The men and women of the 4077th MASH unit are still in Korea; still dealing with the frequent floods of injured from the ongoing conflict, with the biting cold and howling winds, and with the frictions and foibles that arise of being stuck in enforced proximity to people you don't necessarily like.
Remembered today as an iconic giant of television history, M*A*S*H actually got off to quite a slow start, only rising to wide popularity in this second season. And honestly, I think there is a reason for that: this season is significantly better than the first. The comedy is better judged and targeted; less mean-spirited in general and even a smidge less sexist (it's still pretty sexist, though: this was made nearly fifty years ago, and "he's cheating on his wife!" was apparently considered deeply hilarious back then). Heck, the writers even manage to slip in some "racism and homophobia are bad" moments. A lot more of the former than the latter, it is true, but a positively-depicted homosexual character in a mainstream comedy - even as a one episode guest spot - is still a fairly noteworthy thing in 1973.
There are still better episodes and worse episodes of course; not every installment of this season is an unmitigated winner; but the overall tone and quality is in my opinion an easy notch or two higher than season one. I'd call out "5 0'Clock Charlie", "Carry on Hawkeye", "For Want of a Boot" and "George" as some of the highlights of the 24 offerings here.
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