SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 25:00 Min.
First televised by CBS-TV on November 24, 1973, Jackie Cooper directed this mid-season episode. A nasty flu bug has infiltrated the 4077th, leaving Hawkeye literally the last surgeon standing. Despite Radar’s futile efforts to recruit temporary O.R. help, it’s up to an exhausted Hawkeye and the nurses to cover all incoming waves of casualties. Even Father Mulcahy and Radar are called upon to serve as fill-in nurses, especially once Hawkeye, too, becomes ill.
Meanwhile, Margaret and Hawkeye must settle who is in temporary command of the camp.
Capt. “Hawkeye” Pierce: Alan Alda
Capt. “Trapper” John McIntyre: Wayne Rogers
Lt. Col. Henry Blake: MacLean 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
Lt. Kellye Yamato, R.N.: Kellye Nakahara
Nurses: Sheila Mettey; Gwen Farrell; & Marcia Gelman
P.A. Announcer: Todd Sussman
REVIEW:
“Carry On, Hawkeye,” exemplifies the notion of Alan Alda’s stature as MASH’s undisputed star. Still, this plot wouldn’t have worked nearly as well had it centered around one of Alda’s co-stars.
The good news is that, with terrific support from Loretta Swit, Gary Burghoff, & William Christopher, Alda ensures that this poignant episode remains re-watchable. In particular, one of the best-ever Hawkeye/Margaret sequences occurs here when they hilariously trade off giving each other flu shots in Henry’s office.
Suffice to say, Alda & Swit’s reliable chemistry in “Carry On, Hawkeye” makes for solid TV entertainment.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
