‘MacGyver’ episode 5 preview: Let’s get down to toothpicks

We’ll get to the details on next week’s new episode of “MacGyver” in just a moment, but before we do that, we do want to spend a minute talking about something on more of a meta level: The way in which CBS is promoting the show at present. They are choosing to focus primarily on the details about what Mac is going to be using in a given episode as opposed to the actual stories and the character development that will take place. Is that the right move? We suppose that it depends on what you are watching the show for. If you’re watching it to learn more about the relationships and the arc about Angus and Nikki, you’re not going to get anything out of this promotional material.

Now that we’re done with this rant, let’s dive in now to the story. “Toothpick” is the title of the new episode airing next week, and for obvious reasons.

Synopsis – “Using only an armrest, a curtain rod and a toothpick, MacGyver must fix a sabotaged train in order to protect a whistleblower who has proof that her boss is selling weapons to U.S. enemies.”

As we were saying, there’s almost nothing in here that is even remotely applicable to what is going on with the story at the moment. Yet, at the same exact time we’ve got a pretty good feeling CBS thinks that they can sell this episode based solely on the random objects MacGyver is working with while out in the field. We do think that this sounds fun, but we do also feel like they’re overselling what they believe to be the strong suit of their show at this point. With so many options out there, the characters matter the most. Promote based on that.

Tonight’s episode – Be sure to head over here to get a full review for it shortly. (Photo: CBS.)