- The Phoenix team is forever altered when MacGyver's Aunt Gwen gets into his head about family and connection and convinces Mac and Riley to join Codex. Also, Matty and Russ take their concerns about Codex to the White House.
- Mac has second thoughts--or does he?--about the rightness of Codex's actions and joins forces with his Aunt Gwen with the help of one of his teammates. Riley chooses sides, while Phoenix is given a secret sanction by the U.S. government to wipe out Codex on American soil.—Gislef
- Desi wakes up in Mac's bed and discovers that he's gone. Mac is out jogging, and his phone rigs. When he sees that it's Desi, Mac ignores it and keeps running. Meanwhile, Desi finds Mac's compass on the nightstand.
Mac stops running and sees someone in the forest nearby. He remove his jacket and puts a rock in it, and hits the man but Gwen and her other Codex followers step out and Gwen invites Mac to have breakfast with her. He has no choice but to accept and goes with her.
At Phoenix, Russ is going over a file when Matty comes in. She advises Russ to go home, but he worries that Mac has fallen under Codex's spell. Matty wonders why he thinks that, and Russ explains that it's just a feeling. She says that Russ is brilliant but advises him not to get crazy. Matty tells Russ that it's time for next steps and turns to the war room screen.
Gwen takes Mac to a diner and eats a lot while he watches. She says that remembers giving him his first telescope, and says that it wasn't James who gave it to him but her. Mac talks about how the tel3escope let him look back at his mother Ellen, and Gwen says that she promised Mac's mother that she would look out for him. She talks about how her heart opened up when she first saw Mac as a baby, and the feeling was surprising. Mac asks why he's there, and Gwen tells him that Codex needs people like him... and he's also all the family she has left.
Gwen insists that the two of them can rebuild the world, and says that Ellen would have wanted it that way. Mac isn't convinced, and Gwen reminds him that Codex's plan was Ellen. Gwen refuses to walk Mac through it, and says that Scarlett's sister Ella is worried about Scarlett. When Mac says that she's fine and Phoenix doesn't believe in hurting people, Gwen points out that James indoctrinated Mac that Phoenix has the moral high ground, but it was the government that took Ellen. The same CIA that killed her tried to kill Gwen, and figures that Mac at least suspected the truth.
Mac admits that he might have suspected what happens, and Gwen warns him that the world's time is running out unless Codex carries out their plan. She would rather Mac not be left out in the cold, but it's up to Mac to choose Phoenix or Codex. She tosses down a few hundred dollars, says that it will soon be paper soon, and leaves.
Desi arrives at Phoenix and asks the others if they've seen Mac. They haven't, and Mac comes in and Desi's hugs him. He says that Codex and Gwen grabbed him, and Gwen let him go. Mac tells him what Gwen said about the world's destruction being days' away, and Riley reports that the number Clive called leads to a modem, and she' shacking it.
Bozer reports that top military personnel and scientists are going AWOL or missing, and Russ figures that they' Codex agents that are going to ground. Matty plans to go to DC with Russ to warn the government, but Mac points out that Matty said they can't trust anyone in authority. He explains that Gwen said the CIA killed Ellen and made it look like cancer, and Matty says that the four of them need to interrogate Scarlett while she and Russ go to DC.
As Mac leave, Desi approaches him and asks why he left on his own. He says that he had a lot on his mind, and isn't impressed when she says that she's there for him. They go into Scarlett's cell and Mac tells her that they want to help her get back to Ella but they need to know what Ella is doing. Scarlett just smiles, and Mac asks her to help them and then they'll help get Ella out. Unimpressed, Scarlett mentions the team members' family, and says that they're just soldiers that break things but her sister and Desi put things back together.
Desi insists that they're nothing alike, and Scarlett asks how Mac thinks they can protect Ella after the government killed Ellen. Ashe says that Gwen thinks Mac is going to come around but she doesn't call the shots. Scarlett provokes Desi and Mac drags her out, and Desi tells him that he's compromised. Mac is shocked that she's questioning his loyalties, and Desi says that it's either Codex or Phoenix. When Mac wonders what answer will get Desi off his back, Desi figures that he isn't on her side and walks off.
At the White House, Matty and Russ arrive and Matty says that they need to mobilize the government intelligence agencies. Russ explains about Codex and how they're preparing a global attack that will wipe out one-fourth of the world's population in a few days. The leader, Danny, asks for the hard evidence. Russ admits that they don't have any and they don't know how Codex is going to do it, and Matty asks if they can rely on military support.
The military officers presents refuse to speak, and Russ says that it's that kind of intransience that Codex has taken advantage of. The President, who has been listening, calls Danny. Danny then tells the group that the President doesn't want to make a move without more evidence. Russ realizes that the government isn't going to do anything, and Danny tells Russ to eliminate Codex with plausible deniability.
At Phoenix, soldiers arrive with equipment. Matty and Russ return, and Riley says that she needs more time to track down Codex's new base in the American Southwest. Desi realizes that the soldiers are drone pilots, and Russ comes in. Mac figures that the President has sanctioned Phoenix to operate to take out Codex on American soil. Mac warns that there are good people in Codex, and Russ warns that Mac's vision is compromised.
Mac points out that Russ got involved to absolve his past sins, and Russ brings up video of Mac talking to Clive about how he feels free. Russ says that the body language shows that Mac was telling the truth, and Mac denies it. The others believe Russ, and Russ tells Mac that he's off the mission. Matty agrees, and Mac tells them that they' taking sides in a war that no one wins. With that, he storms out.
Gwen is hosting a gathering of families at the Codex compound, and a man, Roman, up on a motorcycle. He talks to Gwen that her visit to see Mac has raised concerns, and she tells him to tell their boss that it was a fact-finding mission. She knows that Scarlett is alive but warns that that she might be compromises, and says that he should enjoy the sunset because it's a reminder of what they' fighting for.
In his lab, Bozer talks to Rile and Desi. Bozer figures Russ is right about the psyops stuff, and Desi figures something inside of Mac is breaking.
Mac goes to James' and Ellen's graves, and wonders if he can fix is broken. He says that he's going to try something, but it means risking everything and everyone he loves. He goes back to his house and makes a balloon and a flashlight.
At Phoenix, the soldiers prepare to send the drones to the Codex base when Riley locates it. Meanwhile, Mac breaks into Phoenix and uses the gas in the balloon and the light to blind and stun some of the guards. He goes to Scarlet's cell, frees her, and warns that drones are heading for the Codex base. Scarlett wonders how she can trust Mac, and Mac says that she doesn't know if she can trust him or not as he gives her a gas mask and puts on one himself.
As Mac and Scarlett leave, Russ and Desi confr4ont them and Mac says that there's no way out. Mac takes out a flare, lights it, and sets off the fire prevention system. It sucks the oxygen out, knocking out Russ and Desi. Mac goes out with Scarlett, and tells Desi that he's sorry as he walks past her.
When Desi and Russ recover, they got the war room and tell the others what happened. They gather the Phoenix operatives together, and Matty puts an APB out on Mac. Russ says that Mac is an enemy of the state and orders the operatives to work. Once the operatives leave, Riley asks if it's all necessary. She figures that there must be an explanation, but Desi says that Mac doesn't know what he's doing and they have to stop him. Russ wonders what Mac's next move will be and has Desi put Phoenix on lockdown. Once Russ and Desi leave, Matty asks Riley and Bozer, as the two people who know Mac best, to find him and bring him in.
Mac takes Scarlett to a secret Phoenix base where scientists are analyzing Shiva. Scarlett doesn't know what it does, and goes in to steal it. Mac follows her.
In the lab, Riley hacks doorbell cameras around Phoenix to spot Mac and Scarlett stealing a car. Bozer is with her, and admits that he searched for Mac before when Mac blew up a lab in high school. Riley wonders if Gwen could get into Mac's head, and Bozer says that his friend always wanted a connection to his mother. Riley spots Mac and Scarlett, but doesn't tell Bozer. Once h's called away, she leaves with her laptop.
Scarlett knocks out two guards and Mac joins her, and the two of them go inside. Scarlett holds the scientists at gunpoint, and one guard set off the alarm. Mac suggests that she lock the scientists in a supply closet, while he works on an exit strategy.
Matty and Russ receive word of the break-in, and realize that Mac is going after Shiva.
Mac and Scarlett take Shiva out on a cart and the guards open fire on them. They get to a loading dock but there's no vehicle there. Riley pulls up in a truck and tells them to get in, and they load Shiva aboard. They drive off just as the guards arrive. As they drive down the hallway 12 hours later and Scarlett dozes off, Riley buts a camera block on the plate. Mac wonders why Riley is helping them, and she says that she trusts him and that's enough. He points out that Russ is the one who is acting obsessed, and he's willing to kill innocent lives to stop Codex. Mac figures that Gwen view him as the only family she has, and once he makes sure Scarlett is alive, he plans to infiltrate Codex. He tells Riley that she doesn't have to be involved, but she figures that she doesn't want to miss the fun.
Russ shows Matty, Desi, Bozer, and Phoenix operatives the video of Mac stealing Shiva. He insists that it demonstrates where Mac's loyalties lie, and tells them to find their friends and prove their innocence. Riley left the location of the Codex base and Bozer brings it up. It's a ranch complex and he starts scanning the facility. Desi warns that it will take four hours to get soldiers there, and Bozer warns that Mac and Riley will get there. Russ says that they're going to launch a strike in an hour, and one of the soldiers confirms that they can get a drone there and destroy the complex. Bozer objects and Matty notes that the drone could be the best way to take out Codex's leadership. Desi agrees with Matty and Russ. Bozer isn't convinced and points out that they're using the same rationale as Codex, and walks out.
Codex guards spot Mac and the others approaching, and Roman gives orders to take them all out. Gwen objects, but Roman figures that Scarlett betrayed them.
The Codex soldiers open fire on the truck, and Riley takes it down a side road. The soldiers follow them on tricycles, and Scarlett opens the back door and yells to their pursuers to hold fire. They continue shooting, and Mac finds tow chains in the back, tangles them together, and tosses them onto the road behind them. The chain tangles up one tricycle's wheels, causing it to flip.
Matty and Desi watch via satellite and wonder if Mac and Riley are fighting Codex agents.
Scarlett jumps out of the truck, grabs a branch, and knocks the remaining soldiers off his tricycle.
The soldier moves the drone into position, and Matty tells Russ not to overreact when Mac is fighting Codex. The soldier fires a missile from the drone, and tells Russ that his orders have been clear all along. Desi aims a gun at his head and one of the other soldiers aims his gun at her.
Gwen tells Roman that capturing Mac could provide useful intel, but Roman says that he doesn't want to risk it. The soldiers prepare to fire.
In the truck, Mac says that they need to make contact with Gwen. Bozer texts Mac that there's an incoming missile, and Mac says that he's coming up with a plan to get everyone out of the compound.
Russ tells everyone to calm down, and Desi lowers her gun. She knocks and disarms the soldier training a gun on her, and Russ draws his gun on the drone pilot and tells him to stand down.
Ramon order is soldiers to fire at will, and Riley keeps driving the truck toward the compound. Gwen tells the soldiers to hold their fire, and recognizes the Morse code Mac is flashing on the headlights. He's spelling out "Hellfire Inbound", and Gwen sees the drone missile overhead. Ramon orders everyone inside, and Mac and the others pull up. Scarlett tells Roman that she and Mac are on his side, and Mac and Riley aim Shiva at the incoming missile.
Mac charges up Shiva and scrambles the guidance system on the missile so it crashes harmlessly. Once it does, The drone fires its missile and there's not enough time for Mac to crank up Shiva for a second EMP burst. The missile flies overhead and explodes over the next rise
At Phoenix, Matty takes the key to the missile control and congratulates Russ on choosing the right side. Russ insists that he's not on Mac's die and says that he would have let the bomb drop if there wasn't a concrete structure where Codex's leadership might have survives. He warns Matty that the next time he won't hesitate if Mac gets in their way.
Scarlett hugs her sister Ella and thanks Mac Gwen tells Roman to play nice, and Mac tells Gwen that he can't find any hole in Codex's logic. Riley and Mac insist that they're a package deal, and they insist that they've made their decision. Gwen takes Mac and Riley inside through a hidden door to an elevator, and to Codex's underground base. It's a city, with cars and bicycles, and Mac tells Riley that it's time to improvise.
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