The Evolution of Magaret Houlihan

No single character on the series made such a dramatic transformation as Margaret. During the early episodes, she was pretty much a copy of the movie version. Tough, by the book, icy, yet passionate behind closed doors with Frank Burns among other high ranking officers, she truly earned the nickname of "Hot Lips"

She built a wall between her nurses and herself, using rank as the excuse. That wall was lowered a little in a 5th season episode "The Nurses", which guest starred Linda Kelsey and Gregory Harrison as newlyweds who snuck around regulations and an ersatz quarantine which had Margaret bunking with the nurses. In a confontation with the nurses, a tearful Margaret says "...you never invited me for a lousy cup of coffee...".

Her engagement and marriage to Donald lowered some more walls with her not so afraid to show a sensitive side as did a tragedy with a cute puppy. She always enjoyed a visit from orphans also. Of course there was the brief tryst with Hawkeye in the 2-part "Comrades in Arms"(also 5th season)

A 6th season episode "Temporary Duty" which had childhood friend Lorraine Anderson (Marcia Rodd) visiting from the 8063rd revealed the wildness that Margaret had put way behind her. Loraine is still a free-spirit while Margaret realizes that she has become too straight-laced. A line from Lorraine clinches it when she states that Margaret's pierced ears aren't the only things that have closed up.

The end of the episode has Margaret trying to thaw her cold personality asking BJ and Charles to join her for coffee and talk the mess tent.