GFA (the final episode) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 02-28-2004, 10:00 PM

so, what does everyone think of this? I thought it had 3 or 4 parts that were just OK, (mostly they involved Charles) but that's it.

And that part with the fire seemed to be just tacked on-which it was, because a real fire in the hills where some of the show was filmed destroyed the set during filming.

TJL · 02-29-2004, 03:14 AM

To me the final episode of M*A*S*H is the textbook example of a perfect series finale.

It's not like say "Cheers" where the characters are still going to be together after the final episode, it's just that we're no longer watching them, the ending of the Korean war (which brought the characters together) means every person at the 4077th has to go thier seperate ways. Thier time together is over. The emotions the characters show is genuine, because they all know that the chances of them ever being together again will most likely not happen.

The storyline with Winchester and the Chinese musicans was the highlight of the finale.
According to "The Complete Book Of MASH" it was inspired by a true story Exec Producer Burt Metcalfe had heard from a Korean War Doc, and was just one of many story ideas they still had lying around that they decided to incorporate into the finale.

If the story was used in a regular episode, it would have lost it's dramatic impact, because Charles would be back the next week with the rest of his cohorts and in true sitcom fashion, the events of the previous week's episode would have been forgotten. But because this is the final episode, when Chrles tells everyone that he will never love music the same way again, it hits home more, because we won't ever get to see if he ever recovers.

"Goodbye, Farewell, Amen" was the perfect ending to arguable one of the finest shows on TV.

bry · 05-31-2004, 11:53 AM

idt couldn't have been better. the story was great as well as all the different emotions everyone had.

barwars · 05-31-2004, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
"Goodbye, Farewell, Amen" was the perfect ending to arguable one of the finest shows on TV.

UNarguably one of the finest shows on TV.
I never liked the show before, but its growing on me thanks to this marathon.

ficlopri 2 · 06-06-2004, 12:10 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TJL
[B]To me the final episode of M*A*S*H is the textbook example of a perfect series finale.

It's not like say "Cheers" where the characters are still going to be together after the final episode, it's just that we're no longer watching them, the ending of the Korean war (which brought the characters together) means every person at the 4077th has to go thier seperate ways. Thier time together is over. The emotions the characters show is genuine, because they all know that the chances of them ever being together again will most likely not happen.

The storyline with Winchester and the Chinese musicans was the highlight of the finale.
According to "The Complete Book Of MASH" it was inspired by a true story Exec Producer Burt Metcalfe had heard from a Korean War Doc, and was just one of many story ideas they still had lying around that they decided to incorporate into the finale.

If the story was used in a regular episode, it would have lost it's dramatic impact, because Charles would be back the next week with the rest of his cohorts and in true sitcom fashion, the events of the previous week's episode would have been forgotten. But because this is the final episode, when Chrles tells everyone that he will never love music the same way again, it hits home more, because we won't ever get to see if he ever recovers

I strongly disagree! The GFA had much stronger moments like Hawkeye realizing he accidentally caused a woman to kill her baby. Also, Potter's goodbye was outstandingly dramatic. I cannot believe more than one of you really think Charles's rather trivial classical music bit was actually the highpoint.

TJL · 06-06-2004, 01:19 PM

For me, Winchester's storyline had more poignancy.
Charles was always a very reserved character, but his love for music enabled us to see a rare glimpse at his passionate human side. His loss of his love for music was very touching.

Alan Alda had many opportunities on the show to really act his heart out and take Hawkeye through the entire spectrum of emotions. The few times they allowed David Ogden Stires to really shine are quite memorable.

Vicki L. · 06-11-2004, 02:06 PM

I have no idea what the high point of GFA was. But whatever it was it wasn't Charles's subplot. And we had lots of chances to see CW go boringly goody-goody (in the regular series) on us and thus we did not need to see him do it again.

treky · 06-11-2004, 04:28 PM

I never liked GFA. It has a few so-so parts (like Charles' music); but thaat's it.

Vicki L. · 06-18-2004, 04:37 PM

The curse bald men (like David Ogden Stiers) have over people is scarey---and wrong!

02-28-2004, 10:00 PM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	GFA (the final episode) so, what does everyone think of this? I thought it had 3 or 4 parts that were just OK, (mostly they involved Charles) but that's it. And that part with the fire seemed to be just tacked on-which it was, because a real fire in the hills where some of the show was filmed destroyed the set during filming.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

02-29-2004, 03:14 AM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	To me the final episode of MAS*H is the textbook example of a perfect series finale. It's not like say "Cheers" where the characters are still going to be together after the final episode, it's just that we're no longer watching them, the ending of the Korean war (which brought the characters together) means every person at the 4077th has to go thier seperate ways. Thier time together is over. The emotions the characters show is genuine, because they all know that the chances of them ever being together again will most likely not happen. The storyline with Winchester and the Chinese musicans was the highlight of the finale. According to "The Complete Book Of MASH" it was inspired by a true story Exec Producer Burt Metcalfe had heard from a Korean War Doc, and was just one of many story ideas they still had lying around that they decided to incorporate into the finale. If the story was used in a regular episode, it would have lost it's dramatic impact, because Charles would be back the next week with the rest of his cohorts and in true sitcom fashion, the events of the previous week's episode would have been forgotten. But because this is the final episode, when Chrles tells everyone that he will never love music the same way again, it hits home more, because we won't ever get to see if he ever recovers. "Goodbye, Farewell, Amen" was the perfect ending to arguable one of the finest shows on TV.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-31-2004, 11:53 AM	#3
bry Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 21, 2003 Location: n.c. Posts: 819	idt couldn't have been better. the story was great as well as all the different emotions everyone had.
	__________________ that's Y-A-T-E-S.

06-06-2004, 12:10 PM	#5
ficlopri 2 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 12, 2004 Location: Mehuen, MA Posts: 31	[QUOTE]Originally posted by TJL [B]To me the final episode of MAS*H is the textbook example of a perfect series finale. It's not like say "Cheers" where the characters are still going to be together after the final episode, it's just that we're no longer watching them, the ending of the Korean war (which brought the characters together) means every person at the 4077th has to go thier seperate ways. Thier time together is over. The emotions the characters show is genuine, because they all know that the chances of them ever being together again will most likely not happen. The storyline with Winchester and the Chinese musicans was the highlight of the finale. According to "The Complete Book Of MASH" it was inspired by a true story Exec Producer Burt Metcalfe had heard from a Korean War Doc, and was just one of many story ideas they still had lying around that they decided to incorporate into the finale. If the story was used in a regular episode, it would have lost it's dramatic impact, because Charles would be back the next week with the rest of his cohorts and in true sitcom fashion, the events of the previous week's episode would have been forgotten. But because this is the final episode, when Chrles tells everyone that he will never love music the same way again, it hits home more, because we won't ever get to see if he ever recovers I strongly disagree! The GFA had much stronger moments like Hawkeye realizing he accidentally caused a woman to kill her baby. Also, Potter's goodbye was outstandingly dramatic. I cannot believe more than one of you really think Charles's rather trivial classical music bit was actually the highpoint.

06-06-2004, 01:19 PM	#6
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	For me, Winchester's storyline had more poignancy. Charles was always a very reserved character, but his love for music enabled us to see a rare glimpse at his passionate human side. His loss of his love for music was very touching. Alan Alda had many opportunities on the show to really act his heart out and take Hawkeye through the entire spectrum of emotions. The few times they allowed David Ogden Stires to really shine are quite memorable.

06-11-2004, 02:06 PM	#7
Vicki L. Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 158	I have no idea what the high point of GFA was. But whatever it was it wasn't Charles's subplot. And we had lots of chances to see CW go boringly goody-goody (in the regular series) on us and thus we did not need to see him do it again.

06-11-2004, 04:28 PM	#8
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I never liked GFA. It has a few so-so parts (like Charles' music); but thaat's it.

06-18-2004, 04:37 PM	#9
Vicki L. Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 158	The curse bald men (like David Ogden Stiers) have over people is scarey---and wrong!