Crisis (M*A*S*H) Crisis (M*A*S*H) Crisis was the 45th episode of M*A*S*H, and the 21st episode of the second series. It was first transmitted on February 9, 1974. When the supply lines are cut, Henry Blake declares a state of emergency and delegates various tasks to the officers in an effort to keep the camp running. As heating fuel and toilet paper run low, the members of the 4077th are forced to operate in the cold, scrounge every bit of spare paper in the camp and double up in sleeping quarters. The surgeons, along with Radar, Klinger and Father Mulcahy, spend restless nights
Alan Alda left the series, Alda gained increasing control, and by the final seasons had become a producer and creative consultant. Under his watch, "M*A*S*H" retained its comedic foundation, but gradually assumed a somewhat more serious tone, openly addressing political issues. As a result, the 11 years of "M*A*S*H" are generally split into two eras: the Larry Gelbart/Gene Reynolds "comedy" years (1972–1977), and the Alan Alda "dramatic" years (1977–1983). Alda disagreed with this assessment. In a 2016 interview he stated, "I don't like to write political messages. I don't like plays that have political messages. I do not think I am responsible