one appearing in a movie. Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2GAT123 Watch S2E9: “Silent World” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.

In this week’s Twofer Tuesday edition of Phoenix Foundation, we chat with MacGyver’s Little Brother, Reggie! [SPECIAL GUEST: Shavar Ross!] SPECIAL GUEST: SHAVAR ROSS! Shavar Ross played MacGyver’s Little Brother in the series pilot! This week, we chat with Shavar Ross, Reggie from the Pilot episode. He tells us all about his work helping to pitch the series with Richard Dean Anderson and Henry Winkler. Mr. Ross can also be seen as Reggie (I have decided, the SAME Reggie) in Friday the 13th: A New Beginning, also from 1985. His acting career spans decades including major roles on the 1982 Little Rascals reboot, Diff’rent Strokes, Magnum P.I. and Family Matters!

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 17th, 1986 — The eagle has landed. MacGyver saves a pair of protected birds from evil poachers MISSION: While checking on a pair of protected golden eagles, MacGyver encounters a team of poachers and joins forces with a young boy to sneak the birds to safety. This week’s highlights include: Enjoy this trailer for Rescuers Down Under… then watch it on Netflix. Danny Cooksey, seen here obstructing T-1000’s investigation.   Additional coincidence: The Rescuers poacher throws the kid a Swiss Army Knife before sending him after the eggs. Golden eagle (Ornithology) The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best-known birds of prey in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their napes. Immature eagles of this species typically have white on the tail and often have white markings on the wings. Golden eagles use their agility and speed combined with powerful feet and massive, sharp talons to snatch up a variety of prey (mainly hares, rabbits, marmots and other ground squirrels). Check out the article on wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_eagle Watch S2E8: “Eagles” on CBS’s website or check the alternative streamability of this episode here.