Cathartic

 

ca·thar·tic (/kəˈTHärdik/)

adjective

1. providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis.

"crying is a cathartic release"

I've been a M*A*S*H fan since I was a little kid.

It was a constant presence in the Adams household, especially in reruns along with All in the Family on channel 5 in New York. Along with The Honeymooners and a few others those shows are, essentially, sacred.

I'll still watch them today, such as just now.

I caught the second episode from the first season of M*A*S*H , "To Market, To Market," which originally aired on Sep 24, 1972. A summary of the episode on the interwebs describes the episode like this: "Hawkeye and Trapper attempt to retrieve a supply of hydrocortisone stolen by black marketeers."

Jack Soo -- who would achieve greater fame as Detective Nick Yemana on Barney Miller -- was the lead guest star.

Back then, M*A*S*H was much more of a comedy versus the "dramedy" that it was later known for pioneering. In its earliest days the show was known for keeping up a lot of a hijinks of the movie on which it was based.

But in this episode, it's pure silliness. There's the negotiation of Hawkeye and Trapper John to get into Col. Blake's office to get his antique desk out to a waiting truck with an impatient delivery man. But there's also the quest of passion between Hot Lips and Frank Burns -- especially while Trapper and Hawkeye are hiding on the other side of the desk from the bizarre lovers.

There's Radar trying to keep the driver at bay while Hawkeye and Trapper figure out how to get out of Blake's office, which they're locked in.

Hawkeye and Trapper do figure out how to carve their way out of Blake's office and, despite the driver leaving, even find a way to make the delivery of the heavy antique desk.

Via chopper, of course.

There are brilliant reactions in the faces of each actor along with the usual sarcasm that was a hallmark of the series.

Something about all of it had me gloriously guffawing and it felt great.

The sight of the desk, dangling from a helicopter overhead, made me laugh even harder.

The follow-up episode, "Requiem for a Lightweight," featured Trapper in a boxing match with a goon from the 3099th. The sound of Hot Lips screaming out in the ultimate scene is always good for a laugh as well.

It was some much needed laughter for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm laughing and proceeding as normal overall lately but, as the title of this post suggests, there was something cathartic about truly laughing out loud tonight.

It was natural. There was nothing forced. It just happening and kept happening. It was a great release.

It felt like it was exactly what I needed tonight.

If you'll excuse the pun, laughter remains truly the best medicine.