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"Cowboy" was the eighth episode of the M*A*S*H television series. Originally shown on November 12, 1972 and repeated May 6, 1973, it was written by Bob Klane and directed by Don Weis. It is the only first season episode listed in TV guide as a "classic episode".

Guest cast is Billy Green Bush as John Hodges, the Cowboy, Patrick Adiarte as Ho-Jon, Timothy Brown as Spearchucker Jones, Mike Robello as the cook, Jean Powell as a nurse, Joe Corey as Goldstein, and John Orchard Capt. 'Ugly John' Black.

Overview

"The Cowboy," a chopper pilot whose nickname stems from his gun holster belt and cowboy hat, arrives at the 4077th with a shoulder wound. He is anxiously awaiting a letter from his wife, who he fears is leaving him for another man ("She's probably off with some rodeo rider; she's a sucker for a 10-gallon hat!"). The Cowboy wants to be sent home before his marriage completely falls apart, but Henry refuses, stating that The Cowboy's wound is not serious enough to merit a stateside ticket. Bad luck then follows Henry wherever he goes: he gets shot at while golfing, his tent gets flattened by a driverless jeep, and the latrine is blown up with him inside it. Deciding to leave camp for a while, he is nearly killed when his desk chair explodes.

The Cowboy offers to fly Henry to Seoul, then tries to push him out of the chopper in midair. At the same time, Hawkeye and Trapper realize that these "accidents" have been The Cowboy's attempts to get revenge against Henry for not sending him home. Radar brings the letter from The Cowboy's wife, and Hawkeye and Trapper inform him over the radio that it has finally arrived. The letter is postmarked Reno, Nevada, which sends the two doctors into a panic, given Reno's reputation (at the time) for quick and painless divorce proceedings. The letter also begins "Dear John," the cliched opening of a letter to a man whose heart is about to be broken. It turns out, however, that The Cowboy's real name is John Hodges and that he does live in Reno. In the letter, his wife assures him that he is loved. He brings Henry safely back to camp and receives a month's stateside leave.

Trivia

• The Cowboy is seen wearing a parachute in the helicopter, though no other chopper pilot is seen wearing one during the run of the series.
• Billy Green Bush is the father of the twins who played Carrie Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.
• Although listed in the Main Credits, Loretta Swit is absent as Margaret in this Episode.

Notes

1. ^ Wittebols, James H. "Watching M*A*S*H, Watching America". pp. 161–166. Retrieved 2009-05-15.
2. TV Guide: TV on DVD 2006 By TV Guide. p. 158.
3. ^ "Episode Guide". TV Guide. Retrieved 2009-05-15.

External links

• "Cowboy" at IMDb
• Malarcher, Jay. The classically American comedy of Larry Gelbart‎ -. p. 108.

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