Why the M*A*S*H Series Finale is Still The Greatest Of All Time

[TMC]

https://geeks.media/why-the-m-a-s-h-...st-of-all-time

by JASON SCHWARTZ 6 hours ago in ENTERTAINMENT

February 28th marks the 34th anniversary of the greatest series finale in TV history

There's nothing more hotly contested than a series finale. After investing years into a show, people are hoping to get the ultimate payoff. Some series finales fall short (check out my article on that here) and some rise up and actually elevate the series. While shows like Six Feet Under, The Shield and Breaking Bad have had incredible finales, nothing holds a candle to how M*A*S*H ended. When the 2 and a half hour series finale aired, it was the most watched episode in television history. There are many reasons it is the greatest series finale in history. “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” encompassed what everyone loved about M*A*S*H. It had some very funny moments but also had one of the saddest moments in the show's history.

The basic plot was that the war was ending and everyone was getting ready to go home. Over the course of 11 years every character was waiting to go home, but when the time finally came we all saw how the war would affect them for the rest of their lives. It would have felt wrong if the war ended, and the characters that the audience saw develop for over a decade stayed the same as they did when they first came to Korea.

Major Charles Emerson Winchester III- One of the most notable traits of Major Winchester was his love of music. Almost every episode since his arrival had Major Winchester playing one of his records. It was clear that music was a great source of joy for him during a tough time. In the series finale, POWs are transferred to the 4077 and are awaiting transfer to a permanent facility. When Charles is walking through the compound he notices that the POWs are in fact musicians. He tries to teach them Mozart, and after many failed attempts they finally get it right, just as they are being transferred out of the 4077. A few days later when the wounded are transported to the hospital, Charles sees that one of the band members is among the dead. Charles finds out that none of the band members survived and smashes his Mozart record. At the end of the episode when everyone is reflecting on their time at the 4077 and discussing what they're going to do in the future, Charles says that his life will turn out the way he thought, with one exception. Instead of music bringing him joy as it did before, it will now serve as painful reminder of what was lost during war.

[Retro4Life]

It truly was an incredibly well done finale that had high stakes for the characters, went pretty dark in many places, actually concluded the series in a logical way, and still managed to put all the players in a good place at the end.

Heartwrenching, uplifting and conclusive, and honoring all that had come before it. Couldn't have been better, IMO.

[treky]

well, here's what I thought of it:

the best seasons were the first 3, with 4-7 being OK and 8 till the last one being-see above

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by treky

well, here's what I thought of it:

the best seasons were the first 3, with 4-7 being OK and 8 till the last one being-see above

What, specifically, didn't you like about it?

Also, I actually think the show was better after Season 3; Potter and B.J. and Charles were much richer characters than Henry, Trapper and Frank. I liked them all, but I think the show kind of "grew up" after the first few seasons.

[Mace Dolex]

I'm sorry but I was like maybe 7 years old when the M*A*S*H finale aired and I didn't even notice what a big deal it was back, I mean what 7 year old is going to watch a show about war when they can tune in to Happy Days or Three's Company.

Even now as an adult I can not get into watching M*A*S*H, sorry but I don't see any interest in it whatsoever.