M*A*S*H (television)/Heartwarming: Difference between revisions

*** In a weird way, Charles' initial confrontation with the orphanage director was one. Charles, who's usually pretty aloof, looks about two seconds from ripping the man's arm off and beating him with it-- and ''sounds'' about three seconds into the act.

** Winchester seems to be part of quite a few of these. The B plot of "Sons and Bowlers" centers on Hawkeye's father going in for surgery Stateside, but the reason for his surgery (which is not identified in the episode) means his survival is not guaranteed. Winchester overhears Hawkeye trying to get through to the hospital where his father is being treated on the camp phone, and proceeds to spend the night keeping vigil with him until they can get word that the elder Dr. Pierce has made it through. As they discuss their relationships with their fathers (a discussion in which we learn that although Charles Winchester II wanted only the best for his son, he was nevertheless a typically emotionally distant patrician patriarch), Winchester calls Pierce fortunate in that while Charles had a ''father'', Hawkeye had a ''dad''.

'''Charles:''' Actually, [[First-Name Basis|Hawkeye]]...I've never told you ''anything'' before. }}

** The episode in which Charles meets a soldier who had been a pianist until he was wounded in the hand. Charles remembers that a composer created music which could be played with only one hand, and urges the former pianist not to give up on music, since he still had "the baton, the classroom, the pen. All my life I have wanted to play. I can play the notes, but I cannot make the music." The scene ends with the music being played, one handed.

** Charles saying goodbye to Margaret. Previously, he had taken back a book of poetry he had given her, much to her disappointment. When it comes time to leave camp, he returns the book to her, now with a written message inside to cover, and kisses her hand, a true [[Officer and a Gentleman]].

* Speaking of Trapper, there's his exchange with Hawkeye when they think he's going home, in "Check-Up":

'''Trapper:''' (holding back tears) No charge. }}

* Henry's goodbyes to everyone in "Abyssinia, Henry"...before that last O.R. scene shifts everything into full-on [[Tear Jerker]] territory.

* In the "Bug Out" episode, the 4077th is forced to relocate in response to rumors of the encroaching Chinese advance. As part of that, they find an abandoned schoolhouse that they believe is perfect for setting up their army hospital... except that it's already occupied by several Chinese women who are using it as a brothel. After some heated back and forth between the Madam and Colonel Potter, the ladies take an intense interest in Klinger... 's rack of fall gowns. Klinger, for the good of the unit, forfeits the entire rack of gowns, and 'buys' the schoolhouse for them. As Potter commented, "Corporal Klinger, that's the finest act of bravery I've ever witnessed."

* Anytime the 4077th get a home movie from their families.

* The end of the "Rainbow Bridge" episode, where Radar comes to help Hawkeye and Trapper pack for their well-deserved (and much-delayed) R&R in Tokyo. As he works, he turns his back on them and expresses how impressed he is with the work they do, offhandedly adding, "If you ask me, you guys are like supermen." Turning around, he finds them collapsed in exhaustion into their cots...so he quietly covers them up with blankets, whispers, "Goodnight, supermen," and leaves them to sleep.

* In "Fallen Idol" Hawkeye hands Radar his Purple Heart medal, and then gives him one of the very few genuine salutes the good Captain ever did.