M*A*S*H Season 3 Episode 13
M*A*S*H
Season 3

Ep 13. Mad Dogs and Servicemen

  • TVPG
  • December 10, 1974
  • 26 min
  • 7.6  (557)

M*A*S*H is a classic American television series that cheekily combines drama with comedy to explore the lives of medical staff stationed at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M*A*S*H) during the Korean War. Season 3, episode 13, titled Mad Dogs and Servicemen, brings to the forefront the trials and tribulations faced day-to-day by the characters, pulled from the front lines to save lives under the most challenging conditions.

As the episode opens, viewers are drawn back into the constant hustle of the M*A*S*H unit, where the pressures of war create an environment that requires quick wit and quicker medical responses. While the camp is no stranger to the unusual, this episode thrusts characters into a perplexing medical mystery compounded by the perils of war and the nature surrounding them.

The core dilemma arises when a soldier is brought into the camp with symptoms that baffle the staff. His condition is not a straightforward result of battle wounds, and the medical team, led by the irreverent but brilliant Captain "Hawkeye" Pierce and the dry-witted Captain "Trapper" John McIntyre, must act quickly to uncover the cause of his ailment. The clock is ticking for the surgeons to provide a diagnosis, while the soldier's condition seems to be deteriorating at an alarming rate.

Complications mount when the circumstances surrounding the soldier’s condition point toward a potential rabies infection, adding a layer of urgency to the situation. The prospect of rabies becoming a factor is one laden with danger and accelerated critical consequences. To further complicate the already tense scenario, the rabies vaccine is not readily available at the 4077th M*A*S*H, and the threat of the disease grips the camp with fear, creating a ticking time bomb scenario that challenges both the characters' medical expertise and their resolve.

In the midst of medical tensions, the episode continues to explore the personal dynamics and interactions among the staff, showcasing how each character copes with the stresses of their unique environment. Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan and Major Frank Burns bring their own flavor of military ardor and personal friction to the situation, highlighting the nuanced hierarchy and relationships that intertwine within the operating theatre and beyond.

Meanwhile, the irascible but endearing Colonel Sherman T. Potter, the stabilizing force and commanding officer of the unit, has his hands full trying to maintain order and morale amongst his staff, dealing with the constraints of supply shortages and military bureaucracy. On the other hand, Corporal "Radar" O'Reilly, the company clerk endowed with a near-precognitive ability for anticipating events and supplies, struggles to navigate through the logistical maze necessary to aid the medical staff in saving their patient.

The episode effortlessly interlaces moments of sympathetic humor with the overarching drama, a hallmark of the series, allowing for the alleviation of the high-stakes tension without undermining the severity of the set situation.

Mad Dogs and Servicemen also dives into the emotional toll that the war and their duty take on the unit's members. Between the rapid-paced medical action, the personal challenges of maintaining their own mental health are laid bare, and the importance of camaraderie and support among the crew is emphasized.

As the episode progresses, the interactions between the characters weave a rich tapestry that illustrates the spectrum of humanity found within the walls of the M*A*S*H unit: valor and vulnerability, compassion and comedy, weariness, and resolve. This balance between character development and plot advancement is a signature trait of M*A*S*H, allowing it to remain one of television's most beloved and respected shows.

With a mix of tension, humor, and poignancy, Mad Dogs and Servicemen is yet another example of how M*A*S*H successfully uses its setting and characters to explore deeper themes of human nature, the absurdity of war, and the fragility of life. It's an episode that captures the heart of the series: the incredible efforts of the medical personnel to provide care against the backdrop of the Korean War's chaos and the intimate moments of connection that occur in the midst of it all.

Description
Watch M*A*S*H - Mad Dogs and Servicemen (s3 e13) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
M*A*S*H, Season 3 Episode 13, is available to watch and stream on CBS. You can also buy, rent M*A*S*H on demand at Amazon, Hulu, Microsoft Movies & TV, Google Play, Apple TV online.
  • First Aired
    December 10, 1974
  • Content Rating
    TVPG
  • Runtime
    26 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (557)