At the end of the episode the show had a chance to go in a new direction with Frank Burns. Hawkeye and BJ showed true sympathy to him and even joined with him in a good laugh.

It was all set up to start giving a little more nuance to Frank Burns...he could have remained antagonistic but softening towards his fellow MASHers and maybe...maybe they could have all been on the same side.

Instead the very next episode it was back to status quo. Frank was still the enemy, Frank was still the boob and Hawk and BJ were back to being rude to him. In fact the show doubled down making him more pathetic than usual pining after Hot Lips. What happened to the red headed nurse that was intereted in him? How did the double date with Pierce go?

Nope all thrown away and Larry Linville written into a corner leaves the next year. They could have started doing a little of what they eventually did with Winchester with Frank but it was a no go. Yes a missed opportunity. If Margaret and Klinger could grow beyond their initial characterizations...why not Frank?

You make a really good point, it was unfortunate that they never gave Frank's character any growth. My favorite character has always been Winchester, however, so maybe it's a good thing that Linville left.