Change of Command (M*A*S*H episode)

Infobox Television episode
Title = Change of Command
Series = M*A*S*H


Caption =
Season = 4
Episode = 2 (74th overall)
Airdate = September 19, 1975 (US)
Production = G501
Writer = Everett Greenbaum, Jim Fritzell
Director = Gene Reynolds
Guests = William Christopher (Father Mulcahy)
Episode list = List of "M*A*S*H" episodes
Prev = "Welcome to Korea"
Next = "It Happened One Night"

"Change of Command" was the 74th episode of the "M*A*S*H" television series, and second episode of the fourth season of the series. First aired on September 26, 1975 and repeated on March 9, 1976.

Plot Synopsis

Frank is basking in his dream come true—his own command. He is making new regulations for the camp with Margaret at his side. He tries to get Radar to post them, but he has gone with the mail. He goes into the Swamp where Hawkeye and B.J. have set up a bar where Frank's bunk was, but they do not have a name for it. When Hawkeye remembers Henry, B.J. suggests the "Henry Blake Memorial Bar". Radar comes in and they try to get him to be the first customer, but he is serious. He has orders for the camp's new commanding officer. He gives them to Hawkeye to read. Col. Sherman Potter, a regular Army doctor, is to come in to be the new CO. Hawk says that a regular Army doctor will be more by the book than Frank. Radar is afraid to give Frank the orders, so Hawkeye and B.J. go with him. They find him in the mess tent, where he berated Igor for serving the food wrong. Radar gives him his personal mail, but when Frank sees the official letter, Radar tells him. They are afraid that Frank will pitch a fit, but he takes it very calmly and goes to Margaret's tent with her. However, he starts crying and pouting when they get there.

Hawk and B.J. take down the bar as Frank moves back into the Swamp. He tells them that he recorded all his activities as CO for his college library. Hawk and B.J. read them and see just how mundane his tenure as CO was. Later, Col. Potter arrives as Radar uses some surgical trays as reflectors for suntanning. He helps the Colonel get his things into his office. Potter asks Radar to move one of his file cabinets to another wall, but to get some help. When Radar leaves, he finds Klinger ready to meet the Colonel. He tries to stop Klinger, but cannot. Klinger salutes Potter in a full gold lame' gown, but Potter does not like it and orders him to get into a regulation uniform. All the officers (except Frank) meet the new CO in his office. Father Mulcahy and Margaret have clean records, but Potter is distressed over all the violations that Hawkeye and B.J. have accumulated. As they leave, Margaret tells Hawk and B.J. that Frank left camp.

Later, as they fix the still, Klinger comes in with a rash. They note that it ends where his uniform ends and tell him that it is a psychosomatic condition. Klinger says it started after he got into his uniform and they say to wear a slip next to his skin. Potter has several pictures of horses on the walls of the office and Radar puts the picture of Mrs. Potter on his desk. He shows Radar his good conduct medal, and just then Radar hears choppers coming. He tells Hawkeye that Potter has been in administration in the States, and has not been in an OR in two years. Hawkeye tells Margaret to let him know if Potter has problems. She, however is worried that Frank is still missing. However, he does well and helps B.J. with a difficult patient. Klinger comes in and is okay from the waist down because he is wearing a half-slip. At the end of the session, Potter says he could use a drink and the boys offer him the use of the still.

Hawkeye also gives Potter some help with a stiff back. They go to the Swamp to have some drinks as Frank sneaks back into camp. He goes to Margaret's tent and stays there. He is cold and wet and hungry. Hawkeye, B.J., and Potter drink and sing and toast several toasts. Potter gives Hawkeye and B.J. a tip on how to improve the output of their still and then tells them he had a still on Guam in World War II and it blew up on him; that was how he got his Purple Heart. Hawkeye uses the occasion to talk about Klinger. The next day, Potter shows them his horse pictures. Frank reports to the office to say he would help with the military part of the outfit. Just then, Klinger gives Potter a report dressed in a sailor suit and Potter compliments him on it, to Frank's distress.