I watched this show in its original airing. There had never been a sucker punch quite like it. Henry Blale's Death will haunt the following 8 seasons, not only because of the effect on other charecters (especially Radar), but the effect on the audience as well. Never again would our charecters be completely safe. This was not only true on MASH, but any TV show.
Over many years of watching MASH I have noticed another effect of this episode. Knowing what will happen at the end of the third season affects the earlier episodes as well. Watching the episodes where Henry learns of the birth of his son, watches film of his daughter's birthday, or passes on a chance for an early medical discharge because the work he is doing is too important-all take on greater meaning knowing that Henry Blake would never get home.
Over many years of watching MASH I have noticed another effect of this episode. Knowing what will happen at the end of the third season affects the earlier episodes as well. Watching the episodes where Henry learns of the birth of his son, watches film of his daughter's birthday, or passes on a chance for an early medical discharge because the work he is doing is too important-all take on greater meaning knowing that Henry Blake would never get home.