Margaret's Engagement
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| “Margaret's Engagement” | |||||||
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| M*A*S*H episode | |||||||
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| Episode no. | Season 5 Episode 3 |
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| Written by | Gary Markowitz | ||||||
| Directed by | Alan Alda | ||||||
| Production no. | 502 | ||||||
| Original airdate | September 28, 1976 | ||||||
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| List of M*A*S*H episodes | |||||||
"Margaret's Engagement" is an episode from the TV series M*A*S*H. It was the second episode of the fifth season and originally aired September 28, 1976, with a repeat on April 5, 1977. It was written by Gary Markowitz and directed by Alan Alda.
[edit] Overview
Major Margaret Houlihan reveals when she comes back from Tokyo that she is now engaged to Lieutenant Colonel Donald Penobscot, a West Point graduate who has swept her off her feet. Frank Burns doesn't take the news so well, almost having a complete breakdown.
[edit] Detailed Story
While making coffee for Colonel Potter, Radar receives a phone call from Major Houlihan, who is in Tokyo to follow up on the progress of some of the 4077th's patients. Hot Lips insists on being put through to Colonel Potter immediately, and when Radar does this she tells Potter that she has "wonderful news". However, she refuses to explain over the phone, knowing that Radar islistening in.
Later in the OR, Potter and the Swampmen speculate on what Margaret's news will be. B.J. suggests that it could be news about a possible peace settlement. Frank overhears, and mentions that Hot Lips had recommended him for promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, and that the news was that he was indeed being promoted. Hawkeye has meanwhile finished with his patient, and as he walks over to Frank's table he notes that Major Burns has taken a surgical shortcut that could lead to serious illness or death for the patient. Burns offers the excuse that he hasn't had any complaints yet, to which Pierce retorts that "Dead men tell no tales."
Margaret arrives, giddy, as Pierce and Hunnicutt are playing golf with an orange (which is crushed by her jeep). She jumps off the jeep and into B.J.'s arms, and as the surgeons escort her to her tent she says her news is "too good to be true", telling the Swampmen immediately that Frank was not promoted after all. She then says she has the "best of all possible news", and as she gets into her tent shows them her engagement ring. Hawkeye has trouble finding it--it's rather small--and when he does he makes some sarcastic comments about her fiancee's thrift, but Margaret defends it as a family heirloom. B.J. and Hawkeye wonder aloud what Frank's reaction would be, and Margaret insists on telling him herself, convinced that he would be "thrilled" to hear the news.
Margaret proceeds to tell anyone that will listen, and some that don't want to listen, all about her new beau, goading Frank.
Frank goes crazy, after being rejected. He dresses up in heavy camouflage, including branches on his helmet, dark face paint, and grenades.He's also carrying a rifle. He pulls the pin out of the grenade, and then proceeds to spit it on the ground. He takes a family hostage, claiming that they're enemy guerrillas. Finally, in Potter's office he's about to pop. Radar makes a call to Frank's mother, saving the day.
The end of the episode is classic. Pierce, B.J, Frank, and Margaret are sitting in the Mess Tent. The following exchange happens:
Frank: Listen, Pierce, why don't you and I go out on the town tonight, hmm?
Hawkeye: Well, this is so sudden, Frank, I don't have anything to wear.
Frank: Well, I mean, get a couple of nurses, go over to Rosie's bar, have a little fun.
Hawkeye: Sounds good to me.
Frank: There's this little redheaded nurse who's had her eye on me. Tonight her wish will come true.
Margaret: Do you mean that new girl with the freckles on her nose?
Frank: Yes, that's the one.
Margaret: She's a little young for you, isn't she, Major Burns?
Frank: Oh, I don't know. I thought a little youth might be nice for a change.
Margaret heads out, flustered. B.J and Hawkeye have perplexed looks on their faces. B.J: Convoy just took a direct hit!
Frank then says: "Really got her on that one, didn't I!"
Frank, B.J, and Hawkeye proceed to have a good laugh.
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