Category: TV Series

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on October 16, 1977, Burt Metcalfe directs this early spotlight on the 4077^th’s pompous new malcontent: Major Charles Emerson Winchester.  Dreading his life at the 4077^th, Winchester records a bleak audio letter to his parents back home in Boston.  In addition to his personal assessments of his campmates, above all he pleads with his well-connected father to do whatever it takes to get him shipped out of Korea.  A subplot has Klinger pushing a newfound fainting ailment as his latest discharge ploy.  Meanwhile, Hawkeye’s desire for a romantic Tokyo weekend getaway with a newly ‘un-engaged’ nurse on a busy Friday is repeatedly thwarted. 

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. BJ Honeycutt: Mike Farrell

Col. Sherman Potter: Harry Morgan                                                   

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Charles Winchester: David Ogden Stiers

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher                            

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

McLeod: Thomas Carter                                                                     

Camp Laundress: Kimiko Hiroshige

REVIEW:

Aside from a LOL prank from BJ & Hawkeye, “The Winchester Tapes” is Frasier-style showcase for observing David Ogden Stiers’ Winchester at his self-serving best.  This episode is a prime example of how MASH was gradually re-inventing itself as a comedy-drama in the post-Frank Burns era.  Viewers will observe the propensity for raunchy sitcom gags was moving towards far more low-key material. 

Winchester’s fuming for a transfer while sitting posed for a painted portrait by Col. Potter is an absolute gem.  His post-op scene with Margaret pales to the absurdly funny chemistry she shared with Frank Burns, but there’s still enough magic to make it worth watching.  The other cast members offer their usual contributions, but the last gag prior to the closing credits definitely makes for some must-see Winchester.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:         7½ Stars

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SUMMARY:                         RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on November 9, 1976, Alan Alda does triple-duty by also writing and directing this installment.  Collecting his thoughts at the 4077^th, Dr. Sidney Freedman thoughtfully pens a slice-of-life letter to the late Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freud.  A  tragedy occurs, as an ambulance leaving camp overturns.  Through Hawkeye’s intervention, a carefree Army bombing pilot glimpses the kind of collateral damage his ‘out of sight, out of mind’ air raids leave behind.  Klinger test-runs yet another discharge scam on Col. Potter.  Meanwhile, a mysterious 4077^th prankster is gleefully at work.        

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. BJ Honeycutt: Mike Farrell

Col. Sherman Potter: Harry Morgan                                                   

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher                            

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Major Sidney Freeman: Allan Arbus                                                   

Capt. Hathaway: Charles Frank

Private Habib: Bart Braverman       

Nurse: Jennifer Davis Westmore

John (patient): Sal Vicuso                                                                   

Unidentified patient: J. Andrew Kenny

REVIEW:

Kudos to both writer-director Alan Alda and guest star Allan Arbus for this near-masterpiece.  Despite its excessive preachiness, this episode is an admirable brew of poignancy, drama, and LOL humor.  Arbus scores the acting MVP of “Dear Sigmund,” as his Major Freedman calmly observes the 4077^th at work and play.  In impressive fashion, the entire regular cast contribute spot-on scenes, with or without Arbus, reflecting plenty of character depth.  The translation gag between a supposedly delirious Klinger, Potter, and an eager-to-please Private Habib is a true gem, as is Margaret’s candor in the ‘Swamp’ swilling gin with Sidney.  While there is some insight into Frank’s marriage, the ‘air raid’ prank sequence is one of Larry Linville’s best MASH pratfalls.

Without hesitation, “Dear Sigmund” qualifies as one of MASH’s finest mid-series run episodes. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              8 Stars

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SUMMARY:                       RUNNING TIME: 25:00 Min.

First televised on CBS on September 26, 1975, Gene Reynolds directed this installment.  Amidst an hours-long bombardment on a frigid night, Hawkeye & Margaret supervise a less-than-quiet midnight shift in the 4077^th hospital ward.  Among their cases is one of BJ’s patients suspiciously requiring far too many infusions of blood and another soldier agitated multiple times by shell shock. 

Col. Potter & “Radar” have little luck working the phone to get the Army’s shelling moved away from the 4077^th’s proximity.  Klinger suffers a mishap on sentry duty. Meanwhile, self-involved Frank desperately tries retrieving his extramarital love notes to Margaret that she has evidently stashed somewhere.    

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. BJ Honeycutt: Mike Farrell

Col. Sherman Potter: Harry Morgan                                                   

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher (credits only)                         

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Abbott: Christopher Allport                                                                 

Private Jenkins: Darren O’Connor

Edwards: Uncredited

REVIEW:

Considering newcomers BJ and Col. Potter had just been introduced, “It Happened One Night” delightfully helps entrench their characters on MASH. While the plotting itself isn’t remarkable, almost magically, most every element (i.e. the acting, perfectly-timed gags, etc.) clicks exactly as it should.  For Season 4, this one is definitely recommended!      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      8 Stars

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on March 2, 1974, Larry Gelbart directs the second season’s finale.  Fanatical CIA operative Col. Flagg’s unexpected presence at the 4077^th ignites a rivalry with Vinnie Pratt — Trapper’s old buddy and a rival American military spy.  Misinformed suspicions and assumptions imply that somebody in camp is up to no good. 

Not letting this prime opportunity go to waste, Trapper & Hawkeye gladly stir up Flagg & Pratt’s self-serving spy games against each other.     

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre: Wayne Rogers

Lt. Col. Henry Blake: McLean Stevenson                                            

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher                            

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Col. Sam Flagg: Edward Winter                                                         

Vinnie Pratt: Bill Fletcher

REVIEW:

Casually spoofing Cold War espionage, this episode is hilarious!  Between Flagg & Pratt’s innumerable aliases, Flagg’s nebulous spy agency (is he with the CIA? The CIB? Maybe the CIC? or is really it the CID?) and lots of witty humor, “A Smattering of Intelligence” is not just classic MASH, it’s classic TV! 

Though guest star Bill Fletcher is forgettable (he seems much too old for the role), his best scenes – one, easily bullying Henry and the other, a joint interrogation competing against an equally irked Flagg are terrific.  Stealing the show, however, is Edward Winter’s recurring Col. Flagg, in undoubtedly his best MASH appearance.  What’s so impressive about the straight-faced Winter this time is his spot-on chemistry working off the regular cast.  Including an inspired telegram gag, Flagg’s hard-nosed intimidation of both Henry & “Radar” serves up multiple comedic gems.  

For a LOL episode from the original MASH gang, “A Smattering of Intelligence” is a can’t-miss prospect.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               10 Stars

Note: For a classy spy movie comedy-caper similar in spirit, try Walter Matthau’s 1980 Hopscotch.  Aside from foul language (lots of F-bombs), Matthau, Sam Waterston, Herbert Lom, and Ned Beatty are in dynamite form.

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on February 23, 1974, Alan Alda directs the first of MASH’s occasional “Mail Call” episodes.  Mail day brings assorted odds-and-ends to the 4077^th.  Prescribing some deserved ‘humility therapy,’ Hawkeye baits Frank’s greed re: an imaginary stock tip.  Savoring Frank’s get-rich-quick scheme, “Hot Lips” gloats that she’ll be the next Mrs. Burns soon enough.  Exasperated by his own home mail, Henry is further harassed by Klinger’s latest ploy.  “Radar” calls upon Hawkeye for pen-pal advice.  Poignantly missing his young daughters, a drunken Trapper contemplates going AWOL.     

Note: Hawkeye is seen receiving an oversized sweater from his sister back home.  The series later depicts him as an only child.

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre: Wayne Rogers

Lt. Col. Henry Blake: McLean Stevenson                                            

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher                            

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

REVIEW:

Standard-issue TV concept … inspired execution!  Aside from Henry & Klinger’s first conversation overextending its hilarious gag, “Mail Call” is an early MASH gem.  Each of the story’s tangents, with scripted precision, nail their intended targets.  In particular, the comedic chemistry between “Hot Lips” and a sniveling Frank epitomizes their conceited on/off affair.  Though Father Mulcahy gets too little to do, his spot-on facial reaction to a depressed Trapper’s retort of “Wait until you have children, Father,” is a delight.  The same applies to “Radar” and Frank’s befuddling chat discussing time zones. 

As for the episode’s best scene, that honor goes to Henry & Klinger.  Their LOL dialogue re: Klinger’s dubious home correspondence file was smartly edited down a bit for subsequent clip episodes.  If one wants some vintage MASH laughs tinged by the right dosage of poignancy, “Mail Call” ensures first-class delivery. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  8½ Stars

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on February 9, 1974, the episode is directed by Don Weis.  With its supply line temporarily cut off, an isolated 4077^th resorts to drastic measures amidst a bitter cold spell.  Whether it’s sharing tents or scrounging for firewood, the gang find hilarious ways of coping with their rapidly-depleting supplies.  Worse yet is that the 4077^th is subsequently hit a non-stop barrage of casualties.       

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre: Wayne Rogers

Lt. Col. Henry Blake: McLean Stevenson                                            

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher                            

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Nurse (uncredited): Kellye Nakahara

REVIEW:

It should be deemed a TV classic!  Working this finely-tuned script, the cast’s chemistry is superb.  For instance, the interrupted ‘hot plate’ scene and the reluctant bunkmates sequences are indicative of how terrific this original cast gelled.  More specifically, all of them (not just Alan Alda) contribute to one of MASH’s funniest episodes ever.  Perhaps its most underrated element is McLean Stevenson delightfully playing up Col. Blake’s shaky leadership under dire circumstances.  For vintage MASH laughs, this “Crisis” might just leave viewers in stitches.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              9 Stars

SUMMARY:                            RUNNING TIME: 25 Min.

First televised on CBS on February 2, 1974, the episode is directed by Hy Averback.  It’s quiet … almost too quiet for the  4077^th, after several days in a row of non-stop boredom.  Trapper & Hawkeye resort to some ‘monkey business,’ just for fun.  Consulting Father Mulcahy, Klinger test-runs his latest Section Eight ploy.  Left with little alternative, Frank approaches Hawkeye & Trapper to operate on his aching hernia.  Egged on by the guys in his assembled command, Henry dubiously presents one of his required monthly lectures.  Playtime is abruptly over once a huge wave of casualties roll in.        

Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda                                                    

Capt. “Trapper John” McIntyre: Wayne Rogers

Lt. Col. Henry Blake: McLean Stevenson                                          

Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly: Gary Burghoff

Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan: Loretta Swit                            

Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville

(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher                            

Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr

Lt. Able/RN: Kellye Nakahara                                                             

Lt. Baker/RN: Patricia Stevens

Lt. Murphy/RN: Bobbie Mitchell                                                         

REVIEW:

For an episode with so little actual plot, this one is impressive.  Including a witty dialogue exchange between Hawkeye and a delirious Frank, what’s remarkable about “As You Were” is how the cast consistently scores laughs.  Whether it’s doctors goofing off in gorilla suits or Frank literally feeling ‘boxed in,’ this odds-and-ends episode is an underrated minor gem.  Best of all is McLean Stevenson scoring its biggest chuckles amidst a flustered Col. Blake’s pre-marital sex lecture.  A near-identical lecture gag appears in Season 1’s “Dear Dad,” but this one is just as good, if not better.  For some worthwhile MASH laughs. “As You Were” is a fun half-hour getaway.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:              8 Stars