The Consultant

"The Consultant" is the 17th episode in the third season of the television series M*A*S*H. It originally aired on January 17, 1975. It was written by Robert Klane, from a story by Larry Gelbart, and was directed by Gene Reynolds. Plot overview Hawkeye and Trapper are off to surgical clinic in Japan, but instead of attending seminars and meetings, they intend to spend their time golfing and picking up geisha girls. Once arriving in Japan, the two cohorts sit at a bar and chum up to a civilian medical consultant, Anthony Borelli (played by Robert Alda, Alan Alda's real-life father). They exchange stories, as Borelli is in Tokyo attending the same conference and has himself served as surgical doctor in both world wars. Trapper and Hawkeye invite Borelli to leave the "cozy locker room in Tokyo" and get some real game in a M*A*S*H unit or aid station. He politely declines and the three part ways. Back at the camp, Henry is enjoying a soak in a makeshift wading pool that has apparently been engineered by Radar. Frank saunters up and complains loudly that Hawkeye and Trapper did not attend a single lecture at the clinic. Henry avoids Frank by sinking under the water. Then, Trapper and Hawkeye walk out, decked in swimming shorts, flippers and floaties. They jump into the pool, making a big splash.