Ten Favorite MASH Episodes: The Winchester Tapes (#9)

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It's time for another favorite episode from one of my all-time favorite TV series, the classic M*A*S*H. It's one of the most legendary shows in American television history. The final episode remains the most-watched episodic television show in US history. I didn't like that episode, but there are plenty that I did love....such as this one! #9: The Winchester Tapes Major Winchester goes from cushy job in Tokyo to meatball surgery at the 4077th. Distraught, Winchester sends a tape to his parents, explaining how things are at the 4077th. Told in a "flashback" style, as Winchester narrates, he explains his new situation and each of his new co-workers. It gives an overview of each character (which is a frequently-used "trick" in the series, usually when they have a character writing a letter home). Of course, as it's from Winchester's point of view, it's "pomposity" versus the "down-to-earth" nature of the rest of the staff. For me, the two highlights are BJ's practical joke (when he keeps swapping Winchester's uniform pants with other people to make it appear that Winchester has lost weight, then gained so much he can't button his pants); and Winchester's portrait being painted by Colonel Potter (where Winchester constantly begs for a transfer back to Tokyo, to the point where he gets infuriated, prompting Potter to tell Winchester, "Don't change the color of your face! I'm out of umber!" It's early in the career of Winchester's time at the 4077, and a funny time. The Winchester Tapes Written by Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell Directed by Burt Metcalfe Season 6, episode 5 Part of the practical jokes the recently-arrived Winchester is subjected to: