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 4077th, 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 4077th 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 4077th 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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