Radar brings the mail around and a few pieces comprise the ammunition for this episode. First of all, Hawkeye gets his small town newspaper and bores people nearly to death reading the sappy stories. Potter is informed that his daughter is about to give birth which leads to a mad scramble to get news from home. There is also a pool to guess the weight, sex, and specific date of birth. The most interesting, however, involves a letter from Frank's wife, saying she wants a divorce. It seems that word got back to her about his dealings with Major Houlihan. Fireworks fly as Frank tries to play on both sides of the fence. Finally, a film has arrived for Radar. It leads to a nice conclusion. Once again, Margaret keeps trying to please Frank but there may be some interesting stuff ahead.
3 Reviews
Frank is in the doghouse
safenoe28 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Gary Burghoff displays his acting chops by playing his Mom. In fact, Gary should have received an Emmy nomination for his dual roles in this fine episode of M*A*S*H. Hard to believe this was first broadcast in 1975, yet it's timeless. Frank is in the doghouse when his wife learns of his affair with Margaret, and in turn Margaret overhears Frank slagging her off in an urgent phone call to his irate wife.
A Solid 8 Rating!!
ellisel12 July 2006
The opening clip of "Mail Call, Again" had Colonel Potter preparing himself to shave in his tent. Corporal O'Reilly entered the tent and delivered the mail. He handed him a letter; and he found out that Jeanee Potter would have a baby in their family. Colonel Potter was all excited about the pleasant news. Both of them would plan a pool to determine -- for one dollar -- the weight, date, birth, and sex of the baby. Major Houlihan would reluctantly agree to participate in the pool -- despite her disapproval to gambling -- after it was known Colonel Potter was formatting this event.
Corporal O'Reilly would enter "The Swamp" to deliver the mail. Corporal O'Reilly had a letter opened by accident. He told Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt about Major Burns's divorce from his wife -- Louise -- discreetly. Major Burns would -- as predicted -- scold Corporal O'Reilly for being nosy about the letter he looked inside "The Swamp." He read his letter about his situation in Fort Wayne, Indiana -- obviously in frustration ... with the result in ripping his pillow into shreds.
Colonel Potter had Corporal O'Reilly place the call to Ohio in preparation to find out about the baby. In contrast, Major Burns acted snotty at Corporal O'Reilly for not placing the call to Indiana. Colonel Potter told him to stop shooting off his mouth at camp ... or he would face problems for his misconduct. Only then did Colonel Potter realized that Major Burns's wife wanted a divorce. Towards the end, he asked Colonel Potter if he could his own phone to contact his wife in Indiana. He reluctantly agreed to the situation. After the call, Major Houlihan found out that she did not appreciate the comments he made to her about being a "War Horse" or an "Army Mule." He would be whacked without warning if he did not remove his hand off her arm.
The finishing touch to the episode would be a movie of Corporal O'Reilly's Family in Colonel Potter's Office. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt saw the glimpses of milk and chocolate cake in the film. The film also had his mother, his relatives, his dog, and his clergy master recognizing him in the movie. His mother said -- in silent tone -- goodbye to his son. In the end, Father Mulcahy won the betting pool. The baby was actually a girl in the Potter Family. The end grade: A High "C+" !! A quality episode recommended for viewing from the 1975-1976 Television Season. An 8.6!!
Corporal O'Reilly would enter "The Swamp" to deliver the mail. Corporal O'Reilly had a letter opened by accident. He told Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt about Major Burns's divorce from his wife -- Louise -- discreetly. Major Burns would -- as predicted -- scold Corporal O'Reilly for being nosy about the letter he looked inside "The Swamp." He read his letter about his situation in Fort Wayne, Indiana -- obviously in frustration ... with the result in ripping his pillow into shreds.
Colonel Potter had Corporal O'Reilly place the call to Ohio in preparation to find out about the baby. In contrast, Major Burns acted snotty at Corporal O'Reilly for not placing the call to Indiana. Colonel Potter told him to stop shooting off his mouth at camp ... or he would face problems for his misconduct. Only then did Colonel Potter realized that Major Burns's wife wanted a divorce. Towards the end, he asked Colonel Potter if he could his own phone to contact his wife in Indiana. He reluctantly agreed to the situation. After the call, Major Houlihan found out that she did not appreciate the comments he made to her about being a "War Horse" or an "Army Mule." He would be whacked without warning if he did not remove his hand off her arm.
The finishing touch to the episode would be a movie of Corporal O'Reilly's Family in Colonel Potter's Office. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt saw the glimpses of milk and chocolate cake in the film. The film also had his mother, his relatives, his dog, and his clergy master recognizing him in the movie. His mother said -- in silent tone -- goodbye to his son. In the end, Father Mulcahy won the betting pool. The baby was actually a girl in the Potter Family. The end grade: A High "C+" !! A quality episode recommended for viewing from the 1975-1976 Television Season. An 8.6!!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
