Charles finds himself in hot water when Potter finds out he didn't do the charity collection on pay day (which is the only day it can realistically be done as that's when soldiers feel the most generous). He ends up having to pass off the job to Margaret, who passes it to BJ...etc. Meanwhile, a young American soldier finds himself learning a hard truth about war.
Attention all personnel! The camp would like to get out of being responsible for the following tropes:
- Because You Were Nice to Me: When Kurland learns that the North Korean soldier is suffering from severe frostbite on top of the gunshot wound, Kurland (Suspiciously Specific Denial who says it's just to shut him up) gives the man his extra blanket. Later, when Klinger hands out candy bars to the wounded, the North Korean gives Kurland his as a thank-you (leading Kurland to realize that the soldier is actually a decent guy).
- Beware the Nice Ones: Mulcahy takes the job of collection officer from Klinger and learns that, because Charles put off his responsibility of collection officer, the money that soldiers would normally give to Mulcahy for the orphanage would go to the collection instead. He's furious when he learns this, and gives Charles a dressing down that would make Potter blush.
- Blackmail: Hawkeye and B.J. throw this at each other when fighting over who would be stuck with charity collection, B.J. opens by threatening to tell Winchester that Hawkeye was responsible for a prank pulled on him (which he was). Hawkeye counters by threatening to tell Col. Potter that B.J. stole his horse to go fishing when no Jeeps were available. B.J. finally wins by threatening to tell Hawkeye's date in Tokyo the following weekend that he's married and has a child, using his photo of Peg and Erin as evidence.
- Chain of Deals: Everyone saddled with charity duty passes it off...for a price.
- Fate Worse than Death: Mulcahy warns Winchester that an empty charity ledger bearing his name will prompt Potter to bust him down so low he'll be outranked by Klinger.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Private Kurland has this at the end, realizing that he didn't shoot a man who was trying to attack him, but a desperate man trying not to freeze to death. He breaks down crying over the fact that he killed someone in cold blood.
- Skewed Priorities: After his poker win, Rizzo sends his winnings back home for his wife to get teeth for herself and shoes for their son - and to pay the rent with what's left.
- Unusual Euphemism: How Charles refers to the job of collection officer:Charles: Trying to raise money in this camp is like trying to raise the Titanic with tweezers.
