Ep 8. Change Day

On its sixth year running, M*A*S*H continued to bring humor to the soldiers in Korea. The show's eighth episode of the season, "Change Day," takes us on a journey of self-reflection and growth amidst the chaos of war.

The episode opens with a shot of the M*A*S*H camp, where soldiers are frantically preparing for "Change Day," a day where everyone is allowed to switch roles with someone else for a day. Hawkeye and B.J. are naturally skeptical, but Col. Potter insists on the tradition, hoping to remedy the tension and stress within the group.

Hawkeye begrudgingly switches with Winchester, who wants to use the opportunity to prove he can work as well as the other doctors. The two get off to a rocky start, as Hawkeye is used to making quick decisions while Winchester wants to follow the book to a tee. However, through several patients and complications, the two eventually find a rhythm and appreciate each other's different approaches to medicine.

Meanwhile, Radar and Klinger switch roles as well. Klinger is excited to finally be in charge and boss around his fellow soldiers, while Radar hopes to prove he can handle the more stressful position of the company clerk. However, Klinger quickly realizes the responsibility and complications that come with the role and starts to feel overwhelmed. Radar, on the other hand, shows his aptitude for the job and earns the respect of his fellow soldiers.

Lastly, Margaret switches with some of the nurses, hoping to learn more about their duties and gain more empathy for their struggles. She is surprised to learn just how much work and responsibility the nurses handle on a daily basis, and gains a newfound respect for them. She also bonds with some of the nurses, realizing they share more in common than she originally thought.

Throughout the episode, "Change Day" serves as a platform for self-reflection and a reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding. It's a lighthearted break from the usual chaos of war, but also offers some poignant moments of growth for the characters.

As the day ends and everyone switches back to their original roles, the soldiers gather around to sing and play music, relishing in the brief respite from the harsh realities of war. "Change Day" may not have solved all their problems, but it provided a much-needed break and a chance for the characters to see things from a different perspective.

Overall, "Change Day" is a great example of M*A*S*H's ability to balance humor and heart, and offer a fresh take on the usual war drama tropes. It's a great episode for fans of the series and newcomers alike.