Major Meeting: If Frank Met Charles

[Dr. Thong]

I was thinking about a possible alternate universe M*A*S*H scenerio under which Frank Burns and Charles Emerson Winchester could meet. Perhaps Hawkeye, B.J. or Potter is on leave and Tokyo General sends Charles to fill in for a short while.

Personally, I think Frank being the military kiss-ass he is would be very impressed by Charles' credentials and try to kiss up to him. However, I don't think Charles would have much tolerance for Frank because he's such a fool. Charles would probably have the same relationship with B.J. and Hawkeye, but I think he would dismiss Frank out-of-hand.

Beyond intellect and breeding, one of the differences between the two is that deep down, Charles isn't a bad guy. Beneath all the arrogance and bluster is a heart, though he tries hard to hide it. Frank has no heart and is obsessed with power and has delusions of grandeur.

Remember how Frank was when Cols. Blake or Potter were getting ready to go on leave? He was practically salivating at the prospect of assuming command. He took full advantage of his position while the Colonels were away. Charles, on the other hand, didn't seem to care very much about being the acting commander. Whenever Hawkeye was given the reins by Potter, Charles pretty much let it roll off his back and went about his business.

[Mikado]

Hmmm....Well, Frank would be impressed by Charles being a Republican with a heart of $$$ ( At least on the surface ), but i think youre right, the admiration wouldnt be reciprocated, Charles would surely dislike Frank's having an affair , plus, hed simply think him a low class "pretender", not worthy of his time

[TJL]

Interesting observations folks. I've always wondered what it would happen if Charles and Frank met.
I'm sure Charles would have some well versed put downs at the ready.

My idea for a Burns/Winchester crossover would be to set it during the later seasons. Lt. Col. Burns returns to the 4077th on a fact finding tour.

[Mikado]

Originally Posted by TJL

Interesting observations folks. I've always wondered what it would happen if Charles and Frank met.
I'm sure Charles would have some well versed put downs at the ready.

My idea for a Burns/Winchester crossover would be to set it during the later seasons. Lt. Col. Burns returns to the 4077th on a fact finding tour.

Hey that would work...especially if it took place after Margaret was single again...I could see Lt Col Burns trying ( unsuccessfully ) to rekindle the "poor lonely girl's" flame: {( in officers club ) "But Margaret, dont you want to have a little drink, on me?" "Good idea...here you go, creep !!!" ( As she dumps her glass on his head ) }

[Lolac]

LOL!

Lolac

[tdf4077]

Ok...so along these same lines, what would happen if Trapper and BJ met?

Personally, I think they probably would have hit it off, and the biggest differences would be Trapper and Hawkeye vs. BJ and Hawkeye.

[Mikado]

I think BJ would spend ALL his time whining that Trapper was already home, and he wasnt...it would be unbearable

[Matt Laur]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I was thinking about a possible alternate universe M*A*S*H scenerio under which Frank Burns and Charles Emerson Winchester could meet. Perhaps Hawkeye, B.J. or Potter is on leave and Tokyo General sends Charles to fill in for a short while.

Personally, I think Frank being the military kiss-ass he is would be very impressed by Charles' credentials and try to kiss up to him. However, I don't think Charles would have much tolerance for Frank because he's such a fool. Charles would probably have the same relationship with B.J. and Hawkeye, but I think he would dismiss Frank out-of-hand.

Beyond intellect and breeding, one of the differences between the two is that deep down, Charles isn't a bad guy. Beneath all the arrogance and bluster is a heart, though he tries hard to hide it. Frank has no heart and is obsessed with power and has delusions of grandeur.

Remember how Frank was when Cols. Blake or Potter were getting ready to go on leave? He was practically salivating at the prospect of assuming command. He took full advantage of his position while the Colonels were away. Charles, on the other hand, didn't seem to care very much about being the acting commander. Whenever Hawkeye was given the reins by Potter, Charles pretty much let it roll off his back and went about his business.

Frank had a couple of moments of depth we saw and presumably many we didn't see. In the unedited first season eps more depth comes out in Frank. He once told Hawk anyone could have made a mistake like the one Hawk made surgically on a patient and Pierce was grateful. In reverse one of Charles's good actions was really not that good (giving candy to orphans) it was a family tradition to do that. Besides just because Charles wasn't interested in taking command much doesn't make him a nicer guy. Just means he wasn't interested as his ambition lays elsewhere. If anything Frank was nicer to Father Mulcahy than Charles was. That was a big minus for Charles. And Charles's conceit ran into total jerkiness sometimes.

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by Matt Laur

Frank had a couple of moments of depth we saw and presumably many we didn't see. In the unedited first season eps more depth comes out in Frank. He once told Hawk anyone could have made a mistake like the one Hawk made surgically on a patient and Pierce was grateful. In reverse one of Charles's good actions was really not that good (giving candy to orphans) it was a family tradition to do that. Besides just because Charles wasn't interested in taking command much doesn't make him a nicer guy. Just means he wasn't interested as his ambition lays elsewhere. If anything Frank was nicer to Father Mulcahy than Charles was. That was a big minus for Charles. And Charles's conceit ran into total jerkiness sometimes.

Okay, good points, but Frank was a borderline psychopath, especially in the fifth season when Margaret got engaged to Penobscot. He reverted to an almost childish state at times.

I'm not saying Charles is Mr. Nice Guy - he certainly was arrogant and blustery - but I wouldn't be afraid of him, whereas Frank Burns was showing signs of an impending and probably permanent nervous breakdown. He kind of had one (off-camera) when the sixth season began and we never knew if he truly recovered.

They're both great characters, however and it was to the writers and producers' credit that they didn't replace Frank with another character just like him. Giving Hawkeye and B.J. a worthy opponent and tent-mate raised the stakes and kept the swamp banter and hijinx from getting stale.

[Doug-oh]

Originally Posted by TJL

Interesting observations folks. I've always wondered what it would happen if Charles and Frank met.
I'm sure Charles would have some well versed put downs at the ready.

My idea for a Burns/Winchester crossover would be to set it during the later seasons. Lt. Col. Burns returns to the 4077th on a fact finding tour.

Mirrors an idea that once appeared in my head while walking.

[Doug-oh]

Originally Posted by tdf4077

Ok...so along these same lines, what would happen if Trapper and BJ met?

Or... if Trapper met Potter...

[Will Dockery]

Originally Posted by tdf4077

Ok...so along these same lines, what would happen if Trapper and BJ met?

Personally, I think they probably would have hit it off, and the biggest differences would be Trapper and Hawkeye vs. BJ and Hawkeye.

I've always seen B..J. as sort of a version of Duke Forrest from the novel and film, so yes, I think Trapper John, B.J. and Hawkeye could get into some lively adventures together.

After all, the original M*A*S*H novel was subtitled "A story of three Army doctors"