MovieChat Forums > MacGyver (1985) Discussion > Did Murdoc in 'Partners' inspire The Dar...

Did Murdoc in 'Partners' inspire The Dark Knight's Joker?

posted 12 years ago by singh100
10 replies | jump to latest

I'm reposting this from a post I posted on The Dark Knight forum. I'd like to see the responses from you guys.

First, I have to preface this by saying TDK is one of my favorite films. And I think Heath Ledger's Joker is one of the greatest characters in film. That being said, I've been watching Netflix a lot lately and just finished my binge watching of Stargate SG-1. As I finished the final season, I needed a knew show to watch. So in my suggestions on Netflix was Richard Dean Anderson's "Macgyver." I remember it being a bit cheesy so I never really revisited it since it originally aired over 20 years ago. I remember there being a recurring villian named Murdoc. Murdoc is basically Macgyver's antithesis. I googled the first episode Murdoc was featured and took a look at it. The episode is called "Partners."
The similarities between Murdoc and The Dark Knight's Joker are very interesting. In some ways nearly identical...

I'm just going to list the similarities to TDK so that its easy to read...

Murdoc puts Macgyver's obituary in that days newspaper;
Murdoc has unexplained scars on his face;
Murdoc uses dynamite and bazookas;
Murdoc drives a semi throughout the episode;
Murdoc communicates with his prisoners using a walkie talkie connected to a speaker-- Like the ferries in TDK..
Murdoc's backstory isnt really explained;
Buildings Implode/explode;
And the kicker--- Murdoc dresses in drag as a nurse in a hospital!

I'm nearly certain there was some level of inspiration, whether consciously or subconsciously from this episode "Partners." I only watched the first episode he was in so I don't know if there are more similarities in his recurring role throughout the series.

As fans of TDK you guys should check it out, and let me know what you think... It's on Netflix...

[–] jamesdrax 12 years ago

Even the hairstyle is similar. Murdoc is a bit less neurotic than Ledger's Joker, but the rest is a little too much to be a coincidence.

[–] singh100 12 years ago

Thank you for your response jamesdrax... I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees the similarities...

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] anubis21889 12 years ago

it might be possible. recently cloo has been playing macgyver marathons (which have been awesome) and i saw that episode you talked about and id didn't realize it until he dressed up as a nurse in the hospital and thought to my self "holy *beep* it's just like the dark knight" i have seen all of the macgyver episodes and i think later on in the show he gets crazier so yeah it's possible. there are weird things in that show like in one episode it was a lot like the silence of the lambs except that episode came out slightly before the book and it was 2 years before the movie. any who yeah the show is a little cheesy at points but it's still one of my favorites of all time

[–] singh100 12 years ago

Anubis,
Thanks for the response. I wish more people would watch that episode, the similarities are striking...

Macgyver was a show definitely ahead of its time.

[–] jefgg 9 years ago

That is an excellent post.

Character actor Michael Des Barres played Murdoc in nine episodes of "MacGyver". Back in the '80s I knew Des Barres as the lead singer of the rock group Power Station.

Some TV shows need recurring villains like Murdoc. The '60s TV show "Batman" used many recurring villains. The '70s TV show "Wonder Woman" could have used recurring villains.

I think a 1978 episode of "The Waltons" called "The Changeling" may have inspired the 1982 Steven Spielberg movie "Poltergeist".

[–] jozzcooper 9 years ago

Back in the '80s I knew Des Barres as the lead singer of the rock group Power Station.

Interesting. I only knew of Robert Palmer as their singer until now.

[–] jefgg 9 years ago

You are correct. Robert Palmer sang lead vocals on supergroup The Power Station's 1985 self-titled debut album. After the album became successful Palmer decided to record a solo album to capitalize on his increased name recognition. This led to his departure from the band. They recruited Michael Des Barres for the tour. He had previously sang with Silverhead, Chequered Past and Detective.

[–] tanncord 9 years ago

The similarities between Murdoc and The Dark Knight's Joker are very interesting. In some ways nearly identical...

I'm just going to list the similarities to TDK so that its easy to read...

Murdoc puts Macgyver's obituary in that days newspaper;
Murdoc has unexplained scars on his face;
Murdoc uses dynamite and bazookas;
Murdoc drives a semi throughout the episode;
Murdoc communicates with his prisoners using a walkie talkie connected to a speaker-- Like the ferries in TDK..
Murdoc's backstory isnt really explained;
Buildings Implode/explode;
And the kicker--- Murdoc dresses in drag as a nurse in a hospital!

Yes, thank you; absolutely. Well spotted. I thought so. Chris Nolan is the right age to have seen Murdoc on MacGyver when he was a teenager, so it makes sense.

Michael Des Barres is really underrated. I don't know why his acting career didn't take off more; he was very handsome in his younger years, he's really got an interesting charisma and he's so adaptable.

[–] Abner_Kadabner 7 years ago

jefgg - Not to be a hair splitter, but Palmer was already a well established solo artist long before Power Station. When he was approached to do the vocals for the album he made it clear it was a one time thing. This was fine with them as the album was originally only supposed to be a one-off experiment. The completely unexpected success of album sales and a hit song naturally led to a tour to capitalize on it, but Palmer stuck to his original deal and refused to tour or work on any subsequent albums (although, if memory serves me correctly, he did appear with them on Saturday Night Live). Palmer was an unusual artist, as he went from genre to genre with ease. His albums go from rhythm and blues, to reggae, to new wave, to hard rock. There really hasn't been too many others who had that much range.

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