(03x02) 050 - Rainbow Bridge
Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 9:28 pm
This was a really unique episode, in more ways than one. The story involved a Chinese medical unit not being able to give any care to captured American casualties, and actually offer to send them to the 4077th to be treated for their injuries... now granted, the Chinese were among the enemies in the Korean War, however, Hawkeye and Trapper seemed to indicate that the Chinese and the Americans had something of an understanding between the two of them as opposed to the North Koreans. Naturally, both Margaret and Frank are completely against the idea of heading to the pick-up point, Rainbow Bridge, which is far into their territory, on the grounds that they're probably planning an ambush.
This episode was also an introduction for two different people: first of all, Captain Spaulding, the camp minstrel, played by Loudon Wainwright III; I know a lot of fans dislike this character and say he's completely out of place at the 4077th, however, I seem to recall reading somewhere that Larry Gelbart simply wanted to try something different for that season, hence the inclusion of Spaulding. This episode also marks the first guest appearance of Mako, who made a number of guest appearances on the show, as both good guys and bad guys; Mako was also responsible for the East West Players, a group dedicated to getting better, non-stereotypical roles for Asian-America actors and entertainers.
Now, being a producer myself, I also really like this episode for its production value; this episode had some really great cinematography that I just love. Some of my favorite sequences are as the bus pulls out of the Compound, and a flustered Henry walks across the Compound accompanied by Spaulding just striking up his upbeat tune "North Korean Blues" (by the way, why was his composition called "North Korean Blues" when he's singing about Tokyo?); the entire bus ride to Rainbow Bridge with absolutely no dialogue audible, while still accompanied by Spaulding's tune, and the rumblings of the bus; even the different camera angles as Hawkeye, Trapper, and Frank begin to approach Dr. Lin Tak and his people, while they do the same.
This episode was also an introduction for two different people: first of all, Captain Spaulding, the camp minstrel, played by Loudon Wainwright III; I know a lot of fans dislike this character and say he's completely out of place at the 4077th, however, I seem to recall reading somewhere that Larry Gelbart simply wanted to try something different for that season, hence the inclusion of Spaulding. This episode also marks the first guest appearance of Mako, who made a number of guest appearances on the show, as both good guys and bad guys; Mako was also responsible for the East West Players, a group dedicated to getting better, non-stereotypical roles for Asian-America actors and entertainers.
Now, being a producer myself, I also really like this episode for its production value; this episode had some really great cinematography that I just love. Some of my favorite sequences are as the bus pulls out of the Compound, and a flustered Henry walks across the Compound accompanied by Spaulding just striking up his upbeat tune "North Korean Blues" (by the way, why was his composition called "North Korean Blues" when he's singing about Tokyo?); the entire bus ride to Rainbow Bridge with absolutely no dialogue audible, while still accompanied by Spaulding's tune, and the rumblings of the bus; even the different camera angles as Hawkeye, Trapper, and Frank begin to approach Dr. Lin Tak and his people, while they do the same.