MAS*H

Goodbye, Farewell and Amen

Season 11, Episode 16, Aired 2/28/83

Episode Summary

Hawkeye is sent to a mental hospital; a freak accident causes Father Mulcahy to lose his hearing; Margaret worries about her post-war plans; Charles runs across a band of Chinese musicians; BJ is sent home, much to Hawkeye's dismay; Klinger decides to stay in Korea to marry Soon-Lee; a ceasefire is declared, ending the war.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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Mike Farrell

Captain BJ Hunnicut (Season 4-11)
Jamie Farr

Corporal/Sergeant Maxwell Q. Klinger
Harry Morgan

Colonel Sherman T. Potter (Season 4-11)

Fan Episode Reviews (18)

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Disappointing (Yes, disappointing)

7.0

"Good"

By fdextro, Jun 23, 2011 Report Abuse

First off, let me just say that M*A*S*H is one of my favorite shows and you can often catch me wathcing those two-hour marathons every day on the Hallmark Channel. But there's one episode I rarely watch and it's "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen". I know it's blasphemy among most fans to consider this series finale to be anything less than perfect, but I find it little more than a pandering rehash of ideas better explored in other episodes. What really kills it for me is the overdose of irony. Back in season three, "Abyssinia Henry" used irony for devastating effect. After that, the show used it over and over again. Margaret's getting married? Here comes the wounded. Radar's farewell party? Here comes the wounded. In this episode, we have Maragaret ditching the army, Klinger staying in Korea, and Charles' love of music destroyed. Admittedly, Charles' tragic story is extremely touching and provides the strongest (and, oddly enough, the funniest) subplot, but it's still part of the problem. However, I don't find any irony in Hawkeye's breakdown. After all, Sidney Freedman had already made two visits with Hawkeye in "Hawk's Nightmare" and "Bless You Hawkeye". And in "Heal Thyself", when the temporary surgeon goes insane, Hawkeye admits that the temp's then-apparent strength of mind scares him. He knows he could be next, so it wasn't any big surprise to find him locked up. And when he got out, I hated the bit with the tank. First of all, that's exactly the kind of behavior one would expect from the always impulsive Hawkeye. For Potter to question his sanity is appaling, especially if you remember that the colonel actually requested a tank to act as a "watchdog" in "Hey Doc". The only reason I rate "GF&A" a 7 rather than a 2 is because even with all its faults, you can't deny the effort put into this by the cast. They buy into into the emotional hokum, so we accept it, no matter how contrived. I also give props to the final shot. In itself, a great finish to a magnificent series. Too bad most of what preceded it was hackwork.moreless

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3 10
A great ending to a great show

10

"Perfect"

By Budoshi, Aug 17, 2010 Report Abuse

Hawkeye cracking up, The 4077th bugging out, Charles teaching chinese POW Bach, Sydney gluing Hawkeye together and making him face his ultimate fear. This is an episode with food for thought. It shows the gruesomeness of war, but also the hope and the will to survive even madness and death. The episode also teaches us that home is where the heart is. Something that Klinger learns when he chooses to stay in Korea after finding his true soulmate. And even if you leave a place, you never leave that place all together.. Some of it remains with you, as some of you remains in it..moreless

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2 1
Remarkable, but not perfect.

9.0

"Superb"

By SergeantWilson, Aug 17, 2010 Report Abuse

This is the touchstone with which the quality of other finales is measured, and it is a remarkable show, but not a perfect one. MASH was a success because it had wonderful characters, great comedy and its satire made some good points. There is plenty to laugh at in this episode. But what makes it so special is the way the relationship between the characters struck the viewer with such power. Rarely have you empathized so much with the emotions the characters went through as they said goodbye to a horrible situation, and to each other. The emotions felt real, for which we should applaud the actors' talents. Potter's goodbye to Klinger stands out as a good example.

The writers didn't always take the easy way out. Charles Winchester's apparent coldness and ingratitude make sense, and bring tension to the story, but would have been avoided by lesser writers.

At the heart of the episode there is of course the relationship between B.J. and Hawkeye. The idea of B.J. leaving during Hawkeye's absence, without saying goodbye, brought the show back to the reality of military life. These things happen; relationships that seem meant for life are more fleeting that expected, and it's hard for people to accept that.

My only problem with the episode is the first half hour. Hawkeye's breakdown was not necessary. As an example of the horrors of war it seemed over the top. (Winchester's experiences with the Chinese musicians achieved the same goal a lot better.) Worse, it weakened a character who, for eleven seasons, had stood up to army and the war. It felt as if the war won in the end.moreless

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6 1
A Great episode I had tears in my eyes when the episode was over the best show ever written .

10

"Perfect"

By alcovedark3, May 27, 2008 Report Abuse

I think this episode was sad because the father lost his hearing and hackeye went insane it was a sad episode but i am glad klinger decided to stay with his wife in korea the war is over but nothing will ever be the same agin i will miss mash it was a good show now life will begin anew for the mash unit with klinger getting married , margret divorceing her husband bj holding his girls agin and Potter seeing his wife mildred but hackeye wont be the same agin the war cracked his mind and he still screams at night from the terrors of war .moreless

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2 0
It was so sad at the end. The part where they all said goodbye was so sad to watch because they knew eachother for gosh who knows how long and now they have to say goodbye to eachother for good.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By koala146, May 11, 2008 Report Abuse

I liked the part when Charles's private latrine was mowed down and Potter told him he had to use the ravine latrine like everyone else. It was so funny to see his facial expression. It was like, "You've got to be kidding me." Then Charles met the five Chinese musicians on his way back from the latrine and it was so funny when he brought them back to the camp in his bathrobe. I also like the part at the very end when Margaret is getting ready to leave and Hawkeye kisses her and Charles, BJ, and Potter look away.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- At the final get-together before everyone leaves, the nurse that says "I'm gonna be the best darn nurse Oklahoma's ever seen" is played by Judy Farrell, ex-wife of Mike Farrell (BJ). Incidentally, Judy is from Oklahoma, born in Quapaw in 1938.
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- When everyone is in the mess tent discussing what they're going to do when they get home, Nurse Kellye is shown with her rank and medical insignia on the opposite and incorrect collars. Edit
- Alan Alda had a different idea for the series finale; after a typical half-hour episode, a "breaking the fourth wall" routine would happen: the director would yell 'cut,' the actors would walk off screen, and Alan Alda would say, 'Well, for the last 11 years we tried to show you what war was like, but it's not as much fun.' Edit
Notes
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- After having been a fan of the series, it became quite obvious to Harry Morgan (Col. Potter), who never missed an episode, the moment that he joined the cast in 1975, with the exception of 1.
  Edit
- When the time came for the series finale of 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer', Creator Joss Whedon mentioned the M*A*S*H finale, 'Goodbye, Farewell and Amen', citing it as the reason why his finale was only one hour long. While speaking admiringly of it and acknowledging GFA's place in TV history, Whedon called the episode too sprawling and unwieldy, and a case of an event taking over from the plot. Edit
- With the completion of the episode, it was honor and a privilege Alan Alda (Hawkeye) is the only actor to have appeared in all 251 episodes. Edit
Quotes
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- [Klinger is on the phone to Chorwon looking for Soon-Lee's family] Soon-Lee: Tell them my father is short, dark hair... Klinger: Mr. Han is a short man with dark hair... Soon-Lee: Mother, short, dark hair... Klinger: Right. The mother also isn't too tall. Margaret: Klinger, get off the phone, I need to send a telegram. Soon-Lee: And brother, short, dark hair... Klinger: I think they get the picture. (on phone) Okay, could you- whoa! That did sound close! (hangs up) They gotta get outta there, they're gonna be overrun any minute! Margaret: Klinger! Klinger: Working on it Major, go. Margaret: This goes to Robert Harwell- Soon-Lee: Why you not tell them about my brother?!? Klinger: I tried! Margaret: Klinger, pay attention! To Robert Harwell, Chief of Staff, Boston Mercy Hospital. Dear Uncle Bob... Klinger: Oh, your uncle runs a hospital. Margaret: Well, he's not really my uncle. Klinger: Oh, that kind of uncle! Margaret: He's a friend of the family, I've been calling him that for years, now BE QUIET! [Col. Potter enters] Potter: Sergeant, get on the phone to I-Corps. Margaret: In a minute Colonel, I'm sending a telegram. Soon-Lee :Now they be looking for two people, not three! Klinger: They're not looking for anybody, they're leaving. Potter: Klinger, I've got North Koreans up to my southern border, I want to get rid of them! Margaret: Been working with Major Winchester two years. Stop. His two years experience in Korea is equal to ten years at any stateside hospital. Stop. Potter: STOP! Tell I-Corps that tank is still out there, and this is not a parking lot. [clamoring still continues] Potter: Don't you have a piece of paper that proves I'm in charge here? Edit
- Winchester:(to Hawkeye and BJ) I want to thank you both. You've made me realize what going home is all about. Edit
- Dr Sidney Freedman: Ladies and gentleman, take my advice. Pull down your pants, and slide on the ice. Edit
Allusions
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