MASHsaved its worst Captain Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce tragedy in its finale, and it was something that Alan Alda’s character predicted three years earlier. Despite the pressure coming from Robert Altman’s successful feature film in 1970, CBS still moved forward with a TV series adaptation of the medical war comedy-drama. Admittedly, its start on the small screen was less than ideal, but it eventually found its groove, withMASHending up running for 11 seasons. The groundbreaking show wrapped up with a feature-length finale,“Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” which remains the most-watched episode of a scripted series.
TheMASHfinale clocked in at 2 and a half hours, with Alda co-writing and directing the whole episode. By then, the actor was the show’s biggest creative force. Aside from starring as arguably the show’s true protagonist, he wrote and directed multiple episodes over the years, and was even a creative consultant, as well. Despite the pressure behind the camera, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” also presentedAlda’s Hawkeyewith his most tragic experience being stationed in the 4077 MASH unit. Intriguingly, however, the character himself somehow predicted that his fate would include such hardship.
The War Finally Caught Up With Hawkeye Before MASH Ended
WhileMASHstarted as more of a comedy series, with season 1 leaning into its silly kind of humor. Over time, however, its storytelling became more thoughtful, if not even dramatic. The war series never shied away from tackling the harrowing effects of the conflict, but it was mostly undercut with dark humor, primarily via a quip fromHawkeye, and his partners: Trapper John McIntyre and BJ Hunnicutt. However, as it neared its end,MASHdialed up its more serious storylines, with Hawkeye’s most heartbreaking moment happening in the finale.
Hawkeye had always been clear during MASH’s run how much he hated the war, even claiming that it is worse than hell because"there are no innocent bystanders in hell."
In “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,“Hawkeye was being treated at a mental hospital in Seoul after experiencing a nervous breakdown. It was prompted after he witnessed a Korean mother kill her baby to prevent the group from being detected by an enemy patrol. Hawkeye had always been clear during MASH’s run how much he hated the war, even claiming that it is worse than hell because"there are no innocent bystanders in hell.”
Hawkeye Said He Feared He Would Have A Nervous Breakdown In The Future In MASH Season 8
A Visiting Surgeon’s Breakdown Brought Hawkeye’s Fears To The Surface
Three years earlier, however, Hawkeye predicted his fate after seeing a visiting surgeon go through a similar breakdown. InMASHseason 8, episode 17, “Heal Thyself,” the 4077 recruited a rotating doctor to help out because bothSherm Potter and Charles Winchester had mumps. The unit was sent a capable replacement, who was peppy and quite capable, having been stationed in a much busier camp. Suddenly, however, he broke down after dealing with a barrage of wounded.
As Hawkeye and BJ left him in Potter’s tent,Alda’s character said that it was exactly what he feared would happen to them. While his partner-in-crime didn’t have the same experience, although he had his internal challenges to go through, Pierce was subjected to the same thing. It was a powerful moment to end Hawkeye’s story in Korea and was a reminder of the unseen wounds from the war inMASH.
MAS*H
Cast
MAS*H is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.
