Recap / Macgyver 2016 S 4 E 3 Kid Plane Cable Truck

You'll figure it out. You know how I know? 'Cause you're MacGyver. It's what you do.

Desi

Russ and Matty clash over who's in charge when the Phoenix plane is diverted to help when the pilot of a private plane falls unconscious after a heart attack, leaving him and his young son in danger.

Tropes:

• The Alleged Boss: Russ is nominally in charge, but it's clear the team trust Matty's leadership far more than the wealthy guy with a shady past they barely know. Trouble is caused when they give clashing orders to Bozer, who doesn't know whose orders to follow.
  Russ: Did [Matty] just mute me?
  Riley: I'm sure it was just an accident.
• Celebrity Paradox: Finally answered when the kid on the plane explains that he and his friends have a word for what Mac does. Bozer asks if it's "MacGyver." Nope it's "Jeff it," named after a guy who does exactly what Mac does all the time.
• False Reassurance: Mac's fear of heights rears its head just as he's about to cable over to the other plane, and Bozer mentions a Noodle Incident where a similar thing happened when he and Mac went bungee jumping, and Bozer got Mac started with a helpful shove. Russ reassures Mac that he definitely wouldn't do such a thing as they barely know each other... [shove]
• Screw the Rules, I Make Them!:
  Mac: Well, someone's been snooping through my files.
  Russ: It's not snooping if you own the company.
• Shout-Out:
  • The leather jacket Mac tries on at the end is a replica of the one worn by MacGyver in the original series.
  • Russ hears Riley and Mac arguing about "faulty information" and "bad technology" and asks what great military campaign they're arguing about: The Battle of Endor.
  Russ: Wait. Are we seriously debating this?! (Beat) The Alliance should've bribed the Hutt syndicate to start a rebellion, thus distracting the Imperial armada. Bing bang boom, Bob's your uncle, the battle's over!
  Dez: I can't reason with you people!
  • Bozer claims to know all the dances from Fortnite.
• Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Mac is less than pleased to be cabled across from one plane to another.
  Riley: Fear of heights kicking in?
  Mac: Please. Kicked in a long time ago.