Divided We Stand
Encyclopedia
"Divided We Stand" was the 25th episode of the M*A*S*H television series, and first of season two. The episode aired on September 13, 1973.
, to investigate the camp. Henry’s attempts to make everyone get along, and thereby prevent the dissolution of his unit, are met with humorous results.
The episode ends with a camp loudspeaker announcement which is near-identical to the final loudspeaker announcement in the original MASH
film, backed by an arrangement of the theme song which served as the opening music for three episodes in the first season.
, on the 4077th. Clayton is sending Hildebrand to the 4077 M*A*S*H unit to assess whether the unit can function as a team. He is to recommend if the unit needs to be broken up or remain intact. His briefing serves as an introduction to the main characters.
When Captain Hildebrand arrives at the camp, he tells Henry about the assignment, warning him that it is to be kept a secret. Henry is very upset at the notion of his team being broken up. Even so, he is hard-pressed to explain such things as his dire need for a drink at the moment, and Klinger's cross-dressing
.
Henry arranges a late-night meeting in the shower with Hawkeye and Trapper, where he tells them about Hildebrand. They promise to be on their best behavior.
Henry next confronts Margaret and Frank about the reasons behind Hildebrand's visit. Margaret confesses to sending a report to General Clayton denouncing Blake's command. Henry counters by saying that if the unit is broken up, Frank and Margaret will also be separated.
In the meantime, Hildebrand has been following Henry, observing him tipping off the staff as to the true nature of his visit.
The trumpet is playing morning reveille. It wakes up the unit. You see them walking to the officers mess hall. Margaret, Frank, Hildebrand, Blake, Hawkeye, and Trapper are eating breakfast. They are trying to be nice to each other but can not help but looked forced. They laugh a lot too late and are snide with each other.
Margaret and Frank have a tryst. Hawkeye and Trapper nail the door shut. Frank and Margaret meet in the women’s shower. You see a male officer leaving the women’s shower carrying his clothes.
In the next scene Hildebrand is giving his report out loud to the officers, telling them they are childish and unprofessional. As he lectures them, they continue their childish, unprofessional behavior. Radar interrupts them and tells them that there are incoming injured. They race to the operating room and go into action at their best. Hildebrand watches as the team works in a wonderful rhythm together. He starts getting ill at what he sees and retires to the male officers tent. He makes himself a drink. When the general arrives, he finds Hildebrand drunk in the officers’ tent. Hildebrand gives him the following report: the 4077 are in an impossible situation, doing an impossible job, under impossible conditions, and so he does not recommend breaking them up.
Overview
This episode reintroduces the premise and characters of the show as Brigadier General Crandall Clayton, considering breaking up the 4077th, sends Captain Hildebrand, a psychiatristPsychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
, to investigate the camp. Henry’s attempts to make everyone get along, and thereby prevent the dissolution of his unit, are met with humorous results.
The episode ends with a camp loudspeaker announcement which is near-identical to the final loudspeaker announcement in the original MASH
MASH (film)
MASH is a 1970 American satirical dark comedy film directed by Robert Altman and written by Ring Lardner, Jr., based on Richard Hooker's novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors. It is the only feature film in the M*A*S*H franchise...
film, backed by an arrangement of the theme song which served as the opening music for three episodes in the first season.
Plot synopsis
Brigadier General Clayton briefs Captain Hildebrand, a psychiatristPsychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. All psychiatrists are trained in diagnostic evaluation and in psychotherapy...
, on the 4077th. Clayton is sending Hildebrand to the 4077 M*A*S*H unit to assess whether the unit can function as a team. He is to recommend if the unit needs to be broken up or remain intact. His briefing serves as an introduction to the main characters.
When Captain Hildebrand arrives at the camp, he tells Henry about the assignment, warning him that it is to be kept a secret. Henry is very upset at the notion of his team being broken up. Even so, he is hard-pressed to explain such things as his dire need for a drink at the moment, and Klinger's cross-dressing
Cross-dressing
Cross-dressing is the wearing of clothing and other accoutrement commonly associated with a gender within a particular society that is seen as different than the one usually presented by the dresser...
.
Henry arranges a late-night meeting in the shower with Hawkeye and Trapper, where he tells them about Hildebrand. They promise to be on their best behavior.
Henry next confronts Margaret and Frank about the reasons behind Hildebrand's visit. Margaret confesses to sending a report to General Clayton denouncing Blake's command. Henry counters by saying that if the unit is broken up, Frank and Margaret will also be separated.
In the meantime, Hildebrand has been following Henry, observing him tipping off the staff as to the true nature of his visit.
The trumpet is playing morning reveille. It wakes up the unit. You see them walking to the officers mess hall. Margaret, Frank, Hildebrand, Blake, Hawkeye, and Trapper are eating breakfast. They are trying to be nice to each other but can not help but looked forced. They laugh a lot too late and are snide with each other.
Margaret and Frank have a tryst. Hawkeye and Trapper nail the door shut. Frank and Margaret meet in the women’s shower. You see a male officer leaving the women’s shower carrying his clothes.
In the next scene Hildebrand is giving his report out loud to the officers, telling them they are childish and unprofessional. As he lectures them, they continue their childish, unprofessional behavior. Radar interrupts them and tells them that there are incoming injured. They race to the operating room and go into action at their best. Hildebrand watches as the team works in a wonderful rhythm together. He starts getting ill at what he sees and retires to the male officers tent. He makes himself a drink. When the general arrives, he finds Hildebrand drunk in the officers’ tent. Hildebrand gives him the following report: the 4077 are in an impossible situation, doing an impossible job, under impossible conditions, and so he does not recommend breaking them up.