SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 25:00 Min.
Directed by Harry Morgan, CBS-TV first aired this episode on January 27, 1976. Captain “Hawkeye” Pierce faces a general hearing re: an imminent court martial for ‘mutiny.’ Flashbacks reveal that Col. Potter had recently been away from camp in Tokyo for scheduled R&R. Hence, the insufferable Major Frank Burns assumes temporary command of the 4077th.
As witnesses, Captain BJ Honeycutt and Cpl. “Radar” O’Reilly testify as to the increasing tensions in camp before a chaotic O.R. session pits the camp’s Chief Surgeon, Hawkeye, vs. Frank for control of the hospital. The question becomes: which drastically different version of events will a skeptical Colonel Carmichael believe?
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 (credit only)
Major Frank Burns: Larry Linville
(Lt.) Father Francis Mulcahy: William Christopher
Cpl. Maxwell Klinger: Jamie Farr
Sgt. Zelmo Zale: Johnny Haymer
Lt. Kellye Yamato, R.N.: Kellye Nakahara
Colonel Carmichael: Ned Wilson
Note: Oddly, Margaret’s absence during this episode is never explained.
REVIEW:
Reminiscent of Second 2’s “The Trial of Henry Blake,” this episode is almost as equally well-played. Though there aren’t any hilarious surprises, “The Novocaine Mutiny” is still definitely re-watchable. If anything, it’s a delight expanding the 4077th vs. Frank Burns saga.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
