Ep 18. Dear Dad, Again

Dear Dad, Again is the 18th episode of the first season of the critically acclaimed television series M*A*S*H. The show is set during the Korean War and follows the lives of doctors, nurses, and other staff members of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) unit stationed there.

In this episode, the main focus is on the character Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda. Hawkeye is a talented surgeon and a bit of a practical joker, but he also has a serious side. At the beginning of the episode, he is seen writing a letter to his father, updating him on his life at the MASH unit. This is a recurring theme throughout the series, as several episodes revolve around letters to loved ones back home.

As the episode progresses, the focus shifts to a patient named Lieutenant Lard, who has been brought to the unit with a severe head wound. While working to save Lard's life, Hawkeye discovers that he is an avid writer and has been composing a letter to his father every day since he joined the army.

Hawkeye is moved by Lard's devotion to his father and decides to help him complete his final letter, knowing that Lard is likely to die from his injuries. In a touching scene, Hawkeye takes dictation from Lard and writes down his words as he dictates them. It's a heart-wrenching moment as Lard pours out his thoughts and feelings in what he knows will be his last communication with his father.

The episode also features several subplots. One involves a laundry mishap that leads to several members of the unit running around in their underwear. Another revolves around a Korean boy who has been orphaned by the war and has latched onto the MASH unit as a surrogate family.

Throughout the episode, there are moments of humor and drama, as the characters cope with the challenges of life on the front lines. The performances are strong, particularly Alda as Hawkeye and Timothy Brown as Spearchucker Jones, one of the few black characters on television at the time.

Like many episodes of M*A*S*H, Dear Dad, Again combines humor and pathos in a way that few other shows have managed. It's a reminder that even in the midst of war, people find ways to laugh, to love, and to connect with each other on a deep level.

Overall, Dear Dad, Again is a standout episode of the first season and a great example of what made M*A*S*H such a beloved and influential show.