CBS
September 18, 1978
Dramedy
DVD
B-
This story by Ronny Graham and Don Segall (the only M*A*S*H script by the latter) is not, as I was half expecting, a one-hour season premiere. It does take awhile to get going, although the basic premise of Pierce reluctantly assuming command in Potter's absence (Winchester is too ill) does have possibilities. Pierce ends up taking the responsibility seriously, far more seriously than anyone wants him to (not unlike Vice Principal Kotter, although he would stay in that position). Hawkeye particularly clashes with a newly-mustached BJ. (Yes, it's an anachronism, but not as much as Elliott Gould's for Trapper in the 1970 movie.) Margaret is amused by the change in Hawkeye and says, "If only Frank Burns could see you," a nice callback. By the way, this is the first of my TV shows where I'm reviewing a Season Seven, but I think we're still in Phase Three of the show. Maybe when Radar leaves, we'll enter Phase Four.
Jan Jorden debuts as the latest Nurse Baker, her first of nine appearances in the role. Enid Kent (Bigelow), James Lough (this time Webster), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Sal Viscusco (PA Announcer) return.
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