I’m reviewing every episode of AfterMASH, in original broadcast order, and asking fans to add their memories and opinions.
“The Recovery Room” (#28, 2×06)
Originally Broadcast: Tuesday, October 30th, 1984 from 8-8:30PM ET
Written by Jay Folb
Directed by Charles S. Dubin
TV Guide Summary
N/A
The Hartford Courant Summary
N/A
Review
There’s an awful lot of fighting in this episode. The Potters have their first fight ever. Dr. Boyer is literally getting into fights to blow of steam and deal with stress. And Klinger argues with Soon-Lee about going on disability to earn extra money. Klinger also chases down and tackles Alma Cox while trying to recover a letter he asked her to mail.
The Potter storyline is boring. This is the most we’ve seen of Anne Pitoniak as Mildred Potter so far. Whenever she’s on screen, all I can think about is how much better Barbara Townsend was as Mildred. Maybe it’s the writing, maybe it’s Anne Pitoniak acting, or maybe I just got used to seeing Barbara Townsend as Mildred.
Wendy Girard continues to impress as Dr. Lenore Dudziak, who once again faces down Dr. Boyer and triumphs. She invites him to talk about his anger but of course he refuses. Ultimately, she’s able to get him to open up just a little by forcing him to interact with other veterans with similiar issues.
Klinger’s plan to file for mental disability isn’t the craziest thing he’s done. Soon-Lee isn’t thrilled, concerned an official diagnosis will mean he’ll be stuck in a mental ward forever.
There’s a minor storyline involving a new doctor at General General: the very young and very apologetic Andy Caldwell, an intern.
Father Mulcahy is only seen briefly at the start and end of the episode, delivering inspirational message on television at five in the morning.
Notes
New recurring character Dr. Andy Caldwell (played by Tom Isbell) makes his debut in this episode.
Wally Wainwright does not appear in this episode.
For the first time this season, an episode ends without “To Be Continued…” on screen.
References to the 4077th
There are no references to the 4077th but there is a flashback to Klinger’s arrival in Korea. He’s shown getting off a plane at Kimpo Airfield.
M*A*S*H Connections
This is the second of two episodes directed by Charles S. Dubin, who directed 44 episodes of M*A*S*H between 1976 and 1983, more than any other director.
Scriptwriter Jay Folb worked on M*A*S*H as a story consultant and later executive story consultant from 1976 to 1978. He wrote or co-wrote five episodes between 1975 and 1977, including “Of Moose and Men” and “Movie Tonight.”
Guest star Tom Kindle previously appeared in two episodes of M*A*S*H: “Blood Brothers” during Season 9 and “That Darn Kid” during Season 10.
So . . . in reading these episode spotlights, I’m sensing that Father Mulcahy, more or less, got the shaft when it came to AfterMASH, in that it seems like he always has the least amount of story and things to do in almost every episode.
Pretty much. I don’t know if the writers couldn’t figure out what to do with Father Mulcahy or if storylines/scenes with him were routinely cut, but he often feels like an afterthought.
Yes, RJ, I noticed that. It’s sad because Fr. Mulcahy is my favorite character as you can tell by my username, and Bill Christopher was my favorite actor.
I feel he was overlooked for the others a lot, but I’ve watched him in other shows, and he was an amazing actor in his own right, and was a wonderful advocate for people with Autism and other disorders on the Autism spectrum. Just wish his talent was expounded on and recogized more often. 🙁
What I found interesting about Bill Christopher from an acting standpoint was that on the “M*A*S”H” stunt-casted episode of “Diagnosis Murder” (SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVEN’T EVER SEEN THAT ONE — You’ve been warned…!), it’s his character who turns out to be the bad guy!