Once again the team of Burns and Houlihan have complained to the powers that be. This time it has to do with their perceived incompetence of Henry Blake. He has been sent for a complete hearing of the charges with Court Martial a possibility. He is charged with allowing gurney races in the camp, allowing Radar to run a business (selling wing-tipped shoes), and putting up with Klinger. There is a wonderful scene where Klinger builds a hang glider and makes it two miles from camp, only to crash. The most serious charge is giving aid and comfort to the enemy because he has been giving supplies to a female doctor who helps the pregnant Korean women with their birthing. Hawkeye and Trapper escape MP's and go to the hearing along with the aforementioned nurse. They are closely followed by Frank and Margaret. This is such a satisfying episode.
6 Reviews
One of the best episodes
kellielulu5 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Once again Margaret and Frank try to have Henry Blake removed of command. This time it's even more serious he's on trial. Most of the charges are from the antics going on during down time. Margaret and Frank reek of hypocrisy on this since they have antics of their own going on. The most serious charge is giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Henry is placed under arrest and Radar is ordered to bring records of the camp showing what happened. Hawkeye and Trapper are under house arrest but with Klinger's help they get away. Frank and Margaret follow them. Hawkeye and Trapper bring Nurse Craddy who in her words brings a North Korean pregnant woman is "a sample of Henry Blake's work!" Henry " this will get me life in front of a firing squad!" But nurse Craddy defends Henry to the hilt! He's better than any of them. He's given her medicine to help people. She operates a clinic and doesn't ask people what their politics are. Henry says Craddy does all the actual work and he just makes it easier and doesn't deprive their soldiers of anything.
The general is inclined to dismiss the charges but needs Frank and Margaret to drop the charges they object but Hawkeye and Trapper make it clear they will expose Boris and Natasha, I mean Frank and Margaret . All ends well .
One of the times Frank and Margaret come off as outright villains ( happens a lot in the early seasons) .
The general is inclined to dismiss the charges but needs Frank and Margaret to drop the charges they object but Hawkeye and Trapper make it clear they will expose Boris and Natasha, I mean Frank and Margaret . All ends well .
One of the times Frank and Margaret come off as outright villains ( happens a lot in the early seasons) .
Written by McLean Stevenson
packerhof13 November 2021
In all the years I've seen this episode, long one of my favorites, I just realized Stevenson wrote this episode. This was a very funny episode woven with some amusing stories with a overlying serious tone. As with all sitcoms, Henry plays the lovable father figure, and Burns and Houlihan play the nastier characters always the thorn in everyone's side. My overall criticism of the series is the show should have been called the Alan Alda Show. There's a reason Altman didn't like the show and I believe that is why. But the first three seasons, in my opinion, where the best. And this is one of the best episodes. Enjoy!
The one where Henry goes on trial
jarrodmcdonald-120 April 2023
Warning: Spoilers
In previous episodes Margaret and Frank have complained about a lot of things. In one story, they had Klinger undergo a psychiatric evaluation. In this story, they are putting Henry under fire, trying to get him removed as the leader of the camp.
First, it's a bit interesting that they have so much power to keep going over people's heads. Yet they never seem to get anywhere with these nonstop complaints, as their efforts are often stymied. You would think they would have learned by now they can't exactly change the way the 4077th is run and it would be better if they just gave up!
One thing I don't like with regards to the writers using Margaret in these kinds of plots is that she becomes too unlikable. It's okay that Frank is unlikable, since he's meant to be the butt of jokes by Hawkeye and Trapper. But reducing Margaret to this level and having her act all officious and unreasonable just doesn't do her character any favors with the audience. She should be more sympathetic. Fortunately, her character will evolve as the seasons roll on, and she will be less a thorn in everyone's side. She has much more respect later for Colonel Potter than she does for Colonel Blake in this episode.
The gist of the episode involves Henry facing an investigation about his fitness to remain in charge of the camp. Of course, we know he will not get removed from his post, since McLean Stevenson isn't going anywhere (yet). This is the first episode in which we see a high ranking general named Mitchell (played by Robert Simon) who oversees Henry's trial.
Some of the complaints that Frank and Margaret have lodged against Henry are quite funny. And while he's being interrogated, Henry is technically under arrest and detained away from the camp. This puts Frank temporarily in charge of things.
In addition to the comical infractions, there is a serious accusation that suggests Henry committed treason by helping a nurse (Hope Summers) run a clinic in enemy territory. Of course, Hawkeye and Trapper find the nurse and get her to the trial where she can testify in Henry's defense.
I felt a lot of this was exaggerated. And that when Hawkeye and Trapper enlist Klinger's help at one point, and Klinger drugs a military police officer, then they are all doing things that should require them to face charges. It's difficult to sympathize with these characters when they resort to these types of tactics to aid Henry in his hour of need, instead of just outsmarting the bureaucracy which they've done in other episodes.
First, it's a bit interesting that they have so much power to keep going over people's heads. Yet they never seem to get anywhere with these nonstop complaints, as their efforts are often stymied. You would think they would have learned by now they can't exactly change the way the 4077th is run and it would be better if they just gave up!
One thing I don't like with regards to the writers using Margaret in these kinds of plots is that she becomes too unlikable. It's okay that Frank is unlikable, since he's meant to be the butt of jokes by Hawkeye and Trapper. But reducing Margaret to this level and having her act all officious and unreasonable just doesn't do her character any favors with the audience. She should be more sympathetic. Fortunately, her character will evolve as the seasons roll on, and she will be less a thorn in everyone's side. She has much more respect later for Colonel Potter than she does for Colonel Blake in this episode.
The gist of the episode involves Henry facing an investigation about his fitness to remain in charge of the camp. Of course, we know he will not get removed from his post, since McLean Stevenson isn't going anywhere (yet). This is the first episode in which we see a high ranking general named Mitchell (played by Robert Simon) who oversees Henry's trial.
Some of the complaints that Frank and Margaret have lodged against Henry are quite funny. And while he's being interrogated, Henry is technically under arrest and detained away from the camp. This puts Frank temporarily in charge of things.
In addition to the comical infractions, there is a serious accusation that suggests Henry committed treason by helping a nurse (Hope Summers) run a clinic in enemy territory. Of course, Hawkeye and Trapper find the nurse and get her to the trial where she can testify in Henry's defense.
I felt a lot of this was exaggerated. And that when Hawkeye and Trapper enlist Klinger's help at one point, and Klinger drugs a military police officer, then they are all doing things that should require them to face charges. It's difficult to sympathize with these characters when they resort to these types of tactics to aid Henry in his hour of need, instead of just outsmarting the bureaucracy which they've done in other episodes.
Good Job, Mr. McLean Stevenson!
dominik-8171727 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is written by McLean Stevenson and... I gotta say it. This is one of if not THE funniest episode of the show. And almost all of that is achieved by great acting by McLean and Gary Burghoff, as well as clever writing. I'm beginning to really appreciate McLean Stevenson on this rewatch, if you didn't realize yet.
Radar trying to sell shoes (and succeding) is the best thing ever. And considering the quality of the rest of the episode, I can also suspend my disbelief at the horrible CGI during Klingers flight with the glider.
Also I just realized Jeff Maxwell is in Season 2 as well, I thought his first appearance was in Officer Of The Day for the longest time and now I feel really dumb.
Radar trying to sell shoes (and succeding) is the best thing ever. And considering the quality of the rest of the episode, I can also suspend my disbelief at the horrible CGI during Klingers flight with the glider.
Also I just realized Jeff Maxwell is in Season 2 as well, I thought his first appearance was in Officer Of The Day for the longest time and now I feel really dumb.
The Trial
safenoe12 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The Trial of Henry Blake was written by McLean Stevenson, and it's a worthy entry in season two of M*A*S*H, and I think I've seen every episode of M*A*S*H at least once. Anyway, The Trial of Henry Blake sees Margaret and Frank square off against Colonel Blake, and it ain't pretty.
Jeff Maxwell returns in his important supporting role as Igor, and it happens that in 2018 he and superfan Ryan Patrick launched the podcast M*A*S*H Matters which is superb. In fact, Jeff and Ryan sometimes talk about McLean's controversial departure from the series, and the fact that he regretted it. Could M*A*S*H have become more serious with McLean Stevenson, well we'll never know.
Jeff Maxwell returns in his important supporting role as Igor, and it happens that in 2018 he and superfan Ryan Patrick launched the podcast M*A*S*H Matters which is superb. In fact, Jeff and Ryan sometimes talk about McLean's controversial departure from the series, and the fact that he regretted it. Could M*A*S*H have become more serious with McLean Stevenson, well we'll never know.
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