Rewatching M.A.S.H.
When I was a kid, reruns of M.A.S.H. were on at 10:35pm, right after the evening news on channel 5.
I rarely got to watch it that late because my parents very much believed in sending their kids to bed at a reasonable hour.
However, I remember watching and loving the new episodes as they came out. I even remember watching the very last episode when it aired.
Since then, whenever I see it on TV I stop.
When I found it on Hulu I decided that we should consume the entire series. Because, why not?
I’ve never seen the movie, but I understand it’s quite sexual.
As were the first three seasons of the show. Nothing too in-your-face, because this was 70s and 80s television, but the underlying messages were much lewder than I recalled.
Until Frank Burns leaves, he and Margret are nothing but cardboard characters motivated by physical desires and a childish need to be right. Also, they yell a whole lot.
Hawkeye and Trapper are bullies to Frank. Don’t get me wrong, the guy is an idiot, but they’re downright cruel for no other reason than to entertain themselves.
To be honest, after the first season I didn’t really like anyone. I mean, most of the main characters are cheating on spouses with multiple people and the show calls it okay because war is hard.
I have no doubt that war is hard, but treating the women in the show like a buffet line got on my nerves. And then the men being like, “I love my wife, but…” is garbage.
Hawkeye holds the show together with his big heart. The guy hates all injustice and isn’t afraid to stand up for what he believes is right. I like Hawkeye.
The writing takes a turn in season three, and the episodes grew deeper and richer in content, complexity, and conflicts. By the end of the third season I cared enough about characters to feel their pain. (Seriously, that season finale is rough!)
Then season four started, and I remembered why I loved M.A.S.H.
I think the first few seasons tried to portray everyone as dysfunctional in some way, which makes sense considering it was war. However, you need a few people who have their act together (for the most part) to balance the crazy. And not just the religious guy.
When Colonel Potter takes command, he brings his military background, but in a good way. Unlike the two Majors.
B.J. brings a moral compass that was missing during Colonel Blake’s time.
I feel like these two characters ground the show in a way that better explores war than before.
I’m excited to keep watching. Frank Burns exists the show soon and Winchester arrives. He’s much more interesting than Frank. Margret becomes a real character, which I’m looking forward to.
Look for more updates as we make our way through the show!
