Ten Favorite MASH Episodes: The Trial of Henry Blake (#2)

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Wow, I finished a music countdown this morning and I only have one more episode after today here with this countdown! I'd better get busy! This is a look at my favorite episodes of the classic TV series M*A*S*H. Here's today's episode. #2: The Trial of Henry Blake This episode would be in the top three if the only thing in it was Klinger's escape attempt! What makes it even better is Henry's reply to the general's question about what he thought about "Klinger's attempt to desert the United States Army": "Well, frankly, sir, I think he might have made it if he'd had a better tail wind." This is a great example of the way the characters were in the early days of the series: the conniving, always strictly GI Frank and his sidekick/lover Hot Lips ("which is which?" the general asks, to which Hawkeye replies, "It doesn't matter, they're interchangeable") file a list of charges against Henry in an attempt to relieve him of his command (which, of course, would put Frank in charge, probably one of his underlying reasons for filing the charges ["this outfit's finally gonna have a real man in charge!"]). Henry has to go to regimental headquarters to face the charges to see if they warrant Henry facing a court-martial. The story is told through both flashbacks based on the charges (the gurney races to commemorate Kentucky Derby Day) and what happens when Radar returns to the camp to tell Hawkeye and Trapper John what's happened. There are a number of funny moments in the episode (Nurse Meg Cratty telling the general that a pregnant woman "is an example of Henry Blake's work," for instance), but the highlight is Klinger making a hang glider to literally fly to freedom. M*A*S*H should have stuck to these antics instead of getting so dang preachy later in the series. The Trial of Henry Blake Written by McLean Stevenson Directed by Don Weis Season 2, episode 8 A big red bird with fuzzy pink feet!