Male Bonding2
For those who like to explore the concept and dynamics of male bonding. Men are socialized in different ways in different societies, and so many men would like to have close male friendships, yet after spending time establishing a career, primary relationship and live in general, find themselves without close male friends. Many of us want male friends with whom we can share openly without...
- created by AZdesertman
Trapper John died
Return to DiscussionsWell, Wayne Rodgers died. I had a sad feeling as I read the news headline, while I am not the biggest military guy, I love the 4077. They portrayed some of the best male friendships in any TV show. I remember a couple times on the show where Hawkeye used *gasp* love to describe his friendship with Honnicutt. Then there was Blake/Radar, Potter/Radar, and then Potter/Klinger, Mulcahy, and then Winchester. A lot of times on TV shows, "friends" never actually move beyond the "buddy" stage, as if men can only show love and affection to their romantic partner (even if their are other kinds of love than romantic, they can't seem to show it. I guess if you go through something terrible like the Korean war, you would want to let someone know you love them (even if it is not "in-love"). I remember as a kid in the 80s watching reruns when Blake was killed and even I cried with the 4077. As a little kid without a grasp of the difference between make-believe and reality, I was sooo thrilled that they found C. Potter to take his place and really loved all the little interactions between him and everyone else.
I also remember the shower scenes where a lot of their conversations took place. For some reason Trapper had a lot of jokes there. The showers were this place where people in the 4077 had real conversations, in the nude. No one cared that they were naked. You could be scheming to get back at Hotlips, or talking about something else - but nothing strange about getting clean together.
I guess I am going to watch some MASH tonight. Anyone else here like MASH and the relationships portrayed on the show?
I heard the news too - I couldn't believe he was 88...he'll always be the young MASH doctor for me. I loved the friendships too - very special relationships are built going through war - my father in law was still very close to all the men under his command during WWII - they had a unique bond of love - not "in love" but definitely love.body{zoom:170%!important;}
As an only child I really wanted friendships like the guys on MASH had. I've had a couple. Your comments about the showers are right on - I guess as medical people theywere used to seeing it all, and nudity in the pretty basic showers was all just a part of day-to-day life. It did bring about a certain amount of intimacy not present elsewhere.
Vale Trapper John. Vale MASH.