Another stab at conversation.

[takenhawkeye.livejournal.com]

Just as there are the Trappers and the BJs, there are also two very distinctly different types of MASH fans -- those that prefer the early seasons, and those that prefer the later. There's no denying the difference in the early seasons to the later seasons, so the question is -- which are you? Mind you, I'm not necessarily saying one season is better than the other, but what do you think? Which do you prefer, and why, exactly?

Extra point to anyone who can tie this discussion topic into the point of this community. I refer you to the community name for those confused.

Hoping this sparks conversation, so don't hesitate to express your opinions.

Farewell.

Comments

[canpin.livejournal.com]

the later ones, definitely. although the earlier series had the slashy overtones [and trapper...mmm]frivolity and more hair on alan alda's head, the later shows capture the point of the show so much more- really driving home the whole 'war sucks' point of the sitcom. i particularly like the 4th and 5th series- and how the characters are explored more thoroughly. not to say it's all good- there's a later series that irks me, it may be 9 or 10- it was when they turned the laugh track back on i think. but yes.
though the early ones are always nice for a good perve, to put it nicely

[takenhawkeye.livejournal.com]

Must say, I think the fifth season is my favorite. And honestly, I think it depends on what you're looking for, as far as a favorite season. A good laugh, go for the early seasons. Truth, and a developed storyline, the later seasons.

Hair on Alan Alda's head? Well . . .

Farewell.

[canpin.livejournal.com]

ha ha. well any season for the hair i suppose, but i swear, what's really funny is watching the last series then going back to the pilot [like channel 7 did for example]- and you can see how much the actors have aged before you without you even realising- klinger especially- i remember him to appear be strangely young in series one.

[takenhawkeye.livejournal.com]

Can't forget Margaret. As much as I love her, she sometimes scares me in the late later seasons.

Too much lip, I think, as opposed to Frank's no-lips.

Farewell.

[canpin.livejournal.com]

yes! especially in the last one, with the farrah facet hair!
though i must say that in the early series...what can i say...that bun IRKED me

[takenhawkeye.livejournal.com]

Oh god, I know! Especially with the curly things on the side of her head . . . what on earth was with that?

Really, just the hair in general, of all the characters changed so drastically -- such as Charles sudden lack of poof.

Farewell.

[canpin.livejournal.com]

and when hawkeye had his hair and he pushed it right back so he didn't have a fringe...
i'd yell at the screen- "don't do that! fall hair! fall!"
but only when i was by myself, don't worry
[see you've got me talking about hair now, and i probably won't stop]

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

Ugh! So very true. I mean, I guess the bun was practical for OR, but I can totally understand the IRK.
It did look good when it was long and she just clipped it back...

and then she got scary

[ryttu3k.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure how qualified I am to answer this, having seen all of two seasons (eight and nine, and the first three from ten). But from what I've read about the show, I THINK I would prefer the later seasons... (and no, not just because BJ's one of my favourite characters!)

I like the... well, I like the funny episodes, but the serious, more political ones are really, really cool.

[chibicelchan.livejournal.com]

Well, you're in luck. I can definitely tie my answer into the point of the community. :)

I prefer the later seasons, after Charles arrived. I think the writing in the early seasons was a lot more edgy and I get a lot more deep belly-laughs from them...

But I can't help squeeing over the later seasons. Everyone just gets so... CUTE. It's the only word I can think of. Everyone's adorable.

Besides, my favorite slash pairing, Charles/Klinger, is only possible in the later seasons. :)

[abyssinia4077.livejournal.com]

Admittedly I know seasons 1-5 much better then the later ones, having seen all the episodes on dvd, and only bits of the later ones, I think I prefer the middle seasons, followed by the later and then the first 3.
I like Henry, and I dont' mind Trapper, and there are several really good episodes in the first 3 seasons, but most of the time it feels like M*A*S*H is still trying to find itself, and is too scared to be serious. The middle seasons I think struck the perfect balance between still being really funny while dealing with serious issues. I like Frank much better when Potter can handle him, and I really really like BJ. The later seasons are good, but I think M*A*S*H did start running out of steam at the end (understandably).

[canpin.livejournal.com]

I like Frank much better when Potter can handle him
oh i know. frank gets so incredibly scary in those later episodes that i am frightened to watch him at times

[mash4ever.livejournal.com]

All the seasons.


there, easy as that. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_grayswandir_/]

I'm going to agree with abyssinia4077 and say that the middle episodes were my favorites. The earlier seasons were sillier and often funnier, but less believable and usually less poignant. On the other hand, the later seasons started to get really redundant, and the sincerity of the pathos was lost due to the fact that by the end they were practically hitting you over the head with it.

Another thing is the characters; I think their roles were best in the middle seasons. In the beginning, for instance, Klinger was almost purely comic-relief; by the end he was almost completely serious. In the middle episodes, he was both funny and serious, which I thought was best. In the beginning, Frank was obviously the bad guy; by the end, Charles was obviously a good guy. In the middle episodes, Frank started to get some character, and seemed to deserve pity almost as much as reproach; similarly, Charles in the middle episodes was a pompous ass at least as often as he was a decent human being. The balance was good.

Of course, there were both fantastic episodes and mediocre episodes in every season. But I think seasons 4-8 really had it, the perfect blend of comedy and tragedy, with slapstick, cocky wit, dry sarcasm, serious politics, developed characters, intense storylines...

Oh yes, and of course, plenty of slashy subtext. :)