Overview of M*A*S*H, Season 7 (Disc 2)

A few days ago, I discussed the episodes on Disc 1 of M*A*S*H, Season 7, Collector's Edition. Today, I'll do the same for Disc 2. Episode list and commentary are as follows:

Ep. #7.10: "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (11/13/78)-- It's a bitterly cold (13 degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact) winter day, and the 4077th struggles to keep itself and its patients warm and comfortable. Charles makes himself very unpopular by flaunting his brand-new winterized polar suit in front of his peers and patients. Meanwhile, Radar devises an unusual and effective treatment method, and there is some rather comical bickering between Charles and Margaret.

Ep. #7.11: "Point of View" (11/20/78)-- This is a brilliant episode. (During this season, the writers and stars, especially Alan Alda, strived successfully to make the show more visually and thematically interesting.) The storyline is told straight from the point of view of wounded soldiers, a concept that allows viewers to see never-before-explored sides of the main characters. For example, we really get to witness the extent of the competition and rivalry between Hawkeye and Charles. Nothing less than creative genius.

Ep. #7.12: "Dear Comrade" (11/27/78)-- Hawkeye and B.J. become suspicious of the motives of Charles' extremely attentive Korean servant. Another interesting character sketch of Charles.

Ep. #7.13: "Out of Gas" (12/4/78)-- The unit has run out of sodium pentothal, so Father Mulcahy arranges to buy some off black market racketeers. Major problems arise when the camp priest takes Winchester with him to pick up the shipment of anesthetic.

Ep. #7.14: "An Eye for a Tooth" (12/11/78)-- Another Father Mulcahy-centered episode. This time, Mulcahy shows an uncharacteristically angry side of himself after being once again passed over for a promotion. The results of his actions are nearly disastrous, and he learns some valuable lessons.

Ep. #7.15: "Dear Sis" (12/18/78)-- Once again, Mulcahy is the featured player. In this episode, he shows his vulnerable side when writing a letter home to his sister, who is a nun. In the letter, Mulcahy says that he feels useless and wants to do more to help the troops. Very apropo for this time of year.

Ep. #7.16: "B.J. Papa San" (1/1/79)-- Here, B.J. wears himself out taking care of a struggling Korean family, and Hawkeye becomes very worried about him. An interesting character/psychological study. It must be noted that the seventh season marks a turning point for Hunnicutt's overall personality (as well as physical appearance). We begin to see glimpses of "Angry B.J." at this point.

Ep. #7.17: "Inga" (1/8/79)-- I like this Emmy Award-winning episode, because it tackles gender issues. The macho male docs take a massive ego hit when a beautiful Swedish doctor-- who just happens to be female-- observes in the 4077th's OR. Inga first criticizes their surgical techniques and then upstages the guys. The coolest part is when Margaret gives Hawkeye a much-deserved talkin' to about being a male chauvinist pig. Houlihan's point of view becomes increasingly feministic from this moment on. This is another reason I prefer the middle-to-later years of the series' 11-year run.