Summary
MASH’sB.J. Hunnicut was always shown to be hopelessly devoted to his wife Peg, but did he cheat on her as one controversial episode suggests?ManyMASHactors exited the acclaimed dramedyduring its run, but that’s one reason it lasted so long. While many shows during this era made the mistake of replacing a departing character with somebody who was virtually identical,MASHopted to do the opposite. A key example is Winchester (David Ogden Stiers) replacing Burns (Larry Linville), with the former being a refined snob while the latter was a cartoonish coward and hypocrite.
When Mike Farrell’s B.J. Hunnicut was introduced in season 4 followingWayne Rogers' abrupt exit as Trapper, the two characters shared much in common. Over time, Hunnicut became a distinct character from Trapper, largely due to Farrell finding his feet in the role. Whereas Trapper was married but had no problems having affairs while away from home,Hunnicut deeply loved his wife Peg and refused to sleep around. He and Hawkeye (Alan Alda) still got up to childish antics to relieve tension, but Hunnicut was definitely the more mature of the duo.
Yes, B.J. Cheated On His Wife Peg In MASH’s “Hanky Panky”
B.J. fell off “the fidelity wagon” during season 5
“Hanky Panky” never outright states what happened, but it’s obvious that B.J. cheated on his wife during his night with Carrie.
MASHran for 11 seasons, so few potential storytelling stones were left unturned. It was only natural at some point B.J.’s loyalty would be tested by the writers, which arrived with season 5’s “Hanky Panky.” This shows Hunnicut comforting a nurse named Carrie (Ann Sweeny) after she receives a letter from her husband telling her their marriage is over. During his efforts to provide a friendly ear, the two kiss, and B.J. spends the night in her tent.
“Hanky Panky” never outright states what happened, but it’s obvious B.J. cheated on his wife during his night with Carrie. SomeMASHfans have argued there’s room for interpretation, butconsidering how guilt-ridden Hunnicut is when he confesses to Hawkeye, it’s clear he and Carrie slept together. He tells his best friend he “fell off the fidelity wagon” and is mystified that he could have been unfaithful.
Hawkeye talks him out of confessing in a letter to Peg, and after a period of avoiding Carrie, the two also have a heart-to-heart about their night together.MASH’s “Hanky Panky” may not paint Hunnicut in a great light, but it makes it clear the guilt will stick with himfor some time. While a character like Frank might justify being unfaithful to his spouse whilst overseas, Hunnicut is definitely not that type of man.
Why B.J.’s Infidelity Was Controversial With MASH’s Fanbase
Hunnicut’s night with Carrie still inspires debate
MASHran for 256 episodes, and like any longer-running series, there were plenty of dud outings. There are also episodes devotees like to ignore, such as season 4’s “Hawkeye,” where Alan Alda’s surgeon has to talk incessantly for 20 minutes to keep himself awake following a head injury.SomeMASHfans like to pretend “Hanky Panky” didn’t happen since they hate the idea of Hunnicut cheatingon Peg.
The only time Peg was seen onMASHwas during one of Hunnicut’s dreams in the fittingly titled season 8 episode “Dreams.” The role was played by Catherine Bergstrom.
This is a shame, since “Hanky Panky” is a very good episode. It’s a showcase for Farrell as a performer, and the unexpected romance he forms with Carrie is a tender one. It’s a surprisingly complex outing, exploring the effect that being overseas in a warzone for prolonged periods can have on a marriage. Carrie thought hers was ironclad until she received her husband’s letter, while even Hunnicut admits that despite the guilt he feels, he’s still worried about his feelings for Carrie going deeper.
The two close out thisMASHepisode as friends, and in keeping with the show’s unfortunate tradition with nurse characters, Carrie is never seen again.B.J.’s infidelity might have disappointed his fans, but that doesn’t mean “Hanky Panky” should be ignoredor overlooked either. If anything, it made him a more complex character.
B.J. Was Tempted To Stray Again In MASH Season 8
“War Co-Respondent” saw B.J. fighting more temptation
Farrell clearly felt there was more dramatic potential in the idea of B.J. “falling off the wagon,” as he wrote and directed anotherMASHepisode where it almost happens again. Season 8’s “War Co-Respondent” sees a celebrity war correspondent named Aggie (Susan Saint James) arrive at the 4077th and fall for Hunnicut. They both flirt with one another, andB.J. admits to Hawkeye he’s worried about how strong his feelings for Aggie are.
MASH: Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Is To Blame For BJ Hunnicut’s Most Divisive Change
BJ Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) goes through a character arc in MASH, but his most glaring change is because of Alan Alda’s Hawkeye Pierce.
Unlike “Hanky Panky,” Hunnicut stops himself and tells Aggie they can only ever be friendsas he couldn’t give up his life with Peg. If anything, “War Co-Respondent” pays off Hunnicut’s earlier infidelity, but shows his vow to Peg will always hold firm. That was the last temptation of Hunnicut onMASH, who was heading back to Peg and their children at the end of the show’s 1983 finale.
MAS*H
Cast
MAS*H is a drama-comedy series set during the Korean War, centering on the lives of the staff at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital as they navigate the challenges of wartime medical service with humor and resilience.
