Divided We Stand was the premiere episode of the Season 2 of the TV series M*A*S*H, also the 25th overall episode of the series. Written by Larry Gelbart and directed by Jackie Cooper, it originally aired on CBS-TV on September 15, 1973 and repeated March 23, 1974.
Synopsis[]
A psychiatrist is sent to observe the 4077th and recommend if the unit, which appears to be cracking under the strain of serving so near the front, should be broken up.
Full episode summary[]
General Clayton, worried that the pressures of working so close to the front are taking their toll on the staff of the 4077th, sends a psychiatrist, Captain Hildebrand (Anthony Holland), to check up on them and write a report.
Henry is the only one told of Hildebrand's real mission, and he is upset over the idea that the 4077th might be broken up if the report isn't good. And even though he's sworn to secrecy, late at night he tells Hawkeye and Trapper of Hildebrand's true mission. He also confronts Frank and Margaret in her tent about their reports to the General being the cause for this, and reminds them that if the camp breaks up, they may be broken up as well. Right after that, Hildebrand overhears Henry and Radar talking, where Radar informs him that everyone in camp will be on their best behavior.
Things are okay at first, with Hawkeye and Trapper pretending they like Frank (but doing so with a dollop of sarcasm), leaving Henry to laugh nervously.
Eventually, the cracks begin to show, and Captain Hildebrand catches all of the 4077th in their usual antics. He calls a meeting in Henry's office, telling them all that he is going to recommend that the unit be broken up.
His thoughts are interrupted by Radar, who announces that wounded are arriving. The officers snap into action, bursting out of Henry's office, leaving Captain Hildebrand all alone.
He visits the O.R., and is sickened by what he sees - the blood and gore. Hawkeye, Trapper, and the rest are running like a well-oiled machine, and Hildebrand rushes out - apparently, to get sick.
Later, General Clayton arrives, and they all find Hildebrand in the Swamp, drinking heavily. Hildebrand admits that while the members of the 4077th are indeed mad, it would madder still to break them up. The General seems to accept Hildebrand's evaluation, and everyone has a drink to toast the decision to not break up the camp.
In a closing sequence not shown in most syndicated airings, scenes of the episode are pieced together in a montage while the PA announcer invites the audience to watch, much like announcers would plug movies and TV shows in the early 20th century. He rounds off the announcement with a listing of the cast of characters, which, much like the ending of last season's "Showtime", cuts to each cast member with their real names shown as a closing credits scene.
Research notes/Fun facts[]
- Beginning with this episode, CBS moved M*A*S*H to Saturday at 8:30 PM. This strategically sandwiched the show between stalemates All In The Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, thus giving M*A*S*H a secure timeslot with a very high potential viewership.
- With the move to the new timeslot, the producers (and the network) were aware that many of these potential new viewers would not be familiar with M*A*S*H, which up to this point had been a fairly low-rated sitcom. Accordingly, General Clayton, while briefing Hildebrand, describes each of the key personnel of the 4077th in detail. In essence, this Season 2 opener serves as a de facto second pilot episode, clearly setting up the premise and characters for a brand new audience.
- The title is from the motto "United we stand, divided we fall" and has been used by Revolutionary patriots John Dickinson and Patrick Henry and by Kentucky as the state motto.
- Kellye Nakahara (working as an uncredited extra) debuts as Nurse Kellye Yamato. She has no lines, and is only very briefly visible in a few shots; she can be spotted in the mess tent line-up, and in the operating room. Nakahara would be uncredited for most of her 167 M*A*S*H episode appearances.
- This is the final appearance of Linda Meiklejohn as Henry's squeeze Lieutenant Leslie Scorch. She has a brief scene in Henry's tent, and then disappears from the series without explanation.
- The announcement at the end invites us to watch the "zany" antics of the cast, and identifies the series regulars as Hawkeye, Trapper, Henry, Hot Lips, Frank, Radar, and Klinger (in that order). The actors who play first six are listed in the opening credits: Jamie Farr as Klinger is not. All seven receive showcase single-screen credits as the episode concludes. The character of Father Mulcahy does not appear in this episode, and is not mentioned in the closing announcement.
Guest stars/Recurring cast[]
- Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger
- Herb Voland as Brigadier General Crandell Clayton
- Anthony Holland as Captain Hildebrand
- Linda Meiklejohn as Lieutenant Leslie Scorch
- Odessa Cleveland as Lieutenant Ginger Bayliss
- Bobbie Mitchell as Nurse Marshall
- Lesley Evans as Nurse Bryan
- Uncredited appearances by:
- Kellye Nakahara (in O.R. assisting Hawkeye and Margaret)
- Sheila Lauritsen (in O.R. - Henry sends her to fetch more gloves)
Gallery[]
