An important season 4 episode of MASH underlined why a romance between Hawkeye and Margaret was always doomed. Hawkeye and Margaret are the only actors to appear in both the first and final episodes, and it’s fascinating to chart how they evolved over MASH’s 11 seasons. Alan Alda’s “Hawkeye” Pierce quickly became the breakout star, but his drunken, womanizing ways were later revealed to be his way of coping with the unyielding horrors of the war. Alda was also instrumental in the show’s gradual shift from sitcom to dramedy.

Loretta Swit’s Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan also underwent dramatic changes, morphing from a one-note authority figure to a fleshed-out human being. It was at Swit’s insistence that the “Hot Lips” nickname was dropped in later seasons too. Hawkeye and Margaret often had a combative relationship, but there was obvious chemistry between them. In one key MASH season 6 episode, the Hawkeye and Margaret ended up sleeping together but decided to remain friends and colleagues rather than pursue a possible romance in the aftermath.

A MASH Season 4 Episode Introduced Hawkeye’s Greatest Love

“The More I See You” explored Hawkeye’s biggest heartbreak

It makes sense given that he was in a warzone, but through MASH’s run, Hawkeye avidly avoided romantic attachments. Pierce had no problems trying to seduce the nurses stationed at the 4077th, but his work always came first. The fourth series is often cited as the show’s strongest, which followed in the aftermath of Henry Blake’s shock death in MASH season 3. The fourth season doubled down on the comedy and drama blend, and “The More I See You” introduced Blythe Danner’s Carlye Breslin, a nurse who Hawkeye once had a serious relationship with.

The way Hawkeye talks about Carlye makes it clear he considered her the love of his life, with the two having lived together while they studied medicine. Carlye being transferred to the 4077th naturally creates drama, with Hawkeye confessing she completely broke his heart when she left. This MASH episode reveals a side to Pierce he rarely displays, but despite his heartache, he wants to give his romance with Carlye another chance.

Why Hawkeye’s MASH Marriage Proposal Fails

Caryle is ultimately not the most important thing in Hawkeye’s life

Hawkeye doesn’t let the fact Carlye has since gotten married get in the way of his plans either. MASH’s “The More I See You” certainly leans more towards drama than comedy, with the episode being particularly bittersweet. It’s odd to see Hawkeye so lovelorn, but despite desperately believing they should be together, Carlye knows it’s impossible. Put simply, medicine will always be Hawkeye’s first love, and while she was never resentful of this given his gift for saving lives, she doesn’t want to take second place either.

When Carlye puts in for a transfer to leave the camp, Hawkeye even reluctantly proposes marriage to make her stay. Failing to recognize that he’s literally backed himself into a corner while suggesting marriage, Carlye understands that despite his love for her, he will always have a fear of commitment and a focus on his career. “The More I See You” is fairly unique among MASH’s run for its focus on Hawkeye’s love life, and exploring what made him tick. Again, it’s a bittersweet ending, but there was no other way that romance could have ended.

Hawkeye’s Doomed Carlye Romance Underlines Why He Never Got With Margaret

Sorry MASH shippers, Hawkeye/Hot Lips was always a non-starter

MASH was a more broadly comedic show when it began, even if its anti-war stance was clear. Margaret was also a humorless, uptight authority figure who, despite respecting Hawkeye’s talents, detested his lack of respect for command. The two were enemies, basically, though her stance softened from around season 5 onwards. In the two-parter “Comrades in Arms” from the sixth season, the show explored the possibility of romance between them, only to have them remain pals.

The MASH finale is the most-watched scripted TV episode of all time, with saw Hawkeye and Margaret burning off any lingering attraction with a kiss that lasts 30 seconds. This is how they say goodbye, and was further evidence – if it was even needed – that they did have an attraction. Still, “The More I See You” shows that despite Hawkeye and Margaret’s shippers wanting it to happen, a romance would have been a disaster for both of them.

They’re intensely focused on their careers, and Hawkeye’s terror at the mere notion of long-term commitment would have seen him push Margaret away. Their personalities and views on the war were also diametrically opposed and would have inevitably led them to split. Even if Margaret and Hawkeye had met outside of a MASH unit, that’s not a love story with a happy ending.