MacGyver is an American television series created in 1985 by Lee David Zlotoff. The main character that gives the series its name is played by Richard Dean Anderson, and he is an agent in the service of the Phoenix Foundation who always solves all problems using his superior intelligence and extensive technical knowledge.
The series began in 1985 and was on the air for seven years. It originally aired on the US network ABC. Currently the rights are held by CBS, being broadcast by channel TCM.
The soundtrack stands out, created by Randy Edelman (author, along with Trevor Jones, of the music for the film The Last of the Mohicans).
MacGyver’s fame comes from his ability to improvise any contraption with simple and varied elements: chewing gum, clips, lighters, tires, etc., in addition to his inseparable multipurpose Swiss Army knife and his convertible Jeep.
He is a secret agent whose most dangerous weapon is his intelligence. With only his backpack full of various normal and ordinary objects, he is always capable of manufacturing all kinds of elements and escaping from all the dangers that come his way, both in his various missions and in his daily life. He is part scout and part genius. He never uses firearms and he never kills anyone.
On September 23, 2016, a reboot of the series premiered on CBS; Richard Dean Anderson has assured that, although he was asked, he did not participate in the project.
The series revolves around the missions carried out by the main character Angus MacGyver for different institutions, especially for the Phoenix Foundation.
In the series, MacGyver solves all the problems that arise using his high intelligence, his academic knowledge in science and engineering and his ability to build tools with everyday elements from his environment.
The plots of the first three seasons focus on the work the protagonist does for the Phoenix Foundation or for the government. From the fourth season to the last, the plots begin to develop social problems such as the control of firearms or the problems of the youth of the time.
Angus MacGyver, played by Richard Dean Anderson, is a highly intelligent hero who professes the ideal of resolving all conflicts by avoiding violence.
He only has his Swiss Army knife (Victorinox and Wenger brands interchangeably) which he uses as a tool. He refuses to carry weapons due to the accidental death of a friend of his when they were children (although this is the character’s stance throughout the series, in the pilot episode he is seen firing a rifle).
The character defines himself as a defender of non-violence and the non-use of firearms, as well as being politically liberal in other aspects. Even when his inventions are used against another person, he always does it in self-defense to disarm or disable the opponent, never to kill.
He is always held against the military for his tactics to solve problems and sees his work in the Phoenix Foundation as an alternative to the more than conventional and violent work of defending law and order.
MacGyver was born and raised in Minnesota, USA, on January 23, 1951 (by his passport in the episode «Everytime She Smiles») or March 23, 1951 (by reference in the episodes «Thin Ice, Passages , Friends, Runners» and «Phoenix Under Siege»).
Growing up in Minnesota causes him to have a slight Minnesota accent (Richard Dean Anderson was also born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota). MacGyver lived during his childhood in Mission City.
Like Anderson, MacGyver was an avid hockey player growing up, competing in the local league and keeping this passion well into adulthood.
As a curious fact, MacGyver’s character hates golf for not making sense of it.
He graduated from the Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville, Minnesota and studied at the fictitious Western Tech school, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Sciences in 1973, being number one in his promotion. Before working for the Phoenix Foundation, MacGyver was a racing driver.
In chapter 69 «COLLISION COURSE» from 1988 there are flashbacks showing him driving Formula 1 and Indy cars.
MacGyver’s name remains a mystery until one of the last episodes of the series. Every time someone asks he always says he doesn’t like it and changes the subject.
The pilot’s script attributes the name «Stace» to her, information that appeared in the promotional ads but not in the episode. Her name first appears in the episode «Good Knight, MacGyver», in which it is revealed that he is of 7th century Scottish descent named Angus M’Iver, and admits that they share his given name.
His name appears again in the final episode when his son is known: SAM name formed by the conjunction of Sean Angus Malloy. His boss Pete calls him «Mac» numerous times as a diminutive of his last name.
