#that 15 one was so so so fun. yaaaayyy :3

[meirimerens]

3 and 15.... I come to you with knees bent and face turned up to kiss your palms as if in prayer asking for 3 and 15 on the ask meme.....

honestly this ask scared me because i was literally writing a piece of PMPE where it is discussed how the plague in dankovsky's ears sound like psalms and prayers are you in my walls...? oh well that's topical. LET'S GO

3. any ideas for how that experiment where daniil resurrected a woman went down?

love this question love it love it ok so the collective-imaginative vision of the anatomist resurrecting the dead before a crowd is very Victorian, it's very 19th century, at a time where mediums and other spiritualists were a more and more common sight; it's Gothic, it's Frankensteinesque. now, while patho's time period is purposefully ambiguous, many consider it 1910s-ish, with p2 being a little later (possibly closer to 1930s from what we've seen of the bachelor's route behind-the-scenes), so by this time, this type of thing would have been quite passé, and for Dankovsky especially, who's a man of the future, and not of the past, at least as far as medicine goes. the only account of him resurrecting a woman is from Lilich, and in the text it is also mentioned she didn't introduce herself by this name. the canon explanation for this is that puppet-players are not remembering their past games right, and are not weaving a coherent story; but i see this as... dankovsky would not do this kind of thing publicly - again, too Victorian, and with everything that entails; the pompousness, the stuck-upness,, the religiosity, the good mores; he is not of that kind. he would do this privately, he has. privately, perhaps surrounded by his peers at Thanatica, and as such, he remembers there being a woman - not Lilich, not even Karstlich (how she says she introduced herself as then), but his memory faltering¹ he thinks he remembers it. same for Lilich, in her own right: she attended one of his lectures. it did not contain reanimation, it contained something else; but his reputation, preceding and running after him like a bloodhound, has shaped her remembering of it. he has never resurrected a woman, privately or publicly - how so? how come? because he has never defeated death. we begin the game with him desperately trying, because he has always failed before.

¹ this is not faltering. i see it more as closer to greek myths: a single myth will be different from era to era, from storyteller to storyteller, from island to island. they are all true. this is not faltering, this is a truth polymorphic.

15. pick a barnett newman painting for each of them

my favorite question. let's get on with it.

this is Andrey. do you see the un-inked strip? and do you see how the ink seems to bubble up all around it, like festering around a wound, like matter accumulating by the Lack, bubbling up like anger, boiling? this un-inked stripped is what he sees as his Lack. he is the one constantly bringing up peter as his soulmate, them being two sides of a same coin, he is the one who declares the threefold bullet line. he is the one who acts in lack, in order to fill the lack. kill to keep peter close. go forward to bring dankovsky closer. kill a man because you couldn't keep him. matter, his own, and other's, accumulate by the Lack. dead fish where the water has drained.

this is Peter. the twotone is because i think he's bipolar (true fact). it is also because the pitch-black rectangle, the monolith, is the shape of farkhad's grave - it is farkhad's grave. (it is farkhad.) he is the guilt-bearer, he is eaten. half of him eaten by guilt, like taking of his bed. this half would be where he has space for andrey, for dankovsky, for himself expanded, but the murder put in its place the casket. he and andrey have been drifting apart since the murder, peter says of it he has been "hurting for 10 years" because of it, because of andrey's act of it. see how the black monolith encroaches into the lighter ink's space, but the reverse isn't true, because the black of the monolith is so absolute? this is happening to him.

this is Dankovsky. his shape is different from the others, because he is different from the others. he does not quite fit in with the twins. he is in the middle: he is cleaved. he is cleaved because he lacks: his life work has been destroyed, and he is slowly realizing everything is slipping out of his grasp. he is cleaved in two, there is a hollow for a third thing, a third part, a third piece. andrey calls it: molded me, my brother, and you into a single person… The fire of war has molded us into a threefold bullet. dankovsky is cleaved piece into which the already-molded peter and andrey could fit. if they were molded. and andrey, paining peter for years, has quite kept them from being so. dankovsky will keep this cleave, his hollow: he says "keep your dumb head cool", he reins back in. the hollow is fit for grief. at his sides, shadows approach and stand, but do not encroach. still, they threaten. one is bigger, one is seeping out. one grows and swells like an oil spill. (a monolith, baring hazier parts, in the fog of unknownness)

this is farkhad. come then forth thee monolithe... stands tall, pitch-black, front and center, middle. not unlike his grave. on his sides, matter frames him, maybe follows, or threatens him. matter boils, bubbles, or streaks. matter reacts to him, or around him -> the twins. the single white line, maybe the breaking of the bond, or the knife strike. see there, to the right, three lines? they are brackets: } . they are bringing-together brackets. he is the bringer-together... for the better and worse.

this was so fun :3 thank you... [ask me a little something something?]

[mash-notes]

Season 2 Episodes, Ranked

Here’s the list! As before, please feel free to dispute and cite your preferences! Something I noted doing this is that there are many “vignettes” shows in this season, all of them excellent. It’s hard to keep track of what happened in which show, but this is a testament to the high comedic density of the season. Out of 24 episodes, there is one that contains cringey moments. The 23 others, even those ranked low, are beautifully done.

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24. Operation Noselift

Stuart Margolin returns to the show, this time as a creep plastic surgeon called in to operate on an enlisted man with a prosthetic nose smaller than Klinger’s. For the second time, he assaults Margaret and it’s played for laughs. Get it together, MASH.

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23. Mail Call

A vignettes show: everyone receives various letters and shipments. The main drama is Pioneer Aviation, the made-up stock that the Swampmen convince Frank to buy. Radar switches his picture out for Hawk’s in a pen-pal letter and Margaret receives some seriously hot shoes.

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22. For Want of a Boot

Based on the success of “The Longjohn Flap” in s1, a show about trading commodities and services in the camp. Hawk promises many things to many people in order to replace his broken boot—resulting in chaos at Frank’s birthday party when the deals all fall through.

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21. Divided We Stand

The season premiere. A psychiatrist (Anthony Holland; NOT Sidney) is sent to observe the MASH and decide if they should be broken up and sent to other units. After a day there, the shrink becomes a degenerate himself.

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20. Henry in Love

Henry’s new girlfriend Nancy Sue (Kathrine Baumann), who is half his age, captivates Henry and irritates everyone else. She ends her visit by tackling Hawkeye in his tent, prompting the lecture: “one of us loves Henry Blake, and I think it’s me!”

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19. As You Were

A slow day turns busy. Hawk and Trap order gorilla suits in the mail and Frank arranges the condiment bottles so they’re perfectly aligned. Later, Frank’s hernia acts up and he’s prepped for surgery. +1 for Blake’s ineffective sex lecture with Figures A and B.

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18. The Chosen People

Henry finds a cow in his office, initiating a stalemate with a group of Korean villagers who settle at the MASH. Meanwhile, Radar pretends to be the father of a Korean woman’s baby. A lot of great quips from the dynamo Captain Sam Pak (Pat Morita), and snide remarks from Frank.

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17. Radar’s Report

Radar describes Hawk’s new intrigue with Erica, and, notably, Trapper’s anger when an enemy soldier attacks the OR and causes him to lose a patient. Notable also for the debut of Allan Arbus as Sidney Freedman (yaaaayyy!), and his landmark consultation with Klinger.

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16. Kim

Trapper adopts a little boy thought to be an orphan, who has won the hearts of the whole company. When the kid walks into a minefield, they must work together to maneuver him out. Sappy, but undeniably cute—and, when the boy’s real mother is found, also a little sad.

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15. L.I.P.

Hawkeye helps a G.I. marry a woman from the village to start their new family. This offends Hawk’s new girlfriend Regina (Corinne Camacho), and she is quickly put in her place. Serious and heartfelt; Regina’s shaming is very satisfying. The prank pulled on the mean lieutenant (Burt Young) to bring the marriage off is funny also.

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14. Officers Only

This episode creates the MASH Officers’ Club, scene of many brawls, heart-to-hearts, and dances in the nine seasons to come. When the surgeons operate on General Mitchell’s son, he gives them the bar—Hawk insists that everyone, not just officers, be welcome there.

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13. Dear Dad… Three

A letter-home show, this one is a favorite for its heavy involvement of Ginger, #1 Nurse We Wish We Saw More In The Series. We also see Henry’s goofy home movie, the first of many, in a sweet device that will recur for other characters.

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12. The Trial of Henry Blake

This vignettes show is held together with Henry’s court-martial—and it doesn’t look good for him until the end. Gurney races, a regiment of wingtips, and the hang-gliding Klinger endear it to us. Also Henry and Radar giggling during the trial, an A+ moment.

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11. Dr. Pierce and Mr. Hyde

Sleep-Deprived Hawkeye, away! His dedication makes him refuse to take a break, until his exhaustion makes him go off the rails even more than usual and question the war. Arguably the first of the “Alan Alda soapbox episodes,” a hallmark of the series, which are Hawk-centric and deeply moral.

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10. For the Good of the Outfit

A brilliant, brave, political show in which Hawk and Trap raise an investigation against the Army for bombing a village. In the end Frank, resentful of the attention they’re getting and bucking for praise, causes the complaint to go through.

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9. The Incubator

Another show about red tape: the doctors can’t get an incubator for the hospital without obscene amounts of bribery. The scene in Henry’s office where they discuss the pizza oven is iconic; Hawk and Trapper in their Class A’s is terrific.

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8. Carry On, Hawkeye

Hawk is the only surgeon available when everyone else at the MASH has the flu… except for Margaret. This episode shows us the first glimmer of friendship between the captain and the major, an association that will grow incrementally and, by the end of the series, become something really beautiful.

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7. A Smattering of Intelligence

In the season finale, two CIA men descend upon the MASH, flashily, ridiculously, and hilariously. Edward Winter brings the laughs as Colonel Flagg, hyper-serious enough to never be taken seriously. Nobody knows what to make of this situation; it perfectly embodies the show’s early approach to madcap comedy.

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6. George

Yes, this was in the same season. A queer soldier is battered and persecuted; Hawkeye and Trapper cleverly thwart Frank’s plan to discharge him. For its thoughtful treatment of homosexuality on TV, this show was decades ahead of its time. I will never stop being in awe of it.

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5. Hot Lips and Empty Arms

Who knew she had emotions, desires, and raging benders like a normal person? Just like that, in a watershed moment, Hot Lips turns into Margaret. Warm, feminist, and extremely funny—thanks to a staggering star performance by Loretta.

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4. Crisis

Why can’t these turkeys bunk together every night? If every episode of MASH featured this amount of cuddling, I would be fine with that. Also, Henry standing wrapped in a blanket, a cigar sticking out of his mouth, is one of my favorite images of all time. ALSO also, Father Mulcahy’s “bag of peanuts” prayer works on every conceivable level.

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3. Deal Me Out

A poker game is broken up—first by Frank’s CID-protocol problem, then by a hostage situation. More Sidney, more Sam Pak, a glimpse of Ed Winter, and a LOT of John Ritter in one of his first acting roles. This show is full of wonderful close-ups around the table as the boys gamble the “conference” away, and is a truly deserving fan fav.

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2.  Five O’Clock Charlie

Action, cosplay, aeronautic stunts, and a shower scene—what doesn’t this one have? It’s kind of the platonic ideal of a “funny” MASH episode, and nobody gets hurt except the Jeep. +1, as if it needed it, for the debut of Henry’s doll.

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1. The Sniper

The bullets landing all over the camp—how did they do that? In this incredible show (which also features Teri Garr and Radar’s ass), a lone gunman terrorizes the MASH, sending them into an unprecedented emergency, until he’s finally shot and has to be treated by Hawk himself. It has competition, but this is undeniably the jewel in season 2’s fancy crown; a gorgeous blend of danger, fun, and the blurred morality of war.

[fineconversations]

The INFP Functions join forces and work together towards a greater goal

I . Creating a concept

Ne: Oh look, another cooking video!! :))) Si: Yes, these guys post interesting recipes. Ne: OOOOO A RAINBOW CAKE MADE WITH CREPES!!!111 !!!1 ! :D Si: How fascinating. Fi: Looks delicious… Ne: IKR? I kinda feel like crepes now! :DDD Fi: Same D:

II . Analyzing obstacles

Si: Like what? Now? Fi: I wanna eat crepes now :I Ne: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Si: But Fi… Ne: ( ͡° ʖ ͡°) Si: …we have to get up and put some pants on before we go… Fi: Oh… Ne: (;;O ʖ O) Fi: In that case I don’t know if I– Ne: LET’S WATCH THE VIDEO AGAIN SHALL WE 8)))))

III . Making decisions

Fi: Guys, as the One In Charge, I have an announcement to make… Ne & Si: *sweating nervously* Fi: … I definitely want crepes. Ne: YES!!! >8D Si: Aw fuck me. Fi: HOWEver… Ne: *gulp* Fi: …that doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll push ourselves outta here to pursue them. Ne: Aw, whaaaat DDDDD: Si: Exactly what I meant. I already know you well, Fi u_u

IV . Defining a strategy

Ne: But what if we just try…. Fi: I like your spirit Ne, I really do. But I must state that Si has a point. We need pants. Si: Besides, we can’t spend money on these things, they are expensive, remember? Fi: Ah yes, that’s important too, thanks for reminding me. Ne: … But if we make them ourselves, it’s cheaper! And fun! What do we need? Come on, Si, I know we kinda hate each other but we’re like, two sides of the same coin, yin and yang, night and day, piss and poop, everything necessary to maintain balance and shit~ Fi: Ne that’s so romantic, omg Si: …Please. We need flour, sugar and eggs and a will to live, we already have the rest in the kitchen. Do you think we can find all of those in the supermarket? Ne: Sure! Fi: Omg, I’m so excited. I’m already imagining the concept of cooked crepes… Ne: …with a load of chocolate filling… I think we could use the strawberry jam too… I wonder if it goes well with honey too… Fi: …what a wonderful concept… if only we could just… do it… so close, and yet so out of reach… Si: Omg guys are we doing this or not, jfc… Te: You know what, fuck every single one of you, because you all SUCK. You ugly pieces of SHIT. Get *kicks* the fuck *kick* out there *kick* NOW, GO GO GO

V . Overcoming adversities

Fi: Ok here we are. Ne: How do you pronounce “crepe” in english? Does it sound like “crap” or “creep”?... Omg noodles... nvm I think I want noodles now... Si: Ne... Fi: Noodles feel right to me. Si: GUYS! Stick to the plan, geez! Q_Q Te: *seething* Fi: I want to bring more things actually, but first we need to check how much money we have. Si? Si: Give me a sec... -INFP reaches for pockets...- INFP: I forgot my wallet at home, jfc... Ne: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Te: FUCKING SERIOUSLY FUCK YOU ALL FUCK ME FUCK SSLHGFSJKFKJSHBFF WE ARE GOING TO GET THAT WALLET AND THEN COME BACK AGAIN. NOW!!!

VI . Execution, part I

-INFP went home to fetch wallet and came back to the supermarket- Fi: Te why are you like this Te: Because NOW we are going to fucking DO this, you incompetent trash! Fi: ;3; Ne: I wonder if they have nutella~ or food colouring to make rainbow crepes  (✧ᗜ✧) Te: Who the fuck cares. Ne: ಠAಠ Si: Should we buy some butter, for safety? I think we have butter at home, but-- Te: Flour, sugar, and eggs. Si: Aye sir ;; Fi: Well, Te has a point ;;  -INFP finally bought the goods-

VII . Execution, part II

Te: And now that we FINALLY have the things, let's DO IT. IT IS SUPPOSED TO GET DONE. Have fun, you snowflake shitlings. Fi: YAAAAYYY omg I'm like, so happy and excited! Where do we start? Si: Let me check the recipe for the crepe dough... Ne: “The crepe though”. Anyway, Si. *touches Si's hand* Don't sweat it, See darling. I got this. Si: I'm nearly panicking. Fi: Actually you can give some tips so we don't mess up, Si. Si: Sounds good enough to relax a little, thank you. Ne: Ait, wtv, Fi, the kitchen is ours now! YEAH \(▰◡▰)/ Fi: YEAH ᕕ(▰ᗜ▰)ᕗ

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Epilogue

Si: These crepes taste good. Probably the best we've munched in a while. Fi: These crepes are fucking delicious, I love them Q-Q Ne: aND NOW with the strawberry jam, with an ice scream scoop on top~ Fi: What a great idea Ne, this feels right to me. Te: Hey guys. Fi, Ne, Si: Yes? Te: Who's gonna clean this mess? Fi, Ne, Si:  Fi: I'm done, thank you very much for the cooperation, baai~ *poofs* Ne: I have an appointment with distracting thoughts, see you in a bit. Si: Uuhhh... derp, I... guess I... Te: =__= -Si and Te stayed for an extra 15 minutes, cleaning stuff and washing dishes-

.:ZE END:.