Ep 7. Bananas, Crackers and Nuts

The episode "Bananas, Crackers and Nuts" from season 1 of the television show M*A*S*H follows the daily life of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) during the Korean War. The episode centers around the arrival of a new doctor, Captain Oliver Harmon Jones, who is notorious for his eccentric behavior and unconventional medical practices.

Captain Jones arrives at the camp with a trunk full of supplies, including bananas, crackers, and nuts, which he believes possess healing properties. This causes a great deal of skepticism among the other doctors, who are used to relying on traditional medical techniques. However, Captain Jones' unconventional methods begin to gain traction when he uses a banana to diagnose a patient with a rare condition that had gone undetected by the other doctors.

Meanwhile, the rest of the camp is dealing with their own issues. Hawkeye and Trapper John, the two main characters, are trying to find a way to obtain a new X-ray machine after their old one breaks down. They decide to hold a fundraising raffle, which leads to some amusing moments as the camp's inhabitants compete to win the prize.

The episode also explores the relationships between the characters, including Hawkeye's contentious relationship with Frank Burns, the uptight and rule-bound surgeon. While the two characters are constantly at odds, they are forced to work together when a patient's condition becomes critical.

As the episode progresses, the tensions and conflicts between the characters are brought to the forefront. However, the arrival of Captain Jones and his unusual methods provides a welcome distraction from the camp's usual routines. Through this character, the show explores the tension between tradition and innovation, as well as the importance of listening to new ideas and approaches.

Overall, "Bananas, Crackers and Nuts" is an engaging and well-crafted episode that showcases the strengths of M*A*S*H as both a traditionally structured sitcom and a more experimental examination of war and its effects on people. Through its humor and heart, the show manages to both entertain and provoke thought, making it a quintessential classic of television history.