Warning: This article discusses topics of violence and death.
Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce inMASHis a legendary sitcom character, but some of the episodes that focus on him stand out more than others. While he is often a part ofMASH’s funniest episodes, certain installments of the show that center around him are notable for reasons other than comedy.Alan Alda’s Captain Pierce, better known as Hawkeye, is a rather layered character. His best episodes aren’t necessarily about his most comical remarks, but instead, they delve into his character development and his most impactful moments.
Throughoutall 11 seasons ofMASH,Hawkeye grows and changes massively. Although the show technically features an ensemble cast, Hawkeye is always at the forefront of most stories, whether that’s a dramatic or humorous one.MASHis a classic sitcom, but without Captain Hawkeye Pierce, it would be a very different show.
10"Sometimes You Hear The Bullet”
Season 1, Episode 17
TheMASHseason 1 episode “Sometimes You Hear The Bullet”is a transformation point in the show, and not because a young Ron Howard guest stars in it.The episode focuses on the arrival of Hawkeye’s old friend, Tommy Gillis, a fellow soldier who is working on a book about his experiences. However, Gillis is fatally injured and sadly doesn’t survive the surgery, despite Hawkeye’s tireless efforts to save him.
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While there are still some comical moments in “Sometimes You Hear The Bullet,” this episode shines an interesting light on Hawkeye’s characterization. Although all theMASHcharacters are impacted by the harsh realities of war, this episode marks the first time that one is so directly affected by a death.Gillis’ death causes a breakthrough moment for Hawkeye,who cries for the first time since being in Korea, and also reports the underage Marine to ensure that no more young men unnecessarily die.
9"The Late Captain Pierce"
Season 4, Episode 4
“The Late Captain Pierce” teases Hawkeye’s departure fromMASHwhen the character is legally declared dead, and although he doesn’t actually leave the show, this episode demonstrates one of the many darker sides of war.There’s a lot of black comedy throughout this installment, but as the episode progresses, it’s hard not to feel sorry for Hawkeye. Alda’s character learns that his father is back in America grieving his death, despite his attempts to make contact with him and explain the clerical error.
It’s fascinating to witness Hawkeye almost give up when he boards the morgue bus, but a relief when he jumps off at the last moment, although it reaffirms his commitment to his role.
This storyline hits even harder considering it occurs so soon afterthe shocking death of Henry Blake inMASHseason 3. The look of defeat is apparent on his face, andeven though he isn’t actually dead, the make-believe of it all makes Hawkeye realize just how damaging active service is to those around him.It’s fascinating to witness Hawkeye almost give up when he boards the morgue bus, but a relief when he jumps off at the last moment, although it reaffirms his commitment to his role.
8"Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind”
Season 4, Episode 5
Another brilliant Hawkeye-focused episode ofMASHis the one directly after, “The Late Captain Pierce,” season 4’s “Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind.” Hawkeye is blinded after attempting to fix a faulty stove in the nurse’s tent and has to wear bandages for a week, unaware of whether or not his vision will return after this time or not.It’s intriguing to see Hawkeye attempt to navigate the world around him without one of his main senses,especially as he tries to distract himself enough from the concern that his career could be over without his sight.
The way he offers advice to other surgeons in the operating room, despite being unable to see what’s exactly happening, highlights just how good at his job he is. Even if his assistance is somewhat cocky, it’s still a hilarious moment, makes sense for his character, and proves just how well he knows the process ofMASH’s Meatball surgery. The bond he forms with fellow blind patient Tom presents a softer side to Hawkeye, too, which is a refreshing change of pace.
7"Hawkeye”
Season 4, Episode 19
Hawkeye’s titular season 4 episode is another fantastic installment for the character, who, after an accident with his car, is rescued by a local family. Although one ofthe harsh realities ofMASHis the depiction of South Korean people, this episode brilliantly demonstrates the difficulties of communicating in different languages.
From start to finish, Hawkeye keeps himself talking because he fears passing out from his concussion will kill him, which results in an astounding Alda monologuing throughout the entire episode.
“Hawkeye” is not only aninteresting bottle episode of a TV show, but it also allows audiences to spend a lot of one-on-one time with the character.While there isn’t really any action, Hawkeye’s ramblings are great.Although his many topics of conversation seem random, they are actually quite layered, and his nostalgia for home and his youth, as well as his passion for his job, expands his backstory well. Plus, it’s incredibly sweet when he returns with gifts for the locals the next day, as a thanks for their care and attentiveness.
6"The Interview”
Season 4, Episode 26
MASHseason 4’s “The Interview”is a groundbreaking episode of the sitcom. The episode is shot completely in black-and-white, and follows a news correspondent visiting the 4077th to report on their outlook of the war. Hawkeye truly opens up in “The Interview,” and while he offers some humorous remarks to a certain degree, the commentary on his experiences are rather profound. He talks about wanting to get out alive, the never-ending fear of the next unit bombing, and all the things he is looking forward to doing when he gets home.
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“The Interview” stands out for all theMASHcharacters involved, but especially Hawkeye.This episode allows Hawkeye to be more vulnerable, especially when he speaks in such detail about the intricacies of his job,which he recounts so casually that it’s hard to ignore how strangely normalized the situation is for him. Even with his wisecracks, Hawkeye’s character development in this episode is brilliant, and “The Interview” stands as a turning point for him.
5"Peace On Us"
Season 7, Episode 2
In “Peace on Us,” Hawkeye gets fed up with the recent change to the discharge process and takes matters into his own hands.At this point inMASH’s timeline, the characters are only a couple of months away from the end of the war, not that they are aware, and this episode presents a great opportunity for Hawkeye to speak up about his experiences. “Peace on Us” is both hilarious and serious. Hawkeye’s frustrated response to the news, which involves him stealing a car and crashing the peace talks, is brilliantly comical.
However, it’s also important to note that Hawkeye is at breaking point. His reaction isn’t just about himself, it’s about his friends.The news that Margaret is going to divorce Donald because of their continent-wide separation pushes Hawkeye over the edge,and the fact he is so determined that he successfully makes it past the guard post is a truly admirable quality in his character.
4"Dreams"
Season 8, Episode 22
Even though“Dreams” is consideredMASH’s most divisive episode, it still serves as one of Hawkeye’s best stories in the show. “Dreams” delves into the underlying concerns of each of the characters, which are translated through their sleep-deprived night terrors.Hawkeye dreams of losing both of his arms, which makes him unable to operate. His reaction to being unable to save the life of a young girl is heartbreaking, and this moment highlights not only the darkness of war, but also how important Hawkeye’s job is to him. In fact, it’s not even a job at this point, but rather a purpose in life.
Hawkeye continuously proves himself to be a stellar doctor, and considering his success in medical school and his father’s own experience in the field, his dream makes a lot of sense.Hawkeye is terrified of not understanding something or making a mistake, especially if it puts someone’s life at risk,and even though he is always confident in his abilities, there’s still an underlying fear. However, his even bigger worry is that if something happens to him, he will be unable to keep saving lives. Although Hawkeye has plenty of vulnerable moments inMASH, this one stands out.
3"Death Takes A Holiday”
Season 9, Episode 5
“Death Takes a Holiday” highlights the harsh reality that war doesn’t always stop for Christmas, regardless of the famous WWII story about the football match between the opposing sides. Hawkeye takes the lead in one of the episode’s subplot, and after a dying soldier is brought to him on Christmas evening, he spends the night trying to keep the man going so that his date of death won’t land on the festive holiday. Hawkeye, B.J., and Margaret all sacrifice their Christmas party to look after the soldier, which is rather admirable.
Hawkeye’s vulnerability is once again apparent in this episode.He understands how tough the situation is, especially as there are parallels between B.J. and the dying soldier, but he also knows when to say enough is enough. Hawkeye telling B.J. to let go is a gripping moment, but he takes all of his friend’s guilt on his shoulders, too. Plus, when he alters the clock so that the soldier appears to die after midnight, it shows just how much Hawkeye listens and cares for those around him.
2"Where There’s A Will, There’s A War”
Season 10, Episode 17
When Hawkeye is sent to the front lines and comes under enemy fire in “Where There’s a Will, There’s a War,” he starts to write a will. Hawkeye’s breakdown of his possessions and who he leaves what to is fascinating, and it brilliantly provides an insight into his relationships with the people in his life. In between this, he also carries on trying to save lives where he can.Hawkeye’s reflection on his life and the anecdotes from his past gives his character layers,but it also demonstrates his growth since the beginning ofMASH.
All the flashback scenes in “Where There’s a Will, There’s a War” highlights his character development since the earlier installments of the show in one way or another, and Alda’s narration throughout makes this even more profound.
For example, he leaves Winchester his bathrobe as a gesture of good will, essentially thanking him for putting up with his constant pranks, something that Hawkeye in season 1 probably wouldn’t do.All the flashback scenes in “Where There’s a Will, There’s a War” highlights his character development since the earlier installments of the show in one way or another, and Alda’s narration throughout makes this even more profound.
1"Goodbye, Farewell, And Amen”
Season 11, Episode 16
MASH’s finale “Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen,”is one of the most notable endings of a sitcom ever, and while it’s a fantastic climax for everyone, this story highlights Hawkeye’s progression throughout the show more than anyone else. While the last days of the Korean War pan out, Hawkeye recovers from a nervous breakdown after witnessing a local woman suffocate her child.Rather than glorifying Hawkeye’s service,MASHdemonstrates the harrowing reality of the war,despite the end being in sight. Throughout the show, Hawkeye works to save lives, but the death of the baby weighs incredibly heavily on his chest.
He feels responsible, even though it only happens because the group is hiding from a threat, but this reestablishes that Hawkeye’s motivation from the beginning is one of the few things about him that remains the same. Hawkeye may be fictional, to a degree, but thishistorically accurateMASHepisodemakes him more real than most TV characters. Hawkeye’s final chaotic breakdown is astounding and sums up his experiences beautifully, although he breaks away from hisMASHarchetype when he offers Potter a rare salute in the episode’s closing moments.
MAS*H
Cast
MAS*H is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.
