Ep 20. The Army-Navy Game
- TVPG
- February 25, 1973
- 25 min
-
8.2 (745)
In the 20th episode of M*A*S*H's first season, titled "The Army-Navy Game," the 4077th unit prepares to watch a broadcast of the annual Army-Navy football game. The team is split between rooting for the Army and the Navy, with Hawkeye and Trapper leading the Army supporters and Frank Burns and Margaret Houlihan leading the Navy supporters.
As they prepare to watch the game, the doctors and nurses receive news that a local woman is going into labor and needs an emergency operation. They must make a difficult decision whether to perform the surgery or risk missing the game. Ultimately, they decide to go ahead with the surgery, understanding that saving a life is more important than a football game.
Meanwhile, Corporal Klinger puts on a dress and tries to convince the doctors that he is mentally unfit for duty in order to be discharged from the Army. He tells them that he does not want to miss out on the opportunity to see his beloved Toledo Mud Hens play in the International League Championship Series. Hawkeye, Trapper, and Radar hatch a plan to help Klinger out and get him a discharge, but their efforts are thwarted by Frank Burns.
As tensions rise between the Army and Navy supporters, the doctors and nurses are reminded of the importance of their work and the gravity of the situations they often face. They come together to support each other and the patients in their care, no matter what team they are rooting for.
Throughout the episode, the doctors and nurses demonstrate not only their medical expertise but also their compassion and dedication to their patients. They recognize that their work is not just about winning a football game or getting Klinger out of the Army, but rather about saving lives and providing medical care to those in need.
"The Army-Navy Game" is a testament to the commitment of the doctors and nurses of the 4077th unit and their unwavering dedication to their patients, no matter what challenges they may face. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that members of the military and medical communities must make in order to serve their country and those in need.
