M*A*S*H
The Light That Failed
Season 6, Episode 6 · Aired 1977-10-25

Synopsis
With supplies low, the 4077th gets a truckload of ice cream churns and salt tablets. But what it needs are light bulbs, and in the dimly lit post-op Charles makes an error for which he draws the ultimate wrath of his two surgeon bunkmates. Meanwhile, B.J. receives a mystery novel that everyone in camp reads in turn. The last page is missing and the solution to the mystery is undiscovered until B.J. calls the author by long distance.
In the series
This episode is part of M*A*S*H (1972–1983) on CBS.
War comedy that earned its tears — and a finale still used as a ratings myth.
Key cast
- Alan Alda as Capt. Hawkeye Pierce
- Loretta Swit as Maj. Margaret Houlihan
- Jamie Farr as Cpl. Maxwell Klinger
- Harry Morgan as Col. Sherman Potter
- Gary Burghoff as Cpl. Radar O'Reilly