MASH Minute

Painless Pole is the best equipped dentist in the army. Megan, Tierney, and Cassandra Fredrickson of LotR Minute are some of the least equipped podcasters to understand this scene where other men line up to watch Painles shower. But we try dang it! By which I mean we started googling things... It was worth it though for Cass's perfect summation of what this movie is about, complete with Howard Shore soundtrack added underneath.

We're thrilled to welcome Cassandra Fredrickson of Lord of the Rings Minute to our podcast, even if she was not thrilled by the movie MASH. This is the Maine minute where we debate where Hawkeye went to school, if Northern New England is a exactly a hotbed of college football fandom, the higher education opportunities for moose, and what you should call that thing that you drink water from. This minute we learn how Trapper John got his nickname and it... is... not a cool story, bro.

The Swampmen insult Leslie in the operating room, which leads Megan, Tierney and guest Sully to question this and future minutes' misogyny. Fun! As a palate cleanser, we end up talking about John Cusack movies and the perfect way to prepare eggplant parmesan. Somehow it all ties together in the end.

Today each of us is bringing some new knowledge to the table: Sully's discovered Elliott Gould's character inspiration, Tierney wants to talk about military libraries, and Megan has an important PSA for anyone donating to a book drive. Onscreen, the boys get out of the Swamp and into the OR where Trapper John shows just how good a chest cutter he really is--and sets himself up to be able to get away with everything yet to come in this movie.

Grab your favorite gum or drink (but please not both!) and join Tierney, Megan and Sully to watch the Swampmen get to know each other. Trapper John isn't letting Hawkeye know any of his biographical details, but his face is familiar. We get familiar by sharing a few drinking stories and then bonding over the perfect comedic timing in this minute--and let's please give a special standing O to poor Sully, who honestly tries to keep us focused on talking about MASH.

This minute has everything: Parkas. Mustaches. Boston accents. Movie Loft and V66 references. The history of Pabst Blue Ribbon. Someone destroying our souls by making us wonder what the Swamp smelled like in real life. But among it all is the most important thing: that Megan is no longer alone in her love of Trapper John. Sully joins us to meet Elliott Gould and make friends the New England way.

Well that was fast: the chest cutter has arrived. And thank goodness because Ho Jon interrupts Hawkeye and Dish's makeout session before things get even more out of hand. Our guest is Father David Mowry and you can probably guess his feelings on this scene. Luckily we're able to end the minute talking about what Father Mulcahy does in his down time, religious orders, and what changes were made by Vatican II which is honestly much less awkward than making a priest watch a Robert Altman film.

Have you ever wondered what a priest thought of your hairstyle? How about which book is best for a "priest on the go"? Today Father David Mowry is back to read from the Collectio Rituum and praise Rene Auberjonois's performance as Father Mulcahy. He teaches us how priests get out of awkward situations and grades Hawkeye's understanding of Christian ethics (hint: it's not good).

Everyone's gotta get to work as the ambulances are coming in full. After a brief interlude to discuss sleep deprivation, Fr. Mowry, Megan, and Tierney are ready to talk shop about the nurses and surgeons of the 4077th. When Ugly John loses a patient, it's time to dig in deep on how exactly "Last Rites" are performed.

Some lovely bonding time between Leslie and Blake is interrupted by Duke and Hawkeye with several demands. Our new guest Fr. David Mowry is forced to talk about Col. Blake and his office before we'll let him anywhere near Fr. Mulcahy. Now that we have him in OUR TENT, it's time to play pogs and sing "Sky Pilot" all night long.