Plot: Sidney Freedman and Col. Flagg both show up to deal with a soldier who claims to be Jesus Christ.
I love how Sidney handles Flagg in this episode. Even Hawkeye and B.J. have been known to back off when Flagg gets really nasty. Potter doesn't, but then, he has age and rank on his side. Major Sidney Freedman is small and mild-mannered, but Flagg's tactics slide right off him. I wish they'd put those two together more often.
The scene with Captain Chandler, Radar, and his teddy bear was lovely.
I always got the impression that the point of this episode was to introduce the new cast (Potter & BJ) to the two recurring guest stars (Flagg and Freedman). If that was the intent, I think the story they wrote was fantastic. This ranks as one of my favorite episodes.
This one always reminds me of one of my favorite jokes:
LATE AT NIGHT IN AN INSANE ASYLUM
1ST INMATE: "I AM NAPOLEON!"
2ND INMATE: "HOW DO YOU KNOW?"
1ST: "GOD TOLD ME!"
3RD INMATE: "I DID NOT!!"
In previous episodes, Flagg wore a silver cluster on his collar, which indicated he was a Lieutenant Colonel. In this episode, for the first time, and in all subsequent ones that Flagg appeared in, he wears an eagle on his collar, indicating that he is now a full Colonel. Looks like he got a promotion during the time between White Gold and this episode.
Doesn't surprise me. After all, they promoted FRANK, didn't they?
Among the syndication cuts:
Frank and Margaret have a discussion with Col. Potter about Chandler. Potter seems to think that, as he's not harming anyone, what's the problem? Frank and Margaret seem more concerned that Hawkeye and B.J. will use his presence to do...something. After all, they're always sticking up for the underdog. (Potter's incredulous reply: "You consider Jesus Christ an underdog?")
Radar brings Chandler juice. In fact, two cups. ("I brought you two.") Chandler seemed rather disconcerted.
The scene with Flagg and Klinger was not much longer than is usually shown. Klinger sketched a salute, said something to indicate that he would obey Flagg (in a sarcastic tone) and went out, resuming his song.
There is an interchange between Freedman, Hawkeye and B.J. before they walk over to Chandler's bed. Radar had come in and told them that Flagg was hassling Freedman. Sidney has to ask them twice where Chandler is. B.J. says something like, "Going to meet your Savior?" Sidney replies, "Not mine. Yours...?"
Interesting. On my copy of the DVD, this episode does not include the "English without laugh track" option. In its place is a "French mono" option.
I believe this is the only time in the series we see X-rays hung from the curtains in the scrub room for the doctors to peruse before going into surgery.
The P.A. announcer calls for the first surgical team to work on the incoming wounded. This team includes Hawkeye, Margaret, and B.J. Possibly even Frank, as there is no line of dialogue wherein he complains about being called in for surgery when he's off duty. Apparently, Potter leads the second shift. Except, we often see that Potter sleeps at night. So, who comprises the second surgical shift? (Again.)
If Potter was being dead accurate when he said he had 18 months left before retirement in "Change of Command", then this episode is the third one this season. Maybe fourth. It takes place a little more than a week after Potter took command. (In this ep, Potter tells Burns and Houlihan he has 17 months, two weeks and six days left before retirement.) Even if he wasn't, it's still an early season ep.
Why exactly do Frank and Margaret contact Colonel Flagg? I mean, I don't see what Captain Chandler thinking he's Christ has to with the spy business.
If Flagg was an hour outside of camp, just how were the Majors able to get a hold of him anyway?
Hawkeye refers to Flagg as a "khaki Godzilla". How does Pierce know about Godzilla? This ep takes place in 1952, four years before the first Godzilla movie was released.
When Major Freedman arrives at the 4077th, Flagg greets him and says that the two of them met once while playing poker. That's probably a reference to the ep, "Deal Me Out". But didn't Flagg have a different name in that ep? And did anyone in camp recognize him as Flagg?
This is the episode where we first learn what Radar's first name is - Walter. We learn during the scene where Chandler blesses Radar's teddy bear. It took four seasons to learn that factoid. (Gary Burghoff, who plays Radar, went to the producers and asked that the Corporal be given a Christian name.)
B.J. tells Klinger that "Oh, ye of little faith" is Matthew's saying. It may be from The Book of Matthew, but IIRC, it was Jesus who said it, not Matthew.
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>But didn't Flagg have a different name in that ep? And did anyone in camp recognize him as Flagg? >
Well, he did have a diffrent name, but in "White Gold", he had 5 names including Ens. Troy, Col. Flagg, and Helen something. So the name he uses in this one could be one of Flagg's aliases. (Assuming Flagg is his real name. It kinda sounds made up.)
I guess what I meant is that Edward Winter's character in "Deal Me Out" was treated as if it was another character entirely. However, if the reference to meeting Sidney at a poker game is a reference to "Deal Me Out", then why didn't anyone recognize him as Flagg?
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Well, Flagg (if that's his real name) isn't anyone I would want to remember. Plus, the MASHers could be confused by all of his fake names.
Yeah, but on all other occasions, the MASHers seem to have no trouble identifying him.
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