I've seen that episode, and I just don't get it. Why would they kill Henry Blake, even though he was already leaving and going home? That makes no sense!

I've seen that episode, and I just don't get it. Why would they kill Henry Blake, even though he was already leaving and going home? That makes no sense!

From the creative perspective, it was to show that innocent people died during war also. It was a way to make a very dramatic point.

From a business perspective, some have speculated that it was Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart's way to ensure that McLean Stevenson wouldn't be able to revive the character in a spinoff. Can't say that's the gospel truth - just speculation.