MAS*H
Summary
MASH’sB.J. Hunnicut was always show to be dispiritedly devoted to his wife Peg , but did he cheat on her as one controversial episode suggests?ManyMASHactors exited the acclaimed dramedyduring its run , but that ’s one reason it last so long . While many show during this era made the mistake of replace a quit character with somebody who was virtually identical , MASHopted to do the opposite . A key example is Winchester ( David Ogden Stiers ) replacing Burns ( Larry Linville ) , with the former being a refined snob while the latter was a cartoonish coward and phoney .
When Mike Farrell ’s B.J. Hunnicut was introduced in time of year 4 followingWayne Rogers ' abrupt exit as Trapper , the two characters share much in coarse . Over time , Hunnicut became a discrete character from Trapper , largely due to Farrell find his foot in the persona . Whereas Trapper was married but had no problems having affairs while away from rest home , Hunnicut deeply loved his wife Peg and refused to catch some Z’s around . He and Hawkeye ( Alan Alda ) still got up to infantile prank to remedy tension , but Hunnicut was definitely the more mature of the yoke .
Yes, B.J. Cheated On His Wife Peg In MASH’s “Hanky Panky”
B.J. fell off “the fidelity wagon” during season 5
" Hanky Panky " never outright states what materialise , but it ’s obvious that B.J. betray on his married woman during his dark with Carrie .
MASHran for 11 seasons , so few possible storytelling stones were left unturned . It was only natural at some dot B.J. ’s dedication would be tested by the writers , which arrived with season 5 ’s " Hanky Panky . " This show Hunnicut comforting a nurse named Carrie ( Ann Sweeny ) after she receives a letter from her husband tell her their marriage is over . During his attempt to provide a well-disposed ear , the two osculation , and B.J. drop the Nox in her collapsible shelter .
" Hanky Panky " never straight-out state what materialise , but it ’s obvious B.J. chisel on his married woman during his night with Carrie . SomeMASHfans have argued there ’s room for interpretation , butconsidering how guilt - razz Hunnicut is when he confess to Hawkeye , it ’s clear he and Carrie slept together . He tells his best friend he " fell off the fidelity Wain " and is mystified that he could have been unfaithful .
Hawkeye mouth him out of confessing in a alphabetic character to Peg , and after a period of avoiding Carrie , the two also have a centre - to - center about their night together . MASH ’s " Hanky Panky " may not paint Hunnicut in a neat ignitor , but it progress to it clean the guilt will stick with himfor some prison term . While a reference like Frank might justify being treasonous to his spouse whilst overseas , Hunnicut is definitely not that type of man .
Why B.J.’s Infidelity Was Controversial With MASH’s Fanbase
Hunnicut’s night with Carrie still inspires debate
MASHran for 256 sequence , and like any long - running series , there were plenty of dud outings . There are also instalment devotees like to neglect , such as season 4 ’s " Hawkeye , " where Alan Alda ’s operating surgeon has to sing incessantly for 20 minute to keep himself awake stick to a pass wound . SomeMASHfans like to sham " Hanky Panky " did n’t happen since they detest the idea of Hunnicut cheatingon Peg .
The only sentence Peg was witness onMASHwas during one of Hunnicut ’s dream in the fittingly titled season 8 episode " Dreams . " The character was play by Catherine Bergstrom .
This is a shame , since " Hanky Panky " is a very honest episode . It ’s a showcase for Farrell as a performer , and the unexpected Romance language he forms with Carrie is a tender one . It ’s a surprisingly complex outing , explore the issue that being overseas in a warzone for prolonged period can have on a marriage . Carrie thought hers was ironclad until she received her hubby ’s letter , while even Hunnicut admits that despite the guiltiness he feel , he ’s still distressed about his feelings for Carrie give way profoundly .
The two tight out thisMASHepisode as friends , and in keeping with the show ’s inauspicious tradition with nurse characters , Carrie is never seen again . B.J. ’s unfaithfulness might have disappointed his fans , but that does n’t stand for " Hanky Panky " should be ignoredor overlooked either . If anything , it made him a more complex character .
B.J. Was Tempted To Stray Again In MASH Season 8
“War Co-Respondent” saw B.J. fighting more temptation
Farrell clearly felt there was more spectacular potential in the idea of B.J. " hang off the Plough , " as he write and aim anotherMASHepisode where it almost happens again . Season 8 ’s " War Co - Respondent " sees a celebrity state of war correspondent named Aggie ( Susan Saint James ) get in at the 4077th and strike for Hunnicut . They both flirt with one another , andB.J. admit to Hawkeye he ’s worried about how strong his feeling for Aggie are .
BJ Hunnicutt ( Mike Farrell ) goes through a character arc in MASH , but his most gross alteration is because of Alan Alda ’s Hawkeye Pierce .
Unlike " Hanky Panky , " Hunnicut stops himself and tells Aggie they can only ever be friendsas he could n’t give up his lifetime with Peg . If anything , " War Co - Respondent " pays off Hunnicut ’s earlier infidelity , but shows his vow to Peg will always hold firm . That was the last temptation of Hunnicut onMASH , who was head back to Peg and their nipper at the destruction of the show ’s 1983 finale .
MASH is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.*
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MAS*H is a drama - comedy series set up during the Korean War , centering on the lives of the faculty at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical religious service with mood and resilience .
