Ep 12. Soldier of the Month

In "Soldier of the Month," the 12th episode of the fourth season of M*A*S*H, the gang at the 4077th is dealing with the fallout from a series of events that have left them feeling frustrated and a bit helpless. The episode starts with the announcement that a soldier from the 8063rd has won Soldier of the Month, a prestigious award that honors soldiers who have shown exceptional bravery and dedication in their duties. Although it might seem like a small thing, this announcement sets off a chain of events that ultimately lead to a change in the way that the doctors and nurses at M*A*S*H do their jobs.

The first sign of trouble comes when Hawkeye and Trapper are called into the Colonel's office to discuss the news. They are dismayed to learn that the soldier who won the award is a man named Don Ricketts, whom they remember as a whiny, self-absorbed malingerer who spent most of his time in the infirmary complaining about a phantom injury. Hawkeye and Trapper are outraged that someone like Ricketts could win an award like Soldier of the Month, and they decide to take matters into their own hands.

Their plan is simple: they are going to "investigate" Ricketts' record and find out if there is any evidence that he has been less than honest about his injuries. They start off by asking around the camp to see if anyone has seen Ricketts doing anything that might suggest that he is not really injured. They quickly learn that Ricketts has developed quite a reputation among his fellow soldiers, who view him as a bit of a hero. They are all convinced that he has been injured in action, and they are determined to see him get the recognition that he deserves.

Meanwhile, back at the camp, Radar is busy trying to figure out how to make the most of the situation. He knows that everyone is feeling down about Ricketts' win, and he is determined to find a way to lift their spirits. His plan is to hold a Soldier of the Month ceremony of their own, and to award the prize to someone who truly deserves it. To do this, he enlists the help of Nurse Bigelow, who is skeptical at first but soon comes around.

The stage is set for a showdown between the doctors and nurses of M*A*S*H and Ricketts and his fellow soldiers. As the investigation heats up, tensions begin to mount throughout the camp. Hawkeye and Trapper are convinced that they are going to uncover some kind of dirt on Ricketts, but as they get deeper into their investigation, they begin to see things in a different light. They start to realize that perhaps Ricketts isn't the malingerer that they thought he was, and that he might actually deserve the Soldier of the Month award.

As the investigation comes to a close, the doctors and nurses gather for their own ceremony, where they award their own Soldier of the Month prize to someone who truly deserves it. The ceremony is a huge success, and everyone is happy to see that justice has been done. In the end, the doctors and nurses of M*A*S*H come away from the experience with a renewed sense of purpose and dedication to their jobs. They realize that even though they might not always be in control of the situation, they have the power to make a difference in the lives of the soldiers who depend on them.