This is the first episode of the second season of M*A*S*H. It was a bit surprising to realize that Larry Gelbart wrote this episode, because I felt it had some inconsistencies. First, the previous episode at the end of season one had Henry worried about his wife back home going into labor without him. He seemed to be considerate of his wife and focused on the separation their marriage is enduring. Larry Gelbart co-wrote that episode.
But here we are in the very next story with Henry kissing another woman, multiple times, who obviously spent the night with him. I guess Henry has already forgotten about his wife and newborn son. So much for him being a family man!
Also, it is said that General Clayton (Herb Voland) is deciding whether to break up the unit. He is supposedly worried about the pressures they are all under, which he iterates to a psychiatrist (Anthony Holland) whom he is sending to the camp to observe, then report back.
In past episodes from the previous season, Clayton took special pride in the 4077th. He seemed to have utmost confidence in their abilities to do well in a nearly impossible situation. So it seems out of character for him to suddenly have these concerns about the men and women under Henry's command.
Of course, all of this gives Gelbart an excuse to put the main and recurring characters under the microscope, and for us to re-examine them. In some ways, this might have worked better as a pilot episode, to help the audience become familiar with the individual characters in a single introductory episode, and set up the themes and weekly stories. But at this point, the 25th episode of the series, the audience should already be well-versed about various M*A*S*H personnel and their antics.
Trivia note: this episode marked the first of Kellye Nakahura's 169 episodes as Nurse Kellye Yamato.
But here we are in the very next story with Henry kissing another woman, multiple times, who obviously spent the night with him. I guess Henry has already forgotten about his wife and newborn son. So much for him being a family man!
Also, it is said that General Clayton (Herb Voland) is deciding whether to break up the unit. He is supposedly worried about the pressures they are all under, which he iterates to a psychiatrist (Anthony Holland) whom he is sending to the camp to observe, then report back.
In past episodes from the previous season, Clayton took special pride in the 4077th. He seemed to have utmost confidence in their abilities to do well in a nearly impossible situation. So it seems out of character for him to suddenly have these concerns about the men and women under Henry's command.
Of course, all of this gives Gelbart an excuse to put the main and recurring characters under the microscope, and for us to re-examine them. In some ways, this might have worked better as a pilot episode, to help the audience become familiar with the individual characters in a single introductory episode, and set up the themes and weekly stories. But at this point, the 25th episode of the series, the audience should already be well-versed about various M*A*S*H personnel and their antics.
Trivia note: this episode marked the first of Kellye Nakahura's 169 episodes as Nurse Kellye Yamato.