I watched the two part episode where Radar went home tonight on MeTV.

I always thought it was written a little heavy handedly to make Radar seem like a hero, that they were laying it on a bit thick. They even give him a little romance with a girl at an airport when he's trying to get back to the unit. And even Margaret later kisses him on the lips. I guess it's no surprise though, who would believe the M*A*S*H writers would ever get heavy handed lol?

Harry Morgan is such a great actor, I can't think of anyone who can do sentiment better than he can. And it annoyed me a bit that Radar left his teddy bear to Hawkeye, because it seems like once again they're pushing Hawkeye as the big star and the best person.

I personally think Radar's departure was too long and too drawn out, though the writers did a great job, but just a little too long, particularly as Burghoff was only working "part time" on the show. Note how he was absent in about every other episode.

I personally think Radar's departure was too long and too drawn out, though the writers did a great job, but just a little too long, particularly as Burghoff was only working "part time" on the show. Note how he was absent in about every other episode.
I remember reading that Burghoff was actually off the show that season, he had already quit. But they had arranged for him to come back and give the character a proper sendoff in those two episodes, for ratings purposes mainly. Burghoff refused to wear his trademark hat for the episodes.

I still think he should have left his teddy bear to Potter.

Potter didn't need it. He already shared the same innocent quality that Radar had.

Potter didn't need it. He already shared the same innocent quality that Radar had.
That's an interesting point. I was thinking in terms of Radar leaving the bear with who he was closest with. But maybe he left it with who he thought needed to be comforted by it. Potter was regular army, and wasn't as miserable at M*A*S*H as the other doctors. But Hawkeye hated it there.

That's an interesting point. I was thinking in terms of Radar leaving the bear with who he was closest with. But maybe he left it with who he thought needed to be comforted by it. Potter was regular army, and wasn't as miserable at M*A*S*H as the other doctors. But Hawkeye hated it there.

I think they all hated it there, Hawkeye Pierce was just more vocal about it than the other characters.

Ed.