Source
r/mash•
MagnaCaesar

'George' S2 E22 - A new view now that I'm Out

M*A*S*H was one of my favorite TV shows growing up - and still is! I admittedly like the Potter/Hunnicut seasons more than the first three and often selectively watch these seasons. I just finished watching 'George' and God, I can't believe I have missed it for so long. I know for a fact I have seen it before. I've long been able to recall and episode about a gay soldier, but the details were a blur and all I can really remember is that it was a season with Frank.

I was probably ten or eleven when I last watched the episode, and had yet to realize that I was gay. Now, I am just in awe by the how well the subject was handled especially for 1974. There are no jokes at the expense of the gay character George Weston - in fact the jokes are at the expense of Frank and his bigotry. Hawkeye's defense of the soldier is incredible to watch too. George's determination to return to the front line too, to prove a gay man can and will serve just as dutifully is admirable too. This episode was truly ahead of its time, and honestly stands as an exemplar to many representations of gays even in media today.

So thank you M*A*S*H team. The effect this episode has had is far reaching. It's impact has reached a young gay man born nearly a quarter century after the episode first aired.

Posted May 18, 2019, 1:25 AM UTC · edited

519
Curugon•

Thanks for your insight. I never enjoyed this episode myself due to the ugly homophobia and gay-panic tropes, but maybe I’ll give it another shot next rewatch.

9
sosyerface104•

"So you're a negro".

Three words that carry so much importance and tell so much about that time in our history.

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MichaelJordansToupeeCrabapple Cove•

That's all well and good, but the episode isn't accurate as to what would have happened back in the 1950's. George would have been discharged, possibly dishonorably and maybe even faced a court martial.

-9
EthanRDoesMC•

well yes but the same could be said for a lot that happens in mash lol

10
MichaelJordansToupeeCrabapple Cove•

Actually no, because while Hawkeye, Trapper and BJ certainly got up to their share of mischief, even if Hot Lips and Frank did report it up the chain of command, I'm assuming that Frank would fuck something up along the way or that radar would screw up the paperwork or mail it to the wrong address.

The fact is that the sensibilties that Hawkeye, Trapper, Henry, Potter and BJ had when it came to social issues would NOT have been in the mainstream of American society, let alone the armed forces which had been desgegregated for less than 2 years when the Korean war broke out and there were still MASSIVE problems and fights between whites and black, particularly in the Marine Corps.

1
Swankishesque•

I don't know why you were downvoted. What you stated is a fact.

Fucking Reddit.

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MichaelJordansToupeeCrabapple Cove•

Ahhh, just the forty billionth example of people not being able to place themselves into the actual mindset of a time in the past where their views were NOT the mainstream view, they just handwave and handwave and call anyone who disagrees ie; the actual facts a 'hater/racist.'

2
ILoveTheLibrary•

Yes, but given the era that it was produced, it was well written, and without much homophobia.

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MichaelJordansToupeeCrabapple Cove•

Oh no doubt, but again, the writers took some artistic license because while the show was set in Korea it was understood that it was about Vietnam and later war in general, plus the mid 70's were a flowering (of sorts) for the gay rights movement in the US, even though gay marriage wasn't even a twinkle in ANYBODY'S eyes yet.

1