Ep 6. Pay Terry Back - Payback

In season 2 of Hollywood Weapons, the team at Independent Studio Services (ISS) continue to test out movie stunts and special effects in real-life scenarios to see if they would work as seen on the big screen. Episode 6, titled "Pay Terry Back - Payback," sees host Terry Schappert and his special effects expert sidekick Larry Zanoff work to recreate a pivotal scene from the 1999 movie Payback starring Mel Gibson.

The scene in question involves Gibson's character Porter being shot in the back and left for dead by his partner and wife, who steal $70,000 from him. Despite being betrayed, Porter survives and sets out to seek revenge and get his money back. In the Hollywood Weapons episode, Schappert and Zanoff aim to test whether Porter's survival and subsequent actions could realistically happen in real life.

To start off the experiment, Schappert and Zanoff examine the firearm used in the movie scene to determine its caliber and ballistics. They then set up a ballistic gel dummy and shoot it from the same distance and angle as in the movie. They analyze the dummy's injuries and deduce that Porter would likely have been severely injured or killed on impact.

Next, the team explores the possibility of Porter staying alive despite being shot in the back. They visit a trauma surgeon to learn more about the human body's ability to survive such an injury. The surgeon explains that while it's rare, some individuals can survive gunshot wounds to the back if the bullet doesn't hit any vital organs. The surgeon also warns that surviving such an injury would require immediate medical attention and surgical intervention.

Schappert and Zanoff then move on to test whether Porter's actions in the movie, such as ambushing his former partner and wife and successfully retrieving his money, are plausible. They run through different scenarios and tactics, and even enlist the help of a former Navy SEAL to give them some insight on tactical maneuvers.

Throughout the episode, Schappert and Zanoff inject some humor into the serious subject matter and offer interesting tidbits about the movie industry, stunts, and special effects. They also provide some history and context on the movie Payback and its impact on the action genre.

Overall, "Pay Terry Back - Payback" is an intriguing and entertaining episode of Hollywood Weapons that offers a fascinating examination of the plausibility of a classic movie scene. Schappert and Zanoff's expertise, chemistry, and humor make for an enjoyable and informative watch.