MacGyver (2016) s04e04 Episode Script
Windmill + Acetone + Celluloid + Firing Pin
1 ["PISTOL PACKIN' MAMA" BY AL DEXTER PLAYING.]
Lay that pistol down, babe Lay that pistol down Pistol Packin' Mama The acetone I'm pouring into this glass capsule is the key to my design, the linchpin to a three-step, chemical-mechanical chain reaction.
Using this, my colleagues and I have been able to achieve the one hour delay between payload deployment and the firing pin release that you gentlemen requested.
What of the, uh, failures mentioned in your report? We have cut the fuse's fail rate down - to approximately ten percent.
- Perfect.
There's an automobile factory we can convert to put this into production immediately.
Excellent work, Dr.
Tutelman.
Gentlemen.
Hey, why the long face? You know, it's ideas like yours that are gonna help us win this war.
You ever stop to think about the cost? I didn't become a scientist to dream up clever ways to kill people.
You? [SIRENS BLARING.]
[WHISTLING.]
MACGYVER: Super cool, right? The egg drop experiment is all about decreasing something called "impact force.
" When that egg hit the ground, it broke because impact forces were high, like in a car accident.
But if my assistant Riley here places the egg inside of a cushioned container - Thank you very much.
- RILEY: Mm-hmm.
the egg survives, because impact forces were low, like when a car pulls off the highway and slows to a gentle stop.
Now, if you guys want to earn your Nova Science Badge, you have one week to build a container that allows an egg to be dropped from that exact same height without breaking.
Got any questions? Yes.
Why do I have to learn this science stuff? I want to do archery.
MACGYVER: Because it helps you solve problems.
Riley and I use all this "science stuff" - in our jobs all the time.
- BOY: Your jobs? Sound super boring.
[CELL PHONE BUZZING.]
MACGYVER: Actually, we do all sorts of cool things over at the think tank.
Hey, babe, now's not a good time.
- I'm at a work thing.
- Ooh.
She's using her sexy work voice.
I like it.
So what time will you be home tonight, Miss Davis? Uh, few hours.
Why, what's up? Oh, I'm cooking dinner, Fusilli alla Vodka, and I needed to time the sauce right, so, uh, I thought we could lay low, watch a movie.
That sounds amazing.
I'll call when I'm on the way home, okay? - I'll be waiting for you.
- Bye.
- Everything okay? - Uh, yeah.
- Yeah, it's my dad.
- Oh.
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES.]
- Right.
- What's up? - Oh.
Our Matty.
Go handle this.
All right, kids, we're done here.
[KIDS CHEERING.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
MACGYVER: [SIGHS.]
Sorry, got here as quick as we could MATTY: Pay attention, Mac, 'cause this one's got your name written all over it.
Riley was helping me volunteer at the Cub Scouts, didn't have time to change.
And I for one am so glad that you didn't.
DESI: Oh, that makes two of us.
MATTY: All right, if we're done making fun of Blondie, listen up.
Three hours ago, there was an explosion at a building undergoing renovations in Karlsruhe, Germany.
This is what's left.
We don't know what caused the blast, but CCTV of the surrounding area suggests that it originated within or below the building's concrete foundation.
That's weird, right? Super weird 'cause it means it wasn't a ruptured gas line or an electrical malfunction, and there are no subterranean natural resources in that part of Europe with any combustible properties.
What we do know is that, when the building collapsed, dozens of construction workers from the weekend shift were trapped inside.
So it's a rescue op.
With some engineering challenges, which you are uniquely qualified to solve.
This is a highly technical, not to mention dangerous, operation.
I want you to have every resource the second you need it, so I'll be staying back with Matty to help coordinate.
Desi has experience in search and rescue, so she will be joining you as well.
Now get moving.
Details on the building are waiting for you on the plane.
[PANICKED CHATTER.]
Thank you for traveling so quickly, although I'm still not clear on how your team can help.
The structure is still settling.
Every minute, it moves.
Attempting a rescue before it's stabilized means risking serious injury or death.
[SIGHS.]
Tell them that.
MACGYVER: Problem, our only entrance into the building is blocked by a massive chunk - of concrete.
- All right, one - two - MACGYVER: Solution, insert a makeshift lever and apply force against a static point.
DESI: [SIGHS.]
You were right, Mac.
This'll work to access the basement levels.
RILEY: I got the missing workers' approximate locations using their radio signal strength.
[RADIO CHATTER IN GERMAN.]
You didn't tell me you had any experience with search and rescue.
I was part of the military group assigned to find survivors after the earthquake in Iraq.
Oh, I remember that one, it was huge.
It was a magnitude seven, wasn't it? 7.
3.
- MAN: I need help! - Mac, Desi.
[MAN SHOUTS.]
We need medics over here.
Are you okay? - We're gonna get you out of here.
- [GRUNTS.]
Everyone okay? Yeah.
Kind of.
Matty, EMTs are treating a man with minor injuries.
- He's gonna be okay.
- MATTY: All right, everyone.
Split up and keep moving.
TAYLOR: Ah.
There you are.
Russ.
The gang all right in Germany? Anything I can do to help? That is an excellent question, Bozer, and the answer is no.
Actually, there doesn't appear to be anything you can do.
All right And therein lies the rub.
You see, that answer has set me down a path to other questions.
For example, what exactly is the function of this lab? Why is it so expensive? And for the love of God, what the hell is that? - This is Sparky, he's a - Hideous, agreed, and very, very costly, to the tune of, what? $3.
6 million.
American.
I mean, he's a state of the art artificial intelligence, doesn't come cheap.
The thing about robotics Oh, Bozer.
What is it that you do here? Uh, I'm installing an upgrade - to Sparky's memory processor.
- No, I mean here at the Phoenix, in this lab.
- What do I do here? - Mm.
What do I do here? All sorts of things, okay? For your information, from this very room, which you stand, I've saved the world hundreds of times.
The best of my knowledge, it's been half a dozen assists, at best.
Okay.
All right.
But while we're on the subject, sir, exactly what is it you do here, besides write checks? Are you challenging me, hmm? To prove my worth? Are you challenging me to prove mine? Oh, yes.
Then ditto.
Well, this should be fun.
[CREAKING.]
[FIRE CRACKLING.]
Hey, guys? I'm at the site of the explosion.
Everything that I'm seeing here supports the theory that this blast came from beneath the building's foundation.
I just still don't understand how it's possible.
Huh.
That's weird, too.
What's weird too? Shrapnel expelled from the detonation point.
It's curved.
Heavily oxidized.
As in rust? [SIGHS.]
I know what caused the explosion.
It was a bomb dropped on Germany during World War II.
It didn't explode and it remained buried underground for decades, until yesterday.
[EXHALES.]
When construction finally disturbed it, and it went off.
How could you possibly know that? Because those bombs were dropped in clusters.
And I'm staring at a second one that could go off at any moment.
MATTY: You were right, Mac.
On November 5, 1944, U.
S.
8th Air Force dropped hundreds of bombs on Karlsruhe, Germany.
Their intended target: one of Hitler's railyards.
MACGYVER: Let me guess: that railyard was located exactly where we are right now.
So this bomb fell here 75 years ago, and it's just been waiting for the right moment to ruin everyone's lives? - That's insane.
- Where does finding this thing leave our - search and rescue operation? - German EMTs managed to locate three more survivors, leaving ten still left unaccounted for, but finding them could take days.
And if that bomb goes off, they'll all be killed.
Therefore, Mac, Riley, your new priority is neutralizing the bomb threat ASAP.
Desi? You'll continue to search for missing workers.
Copy that.
I'll send the locations of their radios to your phone.
No pressure, but, uh please don't let us blow up.
Thanks.
Okay.
So so how do we defuse this thing? I have no idea.
Yeah, Army EOD training didn't cover mid-century relics.
["BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY" BY THE ANDREWS SISTERS PLAYING.]
He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way He had a boogie style that no one else could play He was the top man at his craft But then his number came up - And he was gone with the draft - Voilà .
Everything you wanted to know about World War II explosives, but were too afraid to ask.
You see, thisis what I do.
Think outside the box.
Excuse me.
What the hell are you doing? And this is what Ido.
Hello.
My name is Russell Taylor.
My friends call me Russ.
Uh, my associates and I are here [CHUCKLES.]
Well, we're here for your bomb.
I authorized no such thing.
Yes, but as you can see, the, uh, Department of Defense has.
No.
This has to be cleared through the Office of Antiquities Unfortunately, there's no time, which is why my associates will have to cut through this glass.
But I think we'd much prefer your assistance in this matter rather than destroy your very, very fine display.
So, if you could just unlock the case for us, then, uh [CHUCKLES.]
then we'll be on our way.
I will not.
There is a protocol to follow, and this - is in violation of that - I I understand.
I understand.
You're afraid of being fired, thereby derailing your career in historical military restoration.
It's true.
Your wavering eyes betray a lack of self-confidence, and judging by the prominent display of "assistant" in your title, I can tell that promotion has been difficult for you to achieve.
- How dare you.
- Chasing your dream is never a mistake.
And while you suffer disrespect from your superiors, due in no small part to the ungodly injury that your Chicago accent plays on the queen's English, I for one I believe in you.
You you do? TAYLOR: I do.
So if you hand over the keys to the case, I'll make a few calls, and we'll see if we can't get you up a few rungs of the ladder around here, hmm? I miss Chicago so much.
[TAYLOR CHUCKLES.]
And boom goes the dynamite.
As the saying goes.
Nope.
No, it doesn't.
- I think it does.
- Not at all.
[INDISTINCT RADIO TRANSMISSION.]
DESI: Matty, David Kruger, 37 years old, is on his way up with a broken leg.
Vitals are stable.
[EXHALES.]
Seven more to go.
MATTY: Copy that.
Comms are back up and radio channels are clear.
WOMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: Hello? Hello? I'm a rescue worker here to help.
Do you speak English? There's something heavy on my leg and I [GASPS.]
I can't move! Can you tell me your name and where you are in the building? My name is Helen Beck.
I'm a project manager overseeing the renovations.
I don't know where I am.
I was walking to the mail room and then I don't know what happened.
I woke up here.
Please tell my husband and sons that I'm okay.
Matty? I made contact with a survivor whose radio isn't showing up on Riley's map.
Her name is Helen Beck.
Sounds like she suffered a concussion.
- MATTY: We'll see what we can do.
- Helen? We're getting in touch with your family right now, okay? Listen to me.
I'm gonna find you.
Just stay with me and keep talking, okay? Now tell me about your sons.
TAYLOR: Right, I've got the restored bomb through teardown, and I've pieced together how it works.
Yeah, it was my idea, but whatever.
- Team effort.
- The bomb you found is a 1,000-pound AN-M65.
It's totally standard for 1944.
What's interesting about this is the fuse inside it.
It was designed to create a one-hour time delay from when the bomb was dropped from the plane to when it exploded if it failed to detonate on impact.
So why didn't this one blow up? TAYLOR: Well, believe it or not, these fuses had a ten percent fail rate, usually because the glass capsule containing the acetone didn't shatter.
Then the countdown never began.
There's a half a centimeter of 75-year-old glass between us and this thing going off? BOZER: Bingo.
But it's not all bad news.
Found a pamphlet distributed to the Imperial Japanese Army with instructions for how soldiers should deal with one of these things if found.
So you you solved how to defuse this thing? Yes, after I translated it into English, so that we could all make sense of it.
Point is, the detonator can be removed from the nose cone using a simple tool.
Sending photos now.
[PHONE CHIMES.]
Okay, yeah.
So we know how to defuse it.
Now we just have to figure out a way to lift this monster out of the dirt.
Any ideas? - RILEY: Got it? - Yeah.
So, uh, how's your dad? From the call earlier today.
Oh, yeah, he-he's good.
You know Elwood.
You really want to play catch up right now? Honestly, talking keeps my hands steady.
Plus, if this thing blows up in our faces [EXHALES.]
I want to make sure I get to the bottom of this secret you're hiding.
You don't smile like that when you're on the phone with your dad.
I've caught you doing it a few times since we've been back, but I figured if things got serious, you would let me know who the lucky man was.
So, do you think things will get serious? We've been living together for six months now.
Surprise.
Six months? I mean, why would you, uh, lie about that? Lie is a bit of a strong word, don't you think? It's not like you've rushed to tell me why you and Desi broke up.
That's different.
Okay, well, we don't owe each other explanations about our private lives just because we work together.
Yeah, I'm gonna, uh, start putting these in here, okay? Just keep tension on the pole.
[EXHALES.]
[EXHALING.]
MACGYVER: If there's a silver lining to spending time in a half-destroyed building, it's that there's lots of heavy stuff lying around to play with.
For example, chunks of concrete rubble to load into this DIY crane and ballast to lift this monster out of the dirt.
Yeah, we should stop there.
That's enough.
Didn't Bozer say there's supposed to be a hatch? Well, yeah, but his has been in a temperature-controlled museum.
Ours has been corroding underground for 75 years.
It's rusted over.
This thing takes one hit at the wrong angle and everyone in this building dies.
We can't wait.
We have to do something.
Okay, so the detonator is stuck inside the bomb.
The people are stuck in the building.
The only variable that we can manipulate is removing the bomb from the building, but I don't know how.
This dinosaur weighs half a ton.
Only one option, take the bomb with us.
Back the way we came in.
Okay, Matty, the bomb's officially mobile.
Are German police on board with our new plan? MATTY: Yes, they've arranged for a construction crane to lift the bomb out of the building and then lower it onto a flatbed truck, so that it can be driven out of the city.
But? The bottom floors of the building are all covered in rubble.
The closest point where the crane can attach is a window on the south side of the sixth floor.
That means transporting it up 156 steps, divided by six landings, plus 200 feet laterally to the edge of the building.
[SIGHS.]
Not to mention this thing weighs half a Volkswagen.
And do we even know how hard we'd have to bump into it for it to blow up? Well, each of these was manufactured by hand, which means they're all slightly different, not to mention the degree to which each individual fuse component deteriorated underground.
The best I can tell, the bomb that blew up the building went off due to vibrations from construction, yet this one was stable enough to survive that blast, so I think it's safe to say that there is just too many unknown variables at play here to answer that question with any reasonable degree of accuracy.
So in other words, you have no idea.
Just cut to the chase next time, Mac; just say, "No idea.
" So we need to find a way to get the bomb up the stairs without bumping it.
Which is where we come in.
I attached electronic sensors to the restored bomb's mechanical parts, so we could crash test Mac's ideas on how to lift it up the stairs before you attempt with the version that could explode.
I'm a big fan of that idea.
TAYLOR: Which is why we came up with it.
So what is idea nummer eins? Helen, I'm near the mail room, which means you can't be far.
You hanging in there? Never better.
Why do you ask? Anyone who can crack a joke at a time like this is gonna be okay.
How often do you find yourself in situations like this? Last time I was in a collapsed building was in 2017 in Iraq.
There was an earthquake and I spent three days searching for a survivor in an apartment building, but, hey, they weren't lucky enough to have a radio.
Then how did you know they were still alive? I heard them tapping on a metal pipe.
Believe it or not, that sound can carry for miles.
I just kept searching because as long as I heard that tapping sound, I knew there was still hope.
And did you find them? Of course I did.
[ALARM BLARING.]
And you just destroyed the Phoenix Foundation yet again.
Maybe it's time to consider letting sleeping bombs lie.
I mean, if we don't move it, at least there's a chance it won't go off.
I did not make my considerable fortune by playing it safe.
I earned every cent with one mantra.
There is always a solution.
Well, I didn't get to where I am letting people second-guess my value.
Yes, well, the bar for covert operatives is slightly higher than short order cooks, team mascots, definitely indie filmmakers, - or - Delivery man.
What? I also used to deliver appliances for a big box store.
There was this thing my boss Carl gave us to lift the refrigerators and dishwashers up the stairs to apartments without elevators, so he didn't need to spend the cash to hire a third guy.
- Hated that thing.
- Well, we need that thing.
My good man, I know what Mac needs to build.
MACGYVER: That thing is actually called a tri-star stairclimber.
Used by most reputable appliance delivery companies, but mine will be built using rubber elevator wheels, metal plates, and a pair of wireless power drills for a little extra "oomph.
" You know I didn't mean what I said earlier, right? Obviously, we don't just work together.
Yeah, I know.
And, uh, you deserve your privacy.
I just was surprised.
We all used to talk about everything.
Things have definitely been different since we've been back.
I'm such an idiot.
I didn't even ask what his name is.
Oh.
It's Aubrey.
Aubrey? What kind of name is that? Okay, Angus.
That's okay fair.
[GRUNTS.]
Does Aubrey know about the Phoenix? If you mean the think tank thing, yeah.
Had to call him from the plane and cancel dinner last minute.
Told him I had a meeting out of town.
Can't be easy keeping your story straight.
When Aubrey and I got together, I thought the top secret part of my life was over.
Then Russ showed up and got the gang back together.
Truth is, reason I haven't told you guys about him is 'cause I knew if I did, it'd be over.
Phoenix and relationships don't mix.
That's funny, Desi and I had the opposite problem.
You don't have to tell me, Mac.
It's all right.
Once the dust settled, I just realized we weren't right for each other.
Both clinging on to something familiar to fill the void left after the Phoenix shut down.
It's, uh You know If I'm telling the truth, living normal lives, we mostly just got on each other's nerves.
You think this job screwed us up so bad we can never have normal, healthy relationships? [SCREAMS.]
- Mac! - Riley! - [GRUNTS.]
- Riley! Oh, my God.
- Oh, my God.
- [SIGHS.]
- Well, that was insane.
You okay? - Yeah.
- And we're not dead, so that's a win.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Guys, I'm hearing from search and rescue that the building just shifted.
Understatement of the century.
Yeah, but the bomb just rolled back half the distance we covered, but it didn't explode, so that's nice.
Helen, are you there? Helen? Matty, I lost contact with Helen.
[HISSING.]
You hear that? Why is the bomb hissing at us? The acetone capsule broke.
The bomb is going to go off.
MATTY: Guys, crane's here.
What's your status? I'm still looking for Helen.
I can't get her on the radio.
Helen! Okay, we finally made it to the sixth floor.
We probably have about 40 minutes before the bomb explodes.
Good news, though, now that the acetone capsule broke, we don't have to worry about it breaking and we can move much faster.
BOZER: Talk about looking on the bright side.
On this op, I'll take anything I can get.
Helen! Helen, can you hear me? Helen! [METALLIC CLANGING.]
Oh, Helen, you're brilliant.
TAYLOR: Right, it's too late for the bomb to be driven out of the city, but it can still be submerged in the Rhine river, which is only a mile away from your location, and detonated safely.
Just make sure that you're both at the edge of the sixth floor with enough time to secure it to the crane.
Copy that.
We should be in good shape.
We got a problem, guys.
How big of a problem? Oh, about ten feet.
There's a section of floor missing from the middle of the hallway.
It must've broken away when the building shook.
MATTY: Desi, you've got 32 minutes.
Start making your way out.
I can't leave, not yet.
- [METALLIC CLANGING.]
- [GRUNTS.]
- Helen? - [GASPS.]
- Helen? - Yes! Desi? RILEY: Uh-uh.
I got the wheels.
You keep looking straight ahead.
Eyes on the prize, Mac.
Desi? They're on.
Helen.
There are some people that want to talk to you.
Hello? LITTLE BOY: Mama? Mama? Robert.
[SPEAKING GERMAN.]
All right, Matty, we made it.
We're at the edge of the sixth floor.
Okay.
That's great news.
Once the crane moves into position, secure the bomb and get the hell out of there.
[SIREN BLARING IN DISTANCE.]
Earlier you were asking me if I thought that somebody could have this job and maintain a healthy relationship.
Here's something I never told anybody.
When we're on a mission and I'm about to do something really stupid I imagine it all going wrong, and I see myself die.
Every time.
I can't help it.
But every time I just regret that I'm alone.
[MECHANICAL HISS IN DISTANCE.]
[EXCITED CHATTER.]
What? RILEY: What's going on - down there, Matty? - MATTY: Search and rescue says one of the crane's hydraulic lines was punctured by debris.
- It's out of fluid.
- Well, that's not good.
No, it's not, because now it can't reach the bomb.
Our plan was doomed from the start.
How many people are still trapped in the building? Four.
But none of them can be moved, at least not in time.
Desi, you've got less than 26 minutes - to get out of there.
- She's pinned, and I'm not leaving.
Desi, when that bomb goes off, it's taking everyone in the building down with it.
I know that.
There's no reason that you should be one of them.
I'm not leaving, Mac.
It's up to you now.
[SIGHS.]
Okay, we need a Plan B.
All we have to do is get the bomb down to the ground.
Then that truck can drive her to the river.
Well, yeah, sure, but we don't know how to do that first part.
We might.
Remember when that kid at the scouts retreat asked why he had to learn all the boring science stuff? Yeah.
Oh.
All we have to do is decrease the impact force, right? BOZER: What kid? It's all about the impact force.
What's impact force? We're gonna egg drop the bomb off the side of the building.
What? No, no, no, no.
That's a bonkers idea.
- That's a bonkers idea, right? - 100% - what he said.
- Could that even work? MACGYVER: I mean, yeah, the physics are the same as what's taught to every middle school kid around the world, just on a slightly larger scale.
MATTY: Mac, wouldn't a fall from that height risk breaking what's left of the celluloid discs, which could prematurely detonate the bomb? In a word yes, but.
.
this thing fell 8,000 feet and didn't blow up.
What's 60 more? I'm telling you, we need to increase tension on the bungee cords.
- TAYLOR: We already tried that.
- Then we need - to increase it more.
- Angus, your egg drop design has leveled the Phoenix Foundation 43% of the time we've tossed it off the roof.
If you push yours off the side of the building, it's basically flipping a coin to see if you'll be incinerated or not.
Yeah, well, that still gives Desi and Helen a 57% better shot at surviving than if we walk away.
Well, we we could try increasing the, uh, the tension - on the bungee cord here.
- No.
We only have 20 minutes.
The benefit of improving the design doesn't outweigh the risk of running out the clock.
It's go time.
Riley.
Count of three.
One.
Two.
[GRUNTS.]
Three! [INDISTINCT SHOUTS.]
[PANTING.]
It didn't explode.
[LAUGHING.]
We're still alive.
What? [LAUGHS.]
Hey, Mac.
You're never alone, all right? You neither, Riley.
And you definitely earned your science badge today.
AUBREY: You're home.
[SIGHS.]
I was trying not to wake you.
I figured you'd be starving, so I put last night's dinner back in the oven.
- Mm-hmm.
- You okay? Mm-hmm.
How was San Francisco? - I've already forgotten.
- Hmm.
TAYLOR [SIGHS.]
: So Mac, Riley and Desi are back home, safe and sound, and Helen is with her family at the hospital.
Good news.
Yes.
You, uh you did well today.
My good man.
[BRITISH ACCENT.]
: You weren't so bad yourself, old chap.
- Please.
- Please, sir - Okay.
- Stop.
So, I've figured out what it is you do here.
I mean, good.
But if you could, you know, like tell me, that that'd be cool, too, to-to know.
Little bit of this, little bit of that.
- Jack-of-all-trades.
- Ah.
- But a master of none.
- No.
A master of more than one would imagine.
Apologies for before.
No worries, man.
I'm sorry for - considering shutting down your lab.
- All good.
- Wait, what? - And my regrets for putting old what's-his-face, Sparky, on eBay.
Good news, though, is that he's up to $200.
Huh?! [BOZER TAPPING KEYBOARD.]
No, no, no.
What the hell, man? TAYLOR: I found this photo in documents in the Office of Scientific Research and Development.
The man at the back far left is Dr.
Zachary Tutelman.
He's the designer - of the time-delay bomb fuse.
- And the others? Um, I don't know yet.
But take a look at the clipboard that the man in the suit is holding.
It's them.
That's the symbol of the group we've been looking for the organization behind the L.
A.
water supply, the NORAD attack.
But I don't understand how.
- This is from the 1940s.
- Whoever they are, they've been around a lot longer than we first thought.
But that's not all.
I did some more digging, and I think I know what they call themselves.
NEWSMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: This is the day for which free people - long have waited this is D-Day.
- [SIRENS BLARING OVER RADIO.]
[CLICKS OFF RADIO.]
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
You're not allowed to be in here without clearance.
I know that you have reservations about the goodness of this endeavor.
There are others who think as you do, fellow innovators who hope that science will make the world a better place, but fear that it might end it.
I'm here to tell you one thing: there is a way for you to continue your work and find peace.
You just have to be shown a different perspective.
Consider it.
Lay that pistol down, babe Lay that pistol down Pistol packin' mama Lay that pistol down
Lay that pistol down, babe Lay that pistol down Pistol Packin' Mama The acetone I'm pouring into this glass capsule is the key to my design, the linchpin to a three-step, chemical-mechanical chain reaction.
Using this, my colleagues and I have been able to achieve the one hour delay between payload deployment and the firing pin release that you gentlemen requested.
What of the, uh, failures mentioned in your report? We have cut the fuse's fail rate down - to approximately ten percent.
- Perfect.
There's an automobile factory we can convert to put this into production immediately.
Excellent work, Dr.
Tutelman.
Gentlemen.
Hey, why the long face? You know, it's ideas like yours that are gonna help us win this war.
You ever stop to think about the cost? I didn't become a scientist to dream up clever ways to kill people.
You? [SIRENS BLARING.]
[WHISTLING.]
MACGYVER: Super cool, right? The egg drop experiment is all about decreasing something called "impact force.
" When that egg hit the ground, it broke because impact forces were high, like in a car accident.
But if my assistant Riley here places the egg inside of a cushioned container - Thank you very much.
- RILEY: Mm-hmm.
the egg survives, because impact forces were low, like when a car pulls off the highway and slows to a gentle stop.
Now, if you guys want to earn your Nova Science Badge, you have one week to build a container that allows an egg to be dropped from that exact same height without breaking.
Got any questions? Yes.
Why do I have to learn this science stuff? I want to do archery.
MACGYVER: Because it helps you solve problems.
Riley and I use all this "science stuff" - in our jobs all the time.
- BOY: Your jobs? Sound super boring.
[CELL PHONE BUZZING.]
MACGYVER: Actually, we do all sorts of cool things over at the think tank.
Hey, babe, now's not a good time.
- I'm at a work thing.
- Ooh.
She's using her sexy work voice.
I like it.
So what time will you be home tonight, Miss Davis? Uh, few hours.
Why, what's up? Oh, I'm cooking dinner, Fusilli alla Vodka, and I needed to time the sauce right, so, uh, I thought we could lay low, watch a movie.
That sounds amazing.
I'll call when I'm on the way home, okay? - I'll be waiting for you.
- Bye.
- Everything okay? - Uh, yeah.
- Yeah, it's my dad.
- Oh.
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES.]
- Right.
- What's up? - Oh.
Our Matty.
Go handle this.
All right, kids, we're done here.
[KIDS CHEERING.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
MACGYVER: [SIGHS.]
Sorry, got here as quick as we could MATTY: Pay attention, Mac, 'cause this one's got your name written all over it.
Riley was helping me volunteer at the Cub Scouts, didn't have time to change.
And I for one am so glad that you didn't.
DESI: Oh, that makes two of us.
MATTY: All right, if we're done making fun of Blondie, listen up.
Three hours ago, there was an explosion at a building undergoing renovations in Karlsruhe, Germany.
This is what's left.
We don't know what caused the blast, but CCTV of the surrounding area suggests that it originated within or below the building's concrete foundation.
That's weird, right? Super weird 'cause it means it wasn't a ruptured gas line or an electrical malfunction, and there are no subterranean natural resources in that part of Europe with any combustible properties.
What we do know is that, when the building collapsed, dozens of construction workers from the weekend shift were trapped inside.
So it's a rescue op.
With some engineering challenges, which you are uniquely qualified to solve.
This is a highly technical, not to mention dangerous, operation.
I want you to have every resource the second you need it, so I'll be staying back with Matty to help coordinate.
Desi has experience in search and rescue, so she will be joining you as well.
Now get moving.
Details on the building are waiting for you on the plane.
[PANICKED CHATTER.]
Thank you for traveling so quickly, although I'm still not clear on how your team can help.
The structure is still settling.
Every minute, it moves.
Attempting a rescue before it's stabilized means risking serious injury or death.
[SIGHS.]
Tell them that.
MACGYVER: Problem, our only entrance into the building is blocked by a massive chunk - of concrete.
- All right, one - two - MACGYVER: Solution, insert a makeshift lever and apply force against a static point.
DESI: [SIGHS.]
You were right, Mac.
This'll work to access the basement levels.
RILEY: I got the missing workers' approximate locations using their radio signal strength.
[RADIO CHATTER IN GERMAN.]
You didn't tell me you had any experience with search and rescue.
I was part of the military group assigned to find survivors after the earthquake in Iraq.
Oh, I remember that one, it was huge.
It was a magnitude seven, wasn't it? 7.
3.
- MAN: I need help! - Mac, Desi.
[MAN SHOUTS.]
We need medics over here.
Are you okay? - We're gonna get you out of here.
- [GRUNTS.]
Everyone okay? Yeah.
Kind of.
Matty, EMTs are treating a man with minor injuries.
- He's gonna be okay.
- MATTY: All right, everyone.
Split up and keep moving.
TAYLOR: Ah.
There you are.
Russ.
The gang all right in Germany? Anything I can do to help? That is an excellent question, Bozer, and the answer is no.
Actually, there doesn't appear to be anything you can do.
All right And therein lies the rub.
You see, that answer has set me down a path to other questions.
For example, what exactly is the function of this lab? Why is it so expensive? And for the love of God, what the hell is that? - This is Sparky, he's a - Hideous, agreed, and very, very costly, to the tune of, what? $3.
6 million.
American.
I mean, he's a state of the art artificial intelligence, doesn't come cheap.
The thing about robotics Oh, Bozer.
What is it that you do here? Uh, I'm installing an upgrade - to Sparky's memory processor.
- No, I mean here at the Phoenix, in this lab.
- What do I do here? - Mm.
What do I do here? All sorts of things, okay? For your information, from this very room, which you stand, I've saved the world hundreds of times.
The best of my knowledge, it's been half a dozen assists, at best.
Okay.
All right.
But while we're on the subject, sir, exactly what is it you do here, besides write checks? Are you challenging me, hmm? To prove my worth? Are you challenging me to prove mine? Oh, yes.
Then ditto.
Well, this should be fun.
[CREAKING.]
[FIRE CRACKLING.]
Hey, guys? I'm at the site of the explosion.
Everything that I'm seeing here supports the theory that this blast came from beneath the building's foundation.
I just still don't understand how it's possible.
Huh.
That's weird, too.
What's weird too? Shrapnel expelled from the detonation point.
It's curved.
Heavily oxidized.
As in rust? [SIGHS.]
I know what caused the explosion.
It was a bomb dropped on Germany during World War II.
It didn't explode and it remained buried underground for decades, until yesterday.
[EXHALES.]
When construction finally disturbed it, and it went off.
How could you possibly know that? Because those bombs were dropped in clusters.
And I'm staring at a second one that could go off at any moment.
MATTY: You were right, Mac.
On November 5, 1944, U.
S.
8th Air Force dropped hundreds of bombs on Karlsruhe, Germany.
Their intended target: one of Hitler's railyards.
MACGYVER: Let me guess: that railyard was located exactly where we are right now.
So this bomb fell here 75 years ago, and it's just been waiting for the right moment to ruin everyone's lives? - That's insane.
- Where does finding this thing leave our - search and rescue operation? - German EMTs managed to locate three more survivors, leaving ten still left unaccounted for, but finding them could take days.
And if that bomb goes off, they'll all be killed.
Therefore, Mac, Riley, your new priority is neutralizing the bomb threat ASAP.
Desi? You'll continue to search for missing workers.
Copy that.
I'll send the locations of their radios to your phone.
No pressure, but, uh please don't let us blow up.
Thanks.
Okay.
So so how do we defuse this thing? I have no idea.
Yeah, Army EOD training didn't cover mid-century relics.
["BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE BOY" BY THE ANDREWS SISTERS PLAYING.]
He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way He had a boogie style that no one else could play He was the top man at his craft But then his number came up - And he was gone with the draft - Voilà .
Everything you wanted to know about World War II explosives, but were too afraid to ask.
You see, thisis what I do.
Think outside the box.
Excuse me.
What the hell are you doing? And this is what Ido.
Hello.
My name is Russell Taylor.
My friends call me Russ.
Uh, my associates and I are here [CHUCKLES.]
Well, we're here for your bomb.
I authorized no such thing.
Yes, but as you can see, the, uh, Department of Defense has.
No.
This has to be cleared through the Office of Antiquities Unfortunately, there's no time, which is why my associates will have to cut through this glass.
But I think we'd much prefer your assistance in this matter rather than destroy your very, very fine display.
So, if you could just unlock the case for us, then, uh [CHUCKLES.]
then we'll be on our way.
I will not.
There is a protocol to follow, and this - is in violation of that - I I understand.
I understand.
You're afraid of being fired, thereby derailing your career in historical military restoration.
It's true.
Your wavering eyes betray a lack of self-confidence, and judging by the prominent display of "assistant" in your title, I can tell that promotion has been difficult for you to achieve.
- How dare you.
- Chasing your dream is never a mistake.
And while you suffer disrespect from your superiors, due in no small part to the ungodly injury that your Chicago accent plays on the queen's English, I for one I believe in you.
You you do? TAYLOR: I do.
So if you hand over the keys to the case, I'll make a few calls, and we'll see if we can't get you up a few rungs of the ladder around here, hmm? I miss Chicago so much.
[TAYLOR CHUCKLES.]
And boom goes the dynamite.
As the saying goes.
Nope.
No, it doesn't.
- I think it does.
- Not at all.
[INDISTINCT RADIO TRANSMISSION.]
DESI: Matty, David Kruger, 37 years old, is on his way up with a broken leg.
Vitals are stable.
[EXHALES.]
Seven more to go.
MATTY: Copy that.
Comms are back up and radio channels are clear.
WOMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: Hello? Hello? I'm a rescue worker here to help.
Do you speak English? There's something heavy on my leg and I [GASPS.]
I can't move! Can you tell me your name and where you are in the building? My name is Helen Beck.
I'm a project manager overseeing the renovations.
I don't know where I am.
I was walking to the mail room and then I don't know what happened.
I woke up here.
Please tell my husband and sons that I'm okay.
Matty? I made contact with a survivor whose radio isn't showing up on Riley's map.
Her name is Helen Beck.
Sounds like she suffered a concussion.
- MATTY: We'll see what we can do.
- Helen? We're getting in touch with your family right now, okay? Listen to me.
I'm gonna find you.
Just stay with me and keep talking, okay? Now tell me about your sons.
TAYLOR: Right, I've got the restored bomb through teardown, and I've pieced together how it works.
Yeah, it was my idea, but whatever.
- Team effort.
- The bomb you found is a 1,000-pound AN-M65.
It's totally standard for 1944.
What's interesting about this is the fuse inside it.
It was designed to create a one-hour time delay from when the bomb was dropped from the plane to when it exploded if it failed to detonate on impact.
So why didn't this one blow up? TAYLOR: Well, believe it or not, these fuses had a ten percent fail rate, usually because the glass capsule containing the acetone didn't shatter.
Then the countdown never began.
There's a half a centimeter of 75-year-old glass between us and this thing going off? BOZER: Bingo.
But it's not all bad news.
Found a pamphlet distributed to the Imperial Japanese Army with instructions for how soldiers should deal with one of these things if found.
So you you solved how to defuse this thing? Yes, after I translated it into English, so that we could all make sense of it.
Point is, the detonator can be removed from the nose cone using a simple tool.
Sending photos now.
[PHONE CHIMES.]
Okay, yeah.
So we know how to defuse it.
Now we just have to figure out a way to lift this monster out of the dirt.
Any ideas? - RILEY: Got it? - Yeah.
So, uh, how's your dad? From the call earlier today.
Oh, yeah, he-he's good.
You know Elwood.
You really want to play catch up right now? Honestly, talking keeps my hands steady.
Plus, if this thing blows up in our faces [EXHALES.]
I want to make sure I get to the bottom of this secret you're hiding.
You don't smile like that when you're on the phone with your dad.
I've caught you doing it a few times since we've been back, but I figured if things got serious, you would let me know who the lucky man was.
So, do you think things will get serious? We've been living together for six months now.
Surprise.
Six months? I mean, why would you, uh, lie about that? Lie is a bit of a strong word, don't you think? It's not like you've rushed to tell me why you and Desi broke up.
That's different.
Okay, well, we don't owe each other explanations about our private lives just because we work together.
Yeah, I'm gonna, uh, start putting these in here, okay? Just keep tension on the pole.
[EXHALES.]
[EXHALING.]
MACGYVER: If there's a silver lining to spending time in a half-destroyed building, it's that there's lots of heavy stuff lying around to play with.
For example, chunks of concrete rubble to load into this DIY crane and ballast to lift this monster out of the dirt.
Yeah, we should stop there.
That's enough.
Didn't Bozer say there's supposed to be a hatch? Well, yeah, but his has been in a temperature-controlled museum.
Ours has been corroding underground for 75 years.
It's rusted over.
This thing takes one hit at the wrong angle and everyone in this building dies.
We can't wait.
We have to do something.
Okay, so the detonator is stuck inside the bomb.
The people are stuck in the building.
The only variable that we can manipulate is removing the bomb from the building, but I don't know how.
This dinosaur weighs half a ton.
Only one option, take the bomb with us.
Back the way we came in.
Okay, Matty, the bomb's officially mobile.
Are German police on board with our new plan? MATTY: Yes, they've arranged for a construction crane to lift the bomb out of the building and then lower it onto a flatbed truck, so that it can be driven out of the city.
But? The bottom floors of the building are all covered in rubble.
The closest point where the crane can attach is a window on the south side of the sixth floor.
That means transporting it up 156 steps, divided by six landings, plus 200 feet laterally to the edge of the building.
[SIGHS.]
Not to mention this thing weighs half a Volkswagen.
And do we even know how hard we'd have to bump into it for it to blow up? Well, each of these was manufactured by hand, which means they're all slightly different, not to mention the degree to which each individual fuse component deteriorated underground.
The best I can tell, the bomb that blew up the building went off due to vibrations from construction, yet this one was stable enough to survive that blast, so I think it's safe to say that there is just too many unknown variables at play here to answer that question with any reasonable degree of accuracy.
So in other words, you have no idea.
Just cut to the chase next time, Mac; just say, "No idea.
" So we need to find a way to get the bomb up the stairs without bumping it.
Which is where we come in.
I attached electronic sensors to the restored bomb's mechanical parts, so we could crash test Mac's ideas on how to lift it up the stairs before you attempt with the version that could explode.
I'm a big fan of that idea.
TAYLOR: Which is why we came up with it.
So what is idea nummer eins? Helen, I'm near the mail room, which means you can't be far.
You hanging in there? Never better.
Why do you ask? Anyone who can crack a joke at a time like this is gonna be okay.
How often do you find yourself in situations like this? Last time I was in a collapsed building was in 2017 in Iraq.
There was an earthquake and I spent three days searching for a survivor in an apartment building, but, hey, they weren't lucky enough to have a radio.
Then how did you know they were still alive? I heard them tapping on a metal pipe.
Believe it or not, that sound can carry for miles.
I just kept searching because as long as I heard that tapping sound, I knew there was still hope.
And did you find them? Of course I did.
[ALARM BLARING.]
And you just destroyed the Phoenix Foundation yet again.
Maybe it's time to consider letting sleeping bombs lie.
I mean, if we don't move it, at least there's a chance it won't go off.
I did not make my considerable fortune by playing it safe.
I earned every cent with one mantra.
There is always a solution.
Well, I didn't get to where I am letting people second-guess my value.
Yes, well, the bar for covert operatives is slightly higher than short order cooks, team mascots, definitely indie filmmakers, - or - Delivery man.
What? I also used to deliver appliances for a big box store.
There was this thing my boss Carl gave us to lift the refrigerators and dishwashers up the stairs to apartments without elevators, so he didn't need to spend the cash to hire a third guy.
- Hated that thing.
- Well, we need that thing.
My good man, I know what Mac needs to build.
MACGYVER: That thing is actually called a tri-star stairclimber.
Used by most reputable appliance delivery companies, but mine will be built using rubber elevator wheels, metal plates, and a pair of wireless power drills for a little extra "oomph.
" You know I didn't mean what I said earlier, right? Obviously, we don't just work together.
Yeah, I know.
And, uh, you deserve your privacy.
I just was surprised.
We all used to talk about everything.
Things have definitely been different since we've been back.
I'm such an idiot.
I didn't even ask what his name is.
Oh.
It's Aubrey.
Aubrey? What kind of name is that? Okay, Angus.
That's okay fair.
[GRUNTS.]
Does Aubrey know about the Phoenix? If you mean the think tank thing, yeah.
Had to call him from the plane and cancel dinner last minute.
Told him I had a meeting out of town.
Can't be easy keeping your story straight.
When Aubrey and I got together, I thought the top secret part of my life was over.
Then Russ showed up and got the gang back together.
Truth is, reason I haven't told you guys about him is 'cause I knew if I did, it'd be over.
Phoenix and relationships don't mix.
That's funny, Desi and I had the opposite problem.
You don't have to tell me, Mac.
It's all right.
Once the dust settled, I just realized we weren't right for each other.
Both clinging on to something familiar to fill the void left after the Phoenix shut down.
It's, uh You know If I'm telling the truth, living normal lives, we mostly just got on each other's nerves.
You think this job screwed us up so bad we can never have normal, healthy relationships? [SCREAMS.]
- Mac! - Riley! - [GRUNTS.]
- Riley! Oh, my God.
- Oh, my God.
- [SIGHS.]
- Well, that was insane.
You okay? - Yeah.
- And we're not dead, so that's a win.
- [CHUCKLES.]
Guys, I'm hearing from search and rescue that the building just shifted.
Understatement of the century.
Yeah, but the bomb just rolled back half the distance we covered, but it didn't explode, so that's nice.
Helen, are you there? Helen? Matty, I lost contact with Helen.
[HISSING.]
You hear that? Why is the bomb hissing at us? The acetone capsule broke.
The bomb is going to go off.
MATTY: Guys, crane's here.
What's your status? I'm still looking for Helen.
I can't get her on the radio.
Helen! Okay, we finally made it to the sixth floor.
We probably have about 40 minutes before the bomb explodes.
Good news, though, now that the acetone capsule broke, we don't have to worry about it breaking and we can move much faster.
BOZER: Talk about looking on the bright side.
On this op, I'll take anything I can get.
Helen! Helen, can you hear me? Helen! [METALLIC CLANGING.]
Oh, Helen, you're brilliant.
TAYLOR: Right, it's too late for the bomb to be driven out of the city, but it can still be submerged in the Rhine river, which is only a mile away from your location, and detonated safely.
Just make sure that you're both at the edge of the sixth floor with enough time to secure it to the crane.
Copy that.
We should be in good shape.
We got a problem, guys.
How big of a problem? Oh, about ten feet.
There's a section of floor missing from the middle of the hallway.
It must've broken away when the building shook.
MATTY: Desi, you've got 32 minutes.
Start making your way out.
I can't leave, not yet.
- [METALLIC CLANGING.]
- [GRUNTS.]
- Helen? - [GASPS.]
- Helen? - Yes! Desi? RILEY: Uh-uh.
I got the wheels.
You keep looking straight ahead.
Eyes on the prize, Mac.
Desi? They're on.
Helen.
There are some people that want to talk to you.
Hello? LITTLE BOY: Mama? Mama? Robert.
[SPEAKING GERMAN.]
All right, Matty, we made it.
We're at the edge of the sixth floor.
Okay.
That's great news.
Once the crane moves into position, secure the bomb and get the hell out of there.
[SIREN BLARING IN DISTANCE.]
Earlier you were asking me if I thought that somebody could have this job and maintain a healthy relationship.
Here's something I never told anybody.
When we're on a mission and I'm about to do something really stupid I imagine it all going wrong, and I see myself die.
Every time.
I can't help it.
But every time I just regret that I'm alone.
[MECHANICAL HISS IN DISTANCE.]
[EXCITED CHATTER.]
What? RILEY: What's going on - down there, Matty? - MATTY: Search and rescue says one of the crane's hydraulic lines was punctured by debris.
- It's out of fluid.
- Well, that's not good.
No, it's not, because now it can't reach the bomb.
Our plan was doomed from the start.
How many people are still trapped in the building? Four.
But none of them can be moved, at least not in time.
Desi, you've got less than 26 minutes - to get out of there.
- She's pinned, and I'm not leaving.
Desi, when that bomb goes off, it's taking everyone in the building down with it.
I know that.
There's no reason that you should be one of them.
I'm not leaving, Mac.
It's up to you now.
[SIGHS.]
Okay, we need a Plan B.
All we have to do is get the bomb down to the ground.
Then that truck can drive her to the river.
Well, yeah, sure, but we don't know how to do that first part.
We might.
Remember when that kid at the scouts retreat asked why he had to learn all the boring science stuff? Yeah.
Oh.
All we have to do is decrease the impact force, right? BOZER: What kid? It's all about the impact force.
What's impact force? We're gonna egg drop the bomb off the side of the building.
What? No, no, no, no.
That's a bonkers idea.
- That's a bonkers idea, right? - 100% - what he said.
- Could that even work? MACGYVER: I mean, yeah, the physics are the same as what's taught to every middle school kid around the world, just on a slightly larger scale.
MATTY: Mac, wouldn't a fall from that height risk breaking what's left of the celluloid discs, which could prematurely detonate the bomb? In a word yes, but.
.
this thing fell 8,000 feet and didn't blow up.
What's 60 more? I'm telling you, we need to increase tension on the bungee cords.
- TAYLOR: We already tried that.
- Then we need - to increase it more.
- Angus, your egg drop design has leveled the Phoenix Foundation 43% of the time we've tossed it off the roof.
If you push yours off the side of the building, it's basically flipping a coin to see if you'll be incinerated or not.
Yeah, well, that still gives Desi and Helen a 57% better shot at surviving than if we walk away.
Well, we we could try increasing the, uh, the tension - on the bungee cord here.
- No.
We only have 20 minutes.
The benefit of improving the design doesn't outweigh the risk of running out the clock.
It's go time.
Riley.
Count of three.
One.
Two.
[GRUNTS.]
Three! [INDISTINCT SHOUTS.]
[PANTING.]
It didn't explode.
[LAUGHING.]
We're still alive.
What? [LAUGHS.]
Hey, Mac.
You're never alone, all right? You neither, Riley.
And you definitely earned your science badge today.
AUBREY: You're home.
[SIGHS.]
I was trying not to wake you.
I figured you'd be starving, so I put last night's dinner back in the oven.
- Mm-hmm.
- You okay? Mm-hmm.
How was San Francisco? - I've already forgotten.
- Hmm.
TAYLOR [SIGHS.]
: So Mac, Riley and Desi are back home, safe and sound, and Helen is with her family at the hospital.
Good news.
Yes.
You, uh you did well today.
My good man.
[BRITISH ACCENT.]
: You weren't so bad yourself, old chap.
- Please.
- Please, sir - Okay.
- Stop.
So, I've figured out what it is you do here.
I mean, good.
But if you could, you know, like tell me, that that'd be cool, too, to-to know.
Little bit of this, little bit of that.
- Jack-of-all-trades.
- Ah.
- But a master of none.
- No.
A master of more than one would imagine.
Apologies for before.
No worries, man.
I'm sorry for - considering shutting down your lab.
- All good.
- Wait, what? - And my regrets for putting old what's-his-face, Sparky, on eBay.
Good news, though, is that he's up to $200.
Huh?! [BOZER TAPPING KEYBOARD.]
No, no, no.
What the hell, man? TAYLOR: I found this photo in documents in the Office of Scientific Research and Development.
The man at the back far left is Dr.
Zachary Tutelman.
He's the designer - of the time-delay bomb fuse.
- And the others? Um, I don't know yet.
But take a look at the clipboard that the man in the suit is holding.
It's them.
That's the symbol of the group we've been looking for the organization behind the L.
A.
water supply, the NORAD attack.
But I don't understand how.
- This is from the 1940s.
- Whoever they are, they've been around a lot longer than we first thought.
But that's not all.
I did some more digging, and I think I know what they call themselves.
NEWSMAN [OVER RADIO.]
: This is the day for which free people - long have waited this is D-Day.
- [SIRENS BLARING OVER RADIO.]
[CLICKS OFF RADIO.]
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
- [FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
You're not allowed to be in here without clearance.
I know that you have reservations about the goodness of this endeavor.
There are others who think as you do, fellow innovators who hope that science will make the world a better place, but fear that it might end it.
I'm here to tell you one thing: there is a way for you to continue your work and find peace.
You just have to be shown a different perspective.
Consider it.
Lay that pistol down, babe Lay that pistol down Pistol packin' mama Lay that pistol down