This was the first of 19 scripts written or cowritten by series star Alan Alda. He was the first member of the cast to take on extra duties behind the camera. In this story, inspired by 'La Ronde,' an item of significant value is passed around the camp from one person to the next. The item in this case is a pair of Hawkeye's long underwear, much coveted during a cold spell that is bearing down on everyone.
While we hear the icy winds of a Korean winter on the soundtrack and see a few leaves blowing around, there is no snow. Also, it seems unbelievable that if they are all shivering so much and trying to keep their hands warm, that they would be going without gloves? Especially when walking outdoors in the wintertime, surely they'd all wear gloves. And if they didn't have gloves, then those would be requested in the letter that Henry has Radar write to get more clothing sent to the 4077th.
Despite the implausibilities of Alda's script, the basic scenario is fun. We see how everyone wants to get their hands on Hawkeye's long johns, which were recently sent to him by his father. Unfortunately for Hawkeye, he isn't able to hold on to the undergarments. He gives them to Trapper who is not feeling well, but then Trapper loses them in a poker game to Radar.
From here the long johns are traded by Radar to the cook for a sumptuous meal. The cook hands them over to Frank as a bribe, when Frank threatens to have the cook written up for unsanitary kitchen conditions. Then Frank gives Hawkeye's underwear to Margaret as a gift, after she guilt trips him. Incidentally, I found it a bit unrealistic that the long johns would fit Frank so perfectly, since he and Hawkeye are not the same build. Or that they'd fit Henry so well, since he's taller, when he wears them later.
In the next part Klinger steals the long johns from Margaret before she's had a chance to wear them. But Klinger develops a conscience about his theft and gives them to Father Mulcahy who passes them on to Henry. You get the idea, the double-weave long johns are making the rounds!
In a way, a plot like this sort of writes itself...the important item keeps getting passed on to the next person until eventually it comes full circle back to first person (Hawkeye), which of course is what happens. There are no surprises here, but it's amusing to see how everyone's life is temporarily turned upside down by a pair of underwear.
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