MacGyver backdrop
Drama•Action & Adventure

The Best Episodes of MacGyver

Every episode of MacGyver ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of MacGyver!

Binge this in 2d 18h•Peaking at 8.7/10

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.

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons5

All12345

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    MacGyver Season 2 Episode 11 - Bullet + Pen
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #1 - Bullet + Pen

    S2:E11

    The LAPD interrupts the team’s Christmas celebration to arrest Mac for terrorism when they find a body in a building destroyed by a bomb Mac built.

    Director:Carlos Bernard
    Writer:Marqui Jackson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 12 - Mac + Jack
    8.7/10(6 votes)

    #2 - Mac + Jack

    S2:E12

    When Mac and Jack are trapped inside Mac's house, which his nemesis, The Ghost, has rigged with explosives, Mac uses a karaoke mic and an audio transformer to let the team know that this bomb is a distraction for a bigger one. Also, through flashbacks, Mac and Jack's contentious first meeting unfolds.

    Director:Ron Underwood
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 8 - Corkscrew
    8.6/10(5 votes)

    #3 - Corkscrew

    S1:E8

    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.

    Director:Janice Cooke
    Writer:Lindsey Allen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 12 - Screwdriver
    8.5/10(6 votes)

    #4 - Screwdriver

    S1:E12

    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.

    Director:Craig Siebels
    Writers:Craig S. O'Neill, David Slack

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 10 - Pliers
    8.4/10(7 votes)

    #5 - Pliers

    S1:E10

    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.

    Director:Lee Rose
    Writer:Brian Durkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 14 - Fish Scaler
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #6 - Fish Scaler

    S1:E14

    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.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of MacGyver

    READ
  7. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 3 - Roulette Wheel + Wire
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #7 - Roulette Wheel + Wire

    S2:E3

    Using cuff links and wire, MacGyver and the team go undercover in a high stakes casino to steal diamonds from a vault before a terrorist group gets there first and trades the jewels for a weapon of mass destruction.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writer:Justin Lisson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. MacGyver Season 4 Episode 2 - Red Cell + Quantum + Cold + Committed
    8.4/10(5 votes)

    #8 - Red Cell + Quantum + Cold + Committed

    S4:E2

    Department of Defense General John Acosta recruits MacGyver to steal a highly classified project from a military lab in order to find flaws in its security. But when it’s discovered that the general is planning an attack using the weapon, Phoenix must stop Acosta before the weapon is uploaded.

    Director:Alexandra La Roche
    Writer:Terry Matalas

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 6 - Wrench
    8.3/10(7 votes)

    #9 - Wrench

    S1:E6

    Using only a wrench and rope, MacGyver must diffuse a bomb set near the United Nations by his old nemesis, “The Ghost”, a notorious criminal whose work killed his mentor, and track him down before he strikes again.

    Director:Alec Smight
    Writer:Brian Durkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 7 - Can Opener
    8.3/10(6 votes)

    #10 - Can Opener

    S1:E7

    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.

    Director:Alec Smight
    Writer:Brian Durkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 16 - Hook
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #11 - Hook

    S1:E16

    While tracking down the dangerous fugitive Aaron Deckard, Mac and Jack face the notorious Colton family of bounty hunters who already kidnapped their mark. Also, Bozer and Riley try to hack into Jack’s CIA file to find out about his history with Matty.

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writer:Nancy Kiu

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 18 - Flashlight
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #12 - Flashlight

    S1:E18

    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.

    Director:Jonathan Brown
    Writer:Lindsey Allen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 5 - Skull + Electromagnet
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Skull + Electromagnet

    S2:E5

    The team is pulled away from their Halloween plans when they head into the dreaded Bermuda Triangle to retrieve the Vice President’s son after his plane goes down with a mysterious prisoner on board.

    Director:Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
    Writer:Lindsey Allen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 9 - CD-ROM + Hoagie Foil
    8.2/10(5 votes)

    #14 - CD-ROM + Hoagie Foil

    S2:E9

    Mac and the team follow a group of Indonesian mercenaries who are transporting a lethal amount of stolen nerve gas in the hopes of tracking them to their dangerous leader. Also, Jack confronts Elwood about Riley, and Bozer is pushed to his limit in spy school.

    Director:Bobby Roth
    Writers:Nancy Kiu, Marqui Jackson

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 10 - War Room + Ship
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #15 - War Room + Ship

    S2:E10

    When 32 college students are stranded on a research ship in the Arctic Ocean with no heat and erupting fires, Mac develops an emotional connection to the group leader, via video chat, as he relays how to stay alive as they await a rescue ship. Also, Jack kidnaps Elwood to find out what scam he’s up to next, and Bozer’s feelings toward Leanna grow stronger.

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writers:Brian Durkin, Andrew Karlsruher

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 21 - Wind + Water
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #16 - Wind + Water

    S2:E21

    While MacGyver is in Puerto Rico helping his friend rebuild his hurricane-damaged home, he is taken hostage in the bank his friend manages when robbers attempt to steal $2 million.

    Director:Mark S. Manos
    Writer:Lee David Zlotoff

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. MacGyver Season 2 Episode 22 - UFO + Area 51
    8.2/10(3 votes)

    #17 - UFO + Area 51

    S2:E22

    Mac and Riley are attacked by a group of masked men after the government calls them in to examine a mysterious object that crash-landed in the Nevada desert. Also, Riley uncovers new information about Mac’s father but questions whether to deliver it to him after he says he needs to move on.

    Director:Ericson Core
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. MacGyver Season 3 Episode 2 - Bravo Lead + Loyalty + Friendship
    8.2/10(6 votes)

    #18 - Bravo Lead + Loyalty + Friendship

    S3:E2

    When Jack receives an emergency distress signal from one of his old Delta buddies who is falsely accused of terrorism in a foreign country, MacGyver and Jack quickly recruit the rest of Jack’s old Delta team and stage an unsanctioned rescue op.

    Director:Duane Clark
    Writer:Brian Durkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. MacGyver Season 3 Episode 8 - Revenge + Catacombs + Le Fantome
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #19 - Revenge + Catacombs + Le Fantome

    S3:E8

    MacGyver and the team set off on a dangerous capture operation after an Irish military intelligence officer approaches them claiming to know the whereabouts of “The Ghost,” a lethal bomb maker whom Mac has been hunting for years.

    Director:Lily Mariye
    Writer:Brian Durkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. MacGyver Season 3 Episode 22 - Mason + Cable + Choices
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #20 - Mason + Cable + Choices

    S3:E22

    MacGyver faces off with a cunning new adversary whose carefully crafted plans put Mac at the epicenter of an impossible choice: save the life of a friend, or save the lives of hundreds of innocents. Also, Mac receives new information that will drive a wedge between him and his father.

    Director:Maja Vrvilo
    Writer:Jim Adler

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. MacGyver Season 5 Episode 9 - Rails + Pitons + Pulley + Pipe + Salt
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #21 - Rails + Pitons + Pulley + Pipe + Salt

    S5:E9

    When Mac and the team are unable to prevent Department of Defense intel from falling into Codex’s hands, Mac must scale a vertical cliff using only gear he can cobble together himself to prevent the info’s transmission.

    Director:Christine Moore
    Writer:Rob Pearlstein

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 9 - Chisel
    8.0/10(7 votes)

    #22 - Chisel

    S1:E9

    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.

    Director:Brad Tanenbaum
    Writers:Brandon Willer, Bret VandenBos

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 11 - Scissors
    8.0/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Scissors

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Stephen Herek
    Writers:Nancy Kiu, Lindsey Allen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 13 - Large Blade
    8.0/10(5 votes)

    #24 - Large Blade

    S1:E13

    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.

    Director:Sylvain White
    Writer:Andrew Karlsruher

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. MacGyver Season 1 Episode 20 - Hole Puncher
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Hole Puncher

    S1:E20

    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.

    Director:Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
    Writers:Craig S. O'Neill, David Slack

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Bullet + Pen" is the best rated episode of "MacGyver". It scored 8.7/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Carlos Bernard and written by Marqui Jackson, it aired on 12/15/2017. This episode scored 0.0 points higher than the second highest rated, "Mac + Jack".