M*A*S*H (TV Series)
The Life You Save (1981)
David Ogden Stiers: Maj. Charles Winchester
Photos
Quotes
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Maj. Winchester : [Charles is temporarily in charge of the motor pool] Fine job of work, Rizzo. Every valve. Every disc must be removed from the Jeep and placed on the sheet in its assigned order.
Sgt. Luther Rizzo : Major, I don't understand, why am I taking this Jeep apart? It was working just FINE!
[Slams down gasket]
Maj. Winchester : On the sheet, Rizzo. On the sheet. On the sheet. Don't you understand the power you have here? You can take a Jeep apart and reduce it to an inert pile of junk and whenever you want--at a whim-- you can fit it together again and it will roar back to life. If only we could do that with human beings. They wouldn't die.
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Col. Potter : Are you also aware that you could get killed up there?
Charles : Actually no, that thought hadn't occurred to me. That would be interesting, wouldn't it?
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Pvt. Markham : [a GI has just had a near-death experience. Charles is trying to find out what it was like] Sir, I really don't understand what you want.
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : When I was very young, my little brother passed away... I couldn't fully comprehend it at the time. But for months after the... accident, I was unable to pass his room without this... nameless fear. I would get a... tingling sensation in my chest and... my arms. And then yesterday, when I found out that I indeed had come close... Very close to death myself, that sensation returned.
[B.J. enters]
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : But you were there. You were there. If only for a moment, and I must know what you felt.
Pvt. Markham : I want to help you. I'm just tired. I think I want to get some sleep now.
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : Could I see you outside for a moment, Doctor?
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : Yes, of course.
[They walk outside of Post-op]
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : Yes?
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : Are you alright?
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : Perfectly.
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : Nothing is bothering you?
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : Absolutely nothing.
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : Then what the hell is the matter with you? Every time I go into post-op, you're hovering over Markham like a ghoul. That's some graveside manner you've got...
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : As you recall, I am partly responsible for him being alive right now!
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : Then let's let him rest in peace.
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : Let me ask you a question, Dr. Schweitzer. Can you honestly stand there and tell me you've never wondered what it was like?
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : What what was like?
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : What that boy went through right there! He was dead. Haven't you the slightest bit of curiosity about what lies beyond?
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : No, I figure I'll find out soon enough.
Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III : Well, you may be able to cloak yourself in denial, but I am not afraid to face up to the harshest reality of all.
Capt. B.J. Hunnicut : [angrily] Let me give you another harsh reality, Doctor. Markham is *my* patient. You stay the hell away from him!
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Charles : [In a Jeep] Start you fool! START!
Sgt. Luther Rizzo : Major, what are you doing?
Charles : Why won't this idiotic engine turn over?
Sgt. Luther Rizzo : 'Cause, I tucked it into bed on that sheet over there like you told me.
Charles : Well I must have transportation immediately. What's available? Do any of these work?
Sgt. Luther Rizzo : Only the ambulance...
[Charles runs for the ambulance]
Sgt. Luther Rizzo : But that's off limits except in a medical emergency!
Charles : [Climbs in] This *is* a medical emergency.
Sgt. Luther Rizzo : Where are you going?
Charles : Battalion Aid!