Plot: Margaret's father, "Howitzer Al" Houlihan, arrives at the 4077th. Margaret tries hard, but can't seem to measure up.
Didn't Margaret say her father was dead in an earlier episode?
Yes, in the episode where she requested an transfer and then got drunk. There was also another episode where she hinted that he was dead, but I can't think of the title. In "The Party" Margaret stated that her parents were separated; then during the party they seemed to get together again. In this episode, they're divorced.
When listing all the things she did wrong, Margaret said she mentions the divorce. It may have been dropped in syndication, but who's divorce is she referring to, her's or her father's?
Bothersome. They never really explained what was eating her dad. It was just left like -- meh. Argh!
I got the impression that he was having a hard time adjusting to retirement, even though he had picked up another job to keep himself busy.
Also, his recent divorce probably had him on edge.
Ever notice that Margaret's mother was virtually nonexistant? She was only ever mentioned in conjunction with her husband.
When Margaret announces her father's visit, Hawkeye's hands change position when Pierce asks, "'Howitzer' Houlihan?"
Margaret's in the VIP tent with her father. She asks about his new job. At that point, Colonel Houlihan is unwrapping a cigar. It's near his lap. In the next shot, the cigar is about level with his chest.
When Colonel Houlihan tells his daughter he's sure Margaret won't have another clumsy accident like she did in OR, he's more or less looking ahead. In the next shot, he's turned to his left.
Colonel Potter and Colonel Houlihan have a talk and drinks at the Officers Club. In the shots from behind Potter, the Sherman's left shoulder is up. In the shots facing Potter, it's his right shoulder that's elevated.
I'm not sure, but it looks like the two Colonels salute each other with their drinks twice in two different camera angles.
Doesn't it seem like much of what Potter says to Alvin - about retiring ("Ole Doc Potter") and that he'll feel like he's courting Mildred all over again - hasn't that been recycled either from a previous ep or will be reiterated in a later ep? They sound like lines (or variations thereof) I've heard before but under different circumstances.
When listing all the things she did wrong, Margaret said she mentions the divorce. It may have been dropped in syndication, but who's divorce is she referring to, her's or her father's? - Corey Hines
It was her father's divorce Margaret was refering to. Just after Alvin's arrival, Major Houlihan made a comment about how things didn't seem right since her parents had divorced.
Okay, so Pierce and Hunnicutt were using the showers to thaw out the side of beef. Just how much hot water do the showers provide? I would imagine that there's a limit to how much hot water can be gotten from there. And is the water stored in a tank as shown in "Nurse Doctor"? If so, wouldn't the Captains be depleting the camp's water supply?
Please note that the fork B.J. extends to the MP does not have any meat on it - until the camera angle changes. Then suddenly a piece of meat on it.
Incidentally, this is the fourth episode this season in which Hawkeye treats a patient with a head wound. The first was the wounded Korean soldier in "Best of Enemies". The second was the little Korean girl in "Letters". And in this ep, Sgt. Mogrove, the man who supplied the camp with the side of beef. Nothing significant about it. It just seems a bit unusual, is all.
"Beaver biscuits!"
Howitzer Houlihan obviously was not a very good father to his daughter.
Margaret only wants her fathers approval, and he has no clue how to give it.
The "happy ending" if you will turned my stomach.
Given Alvin's attitude and Margaret's acting meek as a lamb toward him (insecurity), there is no way Potter's brief outburst would soften him up enough to allow for that final scene in the jeep. Alvin was a jerk as far a I can see.