M*A*S*H: Say No More

M*A*S*H: Say No More
CBS
January 24, 1983
Dramedy
DVD
B

This John Rappaport script has a serious A-story and a B-story that's lighter but still touching; and they're both about people who try to put duty before emotion.  A young lieutenant, whose condition is more serious than he lets on, is visited by his father, Gen. Addison Collins (John Anderson, who mostly did dramas, especially Westerns, but did appear as Mr. Charlie Colton on The Bob Newhart Show).  The general brings his trailer and some of his staff, and he makes quick, not very warm appearances to post-op.  Yet when Hawkeye delivers the bad news of his son's sudden death, he and Hawkeye have a discussion about the cost of war.  Still, to Hawkeye's disbelief, the general is soon back to barking orders over the phone.

Meanwhile, Margaret is eager to go to Tokyo to meet Dr. Stephen Chesler (James Karen, who's not on any other of my shows but, as Prof. Camden, joined in on the scenery feast known as Hercules in New York, Schwarzenegger's film debut).  She gives herself a home permanent, which makes even Father Mulcahy say, "Hubba hubba," but she looks like Sally Struthers on a bad day.  Still, I like how Charles helps her out when she develops laryngitis.  And when she decides to not risk traveling when she needs to recover, he gets Chesler to visit the 4077th.

Jeff Maxwell (Straminsky), Kellye Nakahara (Yamato), and Dennis Troy (Corpsman) return.