'M*A*S*H' - Charles Emerson Winchester III Quiz

Answer: 6th

Charles Emerson Winchester III first appeared in the 6th season episode entitled 'Fade In, Fade Out'. Frank Burn's last appearance was in the 5th season episode entitled 'Margaret's Wedding'. Winchester immediately found himself in Frank's place in more ways than one.

Not only did he replace him as a surgeon, he also replaced him as a rival to Hawkeye and BJ. Charles brought a certain sophistication and panache that Frank lacked...bringing a different feel to the rivalry than had previously existed.

Answer: David Ogden Stiers

For you 'M*A*S*H'-o-philes out there this question was utterly simple. David Ogden Stiers, who also appeared in several Perry Mason television episodes in the late 1980s, along with numerous other television and film appearances (not to mention appearances in voice in various children's films) was the lovely fellow who developed Charles' pomposity to an elevated pitch. From what I have gathered, in 'real life' Mr. Stiers is anything but arrogant and overbearing.

Answer: Boston

Charles is what you might refer to as a Boston blue blood, though some might consider the poor fellow to be nouveau riche. He certainly does go through endless efforts to establish himself as a member of the highest class. However, we must not forget that Charles was once outclassed by 'the son of a bloody butler' (recall the episode 'U.N., the Night and the Music').

Answer: Honoria

Charles has one sister, Honoria, a name that hearkens back to ancient Rome. Interestingly, we discover in one season eleven episode that Honoria suffers from a severe stuttering problem. Her name is pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable, don't make the same pronounciation mistake that Colonel Flagg makes!

Answer: Piano

Charles prides himself in his excellent skills as a surgeon, to be sure. However, he reveals in the season eight episode called 'Morale Victory' that he always wanted to become a concert pianist. He was unable to make the kind of beautiful music that a truly gifted pianist (such as his mother) could make.

Answer: French horn

Charles is really unable to play the french horn at all, he simply blows into the metal contraption randomly, producing an utterly cacophonous din. Hawkeye and BJ exact revenge on Charles for his musical ineptitude by refusing to shower for days. The entire situation is resolved when Hawkeye and BJ receive an involuntary bath and Charles' french horn is flattened under a jeep as directed by Margaret, the true hero of the episode!

Answer: False

Good lord, no! Never let Charles know I asked this question, it would be the end of me. Charles graduated from Harvard Medical School in Boston, and went on to practice thoracic surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Answer: False

Charles came close to a matrimonial entanglement twice during the run of the series, but he was never actually married. In the season seven episode 'Ain't Love Grand', Charles attempts to play the role of Henry Higgins to a Korean Eliza Doolittle (played by Sylvia Chang), but fails to woo her properly.

In the season eight episode 'Mr. and Mrs. Who?', Charles believes himself to be married to a woman (played by Claudette Nevins) but then finds out that their wedding was phony. BJ has the honors of unmarrying Mr. and Mrs. Winchester, and delivers the wonderful line, 'Do you Chuck Emerson Winchester the third take this lovely, if gullible young woman as your unlawful, unwedded, unwife?'

Answer: Cognac

Charles is the one who initially raises the concept of a time capsule while reading a newspaper, which sparks Margaret to create one for the 4077th which will soon be disbanding. Charles chooses a bottle of cognac as his contribution, insisting to Margaret that it will be well over 100 years old when finally opened and enjoyed. What style the man has!

Answer: True

Soon after discovering that he will be head of Thoracic Surgery at Boston Mercy Hospital, Charles finds himself leaving the 4077th in the most ironic of conveyances, a garbage truck driven by Luther Rizzo. Just before boarding the truck, Charles gave Margaret a copy of 'Sonnets from the Portuguese' by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a lovely gesture. The man may be full of hubris, but he understands the finer things in life.

I hope you have enjoyed this quiz. Please be invited to try some of my other 'M*A*S*H'-related quizzes (and, indeed, any of my other quizzes) if you did.