MacGyver - Golden Lancehead + Venom + Pole Vault + Blood + Baggage

Snakes, why did it have to be snakes? First Season guest-star Aly Michalka returns to reprise her role as Mac's (Lucas Till) nearly as smart college friend Frankie Mallory. Frankie has been working with Mac on an off-the-books project to develop cancer treatment from one of the world's most dangerous snake venoms. However, when others see the ability to weaponize Frankie's research she becomes a target. In an episode that really focuses on the situation, and the kidnapped guest-star, there isn't much for the regulars to do other than react, or in the case of Russ (Henry Ian Cusick) to overreact, based on his own guilt. Mac's lies to create another wedge in his relationship with Desi (Levy Tran), although his secret turning out to be an attempt to eradicate cancer (albeit through illegal means) does mitigate her anger.

One of the problems with shooting and airing some of the episodes out of order creates some rather large continuity issues here as we go straight from a Los Angeles under total quarantine, with COVID playing a major role in the story, to absolutely no sign (or discussion) of the virus at all (nor any masks in sight). The episode also shows Mac and Desi have been spending quite a bit of time together which goes against what we saw in the previous episode. The end of "Golden Lancehead + Venom + Pole Vault + Blood + Baggage" is notable for the show attempting to resurrect one of its older villains by teasing the return of Codex.