MAS*H

Bug Out

Season 5, Episode 1, Aired 9/21/76

Episode Summary

A rumour that there's going to be a practice bug-out causes anxiety. When Potter assembles the unit in an attempt to squelch the rumor, the call comes in to bug out, and the rumor suddenly comes to life! Meanwhile, Hawkeye begins surgery on a patient with a spinal injury. The bug-out proceeds without him, Hot Lips and Radar, and they quickly learn after the unit departs that they're in the midst of the front. When Potter, Mulcahy, BJ, Frank and the others arrive at the buildings which had been scouted by helicopter, they find the house full of "business girls," and Potter gives them Klinger's dresses to persuade them to leave the house. A helicopter comes to evacuate the spinal injury patient, and just as the three get ready to go to the new location, they find the 4077 is already returning, and eventually everyone reunites back at the camp, what with the Chinese being repulsed.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Farrell

Captain BJ Hunnicut
Loretta Swit

Major Margaret J. "Hot Lips" Houlihan
Larry Linville

Major Franklin Delano Marion Burns

Fan Episode Reviews (1)

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Radar gets news that the 4077th is bugging out. Klinger overhears, spreads the gossip. Col. Potter insists that they are not bugging out, and confirms it with the General. Haweye begins a difficult surgery just before finding out that the bug out is real.moreless

9.0

"Superb"

By AlexandriteTopa, Jul 11, 2006 Report Abuse

This episode is a reminder of how close the 4077th M*A*S*H* is to the front. Of course, it is also a reminder of how inept Frank is. Being a two-part episode, there is plenty of time for all of the characters. Col. Potter is exasperated by the entire situation. Margaret and Radar both refuse to leave Hawkeye when he is stuck in a dangerous situation. Hawkeye has to convince B.J. not to stay as well. In short, everything is a bit chaotic, but there is still room for fooling around. Hawkeye is still making jokes, even under intense enemy fire.
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Amidst all his failures, this would appear to be a rare success as an officer for Major Burns, orchestrating a successful movement to the bug-out location.
  Edit
- This is the first episode in which William Christopher gets credit in the opening titles. The opening title theme is slightly extended to accommodate the change. Edit
- Apart from confessing to Hawkeye and BJ when he was delirious with hemorrhagic fever in season four, this episode marks the first time Frank doesn't deny a connection with Margaret. When BJ finds things for Margaret among Frank's stuff, Frank says he knows who they're for. Edit
Notes
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- In this season's show opening, instead of seeing B.J. run out to the chopper, we see him already there as he turns and nods while tending to a wounded soldier. Edit
- The bug out scenes would later be used in the final episode "Goodbye, Farewell, Amen". Edit
- This would be the first of 3 bug-outs the 4077th MASH would make; the others occurred in Episode #T423, "C*A*V*E" (Feb. 5, 1979) and #9B04, "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" (Feb.28, 1983), the series finale. Edit
Quotes
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- Radar: Hey, Klinger, it was really scary. We were overrun by Chinese almost. Klinger: Big deal. I was overrun by a batch of bimbos. They got everything but the dress on my back. Radar: Geez, what a gyp. Klinger: I can't wear this every day. People will laugh! Edit
- Rosie: (pours a drink and toasts Hawkeye) A farewell. Much sadness in Rosie's heart. Tear come to eye. To Dr. Hawkeye, healer of sick. Hawkeye: That's sweet, Rosie. (they clink glasses and drink, then Rosie pulls a folded piece of paper out of her kimono and hands it to Hawkeye) Rosie: Tab owed--51 dollars, 55 cents. Hawkeye: (stares at her for second, dumbfounded, then takes the tab) You crazy, sentimental kid. Edit
- Radar: (to Hawkeye) Uh, can you keep a secret, sir? Hawkeye: (holding up three fingers in the Boy Scout salute) Scout's honor. Radar: Were you a Scout? Hawkeye: No, but I was always prepared. Edit
Allusions
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- Hawkeye: Oh, to be in England, now that war is here. Hawkeye is paraphrasing a poem by Robert Browning, "Home Thoughts, from Abroad" (1845). "Oh, to be in England now that April's there...." Edit