In the Middle East, MacGyver steals a map showing terrorists plans of attack. With the maps owners hot on his tail he evades his pursuers through the small town, eventually being chased out into the desert to a waiting hot air balloon, where he makes his escape – after fixing a bullet hole in the balloon.

Main story

MacGyver is sent to San Sebastian in Central America to rescue Kate Connelly, a photo journalist who has missed her deadline. But both she and MacGyver are captured taking pictures of an international arms dealer trading with the local Military leader. Their prompt escape sends the town, and country, into military lock down to prevent the pair from escaping with the incriminating photographs leaving Kate and MacGyver on the run from their military pursuers as they try to find a way to get their evidence, and themselves, out of the country.   

Cast

Data

    SAK uses:
      - Used the blade to open the window latch
      - Used the blade to push the key through the
         keyhole
      - Cut hot air balloon tether
      - Cut candle down to required size.

    SAK type:
      Gambit: Wenger handyman
      Main:     Tinker

    Duct Tape:
      - Taped the map to seal the leak in the hot air
         balloon        
      - Taped fireworks and candle to bell
      - Taped  mirror to seat on the bus
      - Taped down the gas pedal in jeep

     Skills used:
     - Engineering
     - Hot air ballooning
     - Survival skills (catching food)
         

Trivia

• MacGyver specifically states for the first time that he prefers not to use guns.
• MacGyver states that he grew up in Minnesota and was a Cub Scout.
• The country isn't named in the episode, but Guatemala is the only South American country which boarders Mexico via a river as shown in the episode.
• The name of Montoyas newspaper (El Tiempo) is spanish for weather.
  

Memorable quotes

• It just goes to show you, a good map will always get you where you want to go. - MacGyver
• So, your name's MacGyver and you're harmless. -Kate Connelly
• I thought your camera was brocken? - MacGyver
  I fixed it. MacGyver style. - Kate Connelly
• Please tell me how things could be worse. -Kate Connelly
  Ah, you're right. You convinced me. We're in a lot of trouble. - MacGyver
• So, how are you gonna start a fire? Make lightning, or rub two sticks together? -Kate Connelly
  Well, thought I'd use a match. MacGyver
  Aw, shucks, MacGyver, I was looking forward to seeing some more of your Boy Scout stuff. -Kate Connelly
• MacGyver, you don't eat things like that. You call pest control. -Kate Connelly
• Never drop crumbs on the trail. Cos you never know what kind of critter might be behind you picking up the pieces. - MacGyver's old scout leader
• I'll never forget the motto she taught us.. Be prepared. - MacGyver
• It's been said the best company you can have in a strange country is a map - MacGyver
• Great thing about a map, it can get you in and out of places a lot of different ways. - MacGyver
• This is the first time I ever deliberately tried to over heat an engine. - MacGyver
• Welcome to Mexico. You have anything to declare? - Boarder guard
  Wise guy. - MacGyver
• Every time something else goes wrong you say it is good! - Vasquez
  

Nit-picks

• As MacGyver climbs out to repair the balloon hole you can see a rope running from the basket off to the right of the screen, pulled very tightly.. obviously to hold the balloon in place for the shot.
• As MacGyver runs up the sand dune there is part of either a vehicle or rigging visible at the right edge of the shot.
• Macs watch changes from black to silver when he's waiting for the fireworks in the bell to go off.
• Mac sets off the explosion by inserting the plug of a camera flash and activating the timer. This, however, is impossible. Plastique is a very powerful but very stable plastic explosive. A detonator is needed to set it off. A simple electric spark or current from a battery operated camera would never initiate the explosion.
• At the end Kate takes a picture with a camera which has just been swum across the river. Most cameras don't work very well when they have been submerged under water. Hers was already broken so would have filled up with water as they crossed the river.
• When Kate knocks out the solder with her camera, his hat comes off. But then when we see the next shot his hat is back on.
   

MacGyverisms

• Used SAK to push the key out of lock on the other side of door
• Used map slid under door to catch above key as it fell out of lock
• Used map as pea shooter
• Wraped map around iron bar as weapon.
• Slid down sand dune on map
• Used map & duct tape to patch hole in hot air balloon
• Wrapped camera strap with plastic clips around electric fence wire to prevent electrocution
• Used camera timer to set off plastique explosive
• Made car drive itself with a belt
• Set up Firecrackers, candle and duct tape on church bell as a noisy distraction
• Hooked cable wire on bad-guys jeep axle to stop jeep.
• Used rear vision mirror of bus taped to the drivers seat and Kate's compact mirror to make periscope.
• Overheated old jeep engine with oil on it to create smoke screen