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4.0 out of 5 stars
"M*A*S*H" works in more heavy material with the comedy, June 10, 2003
This review is from: M*A*S*H - The TV Series, Season 3, Vol. 1 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
With Season 3 "M*A*S*H" settled in for the long haul. Producers Gene Reynold and Larry Gelbart had gathered anecdotes and firsthand observations at the 43rd Army Surgical Hospital in Korea (the 8055 was no longer mobile) which were worked into various episodes. As Gelbart later explained, it was difficult to come back from doing all those interviews and hear what things were really like during the Korean War and still be funny. Fortunately, the show was still high in the ratings (finishing 5th for the 1974-75 season) and could now mix heavy material in with the comedy, as can be seen from the first eight episodes:
(49) "The General Flipped at Dawn" (Writer: Jim Fritzell & Everett Greenbaum; Aired: September 10, 1974) has a new spit-and-polish general (Harry Morgan) showing up and deciding that moving the 4077th right onto the battlefield would be a good thing. Grade B: On the one hand the idea of a general being this nuts is unrealistic, but the general is played by Harry Morgan who, ironically, would be back one year later as Sherman Potter.
(50) "Rainbow Bridge" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: September 17, 1974) has Trapper (Wayne Rogers) and Hawkeye (Alan Alda) giving up a furlough to go after a group of wounded soldiers in enemy territory. Grade B-: Clearly inspired by the interviews conducted in Korea, but a bit much of a transition after the season premier episode. Singer Loudon Wainwright III, who would offer some musical accompaniment from time to time during the third season, makes his first appearance.
(51) "Officer of the Day" (Writer: Laurence Marks; Aired: September 24, 1974) has Henry on R&R in Seoul and Hawkeye forced to act as O.D. If that was not enough trouble, Colonel Flagg (Edward Winter) is back at the 4077th wanting to execute a wounded North Korean prisoner as a spy. Grade B+: One of the first times that Hawkeye has to act like a real soldier.
(52) "Iron Guts Kelly" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Sid Dorman; Aired: October 1, 1974) has the famous genral (James Gregory) dying in the bed of Hot Lips (Margaret Swit). However, that is not heroic enough of a death for the general's aide (Keene Curtis). Grade A-: "M*A*S*H" was becoming more realistic and more of a dramedy than a situation comedy, but black comedy was also one of their strengths as this episode proves.
(53) "O.R." (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: October 8, 1974) is set entirely in the operating room and is played without a laugh track. The casualties never stop coming and even Sidney Freedman (Allan Arbus) has to help. Grade A+: The stark realism of "M*A*S*H" was never more evident than on this stellar episode.
(54) "Springtime" (Writers: Linda Bloodworth & Mary Kay Place; Aired: October 15, 1974) has both Radar (Gary Burghoff) and Klinger (Jamie Farr) falling in love. Meanwhile, a grateful G.I. (Alex Karras) looks out for Hawkeye. Grade C+: Standard military sitcom episode, suffers from following "O.R."
(55) "Checkup" (Writer: Laurence Marks; Aired: October 22, 1974) finds Trapper suffering from a ulcer which turns out to be his ticket home. This requires a big party to say goodbye during which Hot Lips confesses a few things to Trapper. Grade B: Worth it for the look on Margaret's face when she realizes Trapper will be staying.
(56) "Life With Father" (Writers: Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell; Aired: October 29, 1974) has Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) officiating at an infant's circumcision while Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) is convinced his wife is having an affair back home with a doctor who drives a Jaguar. Grade C+: Nice to see Henry get a case of the doubts, but an average episode redeemd by the camp's priest getting something better to do than administer last rites.
This first videotape offers up two classic episodes, which is pretty good. Unfortunately, some of the other episodes are pretty average and keep Volume 1 of Season 3 from earning 5 stars. Historically these episodes set up Season 4 when Harry Morgan would join the cast and Wayne Rogers would leave, both of which remind us that the best of "M*A*S*H" is yet to come.
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