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[gratuitous]

35. Life imitates M*A*S*H

In one episode, a GI had had enough of the war, and after getting injured again, takes Dr. Winchester hostage one evening. He demands a chopper to get him out of there. Col. Potter persuades the young man (played by John Ritter, as I recall) to keep cool, but choppers can't fly at night, and he'll have to wait until morning. During the night, Cpl. Klinger succeeds in exchanging himself for Maj. Winchester, who is only too happy to get free. Klinger has a plan to use the other fellow's escape attempt as his ticket to leave the service without risking desertion charges.

When dawn finally arrives, the desperate GI has lost a lot of blood, and passes out when the chopper arrives. Klinger, not realizing his captor is in no condition to move, comes out of post-op with his hands up to head to the chopper. He suddenly realizes his erstwhile partner is no longer with him. He dashes back in, but the GI is unresponsive. Hoisting him up, Klinger attempts to carry/walk the guy to the waiting helicopter, admonishing everyone, "Stay back! He could come to at any moment!" Everyone rushes the unconscious would-be deserter, of course, order is restored, and Klinger is once again out of luck.

These stories seem more and more like Cpl. Klinger admonishing us, "Look out! This tactic won't work, we're onto it, but be scared just the same!"