Episode 151 - They Call The Wind Korea

Season 7, Episode 151: They Call The Wind Korea
Original Air Date: 10/30/78
Written by: Ken Levine & David Isaacs
Directed by: Charles Dubin

A massive freezing wind storm is about to hit the 4077th. Reactions are mixed: Hot Lips is in a panic to get the camp secured, Hawkeye is thrilled since that means there won't be any wounded.

Winchester is devastated, because he had planned to make it to Seoul where he would begin three days of R&R in Tokyo, his first vacation since arriving at the 4077th.

He asks Klinger to drive him to Seoul anyway, but Klinger refuses. Col. Potter generously offers to let Klinger stay in Seoul overnight if he drives Winchester, a deal Klinger accepts.

On the way to Seoul, Klinger and Winchester get stopped at a checkpoint. An MP tells them that a convoy is using the main road, delaying all traffic by several hours. Winchester is, again, devastated, but the MP gives them an alternate route. Even though its complicated and long, Winchester demands they take it, barely waiting to get all the directions.

Of course, it doesn't take long for them to get hopelessly lost. While driving around, they spot an overturned troop truck, with several seriously wounded Greek soldiers inside. Winchester, frustrated, agrees to try and help.

Without any instruments or medicine, there's not much Winchester can do, so he has to use his wits and try and jerry-rig some temporary solutions, like using his 100% silk shirts and turning them into bandages.

Back at the 4077th, disaster strikes when the camp's water tower collapses, injuring some of the staff, including Nurse Bigelow. Margaret is deeply upset, since Bigelow was wounded while performing a task Margaret gave to her.

Outside, Winchester and Klinger get to know each other--sort of--as they try to ride out the storm and keep the wounded soldiers arrive. At one point, Winchester has to insert a chest tube--with the patient awake through the whole thing.

The next morning, the storm has passed, and Klinger heads outside to try and find a way home. He can't believe what he sees: just a mile or two away is...the 4077th. They were in their own backyard the whole time!

Winchester and Klinger return home, and Potter offers that Winchester can try again since he still has two days left of his R&R. Winchester refuses, staying, only somewhat sarcastically, "There's no place like home."


Fun Facts: There's a great moment with Col. Potter and Radar as they prepare the 4077th for the storm. Radar is ahead of Potter at every turn, except for once. Potter is delighted and yells "A-ha! Got ya! I was gonna say, 'nail down the windows in Post Op'!" Radar is frustrated, Potter delighted.

How are these episodes arranged? During the previous episode, the 4077th is suffering from a heat wave. In this episode, the wind storm is followed by freezing temperatures. Is this Korea, or the Genesis Planet?


Favorite Line: Kllinger, refusing to drive Winchester through the Korean hills as the storm approaches, says to him: "I ain't crazy." He starts another sentence, then catches himself, turning to Col. Potter and admonishing, "You didn't hear that, sir."