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 4077th 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 4077th 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
