Plot: Frank Burns is very upset at learning that a new commanding officer has been appointed. Everyone is apprehensive at learning that Col. Sherman T. Potter is REGULAR ARMY and has not been in an operating room for two years.

I loved how Klinger broke out in a rash when he was forced to wear Army issue, but why did he only wear a half slip underneath? And how, exactly, does one wear a slip with trousers, anyway?

I also loved the way Frank kept so cool and collected when learning of the change--until he reached Margaret's tent and threw a tantrum. I especially like where he tried to hold his breath. He looked exactly like a petulant little boy.

Any speculations on what Frank did while he was "indisposed"?

"Any speculations on what Frank did while he was'indisposed'?"

Sulked.

How did sulking get him that mark on his face?

Oh yeah. Wasn't he looking for enemies to be captured?

He went out looking for enemies after Margaret got engaged. Anyone remember this episode before syndication? Did they cut some of the Frank scenes?

I've been trying to remember this one. I think he went out hiding, Hawkeye and BJ found him and talked him into or tried to talk him into coming back. There is a scene where Margaret expresses concern for Burns. Hawkeye said something like "Don't worry mommy. He's out throwing a tantrum. He'll be back in time for supper."

I saw the end of this episode the other day, where Potter is showing off his horse pictures. He mentions that he bought Opal's Pride in '48. The man is regular army, and has been since he was fifteen. Where would he keep horses? How would he afford horses?

Potter ordered Radar to move the filing cabinet. Radar told the Colonel that Henry had tried the cabinet where Potter wanted it moved, but found it worked better in its current position. Apparently, Sherman came to agree. For the remainder of the series, the filing cabinet would stay in the spot Henry had found to be the best place for it.

This ep contains a bit of foreshadowing. When Radar brings in Potter's horse saddle, the Corporal asks Potter if he's expecting a horse. Well before the end of the season, in the episode "Dear Mildred", Radar would give Colonel Potter a horse, Sophie.

In the original uncut version, Potter states at the end of the episode, "You were right, it does work better over there...."

That's right! I remember that. Oh well, by the end of the year the fourth season should be out on DVD, so I can see it for myself. (Season One is out now and in my possession. Season Two comes out in May.)

Hmm. Come to think of think of it, if Season Two is being released in May, that's a five month interval. If that's the case, the Third Season should be out in October. That means the Fourth Season will be released in February. Heeey! Just in time for my birthday! (Well, the right month anyway.)

D.K.,

I saw the end of this episode the other day, where Potter is showing off his horse pictures. He mentions that he bought Opal's Pride in '48. The man is regular army, and has been since he was fifteen. Where would he keep horses? How would he afford horses?

We know from later ep.s that Potter is married, has a permanent home and a family (even grandchildren), so he probably keeps his horses there. I'm not military, but I guess that someone with his rank can ask to be posted near his home unless there's a war. Can someone with military knowledge confirm or deny this?

This episode has as bad a syndicated cut as there comes. Toward the end, when Hawkeye, BJ and Potter are getting drunk in the swamp, they start to talk to Potter about Klinger (supposedly about Klinger's wearing dresses). Then, the cut takes it to a wide shot of the swamp with the three drunks singing.

Anyone know what the discussion had?

I could have sworn that the end of the episode had Potter commenting on the filing cabinet, but it wasn't there on my new DVD.

They did cut a Frank scene--after Hawkeye and B.J. invited Potter to their tent for a drink, they cut to outside in the dark. You can hear singing and laughter in the background, as Frank and his duffle bag slip along to Margaret's tent. He whimpers to her about how cold and dark it was, and how hungry he had gotten. Margaret comments on his appearance--he's covered in mud, and he states, quite simply, "I fell down." After telling Margaret how comforting she has been, he says that he wants to ask her something. Margaret says, "Ask," with an expression that plainly indicates that she's expecting a loving statement, at the very least. What she gets is, "Do you have any cookies?"

We never do hear just what Hawkeye wanted to say about Klinger, because as soon as he said, "I want to talk to you about Corporal Klinger," Potter begins to sing again, and they pull away for that last bit of harmony, which was absolutely beautiful--especially compared with the previous attempts.

I noticed that Klinger had retrieved his hat from Margaret. In the season opener, when Frank was reviewing his troops, Margaret marched down and snatched Klinger's hat ("It's spring, sir!"). When he helps Radar bring Frank's luggage back to the Swamp in this episode, he's wearing the same hat.

Maybe the hat wasn't her style?

After Klinger helps Radar return Frank's bed to the Swamp, the Major informs Klinger that "another week and I'd've had you out of that dress." Actually, Frank had Klinger out of dresses in "Welcome to Korea", which was early into Frank's tenure as C.O. of the 4077^th.

Hawkeye's not the only one to steal a General's jeep. The very one Pierce stole in "Welcome to Korea" is driven by Colonel Potter as he arrives in this ep. (Both jeeps have the serial number ZA 401.)

Of course we know (and Potter first mentions it in this ep) that Colonel Potter served in the First World War. When Klinger first greets the Colonel, Potter informs the Corporal that he's seen these attempts to get out of the Army for 40 years. Now either Potter's rounding off his number, or he joined the Army before WWI. World War I began in 1914. This ep takes place in 1952. If Potter has really been in the Army for 40 years, then he began his military career in 1912, two years before the Great War. Of course, as I've noted, Sherman could've been rounding off the number.

Colonel Potter orders all officers under his command to report to him. Only Lt. Father Mulcahy, Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt and Major Houlihan show up. Where are the other officers? Several of the nurses are Lt. grade or higher. Shouldn't they be present? And where are the officers for the mythological second shift?

At this point in the series, Potter has 18 months left before retirement.

When Radar uses the microphone to call the officers to Colonel Potter's office, it squeals and feedsback on him. When Hawkeye picks it up after learning Frank's run away, the microphone does not squeal or have feedback.

What kind of farm did Radar grow up on that he can't tell a mare from a stallion?

In the O.R., Pierce asks B.J. how he's doing. Hunnicutt responds that he didn't see bellies like that back home. The way this scene plays, it's as if B.J. was still fairly new to the unit. Yet, if "Welcome to Korea" does indeed take place in the Spring, and this ep in September, then Hunnicutt's been at the 4077^th for a good three months by this time.

In "Welcome to Korea" Frank chastized Radar for sleeping in his uniform. In this ep, we see Margaret has been sleeping in hers. I guess there's a bit of a double standard going on here.

Buffalo Bagels!