Bombshells
Encyclopedia
"Bombshells" was the 241st episode of the M*A*S*H television series, and the sixth episode of the eleventh season. It first aired on 28 November 1982, and was rebroadcast 18 April 1983. In it, Hawkeye and Charles attempted to get Marilyn Monroe
to visit the 4077th, while B.J. receives the Bronze Star
for a deed he believes was far from heroic. The episode was written by Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford
and directed by Charles S. Dubin
.
. However, they are ultimately unsuccessful, and end up having to send a faked telegram purportedly from Marilyn apologizing for not being able to appear.
Meanwhile, B.J. has a chopper pilot take him out on a fishing trip. On the flight, they encounter a wounded soldier. B.J. throws the soldier a rope to haul him up into the helicopter, but at that moment the chopper is besieged by enemy fire. At the pilot's frantic behest, B.J. ends up cutting the rope and abandoning the wounded man as the chopper flies off. The pilot is impressed by B.J.'s valiant attempt to save the soldier and recommends him for a commendation; shortly thereafter, B.J. is notified he is to receive the Bronze Star. Far from gratified, B.J. is disgusted with himself for putting his own welfare first and possibly leaving a wounded man to die; he also remarks that he can no longer consider himself morally superior to those he operated on: "The moment I cut that line, I was a soldier." He eventually gives the medal to another patient.
going home, which happened in June, 1953. Winchester refers to the President as Harry S. Truman
, whose term of office ended January 20, 1953.
The "mistake" Hawkeye makes that reveals he's not actually Ted Williams is saying that he plays left field for the Red Sox, but Williams actually did play left field.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
to visit the 4077th, while B.J. receives the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for a deed he believes was far from heroic. The episode was written by Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford
Thad Mumford
Thaddeus Quetin Mumford, Jr. is American television producer and writer. He has written and produced for a number of television series throughout his career varying different genres namely, The Cosby Show, A Different World, M*A*S*H, Maude, Good Times, Home Improvement, Roots: The Next...
and directed by Charles S. Dubin
Charles S. Dubin
Charles Samuel Dubin was an American film and television director.From the early 1950s to 1991, Dubin worked in television, directing episodes of Tales of Tomorrow, Omnibus, The Defenders, The Big Valley, The Virginian, Hawaii Five-O, M*A*S*H, Matlock, The Rockford Files, Murder, She Wrote and...
.
Plot synopsis
Hawkeye and Charles start a rumor that Marilyn Monroe will be visiting the 4077th but find themselves in hot water when people start to believe it, including Col. Potter. They desperately try to arrange for Marilyn to appear, with Hawkeye going so far as to try to contact her by phone pretending to be Ted WilliamsTed Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
. However, they are ultimately unsuccessful, and end up having to send a faked telegram purportedly from Marilyn apologizing for not being able to appear.
Meanwhile, B.J. has a chopper pilot take him out on a fishing trip. On the flight, they encounter a wounded soldier. B.J. throws the soldier a rope to haul him up into the helicopter, but at that moment the chopper is besieged by enemy fire. At the pilot's frantic behest, B.J. ends up cutting the rope and abandoning the wounded man as the chopper flies off. The pilot is impressed by B.J.'s valiant attempt to save the soldier and recommends him for a commendation; shortly thereafter, B.J. is notified he is to receive the Bronze Star. Far from gratified, B.J. is disgusted with himself for putting his own welfare first and possibly leaving a wounded man to die; he also remarks that he can no longer consider himself morally superior to those he operated on: "The moment I cut that line, I was a soldier." He eventually gives the medal to another patient.
Goof
This episode has Ted WilliamsTed Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
going home, which happened in June, 1953. Winchester refers to the President as Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
, whose term of office ended January 20, 1953.
The "mistake" Hawkeye makes that reveals he's not actually Ted Williams is saying that he plays left field for the Red Sox, but Williams actually did play left field.