In this action-packed fourth season, ex-MI6 agent Russ Taylor recruits former Phoenix Foundation members Mac, Riley, Bozer, Matty, and Desi to hunt down a bioweapon that’s planned to be used by a mysterious organization for a devastating attack on a major U.S. city.
When CBS first announced back in February of 2016 that it would be rebooting the 1980s action-adventure series “MacGyver,” many fans, myself included, were somewhat skeptical. Even when the first season premiered later that year, it still felt very unfamiliar. But over time, it began to grow on me, and obviously the fans too because, in April of this year, it was announced that the fifth season that had just premiered, would be the show’s last. Upon hearing that, the fans immediately put a petition together, asking CBS to renew it and while they appear to have no interest in doing so, there is the possibility that Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, or some other streaming service might pick it up and continue the story but for now, sadly, it appears that season 5 is the last.
Season 4 kicks off with our group of protagonists, MacGyver (Lucas Till), Bozer (Justin Hires), Riley (Tristin Mays), Desi (Levy Tran), and Matty (Meredith Eaton), who are now working in the public sector after the Phoenix Foundation folded at the end of season 3. When Russ Taylor (Henry Ian Cusick), an Ex-MI6 Agent, approaches Mac and tells him that a bioweapon will likely be detonated on a large U.S. city in the near future, Mac wants nothing to do with it, stating that the Phoenix Foundation is gone and it took his passion to save the world along with it. After a little persuasion by Russ, he finally agrees to come on board but only if he can assemble his old team. Russ agrees and Bozer, Riley, and Desi all return once more to assist Mac. After preventing Los Angeles from being turned into an apocalyptic wasteland, Russ enlists Matty, who knows who he is and that he was once a private military contractor who owned Spearhead Operations, a firm that performed controversial black budget ops.
He explains to Matty that Spearhead was contracted to develop the bioweapon that almost decimated Los Angeles and that he closed the company down when he felt it had become compromised. After the weapon fell into the wrong hands, he wanted to make amends for his past actions and informs Matty and the gang that he purchased the Phoenix Foundation, as he is independently wealthy, and wants everyone to return. They all agree and Matty states that she will only return on the condition that she reclaim her position as the Director of Operations and Russ wholeheartedly agrees, stating that the foundation would be nothing without her. With everyone back on board, they formulate a new plan to track down the bioweapon before the bad guys have a chance to detonate it.
“MacGyver” has built up a loyal fan base over the past five years and with solid ratings every week, it boggles the mind that CBS would not renew the series for a sixth season. The cast is engaging and they all interact wonderfully with each other and every episode highlights each character’s strengths and, occasionally, their weaknesses, which makes them even more appealing. Even with petitions all over the internet trying to save it, CBS feels that the show has served its purpose and that it is now time to move on. But wait, the fans don’t want it to end and if the ratings show viewership has risen steadily over the years, then why cancel something that is being seen and liked by a lot of people? We may never know the answer to that question but at least you have five seasons to watch and then re-watch, again and again. And who knows, maybe another network, or streaming service, will pick it up and continue the exploits of one Angus MacGyver and the Pheonix Foundation. Here’s hoping.
Now available on DVD
