Things I Learned From M*A*S*H, Pt 3
Pt 3
Cpl. Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly
It is really hard to discuss Radar without “breaking through the fourth wall” and discussing him as Gary Burghoff, the actor who played him. Perhaps it is because he seemed to grow with the series in a way that was inseparable from actor and character. Or perhaps its because there were things about Burghoff in real life that were impossible to leave out of Radar, but which seemed consistent with the character all the same.
For instance, and this may forever change the way you watch the show, Burghoff has a deformed left hand. You may never have noticed it because in most scenes Radar is holding something in that hand or it is hidden inside a long sleeve or behind some prop. To me, it seems just like Radar to “soldier” on through difficulty, working hard in the face of adversity.
Radar is probably a favorite for most M*A*S*H viewers. It is hard not to be drawn to his child-like manner and the innocence that stood in such stark contrast to his surroundings. And yet we got to see this diminutive teddy bear-toting adolescent grow before our eyes but not without hanging on to vestiges of that small-town innocence. For instance, the same young man who was so protective of his menagerie of pets disregarded his own safety to race into a mine field and rescue a young local girl who was injured by a mine as she checked the field to see if it was safe for the family ox.
In yet another example of the blurry line between Burghoff and O’Reilly, there was an episode wherein Radar had to tell the rest of the characters that their beloved CO, Lt Col. Henry Blake had been killed on his way home, having completed his tour of duty. The catch here was that only Burghoff was given that last page of the script just before he entered the set to film the scene. Everyone else’s reactions were filmed cold and unrehearsed and their emotions, including Burghoff’s, were unrehearsed and genuine.
What lessons can one learn from Radar?
Hmmm.
A broken young man, longing for home, working through his brokenness in selfless ways to be true to his heart for others. It is evident over and over in the character of Walter Eugene “Radar” O’ Reilly.
Cpl. Walter Eugene “Radar” O’Reilly
It is really hard to discuss Radar without “breaking through the fourth wall” and discussing him as Gary Burghoff, the actor who played him. Perhaps it is because he seemed to grow with the series in a way that was inseparable from actor and character. Or perhaps its because there were things about Burghoff in real life that were impossible to leave out of Radar, but which seemed consistent with the character all the same.
For instance, and this may forever change the way you watch the show, Burghoff has a deformed left hand. You may never have noticed it because in most scenes Radar is holding something in that hand or it is hidden inside a long sleeve or behind some prop. To me, it seems just like Radar to “soldier” on through difficulty, working hard in the face of adversity.
Radar is probably a favorite for most M*A*S*H viewers. It is hard not to be drawn to his child-like manner and the innocence that stood in such stark contrast to his surroundings. And yet we got to see this diminutive teddy bear-toting adolescent grow before our eyes but not without hanging on to vestiges of that small-town innocence. For instance, the same young man who was so protective of his menagerie of pets disregarded his own safety to race into a mine field and rescue a young local girl who was injured by a mine as she checked the field to see if it was safe for the family ox.
In yet another example of the blurry line between Burghoff and O’Reilly, there was an episode wherein Radar had to tell the rest of the characters that their beloved CO, Lt Col. Henry Blake had been killed on his way home, having completed his tour of duty. The catch here was that only Burghoff was given that last page of the script just before he entered the set to film the scene. Everyone else’s reactions were filmed cold and unrehearsed and their emotions, including Burghoff’s, were unrehearsed and genuine.
What lessons can one learn from Radar?
Hmmm.
A broken young man, longing for home, working through his brokenness in selfless ways to be true to his heart for others. It is evident over and over in the character of Walter Eugene “Radar” O’ Reilly.
1 Comments:
The Col. Blake never making it home episode is my favorite. I cry every time I see it.
Another thing about Burghoff and Radar is that he was a great jazz drummer. He gets to show off these skills in a couple of episodes. wonderful character!
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