#jocularity

From: Strutt, Joseph, 1749-1802. Glig-gamena angel-deod, or, The sports and pastimes of the people of England. London : Printed by T. Bensley for J. White, 1801

The late William Christopher, when questioned on the TV series he was a part of for over a decade, would reply that MASH was a show about a priest in Korea. While that isn’t strictly true, it is hard to imagine what the camp would be without him—his comfort and calm, the pleasant, befuddled expression on his face as cohorts give in to every base impulse. He is, in war’s unholy theatre, the presence of God.

Always a player in this cast of characters, Father Mulcahy appeared in Richard Hooker’s novel as a gangly, red-haired young Jesuit nicknamed “Dago Red” by the doctors. His specialty was his seeming ability to pray over a patient who looked like he was going to die, and save him; the Swampmen used him superstitiously during surgery and at all times considered him a friend. As the series progressed, Mulcahy’s character grew in prominence until he was absolutely equal to the other non-Hawkeye hospital staff. The series finale title, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” refers to him directly.

Just like everyone else, Mulcahy has people to miss back home: he speaks fondly of “his sister the Sister,” a nun. To help morale he not only gives sermons and hears confessions, but also coaches boxing and calls bingo. His signature looks are (1.) an olive-drab jacket over shirt and collar, with or without Padre hat (2.) a Loyola sweatshirt and ballcap. Still, there’s a loneliness about him as he abstains from all the vices that the rest of the unit enjoy to pass the time.

The greatness of Father Mulcahy, perhaps even more than with others on the show, is his casting—in an effort to improve him, Bill Christopher was cast when season 1 was already in production. As an actor Christopher is beguiling, vulnerable, and sweet. His gentle blue eyes are matched by a gentle voice, high and flute-like, angelic even. It’s enough to make you throw piles of money at him to give to the orphans. If he believes this whole mess is all about him and his God, who are we to argue? Maybe if it was, everything would turn out OK.

Changed the title update to Jocularity. It’s so hard to come up with a cool name like Jazzpunk.