So we are past the Honorable mentions and the set up so we can move on to the actual list. I'll be doing this list in groups of four rather than three like I did for the Doctor Who list. (I think that's part of the reason I like a top twelve list, there are so many ways to break it down.) Hopefully things will go better this time around. I'd almost finished this list with the exception of a minor editing problem with the final page and accidentally erased the whole post just a second before an auto save that wiped out everything. Anyway, here the first batch of 4077 personnel.
Number 12
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| Allan Arbus played Doctor Sidney Freeman, Major, a psychiatrist who appeared in 12 episodes. |
In a setting like a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, (where did you think MASH came from?) there is bound to be some psychological issues. The doctors are under a lot of pressure to save as many lives as possible with limited supplies and under very dangerous conditions. There have to be occasions where patients and doctors just can't handle it any more. That's where Sidney comes in handy. He would be the guy to drop in and help with those problems from time to time. He would also stop by the swamp for a drink and a game of cards.
I'd also like to include each character's shining moment(s) on this list. For Sidney it comes at the end of the series. Hawkeye has had some seriously disturbing experience that has gotten him pulled from the 4077 and placed under Sidney's immediate care. I won't get into the details of what is wrong with Hawkeye. If you've already seen the final episode of the show, you know what happened. If you haven't, I don't want to ruin this moment for you.
Number 11
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| Maxwell Q. Klinger was played by Jamie Farr. |
Let's say you're a young man during the Korean War. Let's also say that you have a pretty great life in Toledo, Ohio. You're married to a beautiful woman. Your family is all close at hand. You've got it all, until you get a letter from the draft board telling you that you've won an all expenses trip to the middle of the war. Everyone has a reason to hate being in Korea, but Klinger is the only one who is willing to do something about it. For most of the show you can find Klinger dressed in women's clothing and doing anything he can think of to get out of the Army. (This includes his attempt to eat a jeep.) When Radar leaves, Klinger takes over the job of meeting the needs of the camp and his perspective changes. He still hates the war, but he doesn't try too often to get out of it.
So do you want the defining moment for Klinger? Either way you're getting it now. In the final episode, the war is over and everyone is getting ready to go home. What about Klinger? He's getting married to a Korean woman he has met in the last season and staying in Korea until they can find her family. (PS Klinger's wife divorced him about the time that Radar left the show.)
Number 10
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| Walter Eugene "Radar" O'Reilly was brought to television and the movies by Gary Burghoff. |
Radar gets his name from his uncanny ability to know what's coming. He often confounded his commanding officers by showing up just as they are about to shout his name or hand them just what they want before they can ask for it. He also knows when wounded are about to arrive at the camp. Even though he's always wanted to serve in the military, Radar is a farm boy at heart. He has his own mini farm at the camp and is the innocent character of the show. (Only grape nehis for this farm boy.) Radar even slept with a teddy bear. Radar was referred to as the glue that held the 4077 together on more than one occasion.
Radar's defining moment is when he left the show. I already mentioned his desire to be a soldier, but should add how happy he was to be a part of the 4077. In his final episode, he gets a message from home that his uncle, who has been helping his mother run the family farm, has passed away. Radar does the only thing he can, and leaves the army to help her out.
Number 9
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| Father John Patrick Francis Mulcahy was played on television by William Christopher. |
Father Mulcahy is the moral center of the 4077. Even though he has massive duties seeing after the spiritual needs of the doctors and nurses of the camp and every wounded soldier that passes through the OR. Father Mulcahy even serves last rites for every soldier that dies on the table or in transit. Father Mulcahy knows that he can't do much about the situation he is in, but he still works hard to make a difference. He helps provide food and other supplies to an orphanage near the camp. He even chooses to stay in Korea when the war is over because he does not feel he can leave those needy children behind.
Now that is a pretty big moment, but it's not my choice for top moment and not just because I don't want every character's top moment to be their last on the show. In one episode, the 4077 has a sports competition with another MASH unit. the whole thing comes down to a foot race between Father Mulcahy and another much better runner. Father Mulcahy manages to keep up with the other runner and the two men talk as they run. In the end Father Mulcahy wins. How did that happen? Well, the Father makes a point to talk about the needy orphans near the 4077 and how he is hoping to spend his winnings to help them. His pleas touch his opponent's heart and the other runner throws the race. Not satisfied with his own money, Father Mulcahy convinces the other members of the 4077 to donate their winnings as well.
That's the first part there are still 8 more characters to talk about. Feel free to leave a comment below.
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