I saw Henry Blake's last episode yesterday.

[Chocoholic]

Even though I've heard what happens at the end, it was so heartbreaking to watch Poor Henry. He survived the war only to be killed before he could even see his wife and kids one more time.

[TJL]

It was a great finale for Henry Blake. This episode was a major turning point for the series IMO.

Glad to see another M*A*S*H convert posting here. Season 8 is out this week, so get in line now...

[TripperFan]

I saw it on the first run and to this day - cannot get through the end without really choking up myself.

Apparently they withheld the end from the cast and that's why the reactions were so realist - not just because it was sad to begin with.

[getsmart_8699]

That ep. is really sad because he didn't even get to see his newborn son and I think that was the only son he had too Well I ordered my season 8 today online so hopefully it gets here soon!

[TJL]

Henry did have another son, he talked to him on the phone in one episode. I believe his name was Andrew.

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by TJL

Henry did have another son, he talked to him on the phone in one episode. I believe his name was Andrew.

Yup - I remember him telling him to take care of his mommy. I think it might have been the ep where Henry was smitten with the young girl in Tokyo and his wife phones for some domestic problem and the son is also put on the phone.

[TJL]

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Yup - I remember him telling him to take care of his mommy. I think it might have been the ep where Henry was smitten with the young girl in Tokyo and his wife phones for some domestic problem and the son is also put on the phone.

Yes, I think it was "Henry In Love" when he talked to his son. Good call.

[treky]

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I saw it on the first run and to this day - cannot get through the end without really choking up myself.

Apparently they withheld the end from the cast and that's why the reactions were so realist - not just because it was sad to begin with.

yea, I'm the same way with it. Such a sad ending.

I also remember seeing it when it was first on, and all through the episode I felt sad, because I knew he was going to be killed. I read it in the paper-and to this day, I wish I hadn't. But it didn't say HOW he was killed). I remember though, I was REALLY mad at my sister at the time, cause she somehow found out how he was going to die, and told me!

Yes, they did withhold the last scene from the cast, in order to get a natural reaction. But, they did tell Gary Burghoff just 2 minutes before he walked into the O.R. (acctually stage 9 at Twentieth-Century Fox studios) when they handed him the final page of the script. But, they had a problem with one of the cameras, so they had to film it again. But, as you can see, they still got a natural reaction.
And, when you hear a mettallic object drop, that was because a stagehand accidentally dropped something backstage. They kept it in because it added a dramatic touch to the scene.

[treky]

Originally Posted by Homeriffic

Even though I've heard what happens at the end, it was so heartbreaking to watch Poor Henry. He survived the war only to be killed before he could even see his wife and kids one more time.

the episode is named "Abbysynia Henry". That was a slang term back then for "I'll be seeing you." Col. Blake said it once or twice on the phone.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by treky

And, when you hear a mettallic object drop, that was because a stagehand accidentally dropped something backstage. They kept it in because it added a dramatic touch to the scene.

That was a nice touch. What is referred to as a "happy accident."

[alanaldafan11]

I get emotional with Abyssinia, Henry and also Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen. Every time I see those two episodes, I end up crying. I loved how they showed that not everyone gets to go home. The reality of the series makes me love it so much! ~Caitlin~

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by treky

yea, I'm the same way with it. Such a sad ending.

I also remember seeing it when it was first on, and all through the episode I felt sad, because I knew he was going to be killed. I read it in the paper-and to this day, I wish I hadn't. But it didn't say HOW he was killed). I remember though, I was REALLY mad at my sister at the time, cause she somehow found out how he was going to die, and told me!

Yes, they did withhold the last scene from the cast, in order to get a natural reaction. But, they did tell Gary Burghoff just 2 minutes before he walked into the O.R. (acctually stage 9 at Twentieth-Century Fox studios) when they handed him the final page of the script. But, they had a problem with one of the cameras, so they had to film it again. But, as you can see, they still got a natural reaction.
And, when you hear a mettallic object drop, that was because a stagehand accidentally dropped something backstage. They kept it in because it added a dramatic touch to the scene.

For sure. Great description - I could picture it as you wrote it - yeah, and Gary was told only minutes before - gave him enough time to really be choked up about it himself.

I also cry when Radar says goodbye and leaves his teddy bear - he's become a man. < sniff, sniff >

Well done! God I loved the writing on that show! I've heard others complain about he rapid-fire script, but I just loved it. Hawkeye was my mentor when I was a kid. (Nothing like having a booze swilling, womanizing cutup for a mentor eh?)

[Dr. Thong]

It's too bad we never got a goodbye episode for Trapper. I know that it wasn't possible due to the way Wayne Rogers departed, but still...

On the other hand, they handled it well, with Hawkeye upset over not getting to see his buddy go home. And the part about Trapper running naked through the camp sounded about right.