Final Scene And How McLean Stevenson Found Out ‘Henry Blake’ Was Being Killed Off From MASH
Youtube / Alexis Ray
What A Show
In the iconic TV series MAS*H, the character Henry Blake met a tragic and unexpected fate that left viewers shocked and emotional. Portrayed by actor McLean Stevenson, Henry Blake was the affable and sometimes bumbling commanding officer of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital.
In the emotional season 3 finale titled “Abyssinia, Henry,” the character’s departure was a carefully guarded secret. In a heartbreaking twist, as Henry bid his tearful farewell to the camp and the show’s cast of characters, the news was suddenly delivered that he had been killed in a plane crash on his way back home.
The impactful scene left both the characters and the audience grappling with the reality of the war and its unpredictable consequences. The decision to write off Henry Blake’s character in such a poignant manner was a deliberate creative choice that added depth and realism to the show’s portrayal of the Korean War’s challenges and losses.
In an old interview, Stevenson explains how he found out his character was being killed off. Watch it here:
And you can also revisit and relive that scene here:
