MASH

CBS American war comedy-drama TV series M*A*S*H, which aired from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983, tells the story of a team of doctors and support staff stationed at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War. The award-winning series, which has been labeled a situation comedy, features a cast that employed satire to underscore America's involvement in the Korean War. The show's stars performed brilliantly in the series, and the show still resonates with viewers today. M*A*S*H History MASH, (aka M*A*S*H*), from left: Donald Sutherland Jo Ann Pflug, Elliott Gould, 1970, TM & Copyright © 20th Century Fox Film Corp./courtesy Everett Collection In the series finale, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen," which is set during the waning days of the war as a truce is reached, focuses on the reactions from everyone in the MASH unit, who can't hide their excitement about the chance to go home again, despite the fact they'll be heading their separate ways. RELATED: This Hilarious ‘M*A*S*H’ Scene Had To Be Filmed Almost Twenty Times Although this happy-ending episode marked the grand finale of the series, the intended final episode, was actually named "As Time Goes By," its plot centering around a time capsule with a tribute to one of the show's medical advisors, Connie Izay, who died before the episode aired. MASH, (aka M*A*S*H*), from left: Roger Bowen, Gary Burghoff, 1970, TM & Copyright ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. All rights reserved./courtesy Everett Collection What happened to the episode? Mike Farrell, who starred as B.J. Hunnicutt, shared in a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, that the episode was so emotional for the cast members, because they did "something loved and were proud of," which made it "extra special." The crew went the extra mile with their efforts in the episode by making an actual time capsule, which remains buried to date. Farrell further explained that he came up with the idea and got other cast members on board. "Rather than leaving a time capsule in Korea, we should leave one on the lot," he told the news outlet. "We found a great place near the commissary. One of our crewmembers, Jay King, went out late at night and dug a huge hole for it." The time capsule MASH, (aka M*A*S*H), clockwise from bottom center: Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, William Christopher, Jamie Farr, David Ogden Stiers, Loretta Swit, 1972-1983. ph: TV Guide / ©20th Century Fox Television / courtesy Everett Collection The time capsule — a water-proof Red Cross medical box — the crew members built in M*A*S*H holds personal items of significance, which are attributed to the specific character each actor played in the series. The capsule still remains buried, but the thought of it and the desire to know its content gets fans curious every time it comes up. There are no plans to unearth it anytime soon; the nostalgic feeling and euphoria will continue as fans reminisce about this hidden piece of M*A*S*H history.