#also ngl the format in an episode?? i’d die!!!

[fcntasmas-archive]

I recently read keep going, keep going come what may (admittedly without reading any of the tags/notes, so going in totally blind and started off a bit confused lol) and oh my god it was amazing! [spoilers below for anyone who hasn't read it yet :)]

When I realized the "hallucinations" were those who were currently visiting Buck and the conversations he was dreaming with them were really stemming from the one-sided conversations they were saying to him at his bedside?! I immediately had to start back from the top to reread with that perspective and it made it all the more heartbreaking but so, so good. Like, the conversations when Buck starts to "flicker" and you can tell the others are able to see from their side that something is going down hill and he's deteriorating. Chim telling him that things are going to get rough from here on out but he has to hang in there and keep trying, *forehead touch* that he can do anything. AH!!! And then Eddie asking him to keep fighting but letting him know he'll love him either way. (not my heart splintering into a million pieces over here). I know there have been some 6B theories about Buck maybe going into a coma or having some sort of head injury-induced dream, and idk if that will actually happen, but if it does, I would really really love if they used this fic's format where we get to hear what everyone is saying to Buck, gradually have him come to the realization of what's happening, and make a final decision between "moving on" or going back to them <3 Thanks so much for writing and sharing this fic! It's incredible!

HELLO???? this is actually so sweet of you i’m gonna cry 🥺🥺🥺 ilysm thank you for taking time out of your day to send me this kgkgcwm has SUCH a special place in my heart and even though it’s probably my least popular buddie fic it’s also the one i probably had the best time writing so??? comments like these make me so happy thank u again this genuinely made my whoooole day ilysm ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[icameheretowinry]

So, as someone who also loves MASH (watched it in syndication and bought the whole series on DVD), so you have like a top 5 favorite episode or moments? If so, what are they? And how did you feel about the finale? I have been told that my dad did not like the finale and some old family friends also said it wasn't... Good. Me? I'm conflicted. I do see the pros and cons of what happens but you might be the only generational peer I know. So your opinion means a lot to me.

Wow! I was not expecting this ask, but I’m so glad you sent it. To be honest, it’s been a couple years since I sat down and rewatched the whole series chronologically, but I think I remember it enough to answer your question. (That, and I went through each episode summary to jog my memory.) 

I decided to go with my top 5 favorite episodes. (Specific moments just felt too… specific?) These opinions have definitely changed over the years, and they may change when I watch the show again, but for now, they’re as follows: 

Season 1, Episode 17: Sometimes You Hear The Bullet

This was the first episode I remember seeing Hawkeye vulnerable. Some later episodes with Sidney attempt to dive into his mind when strange reactions arise, but they always felt a bit forced in my opinion. This episode, on the other hand, was simple, yet devastating. Colonel Blake’s quote sums it up perfectly: “There are certain rules about a war. Rule number one is that young men die. And rule number two is, doctors can’t change rule number one.” This episode really sets the tone for the whole series. There’s going to be a lot of humor, but we’re not going to let you forget where these characters are. 

Season 4, Episode 18: Hawkeye

This episode was masterfully written. Hawkeye gets in an accident, and then must talk constantly to the Korean family who takes him in, in order to stay conscious. It’s the only episode of a sit-com I can recall is entirely a monologue, yet it never feels boring. Hawkeye’s character is at the forefront with his humor, but always in the background is his intelligence and concern for his wellbeing. It’s an episode that truly showcases both sides of his character in a way that is both natural, and funny enough, entertaining. 

Season 4, Episode 24: The Interview

I must say that the atmosphere of this show is always perfect, but this episode was especially so. Shot in black and white, it really doesn’t feel like anyone is truly acting when the journalist interviews the cast of characters from the 4077th. It seems like it’s more of a documentary segment than an episode of a military sit-com. As someone who comes from a journalistic background, I now appreciate the unique writing in this episode more so than I did when I was young. MASH was all about unique episode formats, and this is one of its best examples. 

Season 9, Episode 5: Death Takes A Holiday

I’m not a crier, but this episode did it for me. As funny and serious about political/societal issues as this show was (many of which are still very relevant today), sometimes, things were just supposed to be sad, because that’s the way things were. The moment Hawkeye stood up and changed the hands of the clock, I lost it. It’s a gesture that speaks more than any dialogue in the episode, but it completely broke my heart. Mike Farrell’s writing/directing talent really showed in this episode. 

Season 11, Episode 5: Who Knew?

Like the first episode I mentioned, this is another where the audience gets a “surprising” amount of humility, vulnerability, and honesty out of Hawkeye. It’s a heartbreaking realization to some that someone could be so rich on the inside, yet never share it. Not judging others based on many circumstances is a theme upheld throughout the show, but this is really the first episode where it forces the 4077th to look at themselves a little more closely. As it turns out, someone they perceived as distant, was actually in awe of their work, and unfathomably kind. Just a little shy. Hawkeye admits that’s he’s like her, but openly shares with those he cares about just how much so. It doesn’t feel forced, cheesy, or weighted. It feels like honesty, showing through the wisecracks. 

Honorable Mentions:

Season 1 Episode 2: To Market, To Market

Season 3 Episode 5: O.R.

Season 3 Episode 11: Adam’s Ribs

Season 4 Episode 4: The Late Captain Pierce

Season 6 Episode 7: In Love And War

Season 6 Episode 15: The Smell Of Music

Season 7 Episode 10: Point Of View

Season 7 Episode 20: CAVE

Season 8 Episode 11: Life Time

I know a lot of these episodes are more serious or deviant from the normal structure, but I just want to stay that I love all the humor, but these are moments that stick out to me. 

The Finale: 

To be honest, the first time I saw the finale as an adult (about 4 years ago), I thought it was perfect. In retrospect, maybe as someone older, more cynical, more critical, more observant, or more of whatever else, I do see its flaws. Hawkeye’s breakdown is described but never shown. Hawkeye is belligerent, as was his character, but it seems overdone. BJ’s grand goodbye also came across as very cheesy. 

However, I love the idea that Hawkeye finally hit his breaking point, because it was a long time coming. It could’ve been executed so much better, but the lead up to it was FLAWLESS. I just wish the aftermath was better. BJ and Hawkeye were close, and shared many vulnerable moments, but I think leaving it at a huge and wave would’ve been best. (Even though the message looked good to viewers.) 

In short, I’m also conflicted about the finale. I think there are aspects of it that could’ve been done better, and some that were incredible. But ultimately, there’s a reason 106 million people tuned in to watch it. This show had a special place in a lot of people’s hearts, so no matter how the writers chose to end it, I think that’s the most important thing, that it meant something to people. 

Ngl, I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t get emotional every time I watched that “goodbye” fade away with the iconic series music. 

I really hope this answered your question(s), and that I did this masterpiece of a show some justice. 

THANK YOU for this ask! 

[berrymeter]

oh yea!! recs i've only seen TOL, 2gther, Gifted, Shipper(this is one weird ass show), and currently watching I'm tee, me too in thai do u have other recs?? oh and btw if you're watching FOE i gotta say that the good things are the male lead, female lead, the daughter, the romance, the pacing, the direction; the plot is good but kinda weird (but hey it's a kdrama), bad: the villain is unrealistic and tropey (3)

ooooh i haven’t seen shipper and i don’t think i’ll watch i’m tee me too bc i try to avoid new as much as i can adhjkshfk i’m def tempted to watch it for offgun and tay tho..... tho tay is on thin ice ngl

okay this is going to get long i’m so sorry apparently i can’t put a read more on asks??? what the fuck is this staff fix this

hmmm for show recs i would... ironically say dark blue kiss (i haven’t seen kiss me again or kiss the series but from what i know those are the happier parts of the ‘franchise’... don’t ask why i only watched dbk i don’t know HKJDHGJ). i watched it before i knew new is an asshole and anyway i got really attached to the side pairing, and all the female characters are honestly written so well! i fucking love the little group that is sun, mork, rain and manaow they’re literally the BEST. now the main plotline is honestly annoying and i skipped petekao’s scenes a lot but i love the “antagonist”... like he’s a troubled kid and does very bad things but i understand him and i just fhdfkgjh feel bad for him. khai formated my brain to feel bad for assholes

i also like until we meet again though it gets slow in the last few episodes until the last two, and also HUGE trigger warning for reccurring pretty graphic double suicide... i love the show but it could’ve done well without that many gunshots =_=. it’s super sad but also super feel good i find, all the characters are endearing as hell and there isn’t really a conflict between the characters except in the second to last episode - but like... if you watch you’ll understand what i mean dnsjkfh

i haven’t seen it yet but i really want to watch my engineer, i heard good things about it so i figure i could recommend it.....?? honestly i mostly want to watch it bc lay talay is super pretty but <3 i’m sure the show is great <3

love by chance is another show i liked tho do NOT watch the last ep of s1 i am begging. do not watch it. for ur sake. also the second season is airing rn and i haven’t started watching it yet but according to what i see on the dash the side pairing is going a LOT better than in s1 !! also warning for like, assault and blackmail :|, rare are the shows that don’t need warnings

and ooooh wait the stranded!! since you’ve seen foe which i think is on netflix i assume you can watch the stranded too!! it’s REALLY good and we Need a second season like yesterday. ummm PEOPLE DIE. and it’s kind of gross sometimes. also super sad as hell and it ruins u. but the show is AMAZING it has only 7 eps but like Holy Fuck i love this show so much. the antagonist is a loser but like that’s fine we can bully him

i’d recommend the untamed but that shit is LONG and i’m sure u’ve already heard of it fhdkjgh. if u want to watch HIStory the series, uhhh i’ve heard trapped is really good? make our days count was great but once again do not watch the last ep (bury your gays trope). i also ignore the side pairing bc not knowing the older dude’s age makes me want to Die. i really just have xiang haoting & yu xigu on the brain 24/7 this show gave me “i need a boyfriend” brainrot and i can’t get it to leave me alone

Ummm i NEED to watch mr heart and where your eyes linger so i’m telling you to watch them too dhskfhdkjg. ik wyel ended well so i’m like... crying everyday i don’t watch it (and yet i still don’t bc adhd says No <3). i also want to watch the king: eternal monarch but that’s exclusively bc woo dohwan is hot. my brain is out of recommendations for now so have all of this (and do not watch waterboyy or tharntype)

... anyway back to FOE <3 tropey villain... ah well i guess this had to be hdskjhgk. still i think i’m going to check it out even if the wife is a cop :/ everyone on here obsesses over criminal minds i can allow myself one (1) copaganda. i’m sure the daughter makes up for it i love kids sm