Plot: Henry is in Seoul, Frank is in charge, and Hawkeye is Officer of the Day. He treats 5 Kim Luks, deals with Klinger, rescues Radar's teddy bear, and refuses to turn a wounded North Korean boy over to Col. Flagg.
Funny that Flagg identified Hawkeye as Captain Perkins. That was one of the Colonel's aliases.
Well, Flagg always had a problem keeping anything straight in his mind. All that galloping paranoia, you know.
This has one of Hawkeye's great solioquies:
"I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune. I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, 'Carry me back to old Virginia'...I'll even harry carry (hara kiri) if you'll show me how, but I will not carry a gun!"
This episode had Trapper getting measurements taken and choosing fabric for a new suit. Later, when Hawkeye was making out his report, presumably at the end of the working day or possibly the next morning (doubtful), Trapper came in the office to model the finished suit. Even if the man did have a lousy sense of direction, he's got to be the fastest tailor of all time, getting a three-piece suit measured, cut, and completely sewn in less than one day.
Another great line--"Be brave, be loyal and be true. And have your white flags handy just in case."
Remembered this just as the posting went through. It was convenient that Henry had a cot in his office for Hawkeye to fall on, when he's never had one in there before.
There was a scene originally where Hawkeye and Radar are getting ready to go to sleep. Hawk's in Henry's office on the cot, nursing a martini. Radar starts to undress and gets indignant that Hawkeye doesn't shut the door or turn his head. Pierce asked him what's the problem? He's seen plenty of naked bodies before. Radar, responded that Hawkeye shouldn't need to see anymore. So Radar shuts the door. In a second he's in Henry's office holding his clothes in front of him, a shocked look on his face. Another Kim Luck showed up in his office. A female Kim Luck.
Good heavens, I'd forgotten that. Cursed syndication cuts!
Thanks to Hawkeye & Trapper, Klinger got to go to Seoul in this ep. They arranged it by substituting Klinger for the P.O.W. Flagg was going to execute. The two Captains got very lucky. Flagg could very easily (and justifiably) have had the two arrested for obstruction of justice. Admittedly, when dictating his daily report to Radar, Hawk does say that the prisoner will later be turned over to Military Intelligence, but it's doubtful that would've gotten Pierce and McIntyre off the hook.
The real risk is Klinger. Realistically, Klinger went AWOL. Hawkeye and Trapper sent him AWOL. What guarantees did either of them have that Klinger would come back? This is Corporal Maxwell "I'll Do Anything to Get Out of the Army" Klinger. They practically put him on the plane to Toledo!
It's specifically stated in the ep that it takes place four months after "A Smattering of Intelligence", Flagg's first appearance.
During the scene when Radar is preparing for bed, Hawkeye comments on (or perhaps just looks at) Radar's teddy bear. Radar tells him that it belongs to HIS BROTHER, who is 4-F and working in a grocery. Boy, a brother, a sister, and assorted uncles who all vanished into limbo when his Uncle Ed passed away.
If the day is just starting, why did Radar play "Retreat"? Burns even refers to the formation as "Retreat." Shouldn't it be "Reveille"?
Klinger says he wants to go to Tokyo for Mother's Day, or even Father's Day. This indicates that this episode takes place in the Spring, probably May.
Frank Burns announces that Pierce is the Officer of the Day. When Pierce does not come forward, does Frank dismiss the men to go find Hawkeye, or are the men still in formation?
If Hawkeye's not going to carry a gun, why does Burns bother giving him the holster?
During the Retreat scenes, the compound is dry. However, when Hawkeye leaves the Swamp to take on his duties as O.D., the ground is wet. Was there a sudden rain storm on such a sunny day?
Considering how long Hawkeye's been assigned to the 4077th, it's surprising that he doesn't know what the duties of the O.D. are. Yet, judging by his conversation with Radar, Pierce not only doesn't know what's expected of him, he clearly has never been O.D. before. That's strange considering the unit doesn't seem to have that many officers assigned to it.
Loretta Swit provides a nice bit of characterization in the scene where Flagg pulls out his gun. She gives Margaret an almost lustful gleam in her eyes and smile that totally in keeping with the character.
Why did Pierce give his report on his day as O.D. the following morning? Shouldn't he have given the report that night before going to bed?
Abyssinia!
>If Hawkeye's not going to carry a gun, why does Burns bother giving him the holster? >
A good commander would have kept the holster or ordered Hawkeye to take the gun and holster. But this is not a good CO, this is Frank.
It was sure funny though.
Well, Frank did order Pierce to take the weapon. This lead to Hawkeye's famous "Carry" monologue, in which he refused to take the gun. But you're right about Burns not being a good commander.
Abyssinia!