tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post1945608017391622274..comments2023-11-03T08:13:12.122-04:00Comments on AfterM*A*S*H: Episode 199 - Death Takes A Holidayrob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-38504641737491218682017-01-29T06:24:07.069-05:002017-01-29T06:24:07.069-05:00Hi! Yep -- a great episode. I found your blog by...Hi! Yep -- a great episode. I found your blog by Googling, trying to find out which episode this was (so I could watch it while eating dinner). <br /><br />Dying on a certain date: Yep, it indeed matters. A co-worker's dad died on the co-worker's birthday, and that tainted the whole thing for my co-worker (he refused to celebrate his own birthday for twenty years). Likewise, my grandmother died during Thanksgiving dinner (she had cancer, so it wasn't a total surprise). So Thanksgiving is kind of a bummer: it would've been better if she'd died on the day BEFORE, or the day AFTER, Thanksgiving. <br /><br /><br />Thanks for the blog: a useful internet resource. :)<br /><br /><br />--GGGye Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15972251323124084977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-31075720071405344262016-12-24T23:55:50.918-05:002016-12-24T23:55:50.918-05:00I am a surgeon. I can imagine working that hard so...I am a surgeon. I can imagine working that hard so someone does not die on Christmas, as I have done it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-21910492712790188952013-12-24T16:07:08.502-05:002013-12-24T16:07:08.502-05:00Rob, I guess I have more to add to this. My mother...Rob, I guess I have more to add to this. My mother died on Dec 11. It has marked Christmas for me this year, and I'm guessing, for the rest of my life. I now can't imagine if I had to mark this day as the same day as Christmas. I think MASH (BJ) got it right. :-( Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03712278452970289276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-60801571186515570302011-12-15T12:17:08.509-05:002011-12-15T12:17:08.509-05:00PS Another aspect that makes a Christmas Eve/Chris...PS Another aspect that makes a Christmas Eve/Christmas Day death difficult is that aspects of the holiday became associated with the death. Decorations can trigger memories of the death. Which considering decorating season in the retail sector starts in about October can prolong the grieving process the first few years. <br /><br />In my experience, this can also be the case with deaths near Christmas such as the 26th, it's a lot more pronounced for the 24th/25th. Plus there's often pressure on the survivors to participate in festive activities they may not be up to for the first couple of years. It the contrast between the expectations of joy and grief which can be tough. <br /><br />Going back to that episode, it would be difficult for the soldier's children to get excited about Santa when it's also the day of their father's death. His wife would have a hard time trying to provide a festive day for the children knowing her husband died on that same date. Granted, it wouldn't be that much easier knowing his death was the day after Christmas, but there is an important distinction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-21689431640585017272011-12-15T12:06:10.262-05:002011-12-15T12:06:10.262-05:00Unfortunately, in my family, we've had one Dec...Unfortunately, in my family, we've had one December 24th death (discovered the morning of the 25th) and 2 December 26th deaths. A good friend's family has also experienced a December 24th one. While all deaths are difficult and painful, when it occurs on Christmas Eve/Day or another such widely observed holiday, the anniversary of the death is inextricably linked to the holiday. <br /><br />Some people manage to gain a spiritual perspective. One of the survivors looks at Christmas Eve mass as a way to pay tribute to the person's life. Another would drink too much, pass out and have screaming, raging meltdowns (before the passing out). The person got sober, but still has the meltdowns.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-54232588670390426842009-11-05T02:33:10.931-05:002009-11-05T02:33:10.931-05:00A solid s9 entry. BJ's unwillingness to let th...A solid s9 entry. BJ's unwillingness to let the patient die on Xmas is fine pathos, as is Hawk and BJ's disagreement (Hawk: "Let him rest! It's over..."). <br /><br />The final exchange between Klinger and Charles at the end of their scene in the Swamp is one of my favorite moments in the entire series. Just the two acknowledging each other by their first names, but the genuine respect between the two men is unmistakable. <br /><br />A wonderful moment (and scene).What the Parrot Sawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08039363570921658045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-22746027974968380672009-11-04T16:14:38.164-05:002009-11-04T16:14:38.164-05:00I would say part of the reason it mattered to them...I would say part of the reason it mattered to them that he die on December 26th as opposed to Christmas Day has to do with getting every victory you can in wartime. For them, being there as long as they had, this tiny victory (if you can call it a victory) somehow helped them get through a terrible situation...just a thought.wiestikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15582642083355390743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2242198036084484844.post-55848337294604841422009-11-03T17:21:36.213-05:002009-11-03T17:21:36.213-05:00I agree with you, Rob, that this is one of the bet...I agree with you, Rob, that this is one of the better later-period episodes. The Charles-Klinger exchange is especially heartwarming. The scenes between BJ and Father Mulcahy are also great; "You've done your job, BJ, and now it's time for me to do mine!" You tell him, Father!! <br /><br />Although at the end I am always struck by the idea: why didn't they just lie in the first place? So I guess I agree with you again, Rob. <br /><br />If this was available on some type of "Christmas at MASH" collection I would buy it. However, the rest of season 9 doesn't make it worthwhile to get the whole season just for this episode.Russellnoreply@blogger.com