Ep 20. The General's Practitioner

In season 5, episode 20 of M*A*S*H, titled The General's Practitioner, the staff at the 4077th are excited to hear that General Mitchell, a highly respected military figure, will be visiting their camp for a check-up. However, their excitement is short-lived when they learn that the general's personal physician, Dr. Chesler, will be overseeing the examination.

Dr. Chesler is known for his strict adherence to protocol and his lack of compassion for the soldiers under his care. This immediately rubs the doctors at the 4077th the wrong way, as they are used to operating with a much more lax attitude in order to better serve their patients.

As the general's examination begins, tensions run high between Dr. Chesler and the staff at the 4077th. The general himself seems to appreciate the more relaxed atmosphere of the camp, but Dr. Chesler remains dismissive of their methods.

Meanwhile, Hawkeye and Trapper become suspicious of Dr. Chesler when they discover that he has recommended unnecessary surgeries for some of the soldiers under his care. They quickly become determined to expose his unethical behavior, but they must do so while also avoiding getting in trouble themselves.

As the episode progresses, the tension between Dr. Chesler and the 4077th only grows, and the doctors become increasingly frustrated with his unwillingness to see things from their perspective. However, as Hawkeye and Trapper investigate further, they begin to uncover the truth about Dr. Chesler's motivations, and what they find shocks even them.

In typical M*A*S*H fashion, the episode combines humor with poignant moments as the characters navigate the difficult situation they find themselves in. Despite their frustration with Dr. Chesler, the doctors at the 4077th remain dedicated to providing the best care possible for their patients, and ultimately, they are able to right the wrongs that have been done.