To celebrate the 50th anniversary of M*A*S*H, I’m taking a weekly look back at what episode of M*A*S*H aired five decades ago on CBS.
Episode Title: “Ceasefire” (#23, 01×23)
Airdate: Sunday, March 18th, 1973
Teleplay By: Laurence Marks & Larry Gelbart
Story By: Robert Klane
Directed By: Earl Bellamy
Nielsen Rank: 18
The 23rd episode of M*A*S*H aired 50 years ago today. “Ceasefire” aired for the first time on Sunday, March 18th, 1973 on CBS.
Here’s the capsule summary from my Episode Spotlight for the episode:
The 4077th celebrates an impending ceasefire but Trapper doesn’t believe the fighting will actually stop.
Marcia Strassman made her sixth and final appearance as Margie Cutler in this episode. It was also the last episode to guest star Patrick Adiarte as Ho-Jon.
Based on my incomplete list of weekly rankings, “Ceasefire” was the only episode from Season 1 to rank in the Nielsen Top 20. It ranked 18th for the week it aired.
Check back next week for the next installment of 50 Years of M*A*S*H.
I’ve often wondered if this ep was written as a possible finale (with a different ending) in case the show wasn’t renewed…