Four Reasons Why Frank Burns Gets a Raw Deal on M*A*S*H
As I continue to re-watch episodes of M*A*S*H, I find myself joining the group of people who think the show wasn't as good after antagonist Maj. Frank Burns ( Larry Linville ) left the series following season 5. More importantly, my renewed interest in the classic series has made me realize Burns kind of got a raw deal while at the 4077th and, at minimum, was treated unfairly by those around him. Here are my reasons why: H e was a better surgeon than he was given credit for. Throughout his time on the series, Burns was constantly belittled about his surgical skills. However, while obviously not as good as Hawkeye Pierce ( Alan Alda ) and lacking a good bedside manner, there is really no evidence he was anything less than at least average in the operating room. Did he make mistakes? Of course, but you could also say the same thing about every other surgeon at the 4077th, including the God-like Pierce and, despite the ribbing from the other doctors, I didn't see anything that pr...