A Dozen Favorite Episodes of M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H is one of my all-time favorite shows, and here are a dozen favorites, in their order of appearance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants, and slide on the ice."
"Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice - pull down your pants, and slide on the ice."
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- DirectorWilliam WiardStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersMcLean StevensonHawkeye's childhood buddy drops by, and reveals that he is writing a book about his experiences in the infantry - experiences that may hit a little too close to home.One of the first episodes to show what the series could become. Look for a teenage Ron Howard as a very young Marine.
- DirectorWilliam K. JurgensenStarsAlan AldaWayne RogersMcLean StevensonHawkeye, Margaret, and Klinger travel to an aid station at the front, where they end up working closely together under heavy fire and unsanitary medical conditions.Margaret - "Do you suppose there are snipers out there?"
Hawkeye - "If they're good union snipers, they are." - DirectorWilliam K. JurgensenStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganThe Chinese Army joins the war, killing any hopes the 4077th has about a speedy resolution and homecoming.I love the narration of reading the unit's commendation, not to mention the interplay of the shower visits between Col. Potter and Margaret.
- DirectorLarry GelbartStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganWar Correspondent Clete Roberts interviews the members of the 4077.Real-life newsman Clete Roberts plays a visiting journalist, much like Edward R. Murrow had actually done during the Korean War. Some of the dialogue was the result of improv moments of the actors in character.
- DirectorAlan AldaStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganPsychiatrist Sidney Freedman composes a letter to Sigmund Freud during a visit to the 4077, while the rest of the camp endures the hijinks of a mystery prankster.I always loved the character of Sidney, and this was his best, I thought. The scene where Potter reads the letter that Radar wrote is also very touching.
- DirectorCharles S. DubinStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganMargaret celebrates her newly obtained divorce by creating a new way to handle triage and invites a general to observe. Radar is enamored of a new nurse and tries everything he knows to get her attention.One of Gary Burghoff's finest episodes. The scene in the O Club at the end, when Hawkeye toasts Radar, is a great moment.
- DirectorCharles S. DubinStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganThe 4077 receives a patient who is a bumbler at the front but regular gourmet in the mess tent. The surgical staff try and convince Potter to keep him but he flatly refuses. He has enough trouble as it is, his marriage is in danger.The scene at the bar, when Potter reads his letter from Mildred, is simply wonderful.
- DirectorCharles S. DubinStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganWhile Hawkeye and BJ struggle as morale officers of the disgruntled camp, Winchester tries to help a patient whose pianist career seems ruined due to a crippled hand.My favorite Winchester episode. I can play the notes; I cannot make music.
- DirectorDavid Ogden StiersStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganFather Mulcahy counsels a guilt-ridden GI who swapped tags with a dead colleague. B.J. and Charles consider ways of keeping a soldier-salesman quiet, while Hawkeye and Margaret help another GI get even with the woman who jilted him.Featuring a guest starring role by Joe Pantoliano, who would go on to play Guido the Killer Pimp in "Risky Business" and also Tommy Lee Jones' deputy Cosmo Renfro in "The Fugitive" and "U.S. Marshals."
- DirectorAlan AldaStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganFearing for his life at an aid station, Hawkeye writes his will with special bequests for his friends.Favorite moment: Hawkeye realizing Klinger had traded a huge salami for a Life magazine with pictures of Maine, just to give Hawkeye a gift of home.
- DirectorHy AverbackStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganIgnoring Margaret's offers to help, Potter and B.J. head a bowling team in a championship match against the Marines. Hawkeye's father is having an operation back home, so Hawkeye feels helpless enough to confide in Charles.Charles and Hawkeye develop a new respect for each other. I love the toast at the end.
- DirectorSusan OliverStarsAlan AldaMike FarrellHarry MorganThe nurses return from evacuation to find that the doctors have left the camp a mess. Potter announces an inspection in two days, Margaret and the nurses try to get everything reorganized. Nurse Kellye is mad at Hawkeye for ignoring her.Frequent background cast member Nurse Kelly gets to shine. Don't miss the scene in post op where she comforts a dying patient - truly wonderful.