In an interview with Yahoo, Sweet explained it this way:
‘They became loving friends. Love comes in many forms, and there was a very strong bond between them. If you follow the series as it unfolds, their relationship grew ever deeper. At first, Margaret regarded him as a brilliant surgeon, and that in itself was a form of respect.’
The real turning point came in the two-part episode ‘Comrades in Arms’ in season six, when they spent the night together whilst under fire from North Korea. After a frank conversation, they gave in to their feelings and shared a passionate night.
Although that night did not develop into a full-blown romance, Sweet considered it a decisive moment for both characters.
‘Alan wrote “Comrades in Arms” for us several seasons before the episode was actually filmed, because the creators weren’t sure the audience would accept it,’ Sweet explained.
“But it was a crucial turning point, and it had everything that MAS*H is all about: tears, laughter, absurdity and the struggle for survival. That’s exactly why viewers tuned in to the series.”
Loretta Sweet’s nails
If you look closely at Loretta Sweet as Margaret Hulihan, one detail catches the eye — her nails.
In the episode ‘Comrades in Arms’, they’re over an inch long. And it really stands out. No nurse, let alone a head nurse in a war zone, would likely have allowed herself nails that long. Perhaps Margaret simply liked the dramatic look, but for a military medic, it didn’t look very plausible.
Loretta Swit never liked the nickname ‘Hot Lips’
Loretta Swit was not at all keen on the famous nickname given to her character – Major Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Hulihan.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, she explained her feelings as follows:
“I understand that nicknames often arise out of affection, but to me it sounded like an insult. She wasn’t just a body part. She was a major in the United States Army and deserved respect.”
Looking back, Sweet admitted that she herself had persistently pushed for the nickname to be phased out of the series.
“I think my persistence probably annoyed a lot of people,” she said. “But I felt it was important for all the women who served and supported our country. I kept telling the writers: ‘She’s so much more than that.’”
Loretta Sweet’s cosmetic surgery
When people look at recent photographs of Loretta Sweet, many notice changes in her appearance that might suggest the effects of cosmetic surgery. The actress herself has not spoken publicly about this, but some photos do raise questions. And some fans have even wondered: did these changes begin back in the days of MAS*H?
One Reddit user, going by the username bettinafarichild, shared the following observation:
‘I’ve watched every episode of MASH* countless times, but this was the first time I’d rewatched the series in strict chronological order, and I noticed lots of little details I’d never seen before. Maybe I just didn’t pay attention to them before, or are they really such subtle details? For example, Loretta Sweet has cosmetic surgery somewhere in the middle of the sixth season. She develops a dimple on her chin, and it’s a very noticeable change. Also, it seems she had a nose job at some point, though I’m not sure in which season exactly – perhaps the ninth.”
This has sparked quite a bit of curiosity among fans, although it all remains at the level of speculation.
The longest kiss
And finally, one more interesting fact — MAS*H fans know full well that the series was short on emotional scenes, but in the finale, viewers witnessed one of the longest kisses in the history of television.
Wrapping up the storyline that began in ‘Comrades in Arms’, Hawkeye bids farewell to Margaret with a kiss that turns out to be so awkward and drawn-out that the other characters standing nearby clearly feel uncomfortable.
Recalling the conclusion of Margaret’s story, Sweet said with a smile:
‘It’s the longest kiss in the history of television.’
Alda, who directed the final episode, and Sweet were the only two main actors to appear in both the first and last episodes. This emphasised the special bond between them that ran throughout the series.
‘The finale was primarily intended to bring all the characters together and give viewers a sense of closure, as everyone had their own favourite character. After the series ended, Alan wrote me a note saying how wonderful it had been to have the chance to properly conclude Margaret’s storyline and show just how much she had grown as a person.’
If you love MAS*H, why not share this with your friends and family? It’s a great excuse to reminisce about your favourite characters, have a laugh, chat about the series and take a trip down memory lane. Tag someone who’s sure to love this little blast from the past.