Requiem for a Lightweight
October 1, 1972
Written by Bob Klane
Directed by Hy Averback
Guest Stars: Marcia Strassman, Sorrell Booke, Mike McGirr
Synopsis: In the OR, both Hawkeye and Trapper flirt with a new nurse, Margie Cutler, while Frank and Margaret look on disapprovingly.
On exiting the OR, they both race to Cutler’s tent to be the first to give her a gift, welcome her to the outfit and hopefully get a date. However when they get there she is packing to leave – she has been transferred because Margaret disapproves of Trapper and Hawkeye preying on her.
Meanwhile, General Barker calls Henry to suggest a boxing tournament between some of the unit and asks Henry to put forward a boxer. When Hawkeye and Trapper come to Henry’s office to complain about Cutler’s transfer, he says that he will override Margaret’s orders and get her back, as long as one of them will box for the 4077th in General Barker’s tournament. Hawkeye persuades Trapper to box.
Later on, Trapper trains with Radar and they discover he has a glass stomach. Over the next several days, Trapper trains hard, while Hawkeye coaches him.
On the day of the fight, Radar comes to tell Trapper and Hawkeye that the other fighter has arrived. They go to check him out and he’s so big and scary that Trapper refuses to even get in the ring with him. But Hawkeye has an idea.
Ugly John, the anaesthetist, shows Trapper how to put ether on his boxing glove to that he will be able to knock his opponent out just by jabbing him a couple of times right in the face.
In the Mess Tent, Trapper is introduced to the other fighter. Henry is convinced he can’t beat him, so they explain their plan to him, but Frank overhears.
It’s time for the match to begin, and Father Mulcahy introduces the two contenders. After the introductions are completed, Hawkeye rubs the ether bottle all over Trapper’s glove, but Frank has found out about their plan and replaced the ether with water.
Trapper is losing badly and it becomes clear to Hawkeye that something is wrong. He smells the ether bottle and finds out that it contains water. Hawkeye hurries to fetch some real ether and puts it on Trapper’s glove. Trapper goes on to win the fight, and soon Cutler comes back, delighted that Trapper fought for her.
Review: A decent episode that doesn’t particularly stand out, other than the introduction of the fantastic Nurse Cutler 5/10
Romance Review: both Trapper and Hawkeye woo Cutler, but Trapper gets the girl in the end. 4/10
Trivia: Trapper’s boxing name is ‘Kid Doctor’. His opponent’s is ‘Killer’.
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