Hawkeye was the 91st episode of the CBS-TV series M*A*S*H, and also the 19th episode of the fourth season of the series. Written by Larry Gelbart and Simon Muntner, and directed by Gelbart, it first aired on January 13, 1976.
Synopsis[]
Hawkeye, going solo, has an accident with a Jeep, and is rescued by a South Korean family. To prevent himself from succumbing to a concussion, Hawkeye begins talking endlessly to the family, who can't understand a word he's saying.
Full episode summary[]
On his way back from an aid station, Hawkeye almost hits some kids playing in the road. He swerves to avoid them, crashing his Jeep and hitting his head. Bleeding, and with the help of the kids, he staggers into a nearby hut, populated by a pair of Korean parents. None of them understand a word of English, but Hawkeye keeps babbling, trying to keep himself awake. Sure he has a concussion, he writes a note for someone to come and get him, giving it to one of the kids, who will hopefully bring it to the 4077th.
In the meantime, Hawkeye keeps talking - he talks about his time in med school, a particularly stacked waitress he dated, great musicals he's seen, an old math teacher (who had three nostrils, supposedly), and his life in Crabapple Cove.
As he waits for someone to come and get him, and he gets more worried about his concussion, Hawkeye's thoughts turn more serious. He ponders about war and the sheer awesomeness of the human body. He even does some juggling.
Finally, as night begins to fall, he hears a Jeep outside. Hawkeye grabs his stuff, thanks the family for all their hospitality, and leaves.
A few days later, Hawkeye returns with presents for the entire family, who are happy to see him, even offering him some dinner.
Research notes/Fun facts[]
- Despite Radar being mentioned and even honking the horn on the Jeep towards the end of the episode, Alan Alda is the only series regular to appear and the only actor in the episode with dialogue in English.
- Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Larry Linville, Loretta Swit, Gary Burghoff and Jamie Farr all receive billing, but do not appear.
- For Mike Farrell, this is the only episode after he was introduced in "Welcome To Korea, Part I" that he does not appear in. For Harry Morgan, this is the last episode without him after he was introduced in "Change of Command".
- Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan, Larry Linville, Loretta Swit, Gary Burghoff and Jamie Farr all receive billing, but do not appear.
- This is the second episode (after "The Bus") to take place entirely away from the M*A*S*H 4077th unit.
- When the Jeep arrives, it is off-camera, and we do not see or hear the driver (who is most likely Radar, since Hawkeye mentions his name).
- Hawkeye mentions that before the war, he had a medical practice in Boston. In future episodes, his practice is implied to be in Maine.
- While with the Korean family, Hawkeye talks about watching musicals in Boston, where they would try out before going to Broadway, specifically referencing Oklahoma!, The King and I, and South Pacific. But The King and I received its Boston pre-Broadway tryout in the spring of 1951, almost a year after the Korean War started - making it very unlikely that Hawkeye had seen it.
Recurring cast/Guest stars[]
- Philip Ahn as Korean Father
- Shizuko Hoshi The Mother
- June Kyoto Lu as The Pregnant Woman (as June Kim)
- Susan Sakimoto as Oldest Child
- Jeff Osaka as Younger Child
- Jayleen Sun as Younger Child