M.A.S.H. - Series 5 (DVD)

M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical hospital) was a television series that ran for eleven seasons between 1973 and 1983. The series was set in the Korean War and based around the oddball characters that served in the 4077th MASH.

The series itself fits into the category of black comedy set in the Korean War. It is probably the best place here to mention that this series does not insinuate ever that war or the situations is causes is a funny ...
...or form. It simply highlights how in the toughest of situations it is often the humour of those that remain that prevails the longest. Sort of along the 'they can crush us but they'll never crush our spirit' lines. Therefore the series does not shy from making some statements about war even if they are made in a comedic way but is careful to place just the right amount of emphasis on sensitive issues without becoming bogged down with them.
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M*A*S*H (Mobile Army Surgical hospital) was a television series that ran for eleven seasons between 1973 and 1983. The series was set in the Korean War and based around the oddball characters that served in the 4077th MASH.

The series itself fits into the category of black comedy set in the Korean War. It is probably the best place here to mention that this series does not insinuate ever that war or the situations is causes is a funny thing or that it is comedic in any way shape or form. It simply highlights how in the toughest of situations it is often the humour of those that remain that prevails the longest. Sort of along the 'they can crush us but they'll never crush our spirit' lines. Therefore the series does not shy from making some statements about war even if they are made in a comedic way but is careful to place just the right amount of emphasis on sensitive issues without becoming bogged down with them.

None of the episodes in this or other series' focus on the actual fighting of the war as the focus is clearly on the MASH unit. For this reason every episode shows a least one scene with the doctors performing surgery, highlighting how the staff at the 4077th MASH unit frequently find themselves knee deep in wounded and running out of both beds and medical supplies. This combined with the endless need for the doctors to spend their days and nights performing what is coined 'meatball surgery' leaves them sleep deprived and frustrated by a lack of military competence. It is in this difficult situation though that the members of MASH 4077th make some of the best friends they will ever have.

***Hawkeye: Colonel, you're either going to have to get us some more blood or call off the war***

Characters

Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce otherwise known as Hawkeye and played by Alan Alda is still the camps chief protagonist. He is a draftee and is not army at all. In fact he severely dislikes anything army especially the idea of being woken up. Despite this though he truly is a gifted surgeon and more than dedicated to doing his duty to his patients. Hawkeye lives in the SWAMP, the more than suitable name for his tent, with fellow draftee Captain B. J. Hunnicutt who filled the shoes of 'Trapper' McIntyre in the previous series.

The friendship between Hawkeye and B.J. is a strong one and the pair spark off one another beautifully although Hawkeye is definitely more of a womaniser that the ever faithful B.J. B.J does however prove that he is just as much of a prankster. The surgical side to the pair is also well shown and Alan Alda genuinely does act like a doctor in many scenes and seems to do in a natural way and with a sense of ease.

***Sidney Freedman: Angered turned inward is depression. Anger turned sideways is Hawkeye***

The other bed in the SWAMP belongs to, want to be army, Major Frank Burns. Frank loves the army in a very juvenile sort of way and is determined that everyone he comes into contact with will learn to love it the way he does. Unfortunately for Frank he isn't a very good officer or doctor, in fact his medical skills are more than questionable and not amount of shouting about his authority can cover that up. Previous series have seen Frank form a strong alliance with, and have an affair with Major Margaret Houlihan but her engagement to another officer in this series breaks that bond.

***Frank: I'm as good a doctor as the next man
Col. Potter: Provided the next man is Lou Costello***

Major Margaret 'Hot-Lips' Houlihan's part in the show as a whole increases in this series and her importance grows as the series progresses. This enables a new side to Houlihan to be show or more precisely the side that only we only ever got small glimpses of before, to be brought to the forefront. Margaret has always admired Hawkeye, that has been evident for quite a few series but it is this series that sees her grow fonder of both Hawkeye and B.J and more distant towards her old ally Frank.

***Hawkeye: A lot of them didn't make it
Margaret: Most of them did, you should be proud
Hawkeye: You too***

The previous series saw Colonel Sherman Potter take command of the 4077th and despite the almost instantaneous impression that because he was regular army he would ruin what the camp had going this was not to be. Potter was immediately impressed by Hawkeye's medical skills and enjoying a good drink and a gamble now and then found himself soon quite friendly with the chief trouble-makers. Despite being regular army Frank's somewhat gung-ho approach does not impress him at all and Potter can often be heard making snide remarks about him.

***Visiting Colonel: [discussing Hawkeye] we're soldiers
Col. Potter Maybe we are but Pierce isn't. He's just humouring us by wearing that uniform***

Despite Colonel Potter's proves as a Commander of men Radar still finds himself in great need. His spirit never seems to be crushed and his boyish and often naïve take on things adds another dimension to camp. Radar is technically the Company Clerk but his job entails much more than pushing a pen and he is frequently found hunting down missing supplies, seconding other supplies, feeding the operating surgeons and tucking-up the tired ones. Radar's biggest skill is still like in previous series' his amazing ability to hear the arrival of the Choppers before they can even be seen nor heard and his tremendous talent of being able to pre-empt everyone's orders.

***Sidney Freedman: In many ways he is still as innocent and naïve as the local orphans he plays with yet this boy keeps this unit - this state of chaos - running smoothly***

The growth of the part of Corporal Klinger also continues in this series, as does the part of Father Mulcahy. Klinger is still bucking for a section 8 madness discharge though and so can still be found conducting guard duty in an evening gown. This waver from the official uniform however doesn't bother anyone except Frank and Margaret and is never seen to impede upon his duty, which despite his eagerness to be Stateside he carries out with diligence. Father Mulcahy is the sole priest in the camp and is often seen to be the only sane one in the midst of the general chaos. Luckily for the camp though he has no interest in denying them the right to do as the wish and his wit becomes more prominent in this series. He is also never far away when he is needed and can man an instrument tray as well as any nurse.

***B.J: Oh Klinger! He probably forgot. His mind isn't what it used to be
Hawkeye: Maybe he's going through menopause***

The Humour

It is probably important to note here however that despite the somewhat lack of military discipline around the camp, the mischievous jokes, the consistent womanising and the constant drinking everyone at MASH 4077th is whole heartedly dedicated to saving the lives of those that are placed on the surgeons tables and not matter how tempted they get they will never shy away from their responsibility.

***Hawkeye: Look, I'll treat their wounds, heal their wounds, bind their wounds but I will not inflict their wounds***

Furthermore in the midst of all the gags and jokes is a strong social conscience, which is more prominent in this series than it has been in some of the previous ones. Saying this however the spirit of the show is kept throughout and the blend of comedy and seriousness gives a great insight into the life of a military outfit. Especially one, which it must be remembered, is made up mostly of drafted medical professionals.

The Episodes

All of the episodes in this series are 25 minutes in length except the first one, which is 50 minutes.

Episode 1 - Bug Out
With the enemy creeping closer and closer it is time to pull the camp down and pull back to a safer location. A spinal patient however can't be moved and so Hawkeye volunteers to stay, as do Margaret and Radar.

***Col. Potter: [talking about Frank] Where did he get that whistle?
B.J: Same place he got his diploma, a box of crackerjacks***

Episode 2 - Margaret's Engagement
When Margaret returns from leave in Tokyo she returns engaged to a Lt Colonel and near enough destroys Frank, who reacts so badly even Hawkeye and B.J feel sorry for him.

***Hawkeye: Come on Frankie, time for beddy byes
Frank: Mom, can I have a glass of water
Hawkeye: Sure Frankie, and if you're a good boy Mom will read you another chapter about Eeyore and Piglet***

Episode 3 - Out of sight, Out of Mind
Coming to the aid of the nurses when the stove in their tent goes out Hawkeye suffers flash burns and is temporarily blinded.

Episode 4 - Lt. Radar O'Reily
To settle a gambling debt with Hawkeye and B.J a member of 'I' Corp agrees to promote Radar to Lieutenant.

Episode 5 - The Nurses
When a nurse's husband arrives to visit her for one night he finds her confined to her quarters. Never fear though because Hawkeye and B.J have a cunning plan.

***Hawkeye: If it is a problem I can sleep with the nurses and Major Houlihan can sleep in the SWAMP of she doesn't mind snoring***

Episode 6 - The Abduction of Margaret Houlihan
When Margaret leaves the camp to help a Korean woman giving birth everyone begins to worry when she cannot be found the next day.

***Radar: [After being told to search the nurses showers by Col. Potter] But Sir, couldn't we get someone else, like… maybe Captain Pierce?
Col. Potter: No, we'd never get him out of there***

Episode 7 - Dear Sigmund
Spending some time in the camp psychiatrist Sidney Freedman decides to write a letter to Freud. Meanwhile the camp endure the tricks of a mystery prankster.

Episode 8 - Mulchay's War
Troubled by his lack of front-line experience, Father Mulcahy insists Radar takes him on an errand.

Episode 9 -The Korean Surgeon
Instead of turning in a Korean Prisoner of War, Hawkeye and B.J do everything they can to get him a spot of the 4077th staff.

Episode 10 - Hawkeye Get Your Gun
Whilst Klinger is posing as a gypsy to try and get a discharge, Colonel Potter and Hawkeye take a trip to a Korean clinic to offer assistance and run into enemy attack on their way home.

***Col. Potter: Where's your gun?
Hawkeye: Sulking under my cot, we're not on speaking terms
Col. Potter: Go kiss and make up, you're taking it with you***

Episode 11 - The Colonel's Horse
Whilst Colonel Potter is away Radar is in charge of his mare, Sophie and so when she gets ill he turns to Hawkeye and B.J for help.

Episode 12 - Exorcism
Strange activities within camp and mysterious events lead to the enter camp becoming less sceptical towards Korean beliefs.

Episode 13 - Hawk's Nightmare
Hawkeye begins sleepwalking and screaming himself awake. Radar becomes worried thinking he's starting to loose the war against the war.

*** Hawkeye: Yeah, sure just a dream. Only I'm shaking like a leaf, my heart's pounding as if I've run ten miles, my palms are sweaty and I'm not sure, but I think I wet the bed ***

Episode 14 - The Most Unforgettable Characters
Radar takes up a 'by-mail' correspondence course and seeing as it his birthday Hawkeye and B.J pretend to fight to please Frank.

Episode 15 - 38 Across
Trying to shift the boredom, Hawkeye and B.J throw themselves into the Times Crossword and eventually call in help when they get stuck.

***Admiral: Where can I find Doctor Pierce, Corporal?
Radar: That tent over there Sir, smells like dirty socks***

Episode 16 - Ping Pong
Whilst the camp gets ready for a traditional Korean wedding, Colonel Pierce runs into an old friend who in order to get a medal is putting all of his troops in jeopardy.

Episode 17 - End Run
In order to prove he is all man Frank sets up a boxing match between Klinger and Zale. In OR a promising footballer comes to terms with loosing his leg.

Episode 18 - Hanky Panky
B.J falls of the fidelity wagon whilst trying to console a friend and feels eternally guilty about it. Can Hawkeye ensure he doesn't ruin everything he's got?

Episode 19 - Hepatitis
The camp fears an outbreak of Hepatitis and so despite severe back pain, Hawkeye must try and inoculate everyone.

***B.J: You want a massage?
Hawkeye: Not unless you put your shirt back on***

Episode 20 - The General's Practitioner
A General's aide visits the 4077th trying to poach Hawkeye and persuade him to become his general's practitioner. Despite doing everything he can to put him off the general himself visits and insists.

Episode 21 - Movie Tonight
In an attempt to raise the mood in camp everyone settles down to watch the movie, but a temperamental projector makes that difficult.

***B.J: Oh a little hotdog, what happened to him
Hawkeye: He got mustered out
B.J: I relish these conversations***

Episode 22 - Souvenirs
Colonel Potter tries to discourage the camp from purchasing war souvenirs in an attempt to cut down on young Koreans being involved in mine accidents.

Episode 23 - Post Op
Everything that could possibly go wrong is going wrong and when blood runs out everyone on the staff must donate at 48 hour intervals.

Episode 24 - Margaret's Marriage
Feeling the pressure from Frank, Margaret decides that she and Donald must marry immediately. In camp he is treated to a bachelor party as well as a practical joke and Margaret receives a bridal shower.

***B.J: Potter looks so dignified
Hawkeye: That's because he's got a hangover that would kill his horse***

My Favourites

Despite the fact that all of the episodes contained within this series truly are fantastic I do have my favourites.

My favourite episode of the series is definitely Episode 3 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind'. This is my favourite my far because it shows a completely different side to Hawkeye. He is always a happy and jolly trickster character but this episode shows us the vulnerable side to him. It also highlights the relationship he has with other members of the camp and the respect they have for him.

***Nurses: The stove in our tent went out … it's freezing in there
Hawkeye: [pulling back his blanket] it's warm in here***

My next favourite episode is Episode 18 'Hanky Panky' simply because it allowed us to focus on the character of B.J for a change. The episode highlighted how despite the fact that B.J is clearly devoted to his wife and child and never wants to hurt them, the pressures of the war and being away from home get to everyone. His friendship with Hawkeye is also highlighted here in a promising way.

***B.J: Guess who fell of the fidelity wagon last night?
Hawkeye: I thought I heard a bump.***

Closing Comment

This series really is a brilliant one. The songs in Episode 21 are certainly worth a list , The Army Song is especially funny (check it out on youtube). The story lines are all fun yet often poignant at the same and the cast gel wonderfully together giving you a real feel of camp life. I am going to end this review with a quote that always sticks in my head.

***Hawkeye: War isn't Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse.
Father Mulcahy: How do you figure, Hawkeye?
Hawkeye: Easy, Father. Tell me, who goes to Hell?
Father Mulcahy: Sinners, I believe.
Hawkeye: Exactly. There are no innocent bystanders in Hell. War is chock full of them - little kids, cripples, old ladies. In fact, except for some of the brass, almost everybody involved is an innocent bystander.*** 

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