M*A*S*H

One of Margaret’s nurses hides a drinking problem, keeping it secret from the rest of the staff. Meanwhile, Hawkeye’s attempt at a practical joke on Winchester backfires, leaving him open to a torrent of scorn from his colleagues and further damaging his reputation.

Bottoms Up is a programme presented as an episode, falling under the generic label of “episode” within its broader series. It is listed simply as a programme with no further classification beyond its title and format. The story centres on two intertwined mishaps. One of the nurses who works for Margaret is secretly battling a drinking problem, keeping her dependence hidden from her colleagues. At the same time, Hawkeye finds himself on the receiving end of a torrent of criticism after a practical joke he pulls on Winchester goes disastrously wrong. The concealed alcohol issue adds a layer of personal tension for Margaret’s nurse, as she strives to maintain her professional façade while coping with her hidden struggle. Her secrecy becomes a subtle undercurrent that colours her interactions throughout the episode. Meanwhile, Hawkeye’s ill‑fated prank triggers a cascade of scorn, with the humour backfiring and leaving him exposed to the full force of the crew’s disapproval. The fallout from the botched joke underscores the precarious balance between levity and respect among the characters, leaving Hawkeye to endure the harsh reactions that follow.