Ep 5. The Nurses

In The Nurses, the fifth season of M*A*S*H takes a closer look at the dynamics among the nurses who play a central role in the hospital unit. Through exploring the complexity of relationships both among the nursing staff and between the nurses and doctors, the episode highlights the vital role that the nurses play in the operation of the M*A*S*H unit.

The episode begins with a new nurse, Lieutenant Anderson, arriving at the 4077th. The other nurses are initially hesitant to welcome her, arguing that they already have too many nurses and that Anderson will only create additional work for them. However, Anderson is persistent in her efforts to make friends and get to know the other nurses, eventually winning over the group with her good humor and ability to lighten the mood in the hospital.

As Anderson becomes more integrated into the nursing staff, tensions begin to arise between the nurses and the doctors they work alongside. When a particularly difficult patient arrives at the hospital, the doctors are initially dismissive of the nurses' concerns about the patient's health, assuming that they are overreacting or being overly emotional. However, when the patient's condition worsens, it becomes clear that the nurses were right to be concerned. In the aftermath of this incident, the doctors learn to respect the nurses' expertise and experience, recognizing the critical role that they play in the medical care of their patients.

In addition to highlighting the importance of teamwork and respect among medical professionals, The Nurses also explores issues related to gender and power within the M*A*S*H unit. When one of the male doctors makes a derogatory comment about the nurses, accusing them of being too emotional and distracted to do their jobs effectively, the nurses band together to confront him and demand an apology. Through their actions, the nurses assert their right to be taken seriously and respected as professionals in their own right, rather than simply as assistants to the doctors.

Throughout the episode, there are also moments of humor and levity that balance out the more serious themes and messages. From the nurses' attempts to set Anderson up with one of the doctors to the ongoing shenanigans of Hawkeye and the other surgeons, there is plenty of comedic relief to be found even in the midst of the chaos of war.

Overall, The Nurses is a powerful episode that highlights the often-overlooked roles of the women who worked tirelessly to heal the wounded during the Korean War. By focusing on the relationships among the nurses themselves and between the nurses and doctors, the episode offers a nuanced and compelling look at the complexities of medical care and the human connections that make such care possible. Through its portrayal of the nurses as skilled and dedicated professionals who are not afraid to stand up for themselves and demand respect, The Nurses is a testament to the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all members of a medical team, regardless of their status or gender.