M*A*S*HCast - Season 2, Episode 6: Kim
Special Guest Star: Sean Ross
Air Date: October 20, 1973
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I guess it makes sense the map for Berlin was filed under the B right next to Boom.
Sean, as the father of a 14 year old girl, I am not surprised by the hug. Teenagers definitely get a bad rap. They are still learning about themselves and how to they fit into society, but there are some really good things about that age.
Paul,
I totally agree. My students showed me on a daily basis that humanity is in great hands.
I think Rob really summed this episode up when he used the word “bittersweet” to describe it. Kim’s joy and his mother’s relief at being reunited serves as a great contrast to Trapper’s heartbreak. I have to agree that this is one of the best Trapper episodes in the series. I tend to think of Trapper as the more cynical of the duo (e.g., see Ceasefire and Radar’s Report). Therefore, it’s particularly moving to see Kim bring so much joy into his life, even if it’s just for a little while.
I appreciated Sean’s insight into all of the characters being on edge at the start of the episode. I had not picked up on that before.
I had forgotten that this was the episode where we find out that Margaret is learning Korean. This is definitely one of those early episodes that helps to develop her character into something more than just an antagonist to Hawkeye and Trapper.
Speaking of speaking Korean, I believe that Radar is another character who can speak some Korean, but I’m not sure this is portrayed consistently from episode to episode. I wonder if that’s just another example of the shows fast and loose approach to continuity, or if it was part of his transformation from worldly scrounger to innocent farmboy?
Finally, thank you for another great discussion.
That was a great story, Sean. Kids really can surprise you. Under all the usual teen angst (which we went through too), there’s some wonderful human beings often hidden in there.
I need to look this episode up. Off to Hulu!
Chris
Totally agree, Chris!
Fantastic episode! Julie Freberg, wherever you are, you rock!
She really does.
I’ve always been ambivalent about this episode. All of the good feelings you might have watching the first 15 or so minutes are taken away in the rescue scene. And I’m not talking about the reveal of the mother.
Reason 1 — We know that Henry is not the shiniest tool in the kit but to sit there and read a map and be completely clueless that it is a map of a city or country and then to show your cluelessness by actually announcing “that will put you in downtown Berlin” borders on the insane. Even if he had just discovered that the map was of Berlin he would have more likely just stopped himself and approached Radar about it.
Reason 2 — (actually A and B) Having two people run into a mine field and not trip a single mine is unbelievable. This is done again in the episode that introduces BJ. The farmer’s daughter activates a mine but Radar randomly running into the mine field does not. The B part is Trapper having carelessly entering the mine field and then having been directed to walk this way and that way until they find out the map is incorrect is one thing. But to have Hawkeye say “Six inches either way” and you’ll blow yourself up makes absolutely no sense since he’s already walked six inches in at least two directions.
Reason 3 — This is something that is exploited mainly in their hour long episodes. The long scene of non speaking activity. Whether it be the helicopter rescue in this episode, the collapsing of the camp in the bug out episode or the endless shots of a jeep driving through the land in the BJ arrival episode, it just feels like padding. And to add insult to injury, in this episode when the pilot has finished the rescue you see the remaining cast members just standing and then all erupting into cheers. You can just feel the director motioning to the actors. It feels very disingenuous.
Sorry to sound so negative but the last seven or so minutes of this episode really kills it for me.
So my big takeaway from this was, Sean wanting secondary characters to get the spotlight, he’s responsible for shows like Flo, Joanie Loves Chachi, and Joey. Hmmm.
I’ve made no secret of my respect for Loretta Swit. It made me so happy to see her being maternal and learning Korean. Any chance to expand Margaret’s character is quite welcome.
Trapper having a wife and kids. I want to sympathize with him, but it never sits well with me that he sleeps around. And it’s not just being so far from home, he’s admitted to having a girlfriend when he gets back to the states. I would have welcomed a heel-turn by Trap, and deciding to be faithful. The writers could have made it work if they’d been allowed to or wanted to.
I also tend to overthink how this episode ends from Trapper’s wife’s perspective. “Yes, we can adopt the boy.” “What? But the kids are so excited to have a new little brother!” That would be awful to put your family through.
Sean, that Julie story was awesome. If it happened in one of my daughters’ classes, I can believe them telling me afterward “I wanted to, but I was too shy.” Julie’s a special kid.
Another great episode, Rob!