Major Ego was the ninth episode of Season 7 of M*A*S*H, also the 156th overall series episode. The episode, which was written by Larry Balmagia, was directed by Alan Alda. The episode originally aired on CBS-TV on November 6, 1978.
Synopsis[]
Charles lets his surgical prowess go to his head when a Stars and Stripes journalist comes to interview him. But the journalist is more interested in making moves on Margaret than getting the story.
Full episode summary[]
During a session in OR, Charles pulls off an extraordinary feat of surgical prowess, bringing a soldier back to life when it seemed all but certain he was dead. Everyone else congratulates him, but Charles acts unusually humble. But we soon see it's just an act, as Charles actually phoned Stars and Stripes to give a story about himself, in yet another attempt to get transferred back to Tokyo. Stars and Stripes sends a reporter, Captain Tom Greenleigh, to interview Charles, who takes this as his cue to regale Greenleigh with his life's story, starting all the way back to his childhood. Greenleigh tries to gently suggest that they only have room for the facts of the case, but Charles either can't or won't get the hint, and continues to go on and on about himself.
In OR, Charles is so busy trying to impress Greenleigh that he shows off, but Greenleigh has designs on Margaret, who is currently angry at her soon-to-be ex-husband Donald for tying up their joint savings account; in her mood, Margaret lashes out at Greenleigh's less-than-subtle advances.
Desperate to keep Greenleigh's attention, Charles slips up during a difficult chest case. Hawkeye takes notice of the patient's slow recovery in Post Op, and tries to get Charles' attention over it, only to be ignored by Charles, who treats Hawkeye like a neophyte. Hawkeye presses, but when Charles suggests it's because Hawkeye wants some of his spotlight, Hawkeye has to restrain himself from knocking Charles' block off.
In the Officers Club, Margaret, lonely and a little tipsy, finally gives Greenleigh the time of day, inviting him back to her tent. Greenleigh is thrilled, to say the least.
Later that night, as Charles' patient gets worse, Hawkeye takes it upon himself to open him back up. During the procedure, Charles storms in, enraged at Hawkeye for his effrontery. But when he sees that Hawkeye was right, in that one of his suture lines is leaking, Charles is rightfully ashamed.
Later in the Swamp, just before Greenleigh departs, he runs over the details of the story with Charles, painting him as a heroic, life-saving miracle worker. But Charles tears up the article, saying he refuses to let a lie like that be printed in the newspaper. Determined that he didn't come from Tokyo to the 4077th for nothing, he decides to take Klinger (who has also been trying to get Greenfield's attention with his Section Eight antics) back to Tokyo to do up a story on him instead. Witnessing Charles' reaction, Hawkeye gives him a backdoor compliment saying, "Charles, you're pompous, arrogant, conceited, and a total bore... But you're all right."
Epilogue[]
In the Mess Tent, Margaret compliments Charles on Greenleigh's story saying that he will soon be "the toast of the Far East", but then Charles reveals that he killed the story as he didn't like Greenleigh's "style". Margaret, reflecting on the night she spent with him, realizes that she didn't like Greenleigh's "style" either. But when they both echo that they're each having second thoughts, Charles asks Margaret, "Are we talking about the same thing?" Margaret assures him, "Oh, I'm sure we're not."
Research notes/Fun facts[]
- Charles (inadvertently?) insults two nurses at mealtime; when Margaret sits down to join him, he comments that she brings along "some beauty to counter the beasts" (meaning Hawkeye and B.J.) - with Nurse Kellye right next to him and Nurse Jennifer sitting across from her.
Guest stars/Recurring cast[]
- Greg Mullavey as Captain Tom Greenleigh
- David Dean as Private Sutton
- Patricia Stevens as Duty Nurse
- Phyllis Katz as Triage Nurse
- Frank Pettinger as Anesthetist
- Roy Goldman as Corpsman (see Private Roy Goldman)
- Uncredited appearances:
- Kellye Nakahara
- Jennifer Davis - in mess tent
- Laurie Bates - triage