Radar's Report was the third episode of the Season 2 of the TV series M*A*S*H, also the 27th overall episode of the series. Written by Sheldon Keller (story) and Laurence Marks (teleplay), the episode was directed by Jackie Cooper. It originally aired on CBS-TV on September 29, 1973.
Synopsis[]
Hawkeye flirting with a new nurse, and all the other goings-on in camp, are reported to the Army in Radar's weekly report.
Full episode summary[]
During another extensive surgery session, a Chinese soldier is brought in for treatment. While the staff is distracted, the soldier jumps off the operating table and grabs a scalpel. Henry and a nurse (Lieutenant Johnson) are both attacked, and a blood vial connected to Trapper John's last patient is knocked over, contaminating the field of operation. The Chinese soldier is finally stopped when Klinger steps into the O.R. with a rifle - though Klinger's dress is cut by the scalpel attack.
Trapper takes several more steps to try and save his patient, but the young man dies a day later due to complications. Furious, Trapper confronts the Chinese prisoner (who is recovering from his own wounds under guard in the VIP tent), entertaining thoughts of revenge, but Hawkeye successfully talks him down.
Hawkeye spends his free time tending to the wounded nurse, quickly becoming enamored with her. He is badly shaken when he notices she wears a wedding ring, but she explains that the ring is to ward off undesired attention and that she is indeed deeply attracted to Hawkeye. The two enter a relationship, but when Hawkeye starts telling others they are getting married, she thinks he's going too far, and she breaks up with him. Hawkeye is disappointed. "Well, the boot is finally on the other foot," he says. He tells her if they can't have a marriage, how about a "short, intense engagement?" She agrees.
Meanwhile, Frank and Margaret insist on a psych evaluation for Klinger, in hopes that he'll get his Section 8. Major Milton Freedman (later called Sidney) analyzes Klinger and fills out paperwork declaring him "a transvestite and a homosexual," a report that will likely follow Klinger for the rest of his life. Klinger flatly refuses to sign anything supporting Freedman's analysis.
In a final scene not usually shown in syndication, Henry is practicing his putting in his office when Radar comes in with his finished report. Henry notes that Radar never lets him read what he signs, so he reads the highlights of the report aloud. We learn that Hawkeye's wannabe paramour was transferred to Tokyo, and the Chinese prisoner was recovering. Henry muses, "Every week can't be exciting." as he signs off on the report.
Research notes/Fun facts[]
- This is the first appearance of Sidney Freedman. In his typed weekly report, Radar identifies him as "Milton Freedman," but the character's name will change to "Sidney Freedman" by his next appearance and remain so till the end of the series. Major Freedman does not identify himself by first name in the episode, and it is possible that "Milton" is his actual first name (which would be used in military records like the weekly report), while "Sidney" is the name he prefers.
- In Season 2, the broadcast order of the episodes closely match the production order. This episode is one of only two aberrations. It was produced second but broadcast third, after "5 O'Clock Charlie". It could be that the Fox Ranch was not available when it was time to produce "5 O'Clock Charlie" (which required a lot of outdoor location filming) and so the next episode (which is largely indoors) was produced ahead of it.
- Timeline Fix: Radar gives the date of his report as Oct 17th-22nd, 1951. At this stage of the series, this date is still plausible and doesn't create any problems yet. This date (Oct 17) was later used again in "A War for All Seasons" in which Major Winchester loses bets on the Giants-Dodgers baseball game.
- Trapper nearly suffers a nervous breakdown at the loss of his patient; likewise, Hawkeye suffers an emotional breakdown in the "The Late Captain Pierce" and a nervous breakdown in the last episode "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen."
- Trapper's footlocker is clearly labelled "Capt. J.F.X. McIntyre", the series' first indication of his full given name (John Francis Xavier McIntyre).
- Hawkeye's Salutes: Hawkeye salutes Frank, causing Frank to be so surprised that he asks what the big idea is. Hawkeye replies, "We all have a bad day".
- In a scene usually deleted from syndicated airings, Radar reports that Father Mulcahy thought he was saying "Peace and friendship" to the Chinese patient during the crisis in the OR. Turns out he was really saying, "Your daughter's pregnancy brings great joy to our village."
- It seems odd that Hawkeye would be talking marriage with a nurse he literally just met, when he couldn't bring himself to propose to the woman he actually knew and loved ("The More I See You").
- Even odder is the fact that, even after a professional psychiatric evaluation and learning just how effective wearing dresses is in obtaining his desired Section 8, Klinger keeps wearing them for several more seasons. He doesn't stop until shortly before Radar's departure and his own installation as new company clerk.
Guest stars/Recurring cast[]
- William Christopher as Father Mulcahy
- Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger
- Allan Arbus as Major Milton Freedman
- Joan Van Ark as Lieutenant Erica Johnson
- Derick Shimatsu as Chinese prisoner
- Uncredited appearances:
- Kellye Nakahara (in the scrub room helping Trapper and Hawkeye when they find out about Trapper's patient dying)