Here's why the opening episode of the shock death of Henry Blake in MASH season 3 becoming a groundbreaking moment. This decision transformed the show from a sitcom with dramatic elements to the first full-fledged dramedy.

The show was a ratings hit right up until a cast vote ended MASH in 1983, with the creatives fearing it would grow stale if they kept going. What's fascinating is charting how the series evolved and changed. The heavy drama of later seasons is in stark contrast to the wackier antics of the first couple of seasons. Again, it took a while for MASH to become a ratings hit, and viewers tuning into the season 2 premiere "Divided We Stand" might have wondered why it felt like a re-introduction.

CBS Insisted MASH's "Divided We Stand" Act As A New Pilot For Viewers Who Missed Season 1

Season 2 was MASH's last chance to connect with audiences

The ratings for MASH's first season were so dire that at the wrap party, most of the cast assumed they wouldn't be returning the following year. The series ended up doing well in re-runs, so CBS decided to give MASH a second chance. To give it a much-needed ratings boost, the show was moved to a new time slot just after All in the Family (MASH4077TH). According to showrunner Larry Gelbart, "Divided We Stand" was designed as a second pilot, meant to re-introduce MASH and its characters to audiences who missed it first time around.

"Divided We Stand" involves an army psychiatrist being sent to investigate the 4077th following rumors the unit was breaking under the stress of being so close to the front. The premiere opens with an unusually long intro where the psychiatrist is briefed on each member of the 4077th, with the central tension of the episode being whether the unit will be disbanded or not. While Captain Hildebrand (Anthony Holland) concludes they're all on edge and wildly dysfunctional, he also recognizes they're incredible surgeons and 100% focused when called upon to save lives.

MASH Came Close To Cancelation Due To Season 1's Terrible Ratings

MASH's survival is a miracle

Given how much of a mainstay it became, it's hard to reconcile just how close to an early death MASH came. The ratings for the first season were consistently poor, which wasn't aided by its bad time slot. There are varying s about why the network gave it another chance, ranging from the unexpected ratings bump it received during re-runs to the wife of then CBS head William Paley loving MASH and wanting to see it continue.

It appears "Divided We Stand" acting as a second pilot worked, since MASH became one of the biggest shows on television.

In truth, it's probably a combination of factors. If the show was being produced today, its bad ratings would have ensured it didn't make it to the end of season 1, let alone get a second chance to win viewers over. It appears "Divided We Stand" acting as a second pilot worked, since MASH soon became one of the biggest shows on television. It should also be stated that "Divided We Stand" is much funnier than MASH's fittingly titled "Pilot" episode.

MASH's finale "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen" is still the highest-rated scripted episode of television in history.

Source: MASH4077TH