laurence marks – The Mind Reels

MAS*H (1978) – Mail Call Three, Temporary Duty, and Potter’s Retirement

Everett Greenbaum and James Fritzell delivered Mail Call Three, which aired on 6 February, 1978. After a long delayed delivery of mail, a number of problems arrive with the envelopes. Hawkeye (Alan Alda) has been receiving love letters meant for another Benjamin Pierce, which he reads with lustful joy. B.J. (Mike Farrell) learns that a…

MASH (1977) – Change Day, Images, and The MASH Olympics

Laurence Marks delivers Change Day, which first aired on 8 November, 1977. It’s announced that the militaty will be changing its scrip to keep the counterfeiters and black marketeers at bay. Charles (David Ogden Stiers) comes up with a money-making scheme to buy up the locals’ scrip at a reduced rate, and then exchange it,…

MAS*H (1975) – Aid Station, Love and Marriage, and Big Mac

Aid Station written by series developer Larry Gelbart and Simon Muntner is an exemplary episode that first hit the airwaves on 11 February, 1975. The entire camp is unhappy with the state of everything, though it is the food and coffee that most of the complaints are centred around. The O.R. is packed, and wounded…

MAS*H (1974) – Check-Up, Life with Father, and Alcoholics Unanimous

Laurence Marks pens a great Trapper (Wayne Rogers) episode. First debuting on 22 October, 1974, the episode opens with the announcement that is time for the camp’s yearly physical, so everyone is getting checked out, but Trap is unwilling to let Frank Burns (Larry Linville) examine him. In a conversation with Hawkeye (Alan Alda) they…

MAS*H (1974) – Iron Guts Kelly, O.R., and Springtime

Hawkeye (Alan Alda), Trapper (Wayne Rogers) and Houlihan (Loretta Swit) run into trouble when they encounter General ‘Iron Guts’ Kelly (James Gregory). Written by Sid Dorfman, and series developer Larry Gelbart, Iron Guts Kelly first debuted on 1 October, 1974. It’s no secret to most of the 4077th (and viewers) that Margaret Houlihan has a…

MAS*H (1974) – George, Mail Call, and A Smattering of Intelligence

This week brings is the conclusion of season two of M*A*S*H, and we get started with George. Written by John W. Regier and Gary Markowitz this episode first aired on 16 February, 1974. In a groundbreaking episode, for the time, the story took on the subject of gays in the military. Hawkeye (Alan Alda) learns…

MAS*H (1974) – The Chosen People, As You Were, and Crisis

Radar (Gary Burghoff) has some problems in The Chosen People. Written by Laurence Marks, Sheldon Keller and series developer Larry Gelbart from a story by Gerry Renert and Jeff Wilhem, this episode premiered on 26 January, 1974. When a Korean family moves on to the 4077th, it throws the unit into upheaval, and unfortunately doesn’t…

MAS*H (1974) – Henry in Love, For Want of a Boot, and Operation Noselift

Series developer Larry Gelbart and Laurence Marks put Colonel Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) in some trouble this week with Henry in Love, which first aired on 5 January, 1974. While on a quick trip to Tokyo, married man Blake meets and falls for the very young (all of twenty to his forty-four) Nancy (Kathrine Baumann)….

MAS*H (1973) – Deal Me Out, Hot Lips and Empty Arms, and Officers Only

The first episode up this week of M*A*S*H boasts a number of recognisable guest stars. Allan Arbus returns as Sidney, Pat Morita plays Captain Sam Pak, and John Ritter plays Private Carter. Deal Me Out was written by Laurence Marks, and series developer Larry Gelbart and first aired on 8 December, 1973. While Hawkeye (Alan…

MAS*H (1973) – The Sniper, Carry On, Hawkeye, and The Incubator

Teri Garr makes an appearance as a nurse in the first episode up this week, The Sniper. Written by Richard Powell this story first aired on 17 November, 1973, and was the first American show to feature a bit of male nudity, as Radar’s (Gary Burghoff) butt can be glimpsed as he makes a dash…