M*A*S*H (TV Series) I Hate a Mystery (1972) User Reviews

Falls Short Somehow (And I"m Not Talking About Radar)

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 21 February 2015]

Thefts abound in the 4077. Because the items taken from numerous cast members are found in Hawkeye's foot locker, he is blamed and becomes the pariah of the camp. Of course, Frank and Margaret already have the court martial papers ready for Henry to sign. It is up to Hawkeye to hunt down the real crook. While he does this, Radar is at work, following his every footstep, even impersonating a bush. Eventually, we get to the classic Agatha Christie drawing room scene (even though there is no drawing room), where the master detective runs through all the suspects and their potential motives and arrives at the conclusion. The final deduction is rather a disappointment, especially the reactions of the theft victims.

Hawkeye solves a mystery

[kellielulu · 7/10 · 21 November 2022]

The biggest problem I have with this one is everyone believes Hawkeye is the thief too easily. Hawkeye whatever his flaws may be isn't greedy or inclined to steal for money issues. It's not surprising that Margaret and Frank take the opportunity to set in motion a court martial. Still it's a little annoying they keep looking for ways to take revenge on others. The funniest scene is when Blake and Radar search the swamp . Hawkeye takes matters into his own hands to clears his name. The actual culprit is one who looks upon everyone there as rich and does it to help his family. Everyone lets him keep everything. Margaret shows her first bit of humanity here even Frank doesn't retaliate. It's not one of the more typical episodes and it's a little uneven but it's better then some early episodes.

Murder He Wrote, MASH Style

[DKosty123 · 7/10 · 7 June 2009]

Hy Averback, veteran sit-com director of shows like F-Troop, handles the reins for this one. A murder mystery done very formula and work man like with Hawkeye playing the role of Sherlock Homes (or Jessica Fletcher in drag). The difference is it is done in a shorter time and has some laughs.

While it is not a top episode, it is suitably entertaining with all the folks getting dragged across the suspect list. Hawkeye gets all the suspects together in the mess tent for the finale. Motives get really mixed with Hawkeye in charge and the goings on get even more muddled with a few twists thrown in just to get the viewers attention.

No one throws out the first nurse here, but the doctors are definitely in stitches.

Mystery M*A*S*H

[safenoe · 7/10 · 9 March 2024]

I think I've watched every M*A*S*H episode at least once, and it's hard to believe M*A*S*H debuted over 50 years ago, and I Hate a Mystery was from series one when the ratings weren't high, but thankfully M*A*S*H grew to be the iconic series it became. Anyway, here Hawkeye plays detective to find the thief, and it happened to be Ho-Jon, played by Patrick Adiarte. I would love for Ryan Patrick and Jeff Maxwell (who played Igor) to bring Patrick to their M*A*S*H Matters podcast. Also I'd love for them to bring Odessa Cleveland, who played Ginger in series one, on their podcast. Anyway, I Hate a Mystery is worth watching at least once.

The one where Hawkeye is blamed

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 12 March 2023]

This is not the best episode of the first season. In fact, the plot is pretty simplistic and while the performances are okay, it's hardly must-see TV. A rash of burglaries is occurring in the camp, and it looks like Hawkeye has taken the missing items when an inspection leads Henry to uncover the loot inside the drawer of a desk used by Hawkeye.

The items are confiscated by Henry as evidence. These include a silver picture frame belonging to Frank; Trapper's nice watch; and some brushes given to Margaret by her father. Oh, and Hawkeye's gin swizzle stick is even among the booty. It doesn't make sense that Hawkeye would steal from himself, and that plot hole is overlooked. Also, he has no motive to take the stuff, so Henry seems to be jumping the gun.

Hawkeye doesn't like being on the outs with everyone. In order to clear his name, he sets up the real thief, whomever that may be. His ruse works, for it is soon revealed that Ho-Jon took the items to sell in order to pay to have relatives smuggled from North Korea into South Korea. Everyone seems to be able to forgive Ho-Jon's crimes pretty easily. Before Ho-Jon is revealed as the culprit, there is a spoof of detective mysteries, where Hawkeyes acts like Sherlock Holmes.

I think writer Hal Dresner was trying to do something different and fun with this script. Despite the pedestrian plot, there are some amusing moments. Such as when Henry gets sprayed by a shower head and then when his face is covered in soot, which causes a long reactionary laugh from Hawkeye and Trapper. Also, we get to see Radar's beloved teddy bear when Henry inspects Radar's quarters. And there is a daft moment when Hawkeye reaches out to Father Mulcahy for guidance and learns all the answers to his problems are found inside a certain book, with the priest referencing a dictionary which he has mistaken for a bible.