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 4077th 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.
