Radar asks Margaret if Donald Penobscott has any tattoos, and she gets mad and won't tell him. Her husband actually does have a tattoo. In "Margaret's Engagement", she told the other nurses that he had a Sherman tank tattooed on his left bicep. (edit)

(Col. Potter has refused to allow Margaret to transfer Nurse Cooper)
Margaret: (peeved) I always understood the nurses to be my responsibility.
Col. Potter: And the 4077th is my responsibility.
Margaret: Oh, look Colonel. We all know she's a very sweet girl, but she's a crier.
Col. Potter: So was Mrs. Potter when I married her. But after a few months, she settled down. And for thirty-eight years come April she's been a mighty fine wife.
Margaret: I'm very happy for both of you, Colonel.
Col. Potter: Thank you, Major, but the point is if I'd let a few tears get to me I'd have dumped Mrs. P back in 1913.
Margaret: Cooper isn't your wife. She's my nurse, and she's my responsibility, and if she goes to pieces every time a patient moans or bleeds, she's useless to this unit!
Col. Potter: Now major, Cooper's just going through her own litte baptisim...
Margaret: I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HER BAPTISM! I CARE ABOUT THE PATIENTS!
Col. Potter: So do I, but she still needs our support! So long as she doesn't quit on herself, we won't either! Look, give the girl a chance. If it doesn't work out, I'll personally throw her bags on the jeep.
Margaret: I give her a chance if that's an order.
Col. Potter: Then it's an order. (edit) Charles: It would be refreshing if just once the two of you would end an argument intelligently.
Hawkeye: Alright, just this once.
(Hawkeye and BJ blow raspberries at Charles) (edit) [Radar's tattoo gets a forced inspection.]
Colonel Potter: Radar, let's see it.
Radar: Oh, no sir, sir!
Colonel Potter: [in reprimanding tone] Corporal, and for the time being you are a Corporal, let me remind you of one thing. [points his index finger upward] As your Commanding Officer, it is my duty to inspect any part of this camp!
Radar: You mean I'm gonna have to. . .
Colonel Potter: Drop 'em!!
Radar: Oh, BOY!! But this is under protest.
Colonel Potter: Understood. (edit) Nurse Cooper: I knew you were watching me when I turned around. Should I pack?
Margaret: [with resignation] No, Colonel Potter doesn't want you leaving. He seems to think there's hope for you.
Nurse Cooper: He must be just an old softie.
Margaret: He can afford to be. He doesn't work with you as closely as I do.
Nurse Cooper: Does this mean you're getting off my back?
Margaret: For now. Oh, but don't worry! One day he'll be operating and need suction and retraction, and there won't be anybody giving it to him, because you'll be God knows where crying your eyes out!
Nurse Cooper: [with determination] That won't happen, Major.
Margaret: Oh?
Nurse Cooper: I won't give you the satisfaction, Major. From now on, I will be just as tough and unfeeling as you are. (edit) Sergeant (showing Hawkeye and BJ his tattoo): The Marine emblem, Semper Fidelis.
BJ: Latin for "always faithful."
Hawkeye: Well, I'd want to meet the girl first. (edit) Radar: (about his tattoo) It'll come off when I take a bath.
Hawkeye: My God, it is permanent. (edit)

Col. Potter says he has been married for 38 years in this episode. But in Dear Mildred, he told Radar he had been married for 27 years. (edit) Charles gets mad at Hawkeye and B.J. when they make fun of MacArthur. It seems like the writers are still trying to keep the pro GI, patriotism that they lost when Burns left. This did not turn out to be an accurate character trait for Charles. He hated the war as much as Hawkeye and B.J. did. (edit) The Potters will be celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary very soon - but in episode #79, 4-7, Dear Mildred, they celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary. (edit) Radar wants to get a tattoo - but he already got one of an anchor in episode #55, 3-7, Check-Up
(he shows it to Henry). (edit)

Lydia The Tattoed Lady: In the opening scene, when the tattooed patient's (Joseph Hardin) body art is revealed, Hawkeye sings the following lines:


Lydia, Lydia, oh have you seen Lydia?

Lydia the Tattooed Lady?


These are the opening lines from Lydia the Tattooed Lady?, a song that was sung by Groucho Marx in the stage show and 1939 film At The Circus (aka A Day At The Circus.


Hardin would go on to appear in episode #4, 1-4, Love is a Three-Way Street, in the Mash semi-sequel spinoff Trapper John M.D.. (edit)