To Market, To Market was the second episode of Season 1 of M*A*S*H TV series, the second overall in the series. The episode was written by Burt Styler and directed by Michael Herlihy, and first aired on CBS-TV on September 24, 1972. Although the second episode to be broadcast, it was actually the third to be produced.
Synopsis[]
The black market has made off with the 4077th's supply of hydrocortisone, so Hawkeye and Trapper make a deal with the black marketeers to trade Henry's vintage desk for the supplies.
Full episode summary[]
Pierce and McIntyre are in the OR operating on a two star general. As the operation progresses, the general becomes shocky. Hawkeye orders the plasma to be pushed in and for hydrocortisone. The nurse tells him that they are out, and when told to get another one, she informs him there is no more. After the session, Pierce and McIntyre head over to supply wanting to know why the hydrocortisone wasn't ordered for the latest shipment. Major Houlihan says she did the requisition and that she ordered the hydrocortisone. Major Burns comes in and adds that it, along with half of all the rest of the supplies, was hijacked by the black market. Burns then informs them that there is a truck of supplies waiting to be unloaded outside.
When the two get there, they discover the truck is empty; they then go to Blake's office to tell him of the theft. When they walk in they see that Blake has a 100-year-old oak desk, which he is giving serious attention to. They tell Blake about the theft, and he asks them what they want him to do. They suggest that he call General Hammond and demand some action. Blake says he can't do that. Radar comes in and tells Blake that there is a phone call from General Hammond. Blake asks Hammond for more hydrocortisone, but Hammond says no, as they have already been sent two supply shipments.
Radar finds the name of a black marketeer, Charlie Lee, who Pierce and McIntyre go to see in Seoul. Right after entering his building, they decide to go back outside and hire somebody to look after the Jeep. By the time they get there, about ten seconds after leaving, the Jeep has already been stripped to the frame. They meet Charlie Lee and ask him about hydrocortisone. He says that he has a box and that it costs $10,000. After a series of offers which are no match for what Charlie already has or can beat, they offer to trade the hydrocortisone for Blake's desk.
Charlie Lee shows up at the 4077th dressed as a South Korean General. Lee is inspecting the desk while Blake tells him about it. Pierce and McIntyre ask how he got it in the room, as it is obviously to big to fit through the door; Blake says the top comes off. Meanwhile, Burns tells Lee's driver to move his Jeep. After a quick argument over his rank, Lee's driver pulls up his pant leg and shows a multitude of watches which he tries to sell to Burns. He then asks Burns if he wants to sell a watch. Lee agrees to the trade, but the desk must be ready to be put on his truck at exactly 0600 the next morning. As he leaves, Burns and Houlihan are talking; Burns is sure that they are up to something but doesn't know what.
Radar wakes Pierce and McIntyre up at five the next morning. They sneak out of the Swamp - with Burns hot on their trail - and into Blake's office. While they are working to take the desk apart, Burns comes in, so they hide under the desk. Houlihan comes in, and she and Burns start talking. Soon they are heading to the supply tent, but Burns locks the door as they leave. Radar goes out to try to convince the truck driver to wait for the desk. Pierce and McIntyre cut down a wall in Blake's office and carry out the desk. Before they can get it on the truck, Burns recognizes the driver as the same guy who tried to sell him a watch the previous day and tells him to leave or he will call the MPs.
Burns comes around the building to find Pierce and McIntyre on their knees pretending to pray at the desk which they covered up. When Pierce and McIntyre catch up to Radar, he tells them that the truck already left. Pierce tells Radar to get O'Brien, the chopper pilot. Meanwhile, Burns wakes up Blake and tells him his suspicions. Blake and Burns go to Blake's office and find the desk is gone. They look up to see the back wall has been cut down, then the desk, attached to a helicopter, flying away.
Charlie Lee shows up with 200 vials of hydrocortisone. Blake comes up and tells them that the insurance company will pay off on the desk if he can give them a believable explanation. He seems to recognize Lee and asks him if he has a relative who is a General in the South Korean Army, but Lee tells him, "You know how it is. We all look alike."
Research notes/Fun facts[]
- There is mention of the helicopter pilot O'Brien. He will first appear in "Dr. Pierce and Mr. Hyde".
- Hydrocortisone was first identified by Kendall and Mason in 1949, for which they were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1950. The pilot episode of M*A*S*H began with the subscript "Korea, 1950" and all dates specified in the first and second season set the show in 1951. An article in Popular Science suggests the drug was used at least as early as June 1951.[1] Cortisone is also mentioned in the US Army's official medical history of the Korean War.[2] So its appearance here is plausible.
- At the beginning of the episode, neither Pierce nor McIntyre have their masks in place while they are operating on the general. This is a serious risk to the patient as an infection can be the end result.
- This is one of the only episodes where Frank refers to Henry by his first name rather than "Colonel Blake" or "Colonel".
- The running gag for the episode is everyone knowing what wood the desk is made of.
- The syndicated version showing the ending where Charlie Lee delivers the hydrocortisone is usually cut out.
- References are made as to the desk being the only one in southeast Asia. Korea would be northeast Asia. Perhaps it was a slip in the writing or acting, thinking of the Vietnam conflict.
Guest stars/Recurring cast[]
- Jack Soo as Charlie Lee
- Timothy Brown as Spearchucker Jones (mentioned)
- Robert Ito as Lin
- George Morgan as Father Mulcahy (mentioned)
- G. Wood as Brigadier General Hammond (voice only)
- Odessa Cleveland as Lieutenant Ginger Bayliss
- John C. Johnson as Truck Driver
Gallery[]
