User Reviews

Lend a Hand was written and directed by Alan Alda. Alan shares many scenes with his father, Robert Alda, and his half-brother Antony Alda, who sadly died in 2009 (Robert Alda died in 1986). I wonder if this episode was the inspiration for the 2003 film It Runs in the Family which stars the Douglas clan.

The birthday subplot was a bit too prolonged and contrived.

Shari Saba guest stars as a nurse.

Just so stupid how Borelli just took over. It was annoying and out of place! After seeing every episode lots of times this may be my least favorite! Actually Alans brother had the best lines in the show!

The episode begins with the 4077 bored to death and freezing. In order to counter boredom, B. J. tells everyone it is Hawkeye's birthday and they should have surprise party for him. Of course, he is incredibly annoyed. There is another fly in the ointment. The reappearance of Robert Alda (Alan's Dad) is dynamite. He is a control freak, sticking his nose in everyone's business. Making pronouncements about people's habits, arranging chairs, criticizing surgical techniques, on and on. The thing is that this character is an incredibly innovative surgeon with advanced knowledge of treating nerve trauma. Still, Hawkeye is driven to distraction by this guy. They are at each other's throats constantly (I would have been, too). In order to avoid his "non" birthday party, Hawkeye volunteers to go to a battalion aid station to treat a man who has been injured by a land mine. Of course, Borelli insists that he go along and the get into a huge fight. Great conclusion.

The appearances by (the late) Robert Alda, Alan Alda, and Antony Alda in "Lend A Hand" made the episode special to me -- as the viewer. In the beginning, Captains Hunnicutt and Pierce have been bored with nothing to do at night. The entire camp was planning a surprise birthday party. And without warning, a jeep with Dr. Borelli arrived at the 4077th.

Dr. Borelli -- at the opening part of the episode -- entered the Officers' Club to discuss a new surgical technique on the heart the next day. Next, all the doctors were retiring to their tents for the night. Dr. Borelli had a private discussion with Captain Pierce about him staying warm and the drink he was enjoying at the bar. The constant intrusion of Dr. Borelli's advice to everyone marked the beginning of obnoxious conduct at his visit. Captain Pierce would be upset at how Dr. Borelli's ways were better than his during the show.

Meanwhile, Corporal Klinger was preparing a birthday cake for the party. He added one too many H's on the icing portion of the cake. Major Houlihan then told to fix the icing for Captain Hunnicutt's anniversary. Corporal Klinger was about at the end of his rope for spending five hours preparing the cake for the party.

Dr. Borelli and Captain Pierce were then heading to an aid station to perform surgery on the wounded soldier. Captain Pierce -- while driving -- was eating plain cheese on the way to the aid station. Dr. Borelli told him to eat the cheese right by using mustard ... with grief. They both get at each other's throats in preparation for surgery. Jarvis then arrived in the latter part of the episode for the surgery. Without warning, both Borelli and Pierce ended up with broken wrists -- on opposite ends -- during the surgery. In the end, their performance on the show earned a fat "A" in playing their roles well. A Fat 10!! A Highly Recommended Episode From The 1979-1980 Television Season!!