For Want of a Boot

Infobox Television episode
Title = For Want of a Boot
Series = M*A*S*H


Caption = {Caption}
Season = 2
Episode = 17
Airdate = January 12, 1974
Production = K417
Writer = Sheldon Keller
Director = Don Weis
Guests = Michael Lerner
Johnny Haymer
Jamie Farr
Patricia Stevens
Sheila Lauritsen
Suzanne Zenor
Episode list = List of "M*A*S*H" episodes
Prev = "Henry in Love"
Next = "Operation Noselift"

Overview

Unable to obtain a replacement boot by any other means, Hawkeye launches an incredibly complex plan to get a new one by filling the requests of the camp dentist, supply sergeant, Corporal Klinger, Frank Burns, Radar, and a nurse. The episode's concept, and the title itself, is based on the proverb For Want of a Nail.

Plot Details

The episode opens with Hawkeye complaining to Trapper about the chill in the air and the hole in his boot. Trapper suggests that he go to the supply sergeant for a replacement. The supply sergeant offers to get Hawkeye a boot in exchange for a filling. In order to get the filling, Hawkeye promises the camp dentist three days in Tokyo. But only Henry can give passes, and requires that Hawkeye prevent Frank and Hot Lips from complaining to General Barker. Hot Lips claims that she will not send out a formal complaint in exchange for the two throwing Frank a birthday party, with a cake. Radar bakes them the cake, in exchange for a date with a specific nurse. The nurse in question agrees to date Radar for a hair dryer, the only one of which in camp is owned by Klinger. Klinger, in turn, needs three doctors' signatures for his Section Eight discharge: Hawkeye, Trapper, and Frank.

Even at the party, Frank refuses to sign. Without the three signatures, a domino effect begins: Klinger retrieves his dryer, the nurse turns down Radar, Radar takes back his cake, Hot Lips exclaims "General Barker will hear about this!", Henry denies the camp dentist a pass, the dentist refuses to give the supply sergeant a filling, and the episode ends with Hawkeye shivering and commenting on how convoluted the process for getting a boot is as he uses a golf bag instead. (with the last line of the episode being Hawkeye calling out "Fore!")