M*A*S*H: The Interview

M*A*S*H: The Interview
CBS
February 24, 1976
Dramedy
DVD
B+

This episode, written and directed by Gelbart, is among his best work.  It takes the form of a black & white documentary, set during the second year of the war (and yet Eisenhower is President).  Clete Roberts, who was an actual war correspondent, interviews some of the staff of the 4077th.  (Margaret is again absent.)  The answers range from silly to thought-provoking, and completely in character for everyone.  Family notes: BJ and Peg's daughter is named Erin; Klinger's wife's name is Laverne Esposito and his father's Butch; Potter mentions his son, daughter-in-law, and baby granddaughter he has never seen.

M*A*S*H in its fourth year, and the first of what I'm calling for now the Gary-Harry-Larry phase, ranges from C- to B+, with an exact average of B-.  Although there are moments that recall the wilder, more immature (and sexist) style of the first three years, with Frank actually getting more irrational and cartoonish, there are times when the show seems to be growing up, BJ and Potter helping to bring out quieter tones in both Hawkeye and the show.  With Swit's frequent absences (I believe she was doing a stageplay at the time), Margaret's character isn't given as much screen time as I'd like, but we can see changes in her, and in her relationship with Frank.  The continuity, particularly towards the end of the season, goes out the window, as if it's sunk in that they were getting awfully close to July '53 and war's end, and had to pull back from that.  They of course couldn't have known that they still had seven years to go.