M*A*S*H (1972–1983): Season 7, Episode 10 - Point of View - full transcript

You see a wounded soldier being treated at the 4077th through his eyes.

[theme music playing]

All right. Spread out.
Spread out.

Ferguson, Rich!Don't sit on top of each other.

You know, Rich, if we were
in a telephone booth,

the sarge'd still tell usto spread out.

MAN: So take a couplegiant steps, Fergy.

[chuckle] Yeah.

[incoming shells]

Incoming! Hit the dirt!

[men shouting]

-[machine gun firing]
-MAN: Rich!



-[man coughing]
-Rich,you okay?

[shouting continues]

[man gagging]

Medic! Medic!

Don't try and talk, Rich.You're hit there.

MAN:
Medic, over here!

Medic! Damn it, Medic!

[coughing]

Easy, Rich. Easy.

-Where you been?
-What have we got?

He took some stuffin his neck. He's bleeding.

Okay. Take it easy.
Litter!

You're gonna be
all right, fella.

We'll get you out of here.



-Stay down!
-Keep going!

[shouting]

Let's get him out of here.
Hold his head.

Okay. Move.

[gunfire]

Things'll bounce a bit,so hold on. Let's go!

-Okay, let's lift him.
-MAN: Got him.

Go, go, go!

[men chattering]

They'll fix you up at MASH.Don't you worry.

All right!Let's move it out!

You're on your way now,
Rich.

First-class seat
on one of them choppers.

-Keep in touch, eh, punk?-Let's go!

See you sometime.

Low bridge! Watch out!

I need a pair of hands here.

How ya doin', partner?You got a reservation?

Okay, sir.
I'll take this end.

-Pretty big guy, Radar.-That's okay.

Just don't take any of thosegiant steps of yours.

All right.One, two, three, up!

-Oh! You got it?
-Holy cow!

Let's go, people.Move it, move it, move it!

I'm moving, sir!

What are you two,out for a stroll?

Sir, he kinda
weighs a ton.

I don't care what he weighs.

Just pick up the damn pace!

Klinger, come on!
Give me some help here!

B.J.: He certainly got up on thewrong side of the bedlam.

One beast of burdencoming up.

Okay.

Okay, pal. Take it easy.

Have a nice ride down.
Enjoy the view.

We'll leave the top down.

All aboard the Toledo Express!

Nonstop to pre-op

at a lightning speedof five miles an hour.

-He's just kidding.
-Ah, come on!

-Come on!
-[engine starts]

It works! See? I told you.

Not a thing to worry about.

Oh, hi. I'm Corporal O'Reilly,the company clerk.

They call me Radar.

Only that's not my real name.

They just use it like it was.

Uh, listen,
if it's okay with you,

I gotta take your
valuables here.

But don't worry about 'em.

They'll be in a real safe safe.

Only me and Colonel Potterknow the combination.

Oh, I think Major Houlihanknows it too.

And I think maybe
Captain Pierce,

and he probably told
Captain Hunnicutt.

But don't worry about it

'cause you can trust us all.

Yeah.Okay, we're almost there.

Well, listen. Just relax.The surgeons here are the best.

I mean, the best.They're really special guys.

Okay, come on!We need some help here!

I'd look up to 'em
even if I was tall.

Am I talking too much?

Okay. Now, I know
everybody's tellin' ya

that you're gonna be okay,but you're really gonna.

So just relax.Move him out now. Let's go!

RADAR: Easy. Okay.He's got a throat injury there.

[O.R. chatter]

MAN: Okay, keep 'em comin'.Keep 'em comin'.

Hold tight. Doctor'll bealong in a second.

Working as fast as we can.It'll bejust a few more minutes.

Hey, lamb chop.Hey, you.

Tall, blonde,and hubba-hubba.

Is there something
I can do for you?

Let me count the ways.

You're wounded, Private.

Right in the heart.

They're such leches,
bless 'em.

Klinger, you clown!How many timeshave I told you

not to wear thatflowing stuff in here?

I never wear this
during the day, sir,

but, I don't know,
I had a whim.

Then whim it offand get into fatigues!

I'm tired of lookin' at ya.

-Then please, fire me.
-Move!

-Moving, sir. Moving.
-[fabric tears]

Hey. Rich. Rich, is that you?

Hiya, buddy!

Well, the sarge warned usto spread out, didn't he, huh?

-Well, how ya doin'?
-[coughing]

You don't have to talk.I got it in the leg

and boy, did it
hurt for a while,

but they gave me a shot.

It don't look too bad, huh?

No, no. The whole bloodis over here for him.

Bring a unit for me.
Straight up. No ice.

Hi, there. I'm Captain Pierce.

What do you think
of me so far?

Okay, now just relax.

I only want to look
under your bandage.

Army regulations.You could be hiding a jeep.

-Hey, Beej?
-Yeah.

You got a second? Come here.Take a look at this.

Oh, yeah.
We've already met.

I pulled him
off the chopper.

Step into my office.

Don't worry.We really are doctors.

-[chatter]
-[coughing]

Ah! Right!We were talking about you.

Okay, what I have to do

is I have to get the shrapnelout of your neck.

Then I'm gonna put a tube inso you can breathe easier.

If you want to brag about thisto the folks at home,

it's called a tracheostomy.

And after the swellinggoes down, your--

your voice should come back.

I know what you're thinking--

"This guy looks
like he couldn't even
fix a bicycle tire."

Well, I can't, but I'm gonnaget you through this.

You wait and see.

Hello, Private Rich.

I'm Father Mulcahy.

I'll be your spiritual leaderfor the next few days.

I see you're a Protestant.Well, no problem.

I'm familiarwith the procedures

of most of the currentdenominations

althoughI'm a little inhibited

when it comes to theSouthern Baptist service.

It's so frenetic and forceful.Bit of a stretch for me.

But then, that's my problem.

Well, just close your eyes,rest easy,

and remember,He's watching over you.

Hey, fellow, we're gonna takea quick X-ray.

What's your good side?Makes no difference.

This camera seesright through you.

Raise your head, please.

You know, as muchas I hate the army,

at least they taught mehow to use one of these.

Could beI'll make it my profession.

With all the hoods in Toledo

swallowing watchesand jewelry,

there's a big needfor experts in this field.

POTTER: Damn it, Klinger!
What's keeping you?

I got doctors here
without X-rays.

Coming, sir!

Never rush an artist.

Boy, what's with him lately?

He really loves me, though.

He must. Why elsewould he keep me here?

All right,
now just hold still.

Think "cheese." Chin up!

Okay, guys.

Okay, let's go.
Move it.

I got the whole
senior class to do.

Sir, I'll have this
developed in no time!

Tracheostomy here.

I got dibs.
Gloves, please.

Nurse, more orange juiceover here.

Gonna leave somefor the rest of us, Charles?

I will leave for youexactly what you deserve,Hunnicutt--the pulp.

Gee, that's great, Charles.I can start my own newspaper.

Private Rich,
glad you could make it.

Let me introduce you
to the rest of the band.

On vital signs,
Nurse Able.

Workin' the rest
of the instruments,
Nurse Campbell.

Our wandering minstrel,Major Margaret Houlihan.

And, of course,
yours truly,

sitting in
the conductor's chair.

CHARLES: Colonel,

why don't we ever haveenough orange juice

to get us throughthese endless sessions?

POTTER: Drop it,
you ding-dong.

Merely curious.

Hey. What's with
Colonel Potter?

This is definitely
not the time
to ask for a raise.

Something'sgettin' to him.

Okay, Rich, we're going
to anesthetize your neck.

You won't feel anything.

Everybody
in their places?

Just hold still and relax.

Why don't you
close your eyes?

-[garbled shouting]
-Doctor.

Hey, hey. Come on. Come on.Everything's gonna be fine.

I promise.

Come on.

[raspy breathing]

Hey, there, Sleeping Beauty.

Who kissed you awake?
Nurse Charming?

How's it goin'?
Oh, yeah. Can't talk.

Boy, that'd kill me.
How 'bout mine, huh?

This hickey ain't enough

to get me into the lobbyof an evac hospital.

But I'm playin' it up.

Any time a nurse
or a doc comes by,

I'm in first-class agony.

You watch. I'll spend
the rest of the war

lyin' right here.

Oh, by the way,

I don't think I ever
introduced myself.

Hey, what'd I say?

He's just sleeping off
the anesthetic.

Well, men, you played
a great first half,

but if you really
expect to score,

you gotta throw a pass.

Let me show you. Nurse,

meet me in the showersafter the game?

-Aw, get off it, Hawkeye.-See what I mean?

[chuckles] Penalty.

Fifteen yards for
acting like an idiot.

Did you hear aboutColonel Potter and Radar?

No. Are they an item now?

The colonel chewed him outin the mess tent

about the daily reportor something.

Poor Radar just had tosit there and take it.

Somebody ought to get
Potter into O.R.

and remove that thorn
from his paw.

I'd love to knowwhat's bothering him,

but I'm afraid to getwithin 20 feet.

-I know what the problem is.-Hmm?

-Senility.
-Senility?

Well, look at the symptoms:chronic irritability,

difficulty relating to others,uh, self-absorption--

That's not Potter.That's you.

The only thing wrong withthe colonel is every so often

he gets sick of the madness,just like the rest of us.

You'll see, Pierce.

Wait'll he forgets
how to tie his shoes.

[chuckle]

Boy, am I glad
you're here, Doc.

This thing's killin' me.

The pain's shootin'
through my body.

You think you could've
missed something?

-Private, I do not miss things.-[groans]

You have a superficiallaceration of the trapezius.

Or, put into wordsthat you could understand,

you've got a boo-booon your shoulder.

You can put it back down now.

If there is any pain,it will subside.

By the way...

that was the worst performanceI've ever seen in here.

It lacked sincerity, depth.

You're lucky I stayedthrough the whole show.

[chuckles]

[raspy breathing]

Oh. Caught me.

I was just eavesdroppingon your condition.

These charts come in
handy, you know?

Everybody ought to have one.

Anybody asks you
how you're doing,

you don't have to answer.Just show him your chart.

So how ya doin'?

Oh, a wise guy, huh?

All right, look. I'm gonna--

I'm gonna block offyour tube for a second.

I want to see
how you're breathing.

No, no, no.
It's not gonna hurt.

Come on, come on,
come on, come on.

[tube sucking]

Try to say a few words for me.

-Anything.
-[gagging]

All right. That's enough.

Yeah, I know. I know.But it's still a little swollen.

Give it a chance
to come down a little.

Meantime,
stay off your throat.

Do me a favor.
Don't sing Pagliacci.

I'll come back and checkon you a little later.

Try to get a little sleep.

Hey, kid.

Don't worry. They take
real good care of you here.

MARGARET:
Private Rich?

Private Rich?

Good morning.

I came byto change your dressing.

There.

As long as I'm here,how about a nice sponge bath?

First we'll loosen your top.

Just relax, Private.

I've done this
hundreds of times,

and no one's ever
died of embarrassment.

You see, the techniquein giving a sponge bath

is never to let
the bathe-ee know

that he's being bathed at all.

You just keep looking at himstraight in the eye

and talking to him
at the same time.

Doesn't matter about what,

just so long as he
doesn't notice

that he's being spongedand soaped and rinsed off.

And pretty soon, beforehe's even aware of it,

he's had hisvery first sponge bath.

There. Done.

That wasn't so bad,
now was it?

Judging by that smile,
I'd say no.

Well, Private,
if you'll excuse me,

I have some other patientsto attend to.

MAN: Hey, lamb chop.
Bathe me next.

-Sorry. You're too eager.-Morning, Major.

Oh, good morning, sir!

Oh, Colonel, you look
wonderful this morning.

Back to your old self
again.

You've got that spunky
look in your eyes.

Leave it by the sideof the road, Major.

Feel better, sir.Please.

Good morning, son.

I'm Colonel Potter,
the C.O. around here.

Pleased to meet ya.
From Texas, aren't ya?

I haven't met a Texan here yetwho didn't offer up his hand,

no matter how many tubeswere comin' out of his arm.

I make it a point

to meet everyone who passesthrough the 4077th.

I hope you'll excuse my nothaving stopped by before now,

but, uh, the last few daysI've had something on my mind.

It's been kind of pushin'everything else out and I--

Colonel Potter.

Just a second, son.
What is it, Klinger?

Uh, two things, sir.

First of all, I-Corps
is on the phone

with their biweekly
paper snafu.

Second, and more important,I had nothing to do with it.

I'd better get on it.Where's Radar?

Anxiously waiting for you
in his office, sir.

Just look under his bunk.

Well, speak to you later, son.

If it's General Imbrie,

please ask him if he gotthose flowers I sent him.

Make a hole!

That man's been
like a father to me.

Just wish he'd let up
on the strap, though.

Hey, Rich, Captain Piercesaid you could go ambulatory.

How'd you like to seethe rest of the grounds?

Okay. Hang on.

Lieutenant, would you mind

bringing that wheelchairover here, please?

We'll go by the mess tent,

and you'll see
how it got its name.

If the trip gets too muchfor you, you just let me know,

and I'll have you home
in no time, okay?

-All set?
-Not exactly a Packard

but did you ever try
to push a Packard?

[imitating Jackie Gleason]And away we go!

I think we should march rightinto Colonel Potter's office

and demand to know
what's bothering him.

-Mm-hmm.
-Absolutely right.

When you get back,
let me know what he said.

That's the spirit, D'Artagnan.

All for one
and one for himself.

-Afternoon, sirs.
-Klinger!

-Hey, Rich!
-Hey, Rich.

I think the tourof the nurses' shower

did him a world of good.

Now you've come in here

to look at the seamier
side of the war, huh?

Our daily bread
is stale again.

This meat is from
the Civil War.

Blue on one side,
gray on the other.

Oh, too much for you, huh, kid?Okay, we'll get you home.

Hey, Klinger, you ought
to know better than that.

The mess tent is no place
to bring a sick person.

Howdy, Texas.

You better remind them
to clean up your room.

You're goin' home soon.

Now that you've got that pad,

we can finally have a talk.

Which part of the Lone Star
State do you hail from?

[chuckles]
You don't say.

Got my medical trainingat Fort Sam Houston.

Good old San Antone.A bowl of chili down there

would keep you alive
for days.

Uh, Colonel, you forgot
to sign this chart.

I didn't forget. I'llsign it later. Now shoo!

I guess it shows, huh?

It's, uh, Mildred,
my wife back home.

Lovely girl.

We've been married
for 35 years

as of last Saturday.

Every anniversary,
no matter where I am,

I manage to call her,

tell her how much I--

well, you know.

This year--

This year I clean forgot.

My thoughts are so filledwith this damn war,

I forgot heron our most important day.

I just can't forgive myself
for missing it.

I'd like to, son.

Even picked upthe phone about 20 times.

But there--there's noexcuse for my forgetting.

-I don't know what
to say to her.
-Evening, boys.

-Excuse me, Pierce.
-Colonel--

What?

What is it?

Forgo--Oh, yeah.
Forgot--What?

Forgot anni--
Forgot anniversary.

Oh, so that's what's beengetting under Dr.Jekyll's hide.

All right, Pierce.Admit it.

You broke into my footlocker,

and you readthrough my personal diary,

didn't you, swine?

Charles,
in all the times

I've broken
into your footlocker,

I have never looked
at your diary.

Then who drew all thesedisgusting pictures in it?

It's dry reading.
You need illustrations.

I've had it with you,Pierce.

-It's two-by-fours at dawn.-[gagging]

Hey, hey, hey. Take it easy,Rich. Take it easy.

[coughing]

Something's irritating
his airway.

Kellye, give me
that suction there.

Not doing too well, huh?

Still not getting
any air around the tube.

Fractured larynx?

I don't know.
It didn't show up before.

We better take some
more pictures, huh?

Mmm. Kellye, you wantto call for a litter?

How are you
around the larynx?

Tricky spot. I wouldn'ttrust it to anyone but me.

We'll do it together.And I want credit in your diary.

You still with me, kid?

Let's get him into X-ray.

Doctor?

Colonel.

Rich, welcome back.

You gave us
quite a scare, son.

But fortunately for you,
there was me.

You were on the tablefor two hours,

minus his curtain calls.

How is his airway?

So far, okay.

Rich, you hada fractured larynx.

That's what the problem was.

I'm gonna plug your tube,

and I want you to talkvery quietly and carefully.

Just a few words now.Okay, talk.

[raspy]Don't know what to say.

You just spoke volumes.

Loud and clear.

As if there were
any doubt.

Good work, Pierce,

although you never could
have done it without me.

Congratulations, kid.You're the talk of the town.

Uh, Colonel Potter,

there's a very important
phone call for you.

Tell 'em to hold on, Radar.

Uh, it's Mrs. Colonel
Potter, Colonel.

Mildred calling me?

Uh, no, sir.
You called her.

-What?
-It's okay, sir.

She understands.
I explained to her

this is the first time
in a week

you had a chance
to talk to her,
so talk to her.

Colonel, wish hera belated happy anniversaryfor all of us, okay?

I appreciate it, boys.

Remind me to make it upto everybody.

Nope.
This I won't forget.

-A gold star, Radar.
-Yes, sir.

-Hey, how's he doing?
-Better.

I told ya.

Rich, I want to
tell you something.

That operation we had toperform on you was tricky,

and, uh, I was
a little worried.

When we were carrying youon that litter...

you-you gave me a look ofconfidence, and that, uh...

I just want you to knowthat helped a lot.

Thank you.

MAN [on P.A.]: Attention. Attention, all personnel.

The night evac bus leaves for Seoul in one minute.

Immediate seating
in the club car.

All aboard!

Ah, Private Rich.Been nothing but trouble

from the minute
he came in here.

I'm glad he's leaving.

It's smooth sailing
from here on, son.

Evac hospital, Tokyo,
then home to San Antone.

Sounds too good, Colonel.I'm going with him.

So long, sirs.

Hey, hey.
What did I tell you?

No unnecessary talking
unless you meet
a good-looking nurse.

Take care, son.

Let us know howeverything turns out.

Have a nice life.

[engine starts]

We're going home!

Well, how about it, buddy,huh? We made it!

We made it! Yahoo!

[theme music playing]