Henry Blake made it home and the writers waited until Frank left to do the "Let's show the audience how senseless war is by killing someone off" instead? Do you think the camp (and the audience) would have had the same reaction to the news of Frank's death?

Speaking of Frank's departure, does anyone else doubt that Frank was really promoted and sent back to his home state? I think he was just getting the last laugh in his relationship with Hawk and Beej.

Henry Blake made it home and the writers waited until Frank left to do the "Let's show the audience how senseless war is by killing someone off" instead? Do you think the camp (and the audience) would have had the same reaction to the news of Frank's death?

Speaking of Frank's departure, does anyone else doubt that Frank was really promoted and sent back to his home state? I think he was just getting the last laugh in his relationship with Hawk and Beej.

Interesting idea. It would certainly have been a sad way to get rid of Frank, and i think it would have made for a very dramatic episode. Let's face it, Frank wasn't a very popular guy, and seeing everyones reaction to the death of someone so hated would be fascinating.
Heck, Alan Alda could have writen a whole episode about Hawkeye feeling guilty that he didn't feel sad that Frank was killed.

As for Fank's promotion, I don't think that Frank would have been that clever to make up a story like that to stick it to Hawkeye and BJ.

One of the saddest things was that Henry had a couple of young kids. Even a son that was born, while he was at M*A*S*H. So there's a son he's never met. I'm not sure if Frank had kids. I know he was married, but I don't remember if he ever mentioned having kids.

I'm pretty sure the group would have been equally sad if Frank had died. By this point, Potter and B.J. would have been there. I can see those two, sad over Frank's death. B.J. was a sensitive guy and Potter had feelings too.

BTW, I really don't like "Abbyssina, Henry". It was just an okay episode. If not for the final scene, the episode would not have been a classic episode.

Of course, the saddest death on the show would have been if Radar died on his way home.

One of the saddest things was that Henry had a couple of young kids. Even a son that was born, while he was at M*A*S*H. So there's a son he's never met. I'm not sure if Frank had kids. I know he was married, but I don't remember if he ever mentioned having kids.

I'm pretty sure the group would have been equally sad if Frank had died. By this point, Potter and B.J. would have been there. I can see those two, sad over Frank's death. B.J. was a sensitive guy and Potter had feelings too.

BTW, I really don't like "Abbyssina, Henry". It was just an okay episode. If not for the final scene, the episode would not have been a classic episode.

Of course, the saddest death on the show would have been if Radar died on his way home.

yeah if Radar died that would have been worse because he only left to be with his mom.

I'm not sure if Frank had kids. I know he was married, but I don't remember if he ever mentioned having kids.


Frank did have children. It was mentioned briefly in only an episode or two.

Frank did have children. It was mentioned briefly in only an episode or two.

That would have made a great spin-off. Frank Burns, his wife and children. I can picture Frank giving heart to hearts with his kids. :)

It would have just been straight up weird if they would have had Frank die as he left the show. It would have for sure been a senseless way for him to depart, but I dont' think anyone would appreciate it as senseless killing in wartime. I think the best thing they could have done to promote the senseless killing of people, if they wouldn't have had Blake died, would be to have Radar die when he left. That would have made me cry uncontrollably if they would have killed off Radar.

I have long wondered what would've happened had they written Frank in his last eps. engaging in some kind of criminal, maybe homicidal or thievery, behavior.