It feels like it has been a while since I saw something with Will Forte in. I remember the days in which his show The Last Man on Earth was airing, and I don't think there has been anything that quite filled that gap. It was an unfortunate cancellation alongside many others that just never managed to get picked up while the rest did. Since then, Will Forte sort of disappeared, mostly running off to pursue the world of voice acting, most recently appearing in the western animation show The Great North, which lasted for quite a while. Forte has a particular style of humour, it's both incredibly annoying but also quite fun, something you can watch and binge through. I had heard of the MacGruber character throughout the years but never really looked into it, and I was surprised to see that it was not only a film that seems to have a sequel in pre-production, but also managed to get itself a single season that aired on Peacock. As is expected of anything ever created and released for streaming services, it was cancelled shortly after its release and never really capable of continuing its story, though I read from one of the co-creators that they intend to somehow continue it. I do think that's unlikely, a cancelled show is gone for good in most cases. But knowing this was something that got cancelled, I still jumped into it out of curiosity.
I had no idea that this was something mocking another creation though, a parody of an 80s series called MacGyver that I had known and heard of throughout the decades. Though I just somehow didn't make that connection until I decided to watch this show. I haven't really seen MacGyver, but I imagine that there are some similarities in how the protagonist is portrayed, albeit heavily exaggerated by Forte's character. Mainly the hairstyle and general acts. Seeming like the protagonist that can do anything and never face anything bad, always managing to come out on top. Both characters being secret agents for the government, a James Bond type that is often called in to deal with the real big problems the government seems to be facing, mostly acts of terror in some capacity. I haven't seen the films, though from my understanding, the MacGruber series takes place shortly after the film with some reference to previous events. So if you decide to watch this cancelled one season series, maybe watch the film first for the slightly added context. Though I'd say for your own time's sake, you're probably better off just not watching this at all and instead watching something that has finished with no chances of being cancelled.
With the show seemingly taking place after the film's events, I got the general picture that MacGruber had been placed into jail for multiple acts of murder, having been punished for killing a man that was a criminal that had appeared at his wedding. MacGruber being the man he his, acting out in a manner of such sheer violence in the process. MacGruber's character seems to be known for these really violent kills, and that's evident throughout the show as he throws out these throat-ripping skills. This action is almost done in some comical manner, where MacGruber never really seems to take anything seriously but ends up dishing out really graphic violence. It's pretty funny in that sense, and does give the show a bit of a shock value of some sorts that also serves as some contrast to the comedic side of things. MacGruber's first season focuses on the character being given a chance to get out of jail under the chance of a suicide mission which he weirdly accepts, despite him seemingly having a really good time in prison of all places. This suicide mission is supposedly to save a daughter that has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom, which MacGruber requested specifically. In the end it appears that the kidnapper is someone that MacGruber has known, someone from his past that is now wanting revenge against him for blinding him and betraying him.
Though throughout the season there is more drama to it, with others being part of this greater scheme that slowly unfolds towards the end, people that aren't quite expected to be part of it. The more dramatic side of the story being centred around MacGruber's troubled love life, where his marriage failed and his lover had moved on while he was away in prison. The claim being that MacGruber had even accidentally pinned the blame on her during the trial. But the spark is still there. And it's something that is teased throughout the season; oh I should mention that his lover is played by Kristen Wig, an actress I'm not particularly fond of, but I think she really fits this sort of humour and the character she plays. Which in a way is actually just a female mirrored version of MacGruber. Completely idiotic, but somehow manages to get along with regular people a bit better than he does. They're definitely the right people for each other, but the show needs its drama and emotional side, the motivation for MacGruber to fight for something beyond himself, and that's where she comes in, ultimately. Their moments are pretty much the same, often them making a fool of themselves in front of others, not really making much sense or just being a bit vulgar. And that's generally Will Forte's style. If you've seen The Last Man on Earth then you know precisely what to expect from this!
I do think that Forte's humour isn't for everyone. Sometimes it really is a bit too much to handle, but sometimes it's fun to just binge through this sort of thing and know that it's generally brainless. At the same time I'm not all that surprised that this did get cancelled. A parody series based on a show from the 80s isn't likely to have the largest audience, especially over at a niche service like Peacock that few even subscribe to in the first place. The story here isn't anything special, but it's a story that works nonetheless. It's fairly simple in it being a revenge story for MacGruber. Nothing really to write home about. Still, I appreciated this existing in the first place given how serious television series now feel, with it seeming like the comedy genre is drying up more and more. Despite that, this show still had a very impressive production quality to it, plenty of action and very little use of special effects. A rare sight for a niche show like this.
From what you're saying, it sounds like something to watch without much thought, full of action and graphic comedy. Maybe I'll look for it one of these days if I come across it, although it's scary to start something you already know has no end. Thanks for the review!
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