MovieChat Forums > M*A*S*H (1972) Discussion > Potter's disdain for Winchester

Potter's disdain for Winchester

posted 9 years ago by alanjobe
32 replies | jump to latest

I think it's odd that Potter actually treated Burns better than he did Winchester. I don't think he cared for either but he sure didn't hide his contempt for Winchester.

And you can't really say it was due to Winchester's disrespect for Potter because no one in the camp showed very much respect for Potter. Winchester did recognize and understand Potter's rank and military authority.

The one time Potter stood up for Charles was when Hawkeye caused him to lose his trousers in the OR. But in the final episode, Potter admits to Hawkeye that he really wanted to laugh, so his anger at Hawk was all an act.

I think Potter was somewhat jealous of Winchester's abilities and wealth. It seemed to annoy him that Charles had things much easier than most.

[–] deem_bastille 8 years ago

It is crazy hard to like someone who is great at their job and also knows it. Frank THOUGHT he was great at his job but pretty constantly bumbled his way around his jobs. Winchester had his nose in the air no matter what he did.

Don't get me wrong, I preferred Winchester to Frank ten times over but it is very hard to get along with someone who is always posh and 'not amused' all the time.

I work with quite a few people who are not only great at their jobs but also KNOW they are great at their jobs. most of these people are lovely but there are a couple of people who are unpleasant. like they do what they do just to show you up. it is hard to get to know these people as actual human beings since they almost act like they are robots/superhumans.

the funny thing... one of the superhumans at my school actually disrespects the principal to her face [who happens to be a personal friend of hers] over the superhuman's disrespect of someone else in between SH and Principal.

[SH disrespected head of Dual Language and he reported it to Principal. Principal tells SH that she was wrong and SH disrespects principal over it. principal does jack shi7 about it.

Oh God. Fortune vomits on my eiderdown once more.

[–] gc18 8 years ago

The biggest difference Winchester wasn't and didn't want to be a part of the team, he was only looking out for himself Despite the fact they all had a job to do.

[–] Ben52580 8 years ago

I think it's odd that Potter actually treated Burns better than he did Winchester. I don't think he cared for either but he sure didn't hide his contempt for Winchester.

And you can't really say it was due to Winchester's disrespect for Potter because no one in the camp showed very much respect for Potter. Winchester did recognize and understand Potter's rank and military authority.

The one time Potter stood up for Charles was when Hawkeye caused him to lose his trousers in the OR. But in the final episode, Potter admits to Hawkeye that he really wanted to laugh, so his anger at Hawk was all an act.

I think Potter was somewhat jealous of Winchester's abilities and wealth. It seemed to annoy him that Charles had things much easier than most.

What are you talking about? Pretty much none of this accurate ? Did you watch like 1 episode?

Potter actually didn't HATE Winchester. He certainly was annoyed by him at times. But he truly respected him, and yes cared about him deeply. As did Winchester as well. Example? Go watch "Old Soldiers" Season 8.

They didn't respect Potter? Apparently, you missed this being made a point to be shown multiple times on the show that they do in fact respect him. Do I really need to list the multiple examples?

Potter was probably envious of his abilities, as I bet Hawkeye was , though he'd never admit. Charles has always been my favorite character. Odd since I am such a "bleeding heart liberal". But that said, there was no real animosity or hatred between the two.

[–] randbanks 8 years ago

Potter was probably envious of his abilities, as I bet Hawkeye was , though he'd never admit. Charles has always been my favorite character. Odd since I am such a "bleeding heart liberal". But that said, there was no real animosity or hatred between the two.

I agree with everything you say about that response. Charles is easily one of my favorites and I to am a "bleeding heart liberal". I also had the distinct honor of meeting D.O.S personally when he was a guest conductor at the symphony my mother played at in Michigan.

Destroying an empire to win a war is no victory and ending a battle to save an empire is no defeat

[–] FarmerTed (186) 10 months ago

"They" really did not respect Potter because they did not follow regulations which could jeopardize Potter's career. But that opens a can of worms in terms of fiction versus realism for the show. Many threads here and elsewhere which covers that debate.

[–] roysfire 8 years ago

Maybe Potter sensed Winchester's unfavorably comparing his painting skills to Churchill's.

[–] FarmerTed (186) 10 months ago

Well said.