58. There is Nothing Like a Nurse

November 19, 1974 (B-309)

Written by: Larry Gelbart
Directed by: Hy Averback
Guest Stars: Jeanne Schulherr, as Burns's Bride
Semi-regulars: Jamie Farr, as Corporal Klinger. Loudon Wainwright III, as Captain Spalding. William Christopher, as Father Mulcahy. Bobbie Mitchell, as Nurse Able. Leland Sun, as Mr Kwang.

Plot: The nurses and Hot Lips are at odds again. After she has a screaming match with Colonel Blake, it turns out that an enemy paratrooper drop is expected, and the nurses are evacuated. Everyone says goodbye - including Burns and Hot Lips. With the nurses gone, there's a lot of unhappiness. The boys play a few jokes on Burns, and finish by eavesdropping on Burns and Hot Lips's phone call. Then when he falls in a fox-hole, they park a jeep over him. The boys and Henry watch Burns's wedding movie, which they stole. They've just reached the end when the promised air raid comes. The bomber turns out to be five o'clock Charlie, dropping propaganda leaflets. The nurses all return amidst general rejoicing.

Glitches: Interesting to note that the PA says 'Vehicles plus choppers.' So, aren't choppers vehicles?

Great Lines: Burns: 'Let the enemy come. We'll show them American guts in action.' Radar: 'I think mine just started, sir.'

The Klinger Collection: A very odd gold paisley dress. And then he's in uniform (!!!) when trying to be evacuated with the nurses. Then a lovely pink print dress with matching hat.

Continuity is for Wimps: Burns's middle initial is still D, but we later discover that his middle name is Marion.
Another thing - we see Captain Spalding performing surgery (and crappy musical numbers), and yet whenever there's a need for surgical personnel, he's nowhere to be seen.

They All Look the Same to Me: Another one for Leland Sun. Or is it the same one? An existential conundrum if I ever saw one...

Je ne parle Korean...do I? Hawkeye knows how to say thankyou, to Mr Kwang.

Suction: One.

Comments: Well, it was interesting to see Burns getting married. It's odd, though - we know the 4077th has male nurses, and yet we only see the girls getting evacuated. Maybe the male ones don't count as nurses. Or maybe the male ones just started to cross-dress and are better at it than Klinger. Fairly inconsequential in the end, although it was nice to see five o'clock Charlie back again.

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