"Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" | |
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M*A*S*H episode | |
Episode no. | Season 11 Episode 16 |
Directed by | Alan Alda |
Written by | Alan Alda Burt Metcalfe John Rappaport Dan Wilcox Thad Mumford Elias Davis David Pollock Karen Hall |
Production code | 9-B04 |
Original air date | February 28, 1983 |
Running time | 2 hours |
Guest appearances | |
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"Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" is a television film that served as the series finale of the American television series M*A*S*H. The 2½-hour episode first aired on CBS on February 28, 1983, ending the series' original run. The episode was written by eight collaborators, including series star Alan Alda, who also directed. As of 2024, it remains the most-watched single episode of any television series in U.S. history, and for twenty-seven years was the most-watched single broadcast in television history.
The episode's plot chronicles the final days of the Korean War at the 4077th MASH; it features several storylines intended to show the war's effects on the individual personnel of the unit and to bring closure to the series. After the ceasefire goes into effect, the members of the 4077th throw a party before taking down the camp for the last time. After tear-filled goodbyes, the main characters go their separate ways, leading to the final scene of the series.