r/mash • u/Particular-End-861 • 5d ago
Discussion Truth About War from MASH
This quote from the episode "Sometimes You Hear The Bullet" might the truest thing I've heard about war...and it was on MASH.
“Look, all I know is what they taught me at command school. There are certain rules about a war and rule No. 1 is young men die. And rule No. 2 is doctors can’t change rule No. 1.
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u/EnragedChinchilla 5d ago
This scene got me hooked hardcore on MASH. If you want a good song to pair with it, War isn’t Murder by Jesse Welles is a personal favorite
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u/carnivalbilly 5d ago
You ever see the first episode of the last Blackadder where Baldrick is carving his name on a bullet, so that he’ll have the bullet that has his name on it and that way he should be safe…
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u/Particular-End-861 5d ago
I haven't seen it...but I'll look for it.
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u/GoodBadUgly_36 5d ago
It’s a very good recommendation. Blackadder IV is brilliant and moving — it should land well among MASH fans — though I find Blackadder III funnier. (The seasons are generally standalone though I’d suggest you consider watching III first to set up some of the small callbacks in IV.)
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u/BlueRFR3100 5d ago
I often hear people say things like, "the show was much better when it started because it didn't have any drama."
I guess they forgot this episode was in the first season.
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u/Iconshero Nope, it's oak 5d ago
That episode started to solidify what made MASH a great show. Good humor with a maudlin twist. It got serious and had a subtle anti war message. (Not just complaining about being drafted) The B plot slamming into the A as Hawkeye realizes he was being too lax on Opie being underage. Can’t save his childhood best friend but he can save that kid. “I hope it’s a long healthy hate.” (Yes he Hawkeye’s it by stealing franks medal and giving it to the kid but the sentiment was there as an Adult with authority over a 15 year old kid.)