Life at the 4077th

The 4077th is a M.A.S.H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) Unit during the Korean War, which lasted from 1950-1953. Of course, if you think about it, is the war entirely over, or just on hold? There is undeniable tension between North and South Korea that was not finished, and was probably aggravated by the war. But that is not what this post is about.

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Specifically, the 4077th is an imaginary M.A.S.H. unit that is the setting for the movie and popular television series called "M*A*S*H." I have not seen it in order, so I cannot tell you how the show begins. I have not seen the last show, so I cannot tell you how it ends. I have seen a disjointed middle so I cannot review the chronological progression of the series. Well.... what can I do?! Good question. I can tell you the enjoyment, critical thinking, and historical history this show has provided me thus far.

According to a news article I read online (I cannot link the exact one, as I did not bookmark it), M*A*S*H was the first show to be produced as a drama/comedy. One minute you will be laughing at Dr.'s Hawkeye and Trapper/Hunnicutt, the next you will be practically crying over the physical and mental shape of an 18 year old soldier. It is a roller coaster ride of emotions, but I promise you'll like it. (Or, at least I do.) Because, see, the deep sad stuff has to be in a show based off an army hospital on the front lines, or it would be completely unrealistic. And, at least for me, if the show was only drama and sadness, I am not sure I would like it half as  much as I do.

Dr. Hawkeye Pierce is one of the main characters. He is a wonderful surgeon who does not want to be in Korea. How does he cope with all he sees? He makes jokes and takes the war lightly. There are times however when Pierce gets serious and you see the hurt and gravity of Pierce and his true view on his times in Korea.

I love Hawkeye. Sure, sometimes I get annoyed with his careless attitude, his cocky way of talking about women, his disregard for authority can hurt the unit. But he means well, he is a good surgeon, and when push comes to shove, he is kind and helpful. He certainly has his flaws, but Hawkeye makes for a wonderful and complex main character.

As much as he and Dr. Trapper had good repartee, I liked when he and Hunnicut where the main surgeons in the later seasons. Hunnicut is refreshing in a M*A*S*H unit where sexual morality is now the norm. Before that, every character has a loose and careless view on matrimony, Those who are married cheat on their wives, and I know this is an accurate depiction for war time. SOMETIMES. But Hunnicut loves his wife and child, and from the minute he steps into the camp until the end (or at least in all the episodes I have seen) B.J. Hunnicut is faithful to and vocal about his love for his wife and child.

Hawkeye seems to be more of a pacifist. He always talks of ending the war, speaks of peace negotiations (though cynically, because they hardly ever come to anything, as negotiations had been talked of since the start of the war), and bemoans the loss of lives on both sides. Yes, both. Hawkeye will not bat an eyelash if you bring him a wounded enemy soldier. He will just slip on his gloves, order a nurse to get some anesthesia, and get to work on his new patient. And I love that about him. Seeing the horrendous-ness of war, seeing "the enemy" as real human beings with good and bad qualities, who are equally as likely to grab a knife from the surgical tray or thank you for operating on them. One Korean spy even ends up helping the M*A*S*H unit when they show him kindness and he sees the great need of the patients.

Watching these shows has me thinking on my own beliefs about war and pacifism, the "us" vs. "them" mentality. Because it is never that simple. People are messy, beautiful, kind, awful, strong, brave, weak, and fragile. Often all at the same time. War is not as-was it Hemingway that Hawkeye had read and admired before the war?-well, anyway, war is not as honorable and clean cut as Hemingway made it out to be in his literature.

There is Sydney, a returning guest star, who is a psychiatrist for the Korean War. Seeing patients, doctors, and soldiers mental and emotional state is heartbreaking. The problems and PTSD that sets in before the war is even over is traumatic. And though it is just a show, such things are not just part of the show, They happened and are happening and will happen in the foreseeable future. This is messy stuff that cannot just be swept under the rug.

And I had never really been forced to confront my thoughts on war, trauma, and the like until I had watched this show. Not that I have it all figured out now that I have been pondering it, but I have views now, however fragile, and I have logical reasons for holding them.

I also love the way that the writers treat Father Mulcahy. The Father is the only religious figure at the 4077th. There is no residential rabbi or Buddhist teacher. (Although the Fr. has performed other religious ceremonies for people throughout the show.) All religions are treated with respect and honor. Father Mulcahy lives out what he teaches, cares for others, acts as a priest on Sundays, nurse when needed, and psychologist/spiritual guide when the time is right. Everyone, from the agnostic Hawkeye to the Jewish Sydney respect and admire the Father. I don't know, I really can't explain everything clearly, so just watch for it in the show. :)

While Henry Blake was funny as an inept M.A.S.H leader, I really liked the fatherly and war seasoned Col. Potter. Love love love Col. Potter. That is all (and yet not all, because I could list so many reasons... see the show though, and you'll find plenty of reasons to love Colonel Potter) Okay, one reason is the quote shown in this picture. <3

At first I did not like Major Margaret Houlihan. She is the head nurse at 4077 and she is bossy and unkind. She dismisses Hawkeye and has a relationship with the married and bigoted Major Frank Burns. However Margaret grows as well, especially after Frank leaves. She is a strong female character, with a big job at the M.A.S.H. unit. Without her the doctors could not perform successful surgeries. She and the nurses are truly the unsung heroes of the 4077. I really appreciate that the men, while occasionally making sexist and degrading comments, recognize that Margaret does a hard job, and works as hard and can do as well or better what any of the men at the unit do. They are a team, and when men and women get together to accomplish a larger goal, it is really inspiring to see the process and its results.

Okay, so we have covered war, pacifism, trauma, PTSD, "enemies," feminism/femininity, religion/God, and humor, And I think it is safe to say that most or all of these subjects can be found in practically every episode of M*A*S*H.

Please go watch this show. It is so much more than an interesting "dramedy" and I cannot wait to see more. This show covers so much about the human condition, life, and war specifically. There is the good and the bad, the saints and the sinners, and everything in between. I'm not sure how many shows can rival M*A*S*H in these aspects, however good they may be.

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Everyone needs a show that can make them laugh, cry, learn, and think over the "deep" questions. M*A*S*H is certainly mine. What is yours?

In Which I discuss books, music, and movies

Okay, so it has been a little bit. And, sadly, this post is not going to be a review. It is going to be.... miscellaneous? I'm really not sure what to call it.

First, I would like to start out by telling you guys how UNBELIEVABLY EXCITED I AM. Why am I excited? Only because three books I have been looking forward to are coming out soon! Yes, you heard that right.... THREE NEW BOOKS.

Books

Here they are (in order of date being published):

September 2, 2014

This is the newest installment in the comfy, cozy, Father Tim Mitford series. I am looking forward to catching up with Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, and the rest of my "old friends." 

Synopsis:

While glad to be at home in Mitford, something is definitely missing: a pulpit. But when he’s offered one, he decides he doesn’t want it. Maybe he’s lost his passion.

His adopted son, Dooley, wrestles with his own passion—for the beautiful and gifted Lace Turner, and his vision to become a successful country vet. Dooley’s brother, Sammy, still enraged by his mother’s abandonment, destroys one of Father Tim’s prized possessions. And Hope Murphy, owner of Happy Endings bookstore, struggles with the potential loss of her unborn child and her hard-won business.

All this as Wanda’s Feel Good Café opens, a romance catches fire through an Internet word game, their former mayor hatches a reelection campaign to throw the bums out, and the weekly Muse poses a probing inquiry: Does Mitford still take care of its own?

Millions of fans will applaud the chance to spend time, once more, in the often comic and utterly human presence of Jan Karon’s characters. Indeed, they have never been more sympathetic, bighearted, and engaging.

October 20, 2014, obviously

I am actually REALLY excited about this one; I am not sure I can even wait.... I might explode. This book is going to be much different than my usual literary tastes, but.... it sounds awesome. And Jennifer Freitag is awesome. Here blog is awesome. Therefore, I am hoping this book is awesome as well. I read her first book, the Shadow Things, and really liked it. I can't wait to see how her skills have been even more fine toned in this upcoming novel. (To read snippets, details, etc. go to her blog and click on the Plenilune tag.)

Synopsis:

The fate of Plenilune hangs on the election of the Overlord, for which Rupert de la Mare and his brother are the only contenders, but when Rupert’s unwilling bride-to-be uncovers his plot to murder his brother, the conflict explodes into civil war. To assure the minds of the lord-electors of Plenilune that he has some capacity for humanity, Rupert de la Mare has been asked to woo and win a lady before he can become the Overlord, and he will do it—even if he has to kidnap her. 

En route to Naples to catch a suitor, Margaret Coventry was not expecting a suitor to catch her.

November 5, 2014

I love Rachel Heffington's first novel Fly Away Home, and I am really excited for Anon, Sir, Anon. It is an old fashioned British murder mystery, quirky villagers and all! So I am really excited about it. :)

Synopsis:

In coming to Whistlecreig, Genevieve Langley expected to find an ailing uncle in need of gentle care. In reality, her charge is a cantankerous Shakespearean actor with a penchant for fencing and an affinity for placing impossible bets.

When a body shows up in a field near Whistlecreig Manor and Vivi is the only one to recognize the victim, she is unceremoniously baptized into the art of crime-solving: a field in which first impressions are seldom lasting and personal interest knocks at the front door.

Set against the russet backdrop of a Northamptonshire fog, Anon, Sir, Anon cuts a cozy path to a chilling crime.

Music

The Civil Wars (especially Poison & Wine)

Tenth Avenue North (especially... everything. :))

Clair de Lune by Debussy

Pride & Prejudice Soundtrack 2005 (especially Daydreams)

Collide by Howie Day (especially the Anne and Gilbert version. Go look it up on YouTube. I think you are going to like it!)

Movie(s)

Dead Poets Society: So I watched this last night, and it was... interesting. It was different than I thought it would be. It was thought provoking, and it was rather tough. I may have a more coherent review later, but then again, maybe not. Some ideas and impressions just stick in my brain, half-formed, only really felt, not easily expressed. This is why I have difficulty in English class. They love for you to dissect, describe, and pretty much rip an idea to shreds. Which, I am sure, is a good exercise, but hard to put into practice. My head is full of half-formed, baby thoughts, too fragile or too rough to behold in the harsh light of day. That sounds rather silly, but that really is how it is. Do you all ever have that kind of thought? (Or thoughts?)

So I have a confession to make: I have never liked poetry. I really actually hate it. I know, shame on me. For three consecutive years my English teachers have taken a unit to introduce students to good poetry, teach them how to appreciate it, analyze it, dissect it, and altogether absorb it. And I was having none of that. I was sure after each unit that I would never want to read poetry on my own. But, now I kind of do. Because, if I only had ever read books through what the school assigns, I daresay I would think I disliked reading....

So what poems/poets/books do you guys recommend (especially for a beginner! Especially for someone who has disliked poetry in the past...) I have no idea where to begin, and I'm hoping for some recommendations. Also, if anyone has some good tips on how to read/understand/really digest poetry, I am all ears. Thanks in advance! :)

Our Mutual Friend (1998) Review

So it has been a little while since I have seen this. I probably saw it March-April-ish so bear with me.

When I watched Dicken's Our Mutual Friend miniseries, I had not yet read the book, so at first I was really confused. Then as things became more clear I couldn't wait to watch the next episodes.

Our Mutual Friend begins with the death of a wealthy heir, John Harmon, (or whatever his name was at the time, since he changed it a lot. For this review, I am just going to call him John Harmon.) who is sailing to meet his future bride. (The only way he can inherit the fortune is to marry Bella Wilfur.)
What is supposedly his dead body is found in the river by Gaffer Hexam and his daughter Lizzy. Thus begins the intricate plot of Our Mutual Friend. There are the token creepy dudes off to find the Harmon fortune (Silas Wegg and his friend.) There is also Charley Hexam's teacher, who is attracted to Lizzy Hexam. At first I thought maybe those two would work out, but people. He is NUTS. Very weird. Very vindictive and angry. By the end everything he did disgusted me. And he really could not have loved sweet Lizzy or he would have been happy for her instead of ruining all her hopes and dreams.

There are also the Boffins, the faithful servants of old Mr. Harmon and the new heirs to the fortune. Sometimes I liked them and sometimes they were a little weird. But really, their hearts were in the right place. And for all his declared "dimness," Mr. Boffin came up with an ingenious plan to show Bella where her true priorities lay.

                                            
Bella was pretty, but selfish and rude. She cared all about herself, she complained often, and was often petulant. I did not like her. How could John have? But he did and she refused him. (I could have told him that would happen. Plus, he was kind of being stalker-ish so I might have been a little worried too if I had been Bella.) Her change was believable though and I really grew to be quite fond of her. How could she be so okay with John lying to her and keeping such a big secret from her? I would have forgiven him, but I would have been mad at first. I mean, lying about your identity is kind of a big deal.... anyway.

Eugene Wrayburn and Mortimer Lightwood were foppish. Mortimer not as much, but still. And they were bored of everything. (though I could rather understand that, "Society" is dreadful company.)

                           
At first I wasn't happy with Eugene liking Lizzy. She kept saying she was beneath him, but honestly? He was beneath her. He put his own needs in front of hers. Except when it really mattered, he tried to do what was best for her. And he married her. What would Society think? Society be dashed! It was a great transformation for him.

Mortimer Lightwood... He finally saw the light and proclaimed the truth to society. BUT he was still back in London society when the show ended, so I am not really sure how well off he was. There was not even a nice girl in the picture. Sad, that.

Anyway, it all works out. The bad guys are punished, the good guys prevail, and the heros and heroines get their happily ever afters. (After a lot of worry and distress and SUCH a complicated plot.)

It was classic Dickens, with lots of characters, sub plots, and everyone was somehow related to everyone else. It was really good, and I enjoyed it. I found it for free on YouTube here.

And now I am going to post a bunch of Bella's dresses 'cause I love 'em. :)

                    

                                                           

                             

Review of Rear Window

So Rear Window was my first taste of the infamous Alfred Hitchcock. It was good, but.... not what I was expecting! What I mean is, I thought it would be more of a Agatha Christie or typical gangster or something... but it was everyday life, the whole movie took place from one room, and no murder or body was shown. No policeman really, either. Just Jimmy Stewart, the lovely Grace Kelly, and Thelma Ritter.

Photographer "Jeff" has broken his leg, and is stuck in his apartment for weeks. He takes to people watching... and believes his neighbor has murdered his invalid wife!

At first everyone discredits this. He didn't even see anything, really. But then his glamorous girlfriend, Lisa starts to think he may be right. But his detective friend Doyle discredits Jeff after a brief search for clues. So Jeff, Lisa, and Jeff's nurse Stella decide to solve this thing for themselves!

        

It is mostly suspense that makes this murder mystery, not wild chases or blood and gore. It is unlike any other movie I have ever seen. Most of it was just "people watching." They developed these neighbors so much! And we never actually "meet" any of them really; yet they each have their own little story.

I was especially interested in the lonely woman in the apartment across the way. I loved her ending. So perfect for her!

And Grace Kelly is a perfect, blonde haired, blue eyed, tiny waist-ed little doll! My goodness, her outfits were gorgeous! How she stays with Jeff when he is so dismissive.... he really doesn't deserve her! ;)

And the nurse made for a little humor. She was quite funny, without even meaning to be most of the time.

So overall, this movie was nice but a little slow. The suspense, however, makes up for the slowness at the beginning.

Little Women: A Review

So in my last post, I promised a review on “Little Women” (the 1994) movie, would be forthcoming. Well here it is-coming forth. J Okay, sorry about that.

I read Little Women around…. Third grade? Fourth grade? I’m not exactly sure. I liked it. I liked An Old Fashioned Girl and A Rose in Bloom better though.

But it’s really growing on me. My problem with it was mostly this: Jo didn’t marry the cute, funny, sweet, and lonely Laurie. And they are so cute together! 

                                  

I always got the feeling Laurie just married Amy because he liked the March family so much and was determined to get in it, one way or another. I felt that Miss Alcott threw Professor Bhaer on us at the last minute and was like, “Do you really want Jo to end up with SOMEONE? Well then, you ASKED for it!” Mocking me with their incompatibility and extreme age difference. Humph.

Now my opinion isn’t exactly that. I still hold true to the statement that Jo and Laurie should have been together, but I grudgingly admit that Professor Bhaer has his virtues. There.

Now this is for the book, mind you. I just saw the 1994 movie about a month ago, and enjoyed myself hugely. I came to know Jo better. (I used to think her a bit boyish and over the top and semi revolutionary….) Now I feel I can connect with her more. I love to read, try to write, and I can get a bit mad and lose my temper at times too. (The scene where Amy burns Jo’s book is simply horrifying. If that EVER happened to me… well.)

                     

I also came to like Professor Bhaer better. (The Prof. Bhaer’s accent and cuteness in the movie helped quite a bit…) BUT I still hold on to my Jo/Laurie hopes a little. I can’t help it. I still think that if Laurie wasn’t going to end up with Jo, he shouldn’t go for Amy. No, no, no. I feel, as Amy said in the movie, that she thinks he likes her for her family and not for herself.

 One thing that really spoke to me as I got older was the familial ties, the March sisters loving and close relationship, the general “kindred spiritness” of it all. That’s what I really love about classics. They often feature simple, wonderful, surprising, unusual everyday life.

This movie should have had me ranting and raving about how it’s not true to the book, and it’s a bit short, etc. But… with all its inaccuracies, it’s a wonderful movie that caught the essence of Little Women and has a wonderful soundtrack. Which is always a huge plus. I also thought the characters were fairly well cast, though I don’t remember Marmee being quite so “revolutionary” in her views and sometimes rather forward. Mr. March was not how I pictured him, but luckily he wasn’t in it much. Winona Ryder was a wonderful Jo. I have no complaints on that score.

   

One thing I want to stick in that doesn’t necessarily pertain to Little Women, but does pertain to Louisa May Alcott…I think some film director out there should get a hold of An Old Fashioned Girl or A Rose in Bloom. I would LOVE that! But I (or someone who is a devoted reader of such books, like myself) should supervise and make sure things are done right. Because there’s nothing worse than film writers and directors who positively RUIN a wonderful book. It is better off unmade than made badly. That’s all for my Little Women/Louisa May Alcott post. I hope you enjoyed!

P.S. I'm not completely sure what is going on with the font but it sort of looks like a typewriter, no? Next time I'll try to get it back to normal.

P.P.S. The ending was so cute. That's when Prof. Bhaer kind of got to me. :) Enjoy

Review of Fiddler on the Roof

Hello all! So sorry that it's been a little while since my last post.... I really wanted to do Miss Dashwood's musicals week! So, along the same lines, I am reviewing Fiddler on the Roof!

I heard from several blogs that it was one of their top favorite movies... and I hadn't seen it! Luckily, it was on YouTube, and I watched the whole thing Sunday evening.

And it was marvelous! The music was wonderful, the story touching, and the movie was very well cast, IMHO.... especially Tevye.

The movie was not just fluff, either. It really got me to thinking about prejudices, about changing times, Tradition, and marriage (especially "outside the Faith." More on that later.)

I think it's so interesting that Tevye, a poor dairy farmer and a fairly uneducated man, shows such strength, patience, and wisdom.

                            

He makes a ton of tough decisions. Allowing his eldest to marry the man of her choice after he made an arranged marriage with an old but wealthy butcher, allowing his second eldest to marry... I believe he's a communist, from his theories and his teachings of the Holy Book. :) "And the moral of the story is, don't trust an employer." RIIIIIGHT. But one of the most important decisions and one that really made me think was when he couldn't seem to accept Chava marrying a Christian.

I wondered what I thought about marrying outside my faith. I decided to ask my mom about it. She said she is living proof of that very thing because she did marry outside of her faith... sort of. My dad's mother was a Christian, but he wasn't really raised anything and still isn't. He's not atheist exactly, but....

Well, anyway, she said it might prove to be rather difficult to marry outside the faith, especially to someone who may be a devout something else, like Muslim or a Jew. My aunt said that she and my uncle really bonded over their faith, and she loved that they could support each other on this, and go to church together, and well... everything along those lines.

So I'm still thinking. I believe I'd have to REALLY REALLY love him to even consider such a thing. Because being a Christian would just be a wonderful, wonderful bond to have, and I think it is super important. I feel it would help everything out. But that's a big question and I think I'm just going to let the idea just float around for a little bit. What are your thoughts on marrying outside the faith?

Prejudice was also a serious issue. Why do others feel they are better than some people? That they are learning the "right" things and doing the "right" things or wearing the "right" things.... We have actually been discussing prejudice in English and we have decided prejudice is a society thing. You aren't born shunning people different from you. It is something you are taught as you go through life. It really hurt seeing all the hard working Jews kicked out of their homes and losing their jobs and losing their friends. And all because they were Jewish. Different. Not like "us." They had really done nothing wrong.

 I've never really liked bittersweet endings. I liked the end of Fiddler on the Roof I suppose, but at the same time I didn't like it at all, you know?

                   

Anyway, away from deep topics.... the music was so fun! The bottle dance was fascinating, "If I Were a Rich Man" had me laughing, especially with Tevye's odd dance! "Sunrise, Sunset" was beautiful. I could go on, but let me suffice to say it was lovely.

                    
I feel I've learned more about the Jewish faith and their beliefs. I was very interested in their ceremony and ideals and prayers. The peasant way of life in Russia then was a real eye-opener too. There was such a wide gap between the poor and the middle class!

Golde was an interesting character too. She was tough and busy and impatient; but at the same time she was soft on the inside and content, and considerate. Rather confusing, huh? And her an Tevye's "Do You Love Me?'" was sweet. I got kind of annoyed that it took her so long to admit it though....

And by the end of the movie I was glad at least one "tradition" is really no longer in practice: arranged marriages. This song explains it all:

It was a wonderful movie and I'm sure I shall be watching it again soon! Have any of you seen Fiddler on the Roof? What did you think of it? What are your opinions on any of my "topics?'"  (Keep it kind) Finally, I make no promises, but I sign off hoping to come out with a review of the movie Little Women (1994)soon.

                     

A Review of "Roman Holiday"

I don't know if I've shared this before, but I love old television shows and movies. I kept hearing about "Roman Holiday." And since I love old shows, and adored Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady" and Gregory Peck in "To Kill a Mockingbird," I knew I had to see it.

So when I saw it while browsing the library shelves, it was a given. I sat down with a pad of paper and a pen and cuddled up for some good old fashioned romance. I was not disappointed.

Princess Anne (Hepburn) is taking a A European tour. She is sheltered and guarded to within an inch of her life. One night, she is able to escape and have a little adventure in Rome. She meets a young American newspaper man (Peck) and- you will never guess- they fall in love. But the ending is not  predictable. It's rather bittersweet, I warn you. 

So, in the beginning of the film Audrey starts out looking elegantly regal in a beautiful gown with shining jewels. She has a humorous but cringe-worthy scene where she loses her high heeled shoe. She acts the part of benevolent princess and dances and smiles through the ball.   

Later that evening, with Countess Vereberg, her guardian, she finally snaps and loses her composure. She does not want to act respectful and charmed and put together all the time. She is very young, so I believe that's rather to be expected. She gets a little hysterical and the countess sends for the doctor. The doctor gives her a shot to calm her down and go to sleep. (suspicious, no?) 

After they leave to let the medicine take effect, Ann flees. When she is in Rome, all alone, the medicine starts to work and she starts getting very sleepy. This is how Joe Bradley, the newspaper man, finds her. He doesn't know who she is. There are several silly scenes where Princess Anne is feeling rather silly. He finds out her identity the next morning (And Ann doesn't know he knows). He pretends he has no idea who she is. They have a wonderful day doing whatever Anne wishes in Rome. Joe hopes to get a story on her and has his friend, Irving, take pictures of the Princess. (Discreetly of course, so she doesn't know.) 

I won't share their adventures and shenanigans on this post. It would give away the whole movie. But there were many ;). 

The scenery was fantastic. This was actually filled in Rome and has many stunning shots. The clothes were lovely- I loved Audrey's outfits! Her new hairstyle suited her, I think.

It is an old movie, so there are no inappropriate scenes. Joe Bradley does take Princess Anne back to his apartment, but only because she cannot (or will not) tell him where she is staying. Nothing happens though, so it's safe. :) 

Have any of you seen Roman Holiday? What's your favorite black and white film?