https://screenrant.com/mash-hawkeye-trapper-not-best-partner-bj/

As part of MASH's cast exodus, Trapper left the show and forced Hawkeye to get a new partner-in-crime, who ended up being a better fit for him.

Only an opinion. Mike Farrell and Wayne Rogers were completely different actors who played different roles, like Col. Blake and Potter.
I like Beej, but prefer the earlier seasons, S 1-7

Only an opinion. Mike Farrell and Wayne Rogers were completely different actors who played different roles, like Col. Blake and Potter.
I like Beej, but prefer the earlier seasons, S 1-7

Exactly my thoughts.

While I have nothing against B.J. Trapper John was the original and best comedy partner for Hawkeye.

Now, I've often thought it would have been interesting if B.J. had come into the story earlier, and teamed with Trapper and Hawkeye, similar to the way Duke Forrest was in with Trapper and Hawkeye in the Robert Altman film version, and, earlier, Richard Hooker's original novel.

https://screenrant.com/mash-hawkeye-trapper-not-best-partner-bj/

As part of MASH's cast exodus, Trapper left the show and forced Hawkeye to get a new partner-in-crime, who ended up being a better fit for him.

As Doug notes, different, not really better.

B.J. was a kinder, gentler partner for Hawkeye, which was probably better as the 4077 got more mellow as the years went by.

The advantage with BJ is that he sets more of a contrast with Hawkeye. Hawkeye and Trapper were kind of like Thing 1 and Thing 2.

The advantage with BJ is that he sets more of a contrast with Hawkeye. Hawkeye and Trapper were kind of like Thing 1 and Thing 2.

He became "the guy with the mustache" also, the spot the original Trapper John of the movie, Elliott Gould, filled previously.

He became "the guy with the mustache" also, the spot the original Trapper John of the movie, Elliott Gould, filled previously.
Well, see? Hawkeye didn't have a moustache. Contrast.

The Trapper or BJ discussion is really a discussion about something else. Trapper was part of the first three seasons when the show was a comedy, BJ was there for seasons 4 and 5 when the show began the transition from a comedy, and of course he was there for the last six seasons when it was a dramedy. If you like the comedy series MASH then Trapper is your man, if you like the dramedy MASH then BJ is the better fit. I wish the show had ended after the fifth season, the sixth season is tolerable, but after that count me out.

I liked the first 3 seasons. It was really funny and not preachy.

I liked the latter seasons because I liked the cast better. I liked Winchester and Potter better than the characters they replaced. The Frank Burns character got on my nerves, he was a cartoon. Winchester had layers, he had more depth.

Honestly, between BJ and Trapper I don't really care much, but since BJ was associated with the cast I liked better I'd pick BJ.