M*A*S*H: Follies of the Living - Concerns of the Dead

M*A*S*H: Follies of the Living - Concerns of the Dead
CBS
January 4, 1982
Dramedy
DVD
B

As with most of the "offbeat" episodes of the series, I find this one, written and directed by Alda, to be more entertaining and thought-provoking than the more realistic ones.  (And some that are supposed to be realistic aren't necessarily plausible.)  Private Jimmy Weston (Kario Salem, who'd played The Youngster in a '76 episode) dies but his spirit stays at the 4077th, trying to communicate with the staff but only reaching feverish Klinger.  Yes, it's a little cheesy but it won me over.  We see how everyone is wrapped up in their own sometimes petty concerns, but also how much they care, including how even those who have insulted Klinger (like Winchester) want to do what they can for him.  And we even get some insight into why Margaret rants: because sometimes she has to yell for the doctors to acknowledge her.  Note that Father Mulcahy loved playing Spin the Bottle when he was 12!

Kellye Nakahara (Yamato, allowed a bonding moment with Houlihan) and Perren Page (his last appearance as a Driver) return.