M*A*S*H (TV Series) The Party (1979) User Reviews

Was Nurse Kellye's stateside family invited to the reunion? What about Rizzo's? Igor? Goldman?

[safenoe · 8/10 · 29 September 2016]

I know, I know, the 7 core cast members are the focus of this episode, and it follows their families stateside will gather at the reunion. I just wish the stateside families of the key supporting cast were somehow invited, e.g. Nurse Kellye, Rizzo, Goldman, Igor. They play an important role in the ensemble and whilst their names aren't in the opening credits, their families deserved to be recognized and invited to the stateside reunion.

Did they fell hurt about the lack of invitation? It's kind of awkward if you know what I mean. It's like the secretary who organizes the office party but whose name doesn't appear in the invitation list. Oh dear.

Family matters

[Psilio · 9/10 · 27 July 2018]

This is my most favourite episode of M*A*S*H, mainly because it centers on the families back in the countries from where the soldiers are fighting.in this case US soildiers and families, but this theme goes for every human on earth. love conquers all ;)

A Nice Distraction

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 13 April 2015]

It became obvious as Season Seven moved along that a significant theme was going to be that B.J. was becoming more and more depressed (several episodes yet to come). About the time that he has concerns about a patient with a kidney problem and whether they will be able to help him in Seoul, he comes up with the idea of promoting a party in the states where all their significant others will gather in one place for a party. Much of the episode is about the logistics of such a venture. Everyone has concerns that these people will not interact with one another, because of economic or social status. What is missing from their thinking is that they have a common thread: someone they love, working in near the front in a war zone. There are some truly touching moments here, making this a really nice episode.

Family matters

[kellielulu · 9/10 · 6 September 2022]

BJ gets excited about the families of the various members of the 4077 writing to each other and he has the idea they could all meet each other for a big dinner. This keeps him going as a patient's prognosis is questionable. That said the degree of enthusiasm from the rest varies a great deal. Potter , Father Mulcahy and to a degree Radar are on board, Hawkeye, Margaret and Klinger have doubts. Charles is a negative. Over time Hawkeye realizes BJ needs this and with Potter prodding everyone they all write their families. Despite misgivings by some of them all the actual families are excited about it including Charles's parents.

The party is a big hit with everyone only Charles seems to take less enthusiastically but to his credit he doesn't try to prevent his parents from attending.

As far as other members of the 4077 not included yes that one often nagged at me especially regular ones like Kellye and Igor but I think they only included family members we knew about through the stories, letters and phone calls. We already knew them that's why others were not a part of it.

Solid episode and a nice change of pace.

Most-balanced ensemble M*A*S*H episode ever?

[robrosenberger · 8/10 · 1 March 2012]

What an absolutely flawless M*A*S*H moment in time. A depressed BJ tries to arrange a stateside party for everyone's relatives. It looks like it won't happen, but finally does. Superlative character work all round, probably the most perfectly balanced seven-character ensemble effort of the series. It's tempting to give four stars. But then i realized that this would be the only four-star entry of season 7. At first, that fact compelled me in the "yay" direction, as no M*A*S*H season ought be four-star void...plus the knowledge that Radar's final episode is close at hand made me want to laud this fine moment more. Then it felt like reason to "nay", because i didn't want anything to mar the uniformity of such a flawed season. Ultimately, i went with three, because four requires certainty, and there was no X factor to make this one unforgettable. The big question - why was this season so sub-par? In a word (or two)? All i can come up with is "Larry Balmagia". After a couple season 6 writing credits, he was promoted to season 7 story editor. Again and again, there's a sub-M*A*S*H quality to this season, plot lines that feel like standard sitcom-fare. GROWING PAINS or FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, if you will. And i hope you won't.

So wholesome!

[superfox_888 · 9/10 · 28 May 2023]

This is a well-written episode. By having Radar read BJ's letter first, the audience hears all the details of the families' "reunion" halfway across the world.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The previous episode was full of tension and heartache, this wholesome episode was a nice break from the dramedy of war zone hospitals. Sure, there was imminent danger and a bug-out, but all of that is drowned out by the main plot of the get-together.

At times it feels a little drawn out while characters lament their families won't be interested, but the way all of that comes together in bouncy jeeps is quite fun.

I'd really like to have heard a resolution to the jam-making though...

A Favorite

[dianes-570-565705 · 10/10 · 2 May 2024]

This one is a gem! Well-written, balanced between funny and sad (emphasis on fun). Well-acted. All the main characters are themselves as we have come to know them. There are some surprises and some things not so surprising (Charles). I remember watching this first*fun and enjoying it immensely and it still delights me.

It has some flaws in continuity, but they are small and easily overlooked. I get giggly thinking about Charles' first summer home after the war!

And now I have to fill up the character count, which is ridiculous. I don't want to give awat spoilers, but I still haven't used up my count.