50. Rainbow Bridge

September 17, 1974 (B-301)

Written by: Larry Gelbart and Laurence Marks
Directed by: Hy Averback
Guest Stars: Mako as Dr Lin Tam.
Semi-regulars: Jamie Farr as Corporal Klinger. William Christopher as Father Mulcahy. Loudon Wainwright III as Captain Calvin Spalding. There's an uncredited nurse, probably Bobbie Mitchell, shaving Trapper at the beginning as well.

Plot: Hawkeye and Trapper are due for R&R in Tokyo, and Mulcahy and Henry give them lists of things to be collected while they're there (including a training bra for Klinger and a set of Japanese prints (hem hem) for Henry under the name Orville Carver). They are about to leave when lots of wounded arrive. Burns and Hawkeye have a fight over the triage procedures, with Burns not very happy about Hawkeye sending an enemy soldier in before an American. After a big session in OR, the doctors are just falling asleep when a call comes in from the Chinese, that they have some American soldiers which they are willing to turn over to the 4077th. Hot Lips persuades Burns that if he goes along it could mean a promotion. Despite the Chinese order that no guns be taken, she gives Burns a small pistol to take along. Radar, Klinger, Burns, Trapper and Hawkeye go along. The exchange nearly falls apart when Burns gets nervy and tries to draw his gun, but the Chinese commander, Dr Lin Tam, sees the gun for what it is - a pea shooter. The exchange goes ahead and the boys get back to camp with the wonded GIs. Hawkeye and Trapper try to leave for Tokyo again, but fall asleep instead.

Glitches: Hawkeye pronounces Geisha 'gee-sha'.
Between shots in the Swamp, Trapper's collar flips up and his entire body changes position.
Considering how often Burns doesn't wear short sleeved shirts, his tan-line is a little odd.
When the bus zooms off, nearly throwing Burns out the door, Hot Lips appears to be trying very hard not to laugh. Perhaps Larry Linville's wonderful sense of physical humour was a bit too much for her.

Great Lines: Trapper: 'For your divine help in granting us this sabbatical, we give thanks, O Lord.' Mulcahy: 'You rang?' Hawkeye: 'I didn't know he made housecalls.'
Hot Lips: 'Colonel, I protest at this attack on Major Burns's character in his absence!' Hawkeye: 'Actually, we're protesting his absence of character.'
Burns: 'I'm a pretty fair doctor myself, ask any of my patients!' Hawkeye: 'We can't dig people up just for that.'
PA: 'Colonel Blake commends the unit and invites everyone to have a drink. Dutch treat.'
Henry: 'This is what you call your command decision. It's lonely at the top time. Strictly something for your leader.' Big pause. Hawkeye: 'Well, Henry?' Henry: 'Oh, golly. Whatever you people decide is fine with me.'
Hawkeye: 'Frank, the R-E-D speaks English better than Y-O-U do!'

The Klinger Collection: A gold paisley dressing gown with curlers while he's being Hawkeye's manicurist. Then a lovely nurse's outfit with blue and red cape. Later, his uniform when they go off to the bridge. (Guess he doesn't have a travel ensemble yet.)

Continuity is for Wimps: This is actually an anti-glitch - when Hot Lips's father turns up later in 198. Father's Day (Season 9), his name is the same as when she mentions it this episode - (Lt) Colonel Alvin Houlihan.

They All Look the Same to Me: Mako, who is quite a big actor in the right circles, makes his debut appearance, but not his last. We've also got an uncredited Mr Kwang here, but with his mask on I couldn't identify him.

Notes: Loudon Wainright III's continual musical accompaniment is highly irritating. He may have been a popular singer-songwriter at the time, but I for one wish he would shut the hell up.
Hawkeye makes reference to a film of Mutiny on the Bounty/Bus, with Alan Jenkins as the commander/bus driver.
In the mess tent scene some of Loretta Swit's hair has fallen out of its pony tail and gives her little short bangs around her face. It looks really lovely.
Another one of Col Houlihan's wedding-night gifts turns up again - this time it's a very small pistol, possibly a Derringer. You know, a small delicate gun, suitable for ladies. I think he must have presented his new wife with a large packing case of wedding-night gifts.

Comments: The bridge scene was very tense - with a glorious trio of sickly smiles produced by Hawk, Trap and Burns. On the whole, quite a substantial episode, showing some of the war stuff which goes on without being overly harsh about it. Although I do think the boys are a little too flippant when Hot Lips raises the possibility of capture, torture, brainwashing or rape. The reaction to the gun which Burns has taken to the bridge has a wonderfully humanising effect on the way the Chinese are portrayed. It's yet another one of those episodes where you get to the end and wonder how they managed to fit it all into less than thirty minutes.

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