burt metcalfe – The Mind Reels

MAS*H (1983) – Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen

On 28 February, 1983, millions of viewers bid goodbye to the 4077th and its residents over the course of two hours. It’s one of those moments burned into my brain, and I remember exactly where I was and how emotionally it affected me. The only other time I was affected in the same way would…

MAS*H (1980/1981) – Death Takes a Holiday, A War for All Seasons, and Your Retention Please

Mike Farrell directs this episode that he wrote alongside John Rappaport, and Dennis Koenig from a story by Thad Mumford, Dan Wilcox, and Burt Metcalfe. It aired on 15 December 1980 and was used as that year’s Christmas episode. Farrell knows how to pack his story with emotional impact without being super sappy about it….

MAS*H (1979) – The Party, Too Many Cooks, and Are You Now, Margaret?

Burt Metcalfe and Alan Alda pen the script that closes out the seventh season, The Party. It first aired on 12 March, 1979. While the 4077th gets orders to move (and again) as the Chinese have broken through, B.J. (Mike Farrell) hits on the idea of organizing a reunion, but not for the members of…

MAS*H (1977) – The Grim Reaper, Comrades In Arms: Part One, and Part Two

Burt Prelutsky pens The Grim Reaper which sees Hawkeye (Alan Alda) running afoul of a goal focussed colonel, Bloodworth (Charles Aidman) in this episode that first aired on 29 November, 1977. Bloodworth is a frequent visitor to the 4077th warning of the number of casualties he expects from his assaults, and maneuvers against the enemy….