My M*A*S*H Challenge, The Conclusion

Late last week, I achieved my goal of watching all 11 seasons and 251 episodes of M*A*S*H. I was able to do this in less than six months. The show that reminded us that war is hell, while making us laugh on occasion, has become one of my favourites.

Following from Part 2 of my blog series, here are my top episodes from the remaining six seasons:

Season 6: “Fade Out, Fade In” (1977)

The one-hour Season 6 opener introduces a new surgeon to the 4077, Maj. Charles E. Winchester III (David Ogden Stiers). The character was created for the series after Larry Linville, the actor who played Maj. Frank Burns, decided to leave following Season 5. It also signaled the series' transition from being a comedy-driven show to a serio-comical show, or dramedy.

Season 7: “Point of View” (1978)

One of the series’ most innovative episodes is seen from a wounded soldier’s point of view. What I also like about it is that it doesn’t contain an annoying laugh track!

Season 8: "Life Time" (1979)

Another innovate episode shows the surgical team frantically working to save the life of a severely injured soldier not far from the MASH unit. What makes this episode innovative is that most of the story is told in real time, with a clock ticking at the bottom right hand of the screen.

Season 9: "The Life You Save" (1981)

By Season 9, the series was starting to show its age. This season's finale is one of the stronger episodes from this late period. Winchester, who often appears self-centered and unapproachable, has a deep, spiritual experience when he is almost killed by a sniper. He then becomes obsessed with death, and starts talking to soldiers who have gone through near-death experiences.

Season 10: "Where There's a Will, There's a War" (1982)

Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is unable to leave an aid station due to heavy shelling. Fearing that he may not return alive, he starts making out his Last Will and Testament. Scenes with his co-workers and friends are shown as he makes his bequeaths.

Season 11: "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" (1983)

The two-hour-plus series finale, directed and co-written by Alan Alda, is set in the final days of the Korean War. The main plot involves Hawkeye seeing psychiatrst Dr. Freedman (Allan Arbus) following a traumatic incident on a bus. Meanwhile, Klinger (Jamie Farr) helps a Korean woman look for her family, BJ (Mike Farrell) is discharged and an explosion gives Fr. Mulcahy (William Christopher) some hearing loss. There's also a story where Winchester teaches some North Korean musicians how to play classical music. The whole episode runs the gamut of emotions, and I'm satisfied with the series' conclusion. "Goodbye" still holds the record for being the most-watched TV show finale ever. (Coincidentally, the 30th anniversary of its initial broadcast is this Thursday, February 28.)

Honourable mentions include “The Merchant of Korea” (S6), “The Smell of Music” (S6), “The Party” (S7), “Rally 'Round the Flagg, Boys” (S7), "Inga" (S7), “Good-Bye Radar" (S8), "Dreams" (S8), "Blood Brothers" (S9), "Death Takes a Holiday" (S9), "Blood and Guts" (S10), "The Tooth Shall Set You Free" (S10) and "As Time Goes By" (S11).

My final M*A*S*H blog will focus on my thoughts on the series, along with the top 10 best episodes.