this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2026
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Asklemmy

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Given Lemmy’s leftward sociopolitical skew, the appreciation for Star Trek makes perfect sense, but what do we think of “MacGyver”? I specifically refer to the 85-92 Richard Dean Anderson show; I know there’s a reboot but I haven’t seen it yet.

Let’s see…

-Leftward socio-political commentary, including environmental activism and anti-authoritarianism

-Male protagonist with actual outward sensitivity & feelings

-“Open-source”; makes his own tools/gadgets from whatever’s available instead of relying on a corporate supply chain.

Sounds right up this platform’s alley.

I’m halfway through season 2 and it’s pretty damn good; it’s basically James Bond as an overgrown Boy Scout and that’s actually rather endearing.

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[–] bloot@hexbear.net 1 points 20 hours ago

Was obsessed as a kid, rewatching recently too!

Still love the character, but was a bit shocked at how pro-US-meddling-exceptionalism-militarism it is, never even noticed at the time. I guess basically every single 80s action series/film is the same.

Without that, the character is a great role model tho. What a cutie.

[–] 100_kg_90_de_belin@feddit.it 4 points 1 day ago

You bad-mouthed MacGyver, didn't you?

[–] ripcord@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago
[–] NauticalNoodle@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

McGyver so to say went on a lot of fun adventures. I had a good time watching him even though I knew most of his solutions weren't realistic.

Did I mention that most of his solutions weren't realistic?

[–] csolisr@hub.azkware.net 45 points 3 days ago (3 children)

In my country, MacGyver became the synonym par excellence of crafty bricolage/DIY, so, at least there was a durable cultural impact.

[–] boonhet@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago

"Just fix it with some mcgyver tape" is also absolutely something you hear in my country

[–] KoboldCoterie@pawb.social 28 points 3 days ago

Definitely a thing here, too. If you're going to put together some crazy DIY workaround to a problem, you can say you're going to MacGyver that shit and everyone knows exactly what you mean.

[–] csolisr@hub.azkware.net 5 points 2 days ago

Also, before I forget: peak opening theme, nailed the "action/mystery" vibes

[–] Apeman42@lemmy.world 27 points 3 days ago (1 children)

He's essentially a low-level superhero whose power is creativity and inventiveness, what's not to love? I kinda always wanted to see a one-shot comic crossover where MacGyver temporarily gets a Green Lantern ring to help an incapacitated Hal Jordan or something.

[–] csolisr@hub.azkware.net 2 points 2 days ago

MacGyver with a Green Lantern ring would get inducted in the Corps faster than you could recite the oath

[–] expatriado@lemmy.world 30 points 3 days ago

it was my favorite show when i was 8-10 years old, it has been 35+ years since last watched, glad it holds

[–] Malyca@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 days ago

I loved watching it as a kid. I loved his ingenuity.

[–] Skyrmir@lemmy.world 19 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Next show in the genre would be Burn Notice. The reboot of MacGyver never seemed to hit like the original to me.

[–] tacosanonymous@mander.xyz 7 points 2 days ago

Anwar and Donovan were amazing in that. Having Bruce Campbell as comedic relief was chef’s kiss

[–] white_nrdy@programming.dev 1 points 2 days ago

I love Burn Notice. I should rewatch it...

[–] ChristerMLB@piefed.social 15 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yep. The science isn't always accurate, but the values are good.

Back when it ran, environmentalism and anti-authoritarianism weren't as clearly tied to the left as it is today.

[–] GrayBackgroundMusic@lemmy.zip 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I have no evidence on this, but the rumor was that early on the science and tech was accurate and caused irl problems so they made it more goofy to avoid causing trouble. Again no source for this.

[–] kuadhual@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I remembered some one was trying to make a bomb or a gun based on the series.

[–] Count042@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 day ago

The first episode had the ingredients of thermite accurately, and they got sued.

Thermite is incredibly simple and even kids can make it, if they know how.

[–] Mucki@feddit.org 8 points 2 days ago

Whenever I touch a paper clip I have to think about him and get the feeling that I can build anything I want rightaway. Loved the series. Gonna rewatch it soon, that's for sure. Good old TV stuff. Maybe also some A-Team later on.

[–] DagwoodIII@piefed.social 8 points 2 days ago

If it's good enough for Patty and Selma, it's good enough for me!

[–] ScientifficDoggo@lemmy.zip 9 points 3 days ago

I actually really liked the series. It was perfectly campy and got me through some depression. Got the DVD set for my bday.

[–] ultranaut@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

I watched it for the first time in decades last year, it was a lot better than I expected.

[–] Vanth@reddthat.com 6 points 2 days ago

I never watched it, so I mostly know of the character through SNL spoof MacGruber.

[–] LowJacK604@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 days ago

I loved it when I was younger. A lot of it filmed locally in Vancouver. The Phoenix Foundation, where he works, is on Georgia Street, not far from Stanley Park.

Still remember him stopping a nuclear reactor leak with chocolate and baking scones along a rock face while camping with dysfunctional youth.

[–] TribblesBestFriend@startrek.website 4 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Didn’t had the willpower to finish the first, does it become better ?

My only reference are Patty and Selma

[–] Casuls_Die_Thrice@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

As I recall, there’s more focus on the NGO spy group he was working with in the first season. Also the season premiere involves AI, so there’s relevance to reality.