M*A*S*H (TV Series) Temporary Duty (1978) User Reviews

No Hawkeye: supporting focus

[jakebirkel · 9/10 · 31 October 2020]

In a way, this episode did more for Charles and Margaret than any episode. The absence of Hawkeye leads to some fascinating character developments that serve as crucial stepping off points for the series mentality.

This episode comes at the midpoint of the series and serves as a way to alter the momentum. Antagonism in this series has been left to Margaret, Frank, and Charles and has fluctuated throughout in terms of consistency, but this is where the series became an "us vs. them" ensemble. Seeing the alternative causes Charles and BJ to work together; Margaret's past conflicts with her present.

One Goober Too Many

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 5 April 2015]

Hawkeye does a surgical exchange with another MASH unit. His counterpart is a guy named Dupree, played by George Lindsey, Cousin Goober on the "Andy Griffith Show." He is a boorish windbag who is also an excellent surgeon. He is sort of idiot savant cowboy. Anyway he riles things up for B.J. and Winchester to where they want to be rid of him. Meanwhile, his impressive skills catch the eye of Potter and he is ready to join the party permanently. The second plot is a nurse who arrives with the cowboy. She is an army brat like Margaret and they were partners in crime when young. The problem is that she is still a bit of a wild child, while Margaret is now the mature, responsible one. This leads to conflict and tension between them, and, finally, a really nice conclusion.

Me and Dupree, Margaret's humanity

[safenoe · 8/10 · 21 August 2020]

Here Winchester and Hunnicutt bond when Dupree is the unwelcome visiting surgeon, and they conspire to rid of Dupree for his hick antics in the 4077th. Also we see a turning point where Margaret becomes more humane by wanting a coffee with Winchester and Hunnicutt at the end.

The switch

[kellielulu · 8/10 · 7 September 2022]

Hawkeye and Lt Biglow trade places with Roy Dupree a surgeon who may be the only character who makes you miss Frank Burns and Nurse Lorraine Anderson as good a nurse as Margaret but doesn't take herself too seriously the way Margaret now does .

Dupree is a technically brilliant surgeon but beyond that is boorish and doesn't even know how to be respectful towards Father Mulcahy. He also drives BJ and Winchester crazy.

Winchester takes a shine to Nurse Lorraine Anderson who is an old friend of Margaret's .Margaret is thrilled to see her friend until she realizes her friend is still a warm , fun loving person while she become closed off and apparently still not letting anyone close to her. They develop some friction but Lorraine presses Margaret and admits she doesn't know how to have fun or let anyone close anymore. Lorraine convinces her it's not that hard but she can't make it so hard for anyone to please her and she still has that warm person inside her . This episode marks a bit of regression for Margaret.

Dupree on the other hand wants to stick around and Potter not realizing what a horrible jerk he is is inclined to arrange it. Winchester and BJ scramble to make sure that doesn't happen. They hint about Potter's beloved horse Sophie and Dupree goes wild drunk and riding Sophie That ends it Potter will not stand anyone mistreating Sophie.

Anderson and Dupree prepare to leave. Dupree is hungover and Anderson shares a warm goodbye with Margaret and Charles. Charles and BJ are relieved and head for the swamp but Margaret ask if they can all go to the mess tent and have some coffee and talk . BJ and Charles share a look and head off with Margaret.

Ending is a classic Hawkeye returns and says no one thought he was funny and that the 4077 got the better deal at first it looks like his bunk mates agree but then Charles say he never thought he would say it but he really missed Hawkeye! They both embrace a shocked Hawkeye!

A funny and momentous episode

[paulkinfl · 10/10 · 13 November 2021]

I have to agree with another reviewer how the absence of Hawkeye makes this episode a milestone. Without Alda's ego the relationship between Charles & BJ makes progress and shows us a side of Margaret that makes her more human.

Goober a Surgeon?

[dcoydcoy · 7/10 · 10 February 2023]

Yes! Goober is a surgeon, and why not? Anyone with the brains enough to disassemble an automobile and put it back together inside the sheriff's office has to be smart enough to be a doctor. But it's funny seeing Goob in any role. No matter if it's a western or whatever, Goober is Goober!

Ok, this episode was just average. Like nearly all episodes, there wasn't enough Margaret! For me, Hot Lips is the best part of MASH.

I liked the line Hawkeye gave when told about an officer who was tough on hair length. Hawk said that he would tuck it under his hat. Which is exactly what we did during the time of the VN war when long hair was the cool hair length for guys.

New Show!

[specterman · 8/10 · 15 March 2022]

I thought George Lindsey was great Capt. Roy Dupree! Producers should have looked beyond his former character Goober Pyle from Mayberry. I think they should have given Lindsey a part on Trapper John, M. D. as Dr. Roy Dupree.

He would added some more comic relief to the show!