M*A*S*H: Bottoms Up

M*A*S*H: Bottoms Up
CBS
March 2, 1981
Dramedy
DVD
C+

This Dennis Koenig story doesn't overcome the feeling of de ja vu in both its threads.  Margaret's previously unmentioned best friend, Capt. Helen Whitfield (Gail Strickland, who was Jerry's girlfriend Courtney Simpson on The Bob Newhart Show) is stationed at the camp and has a drinking problem that Margaret has long been aware of (as in years).  But it's apparently now getting more out of hand and Margaret has to choose between their friendship and the good of the 4077th.  Meanwhile, Hawkeye de-pants Charles (in the OR!) on BJ's prodding, but only Hawkeye gets blamed.  And when he tries to even the score, by playing a prank on himself, it backfires.  It's absolutely no surprise that BJ is being, as Charles notes, Machiavellian, and the thread needs a further twist, as in some of the previous practical-joker episodes.  The Margaret & Helen thread has more potential, and Swit does some solid acting, but it feels like it's poorly resolved.  Not a bad episode, but typical of Season Nine.

Bill Snider becomes a late addition to the recurring cast of minor characters, appearing as a Corpsman in his first of ten M*A*S*H cameos.  Laurie Bates (a nameless Nurse), Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Shari Saba (Nurse Shari) return.  Alda directed.