MacGyver

10 Best Episodes of MacGyver - Season 1

20-something Angus MacGyver creates a clandestine organization where he uses his knack for solving problems in unconventional ways to help prevent disasters from happening.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 28, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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MacGyver - S1E7

#15 - Can Opener (Season 1 - Episode 7)

MacGyver is tasked to go undercover as an inmate in a maximum security prison to break out El Noche, a notorious drug kingpin, using only batteries and salt, and track him to his cartel’s secret location and dismantle it.

The episode was rated 7.62 from 1645 votes.

MacGyver - S1E8

#14 - Corkscrew (Season 1 - Episode 8)

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When MacGyver comes face to face with Murdoc, an international assassin hired to kill him, Mac must defend both himself and Bozer, armed with only a corkscrew and paper towel rolls. Also, Bozer feels completely betrayed when he finally learns Mac’s true identity.

The episode was rated 7.66 from 1636 votes.

MacGyver - S1E13

#13 - Large Blade (Season 1 - Episode 13)

On the way back from capturing a war criminal, Mac and Jack’s helicopter crashes in a remote area of Kazakhstan, injuring their pilot and allowing their prisoner to escape with Jack’s gun. Using a large blade and a water bottle, MacGyver must get help as the pilot’s condition worsens and before the war criminal takes them as prisoners.

The episode was rated 7.66 from 1460 votes.

MacGyver - S1E14

#12 - Fish Scaler (Season 1 - Episode 14)

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Using a fish scaler and some fishing wire, Mac and Jack must track down a corrupt FBI agent who has framed a man for murder. Also, everyone on the team is terrified to get their first performance review from Matty, their tough new boss.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 1491 votes.

MacGyver - S1E10

#11 - Pliers (Season 1 - Episode 10)

Mac and the team have no time to reminisce while visiting Mac’s and Bozer’s hometown when they immediately start searching for a kidnapped prodigy from Mac’s old middle school, Valerie. With just pliers and speaker wire available, Mac works doggedly to rescue the young genius he has so much in common with.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 1599 votes.

MacGyver - S1E16

#10 - Hook (Season 1 - Episode 16)

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While tracking down the dangerous fugitive Aaron Deckard, Mac and Jack face the notorious Colton family of bounty hunters who already kidnapped their mark. Now, using a hook and a car cable, Mac must extract the criminal from the Colton’s, who are unaware of the deadly situation they’re in. Also, Bozer and Riley try to hack into Jack’s CIA file to find out about his history with Matty.

The episode was rated 7.68 from 1444 votes.

MacGyver - S1E19

#9 - Compass (Season 1 - Episode 19)

Mac and Jack help Mac’s close friend from M.I.T. after she fakes her own death to prevent someone from killing her in order to suppress her scientific research.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 1354 votes.

MacGyver - S1E15

#8 - Magnifying Glass (Season 1 - Episode 15)

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When Matty’s goddaughter and her boyfriend are killed in a San Francisco park, Mac and the team investigate the crime and start to suspect that the 1970s Zodiac Killer has returned.

The episode was rated 7.69 from 1459 votes.

MacGyver - S1E9

#7 - Chisel (Season 1 - Episode 9)

With only a chisel and matchbook, MacGyver and team must defend themselves the U.S. embassy workers in Latvia from extremists who are attempting to retrieve their leader. Also, Bozer faces a big decision now that he knows who Mac really is.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 1573 votes.

MacGyver - S1E17

#6 - Ruler (Season 1 - Episode 17)

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Bozer’s first overseas mission goes terribly wrong when Mac and the team are blamed for a terrorist bombing and the Phoenix Foundation is forced to disavow them. Using a ruler and coconut oil to make disguises, the team must avoid authorities and clear their names without any support from back home.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 1461 votes.

MacGyver - S1E12

#5 - Screwdriver (Season 1 - Episode 12)

Using a screwdriver and bug spray, MacGyver must find the U.S. government mole who is leaking classified intel to the organization that is trying to take down The Phoenix Foundation. Also, Sarah returns to help with the mission, and Nikki reappears, but Mac can’t tell which side she’s on.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 1508 votes.

MacGyver - S1E18

#4 - Flashlight (Season 1 - Episode 18)

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When Mac and the team travel to Hawaii to aid in earthquake relief efforts, they team up with Chin and Kono from the Five-0 task force to rescue a group of government scientists trapped in a building. However, as they work on the complicated rescue, a group using the chaos as a distraction aims to steal the top-secret weaponry from the scientists.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 1432 votes.

MacGyver - S1E20

#3 - Hole Puncher (Season 1 - Episode 20)

When the team intercepts a terror group's message meant for Murdoc, Mac poses as the psychopath to save the intended target and find out why they want Murdoc to assassinate him.

The episode was rated 7.71 from 1370 votes.

MacGyver - S1E11

#2 - Scissors (Season 1 - Episode 11)

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MacGyver and Jack search for Riley, using a microwave and a power strip, after she mysteriously disappears and hacks into the NSA, possibly unleashing World War III. Also, Bozer goes on his first official mission, and Jack opens up about his history with Riley’s mother, Diane.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 1521 votes.

MacGyver - S1E21

#1 - Cigar Cutter (Season 1 - Episode 21)

Season Finale. Murdoc moves forward with his plans for revenge against MacGyver by recruiting his recently released former cellmate to infiltrate the Phoenix Complex as a "lab technician" and kill every agent inside.

The episode was rated 7.79 from 1318 votes.

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