Hawkeye writes his father again and again we see the day to day activities of the 4077 MASH. Hawkeye is so caught up in the boredom and complacency of the unit, that he bets Trapper that he can walk naked into the mess tent without being noticed. The second main plot involves a man who is an incredible surgeon. He has been an amazing help to the unit as Hawkeye points out what a step up he is from Frank Burns. It turns out this guy is not legally a doctor which brings about some moral decisions. While this is going on, Radar has been doing a correspondence course to get his high school diploma. He tries to sneak some paperwork by Henry Blake which leads to a hilarious scene. Gary Burghoff and McLean Stevenson had great comedic timing and it works well here.
4 Reviews
A funny and prophetic episode
byester28 April 2023
Hawkeye writes home to Dad again and his narration provides some comments that will prove very prophetic in the series finale. He mentions that without the jokes and sarcasm, he might end up in the boobyhatch. He also wonders how Father Maulchaney hasn't gone deaf from listening to the sound of all the commandments being broken around him. If you haven't watched the finale yet, you'll see what I mean. If you have seen it, then you know. It's a great episode and a solid 9 out of 10. The exchange between Hawkeye and Klinger in a wedding gown is priceless and Ferett Face getting hammered on Swamp-made gin shows how funny Frank Burns could be.
Guest starring Gwen Farrell and Odessa Cleveland
safenoe9 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Gwen Farrell continues her recurring role as a nurse in Dear Dad, Again, and I would love for the hosts of the M*A*S*H Matters podcast, superfan Ryan Patrick and Jeff Maxwell, to bring on Gwen as a guest as I would love to more about what it was like to be part of the first series of such a fine series. Also it's a shame Odessa Cleveland didn't continue as Lieutenant Ginger Bayliss, because she was a significant member of the cast. Again, please I would love for Ryan and Jeff to have Odessa as a guest on their podcast. I like the M*A*S*H episodes where a cast members writes to a family member or friend.
The one where Hawkeye writes to his father...again
jarrodmcdonald-119 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
A half dozen episodes back Hawkeye wrote to his dad at Christmastime. It is interesting the writers are revisiting this concept again so quickly. Perhaps there were leftover bits from the Christmas episode, and the ideas were used to make this follow-up 'sequel.' My only quibble: they might have let one of the other main characters besides Hawkeye do the writing this time- like maybe Trapper, to provide a different perspective.
At any rate, these types of episodes, like the mail call ones, are fun to watch because everyone is guaranteed nominal screen time, including the recurring characters. As a result, the members of the camp seem more connected by a central theme.
In this offering Hawkeye's note home informs his father that the men and women of the 4077th are often exhausted after performing hours of 'meatball surgery.' Some of them crack under the pressure, and this is where we see Klinger again in a white mail-order bridal gown, still trying to get thrown out of the army. It is said that Klinger is an orderly.
Later Hawkeye has a bet with Trapper that they are all so desensitized to what goes on around them that he could walk into the mess hall naked and nobody would notice. Interestingly, when he does this, a new guy points out Hawkeye's lack of clothing, causing Trapper to collect the $50 wager.
Meanwhile we learn that Radar is taking a correspondence course to earn a high school diploma. Henry must ask the questions on the final exam, before signing off that Radar's passed. But Radar has memorized the answers in the wrong order. McLean Stevenson and Gary Burghoff make a great double-act, enlivening any little comedy sketch handed to them.
While all of this is going on, Frank and Margaret have had a quarrel because Margaret feels as if Frank only likes her for her body, not her brains. On the outs with Margaret, Frank drowns his sorrows by guzzling gin with Hawkeye and Trapper which helps him loosen up.
Unlike the previous 'Dear Dad' episode, this one features an additional subplot where a man named Casey (Alex Henteloff) is seen in the operating room and interacting with other personnel. He has quickly proven himself a valuable member of the M*A*S*H team, and everyone admires him. However, there is a catch- as he confesses to Father Mulcahy, he is in fact not a real physician, but an impostor.
Similar to the recently aired Captain Tuttle episode, we have another important contributor to the war effort, with phony credentials. If the show had done storylines that spanned multiple episodes, this might have been a good full-season arc, where we could spend almost a whole year with a guy that like the other characters, we become attached to. Then the rug is pulled out from under us, and we realize the irony that he's not exactly who he said he was...but yet, he's saved many lives. Yes, that would be something to write home about.
At any rate, these types of episodes, like the mail call ones, are fun to watch because everyone is guaranteed nominal screen time, including the recurring characters. As a result, the members of the camp seem more connected by a central theme.
In this offering Hawkeye's note home informs his father that the men and women of the 4077th are often exhausted after performing hours of 'meatball surgery.' Some of them crack under the pressure, and this is where we see Klinger again in a white mail-order bridal gown, still trying to get thrown out of the army. It is said that Klinger is an orderly.
Later Hawkeye has a bet with Trapper that they are all so desensitized to what goes on around them that he could walk into the mess hall naked and nobody would notice. Interestingly, when he does this, a new guy points out Hawkeye's lack of clothing, causing Trapper to collect the $50 wager.
Meanwhile we learn that Radar is taking a correspondence course to earn a high school diploma. Henry must ask the questions on the final exam, before signing off that Radar's passed. But Radar has memorized the answers in the wrong order. McLean Stevenson and Gary Burghoff make a great double-act, enlivening any little comedy sketch handed to them.
While all of this is going on, Frank and Margaret have had a quarrel because Margaret feels as if Frank only likes her for her body, not her brains. On the outs with Margaret, Frank drowns his sorrows by guzzling gin with Hawkeye and Trapper which helps him loosen up.
Unlike the previous 'Dear Dad' episode, this one features an additional subplot where a man named Casey (Alex Henteloff) is seen in the operating room and interacting with other personnel. He has quickly proven himself a valuable member of the M*A*S*H team, and everyone admires him. However, there is a catch- as he confesses to Father Mulcahy, he is in fact not a real physician, but an impostor.
Similar to the recently aired Captain Tuttle episode, we have another important contributor to the war effort, with phony credentials. If the show had done storylines that spanned multiple episodes, this might have been a good full-season arc, where we could spend almost a whole year with a guy that like the other characters, we become attached to. Then the rug is pulled out from under us, and we realize the irony that he's not exactly who he said he was...but yet, he's saved many lives. Yes, that would be something to write home about.
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