M*A*S*H Season 3 Episode 24
M*A*S*H
Season 3

Ep 24. Abyssinia, Henry

  • TVPG
  • March 18, 1975
  • 25 min
  • 9.4  (1,455)

Abyssinia, Henry is the 24th episode of the third season of the popular TV show M*A*S*H. It aired on March 18, 1975, and was directed by Hy Averback.

The episode begins with the usual hustle and bustle of the 4077th M*A*S*H unit, but things quickly turn somber when Hawkeye and Trapper receive news that their commanding officer, Colonel Henry Blake, is being discharged and sent home. The news comes as a surprise to everyone, including Henry himself, who is excited to be returning to his family in the States.

However, as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that not everything is as it seems. Hawkeye and Trapper learn that Henry's plane crashed shortly after takeoff, and that there were no survivors. The news hits the entire unit hard, but it hits Hawkeye and Trapper especially hard, as they were particularly close to Henry.

The rest of the episode centers around the unit's attempts to cope with the loss of Henry. Hawkeye and Trapper decide to hold an impromptu memorial service for Henry, even though it means breaking several military rules. They manage to pull off a beautiful service, complete with touching speeches and a moving tribute to Henry.

Meanwhile, several of the other characters are struggling to come to terms with Henry's death in their own ways. Radar, Henry's longtime secretary, is particularly devastated and spends much of the episode in tears. Klinger, who has been trying to get a Section 8 discharge (which would send him home), realizes that he doesn't want to leave the unit now that Henry is gone.

Despite the sadness and grief that permeate the episode, there are also moments of levity and humor. The irreverent and irrepressible Hawkeye manages to crack jokes even in the midst of mourning, and there are several moments where the characters come together to share stories and memories of Henry.

In the end, the episode ends on a bittersweet note. As the unit prepares to move on without Henry, there is a sense that life will go on, but that Henry's absence will always be felt. The final scene, which shows Hawkeye and Trapper hanging up a sign that reads "Goodbye Henry, We Love You", is a poignant reminder of the impact that Henry had on everyone he knew.

Abyssinia, Henry is widely considered to be one of the best episodes of M*A*S*H, and is particularly notable for its emotional impact. It was also a departure from the show's usual formula of mixing humor and drama, as the episode is primarily focused on the grief and mourning of the characters. However, the show manages to handle the difficult subject matter with sensitivity and warmth, and the result is a memorable and moving episode of television.

Description
Watch M*A*S*H - Abyssinia, Henry (s3 e24) Online - Watch online anytime: Buy, Rent
M*A*S*H, Season 3 Episode 24, 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
    March 18, 1975
  • Content Rating
    TVPG
  • Runtime
    25 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    9.4  (1,455)