Ep 9. Henry, Please Come Home

In the ninth episode of M*A*S*H's first season, titled "Henry, Please Come Home," Colonel Henry Blake receives a discharge notice and is set to return home to the United States. The news brings mixed emotions for the members of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), who have all grown to love and respect their commanding officer.

As the episode begins, the doctors and nurses of the MASH unit are busy as usual, tending to wounded soldiers in the operating room. But when Radar O'Reilly, the unit's lovable and naive clerk, delivers a top-secret message to Colonel Blake, the atmosphere suddenly changes. It is revealed that Henry has been granted an honorable discharge and will be leaving Korea for good.

The news is met with a variety of reactions from the members of the MASH unit. Some, like Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John McIntyre, are devastated by the news and anxious about how they will be able to continue their work without Henry's leadership. Others, like Frank Burns and Hot Lips Houlihan, are overjoyed at the prospect of Henry's departure, having long resented his laid-back management style.

Over the course of the episode, the doctors and nurses of the 4077th work to come to terms with Henry's imminent departure. They throw him a farewell party, complete with gifts and heartfelt speeches, and try to enjoy the time they have left together. But as the reality of Henry's departure sinks in, tensions begin to rise within the MASH unit.

One of the most poignant moments of the episode comes when Henry pays a visit to the Swamp, the makeshift home he shares with Hawkeye and Trapper. The three men share a tender moment, toasting to their friendship and the memories they've shared together. But as Henry prepares to leave, he is overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears and hugging his friends tightly.

Ultimately, "Henry, Please Come Home" is a bittersweet episode that showcases both the camaraderie and the raw emotions of the men and women serving in the Korean War. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of M*A*S*H, which remains one of the most beloved television shows of all time.