Ep 23. Mail Call

In M*A*S*H season 2 episode 23, "Mail Call," the doctors and staff of the 4077th receive a shipment of mail from home. But as they eagerly open their letters and packages, they discover that some of the contents are surprising, even shocking.

Captain Hawkeye Pierce receives a package from his father, but the contents are not what he expects. Instead of the traditional family heirloom he was hoping for, he finds a pair of women's underwear. He assumes his father must have made a mistake, but when he calls home, he discovers that it was no accident. His father is seeing someone new, and wants to share his happiness with his son.

Meanwhile, the usually reserved Major Margaret Houlihan receives a letter from a soldier she once dated. She is both surprised and delighted to hear from him, and eagerly writes back. However, when she receives another letter from him that seems to indicate he wants to rekindle their relationship, she becomes nervous and unsure of what to do.

Corporal Radar O'Reilly also gets a letter from home, and is thrilled to see that his girlfriend has written him a love letter. He reads it over and over again, enjoying every word. But when his fellow soldiers see how happy he is, they decide to play a prank on him by writing their own fake letters from his girlfriend, making fun of him and his love for her.

Throughout the episode, we also see the doctors and staff dealing with the usual challenges of life in a warzone. They operate on a wounded soldier, try to repair a damaged radio tower, and discuss the ethics of treating prisoners of war.

Despite the difficulties they face, the arrival of the mail brightens everyone's spirits, reminding them of the people and places they love outside of Korea. The episode ends with the staff gathering together to celebrate the arrival of the mail, enjoying each other's company and feeling a sense of connection to home.

"Mail Call" is a heartfelt episode that showcases the humanity and humor of the M*A*S*H characters. From the joys of receiving letters from loved ones to the challenges of life in a warzone, it captures both the highs and lows of the human experience.