Ep 24. A Smattering of Intelligence

A smattering of intelligence is a M*A*S*H season 2 episode 24 that was aired on March 3, 1974. This episode is a fascinating one as it showcases the diverse characters on the show, each with a unique personality and skill set.

The show starts with a group of intelligence officers visiting the MASH unit to gather information about the casualties of war. Hawkeye volunteers to help with this task, much to the amusement of everyone else, as they know of his aversion to intelligence officers.

The plot of the episode takes a turn when the wounded Private Weston comes in, and Hawkeye finds out that he possesses a photographic memory. Weston got injured while accompanying a French intelligence officer to gather enemy intelligence and knows every detail about the enemy's supplies and movements.

Hawkeye sees an opportunity to obtain crucial information from Weston and decides to use his photographic memory to benefit the US army. He forms a team consisting of Radar, Trapper, and Klinger, and they set out to memorize all the details Weston has about the enemy.

While the team is busy memorizing, Hawkeye, Margaret, and Frank work on keeping the intelligence officers happy. This lead to hilarious situations when Frank, who is trying hard to impress the intelligence officers, gets himself in a compromising position.

Meanwhile, tension is brewing in the camp as the team is beginning to forget the details they memorized. Hawkeye's plans seem to be falling apart, and the team is struggling to remember the details.

In the climax of the episode, a convoy of enemy armored vehicles is spotted headed towards the allied lines. The team springs into action, and the information they have gathered becomes invaluable. The team is successful in stopping the convoy, and Weston gets honorably discharged.

The episode ends with the characters reflecting on what they have learned from the experience. Hawkeye acknowledges that there is more to Intelligence than meets the eye and that sometimes you have to take risks to achieve your objectives.

In conclusion, A Smattering of Intelligence is an intriguing episode of M*A*S*H season 2 that highlights the diverse characters on the show. It showcases the lengths to which the main characters go to provide the best care for their patients and serve their country. It is an episode that has humor, suspense, and action that would keep viewers entertained and engaged from start to finish.