Heart of Darkness - 217

Capt Jack Ramsey who went UA (after the battle of Tora Bora & bin Laden was "allowed" to escape) was leading a mujahadeem and trying capture bin Laden. He was charged with killing 5 Zaran village men after they lied to him about the whereabouts of Fahim Khalili a pharmacist in Moquot who Ramsey believed was tied to bin Laden. After the incident the Afghan people turned against Ramsey so his sources dried up. He offered to clear his name of deaths if he could speak with US legal personnel first and avoid Afghan trial.

Cresswell sent Mac & Harm who got an agreement with Zabi, the Afghan prosecutor general, to allow a US militarytrial; but, then he double crossed and captured Ramsey. Wahid (who's mother & father were killed by Taliban) was sent to "fetch" H & M. On the way they stopped to see Mazin (who was blinded by the Taliban after helping Ramsey). Mazin said that he had seen Ramsey at the same time the villagers were killed, so he couldn't have been in Zaran during the killings. The Judge, without any sense of fairness, didn't allow H or M to see any witnesses or evidence; but, was shown as an honorable person at the end. The only evidence was that: Ramsey had been in the village earlier, been lied to about where Kalili was, the men were killed at night by masked persons, and that a US flag patch was dropped at scene - all circumstantial! Wahid brought Khalili's wife to the trial "so Ramsey could be tried on one that he did, not on the 5 that he didn't do."

Ramsey finally admitted that they had found the pharmacist, Khalili, carrying kidney failure medicines (bin Laden has renal failure) and wanted him to lead them to bin Laden. Before before they could make him, Khalili had killed himself by running off a cliff. Zabi had to choose which crime to try for, he warned that slaying unjustly (?suicide defense not even addressed?) got retaliation at the hands of the family - loss of Right hand & Left leg. Ramsey admitted Khalili's "accidental" death. M talked to Mrs. Khalili who, the next day, was shown ready to cut off Ramseys hand but then changed her mind accepting "blood money" instead: a pickup truck, a well for the town and 100 goats. Zibi was extremely upset. Ramsey was given 60 days brig time & discharge from service.

Big B owns a bikini-wrestling bar but was called back to active duty as one of a few "old timers" who knew the old paper and pencil system - needed in Iraq. He got B to try and help him escape from the recall. His girlfriend Doris got OTC ephedrine and blood pressure pills but they didn't have any effect on preventing his acceptance. He claimed he was gay to the corps wave but she talked dirty in his ear and he had "a hard day." B helped him plead before Capt Curry at NAVSUP who didn't buy all his excuses but told BB that he found 12 other retirees, some older with families, who were willing to go so "we don't need you or want you and won't call you again." The rejection upset BB. B later chided him for malingering over a "broken ankle" he received from being thrown out of the ring by his two female wrestlers but not caught as it was scripted. BB advised that his recal had been recinded but that he had "volunteered" and was going to Athens Georgia to teach at the naval supply school.

The Final shot was of Ramsay offering to give H & M a "home" in his unit and M asking H "you'd like to be joining him wouldn't you?" to which H replied "wouldn't you?" [This was a refreshingly good episode which was well written and where no "short man" crud came from Cr; but, the "elephant is still in the room," although H & M are dealing with it in their usual way - by ignoring it. Even with that, however, it was good to be "back on track," for a bit,with the series!]

The Sixth Juror - 219

[Weak (actually, completely stupid) plot with "contrived," gratuitous tension] Cr (Cr) sent Harm (H) and Mac (M) to Key West to investigate PO 2nd class Russ Foyle, who was charged with the "love triangle" murder of civilian Ben Hewitt over Lt. Eve Sorrens. Cr forced Coates (Co) on M as an assistant and kept Bud (B) in the office to continually bait him (as if it would make B jealous?) and assign him scut work. When H called and asked B for help deciphering a log book of the victims, Cr belittled B even more.

It was almost impossible to Voir Dire a jury on the small Boca Chi base. The Judge, Cdr Don Pulone, pushed Co into being the 6th juror (despite having already set in on several initial interviews with M?!) Then, when Co saw another juror romantically meeting Sorrens and reported it, Pulone accused her of "stalking" the other juror (?!) So: Hewitt was shot AFTER it had already started raining; Foyle was passed out drunk BEFORE it started raining (the flower stains on his shirt proved it!??). The judge chastised Coates for reporting juror misconduct, and juror 1was allowed to stand in the middle of the court and verbally discredit a witness! To which Coates, also on the jury, then rose and debated him! The 1st juror, who had lied in voir dire, finally admitted his affair with Sorrens. Then, now that she was openly discovered, Sorrens charged Capt Layton (her female base CO) with being sexually obsessed with her!(?!!).

B discovered that the log book, which H wanted him to decipher, actually used an old Civil War code. So, with a grand flourish, H wheeled a computer screen into court, asked for a continuance, and when the judge wouldn't grant it - called the judge to testify(?!!) The dead Hewitt was a bookie and Pulone's name was coded in his ledger for lots of money! The judge (Pulone) proceeded to hear Hs "testimony" and then testified (argued) himself in open court (!!???)

The conviening authority, Capt Layton, set aside Foyle's trial and remanded judge Palone to court marshal. Then, to cap off the absurdities, Cr pronounced his customary, final blustering belittlement of Capt Layton's positive evaluation of H, M and Coates. [This was definitely not the usual quality of work of the writer who also gave us: Wilderness of Mirrors, Walk on Wings, Answered Prayers and others!]

Posse Comitatus - 190

[A bit of an unrealistic premise and plot line. Not as strong an episode as customary JAG standards.] Sheriff Brad Driskell and deputy's, of Yuma Arizona, were pinned down behind their squad cars, adjacent to a barn where bachelor farmer Barclay Cale was shooting at them with an automatic rifle and armor piercing ammunition. A deputy was mortally wounded on the ground and another was tied up as hostage in the loft with Cale. Driskell had called for "backup" but was still hunkering behind the cars when a "super cobra" appeared and hovered just outside the barn. Cale fired again and Maj Tuney "took him out" causing beams to collapse crushing Linda Foyo, the deputy. Driskell flew into a tantrum and Tuney was eventually charged with violating the "Posse Comitatus" act which precludes military from participating in civilian law enforcement (except in very specific cases). Harm and Mac went to investigate. Lt. Col Pittman said Tuney had served in Iraq and Afghanistan and was their best trainer. He said that Tuney had noticed the sheriff's action, a wounded officer on the ground and thought he could "medivac" the wounded. He called for permission to engage but was told to "hold his position" for further orders. When Cale "fired on him" he thought a shell might bring him down on the people below so he "shot back." To Ms incredulity, he responded that he "would never order a pilot to 'hold his fire' when he was being fired upon." Cale was being arrested for property tax evasion, having lost his farm to the bank. Tuney said he had seen Cale training his gun on the deputy and another on the ground bleeding; so, when he was shot at with armor piercing rounds, and with his co-pilots agreement, he shot "a microburst at a steep angle, so as not to hit the deputy." He had tried to contact the sheriff, but was told by the dispatcher that she had been ordered "not to put me through." The sheriff was a pissy know-it-all with a chip on his shoulder who claimed that he "didn't need or want help," he was "still negotiating," and "didn't need another trigger happy yahoo to deal with." M found that Tuney had a similar incident two years previously at another command. He "helped" the San Diego police who were chasing a felon up the wrong lane of a freeway. Tuney had brought his helicopter down in front of the criminal, but instead of stopping he drove off the freeway and into someone's back yard. "I took actions to save lives," Tuney told them, "if that's illegal, lock me up."

Harriet was asked to help produce the Christmas USO show in Bagdad with Garth Brooks. Bud was appointed Hearing Officer for Lt. Cdr Justin Bentley, a doctor whose training had been paid for by the Navy and who now, that his unit was being called up to Iraq, wanted out on "contentious objector" status. Bud saw a whole wall full of military photos on the wall of Bentley's private practice office full of the latest technology. Bentley claimed that he had "been overwhelmed with guilt" all during the last 6 years (the navy had been paying for) but joined the Quakers when he married this last year. He told B the photos were "for his patients" (who were mostly military and dependents) so B asked if he would take down the photos after he was discharged and he replied "yes." Turner, assigned to defend, went to Bentley's church meeting then asked C for reassignment. C's disbelief was met with "when I look at my father (50 year navy chaplain) I see his faith, but I don't see that in Bentley." C asked if Ts father knew he was turning his back on religion and T said he would defend Bentley but didn't respect him, then left. T called and asked his father for help. C stopped in to "say hello" and asked the chaplain if he had any "words of wisdom for me." The Chaplain said "Absolutely. Treat my son well and you'll be rewarded in heaven." He asked C if he needed help to straighten T out. C said "I think he is straight enough." T jokingly asked if he should leave "so you can talk about me," and C pondered and said down his nose "if you don't mind." T called his father as a witness at the hearing and the chaplain said that he was convinced of Bentley's sincerity. T asked about "finding God," and his fathers answer was subtly directed at T. Bud, as hearing officer, asked about the chaplains 50 year service despite disagreement with war. The chaplain said that he "found honor in providing solace to those who fought and comfort to the wounded and dying." B told Bentley that he was not impressed that he'd done anything to convince anyone that he was a pacifist and asked why he couldn't serve in a non-combat situation. Bentley said he didn't want to be connected in any way with the military and "wanted to serve God, nothing else matters." At a restaurant, T told his dad that "people have a way of letting you down." His dad asked if it was about congresswoman Latham and T said that was ancient history. He claimed that it "was in my nature to do my best… but my friends, coworkers…" then told him of his pending charges. He said that even though he had joined the navy when "we were called colored" and tolerated bigotry, he was accused of racial bias against Koreans. His dad asked "is it true?" and T answered "I don't know." "Then it's about you not your friends. T said that "I am so far away from what I wanted to be in my life that I don't even recognize myself." His dad told him that he needed to recognize he was imperfect and "move on. You’ve got to learn how to bend before you break."

H and M were hotly discussing the posse comitatus act, when M said "you love this. I know why you came back. You need JAG as much as JAG needs you." H asked, "what about you? Are you glad to have me back?" The phone rang before M had to answer. The Tuney case went to hearing and the sheriff acted his arrogant self claiming that he didn't ask or want help. He had been a marine for four years. No mention about what part his arrogance or stonewalling had played in the incident was made. The deputy claimed that she knew Cale from childhood and once the helicopter had shown up had been able to talk him into dropping his weapon. H got her to admit that no one else knew about it and Tuney had reason to believe otherwise.

The conclusions: Bud decided that he "wasn't sure he was right but couldn't prove that Bentley was wrong." So he said he was recommending to let him out; but added that "since you want complete separation" he would take away his "participating provider" status from navy medicine. Bentley then started arguing that it would bankrupt him, he would loose his practice etc. T saw the benefit of Bs decision and told Bentley "it seems consistent with your beliefs." B offered that "sometimes faith carries a high price." After Bentley left, B told T that "for awhile there I thought he might be for real." T replied, "never put your faith in people, you will always be disappointed." The judge told Tuney that it was "becoming difficult to distinguish between an act of terrorism worthy of military response and a criminal act better suited for police jurisdiction." He was recommending no action. But, when Tuney was telling H thanks, his CO informed him that the wing commander had transferred him out of the squad pending a FENAB to evaluate his flying status. M asked him if it was worth it. Tuney replied "yes, I'd do it again."

Friendly Fire - 173

Chegwidden assigned Mac and Bud to prosecute, and Turner to defend, Lt Cdr David Ridley who killed three and wounded three British Troops in "friendly fire." Harm was appointed Judge to both M & Ts surprise and questioning of his "objectivity." H told M that he wouldn't do any "pay back" for when M was on the bench but that didn't seem to be very assuring to M. He asked for Coates as his trial clerk who read books about judges being "most effective when they are invisible" and that "asking a lawyer to be a judge was like asking a boxer to be a referee." When H seemed to take umbrage T pointed out that there were "hunters who killed saber-toothed tigers with sticks and stones while there were others back at the cave who were not so courageous but wise and fair." H asked if they were afraid that he wouldn't "divvy up the meat fairly." Coates told him that he was a "natural born killer." H kept claiming he was going to be impartial and fair; however, he was anything but. During Ms opening statement he stopped her then corrected her then let T editorialize to his hearts content and overruled Ms objection. When the SECNAV came in to observe the proceedings H called them to the front and admonished M regarding favoritism.

Ridley & Lt Cdr Barry, his wingman, were coming back to the coral sea from a long mission requiring 5 refueling's when they saw ground tracer fire. He requested permission from AWACs to use his machine guns but they told him to "hold." Instead he descended ostensibly to "take a mark" and saw some "green fire" so he dropped a laser-guided bomb just as AWACs radioed that they were "friendlies." The only thing T could come up with as a defense was the combined use of stimulants and depressants making him "paranoid and jittery" even though they were commonly prescribed by the flight surgeon. The SECNAV questioned Cs appointment of an aviator as a judge and tap danced trying to influence for a conviction without being seen as undue influence. He commended M & B on their first day and commented on the level of hostility. M suggested to him that if he wanted to help he should "not sit on my side of the trial." M called Lt Kaufman from the AWACs plane, T deferred his cross so H began asking questions which seemed to favor the defense and overruled Ms objections. She told him that "if I'm going to loose this case I'd like to do it without any help from the bench" and asked him to recuse himself on grounds of bias." The SECNAV stopped his car and talked to H who had to threaten him with unlawful command influence. C refused to remove H from the case so M wanted to resign from it. C wouldn't accept that either.

T pressed the point of mixing "go and no-go pills" with the flight surgeon and asked for him to make a conclusion. M objected. H sustained the objection then did Ts job for him. T editorialized and baited the doctor but H overruled Ms objection. Then B objected to something and H sustained it so M began letting B do the objecting and cross examining. H debriefed with Coates and figured out what had happened but couldn't tell anyone. Coates found that "judges must refrain from helping any party that assists their case." So he gave exculpatory evidence to M & B knowing of their integrity. They gave the electro-magnetic resonance report from the AWACs to T who realized that it was the generator that they were trying to fix that sparked and Ridley had mistaken for fire. Ridley was found "not-guilty" but H found his activities as inappropriate and ordered a Field Evaluation Board to consider his future as an aviator in combat. The SECNAV told H that is 1st assignment to the bench was "distinctive." C wanted a volunteer for a couple of months as a judge and H told him to "count me out." He said that he was more of a "hunter" and when C looked puzzled said "the type to hit saber-toothed tigers with a stick." So C appointed M as temporary judge.

Complications - 170

Bud went before the readiness board with testimony from C, H & T. (Unbelievably) Capt Masters asked if he could run or scramble up a ships ladder then said he shouldn't expect promotion with limited duty and that he would just be dead wood preventing another good officer from having a career. Until the board notified him by letter he was back at jag Line of Duty determinations, OP NAB instructions and updating case law- i.e. "grunt work." One claim for disability from Lt Fred Keefer caught Bs eye because it was for eye injury ostensibly from a North Korean Laser Gun. B went to the field to investigate, spoke to Dr Rayburn, ophthalmologist, who said his eyesight seemed to get better then got worse again after B starting delaying the proceedings. B did a stake out of Keefer's home and caught him looking into a laser in his garage. Buds letter finally came which accepted him to permanent limited duty.

M & H investigated the death of Krista Cuban, the 16 y/o daughter of Major General Chet Cubin, during surgery for thyroglossal duct cyst. It was declared an unexpected cardiac failure of unknown reasons but the General didn't believe it. He conducted his own "investigation" and believed the surgeon, Cdr John Bartel, to have acted negligently because he acted defensively trying to blame the anesthesiologist. Bartel had been telling his usual jokes disturbing Dr Cheryl Ashley at the time when Krista's blood pressure suddenly dropped and she went into ventricular fibrillation then died. A nurse recalled that Bartel had nicked the jugular vein and had spent time trying to blame Ashley instead of saving Krista. Then on the stand the nurse recanted her testimony saying that she had been intimidated by General Cubin and his threats. Ts motion for dismissal of charges was granted and General Cuban charged with undo command influence. Cuban testified that he had been trying to put the "fear of God" into them to find out what really had happened and Judge Helfman said she was going to send for court-martial. M asked for 24 hours to present "new evidence" (that she was hoping to find). M wondered if was really Bartel and went to hospital to check toxicology results. The duty pathologist said that the blood was normal except antibodies for hepatitis- which she had never had. M interrogated the original toxicologist, Dr Stodamyer, saying "would it surprise you that DNA test showed two persons blood in the sample" and asked what the Clindamycin level had been the first time he ran the sample. He finally admitted that he didn't want Ashley to suffer for being distracted by Bartel when she pushed the drug in fast instead of letting it drip in slowly. He diluted her blood sample with another persons blood and ran the test again with a lower result. With the new evidence the judge didn't want to rule and asked H and M to "work it out."

Singer was granted full maternity leave as she had decided not to have an abortion. H wanted to talk to her and grabbed her elbow when she started to walk away from him. Bud saw their talk. She finally relented to talk with H at Benzinger's and taunted H by ordering beer and saying she was going to take up smoking. She denied that the baby was Serge's but he didn't believe her. She said she was going to put it up for adoption upsetting H who told her to call Serge and talk to him. H said that he didn't want another Rabb to live life without knowing his father and asked her to give the baby to him. She said "no" H said "over my dead body" then "I'm not done with you yet" after she had walked out. Their discussion was overheard by a woman at another table and Coates.

First Casualty - 153

Reporter Stuart Dunston was involved in an ambush when he was "tag along" with a SEAL team who were after Mustafa Atef, an Al Qaeda leader, and sustained both military and civilian casualties. Harm eventually found that Dunston had had made a satellite phone call (with GPS coordinates) before the ambush despite being told not to. The SECNAV reamed H and Mac for "harassing" the press. He overturned the field commanders negative decision and allowed Dunston to go on the missioin. "Title 10, Article 802" allowed Dunston to be court-martialed with president (GW Bush) as the convening authority. [The show cited previous cases of the press compromising military efforts and being court martialled; however, neither Lincoln or Gen Andrew Jackson actually had completed the prosecution.)

Turner vehemently argued with H and defended Dunston. The SECNAV testified that he was guilty for not listening to the field commanders. It was shown that Dunstons GPS electronics couldn't have been the give-away; but, M overheard Dunston's assistant speaking Farsi the she lied about it when confronted. The assistant had tipped off her Al Qaeda cousin in Pakistan after Dunston had called in his report to her. Dunston then plead guilty and apologized. T admitted that he was wrong; H admitted being wrong; and M said "I wasn't wrong about anything." Bud is on the USS Seahawk and is keeping secret about PO Jennifer Coates being his "legal-man." Singer is still snotty and jealous of him and continued pressing C for an overseas assignment.

Answered Prayers - 145

[A truly amazingly written show!] Coats and her worthless preacher father was introduced. Because of Christmas leaves the judge orders H to take care of Coates awaiting trial. He is talked out of putting her into jail and tried to leave her with her father. When he saw how demeaning and hateful her father was he convinced M to take her in overnight. Singer prosecuted the case. Coates ended up with H at a pre-sermon party given by the Roberts and was accused of stealing Ss new jeweled bracelet. She ran from the party and H had to track her down and bring her back only to find that Ss bracelet had been taken by "little AJ." S was eventually stood up by wealthy boyfriend who bought her the jeweled bracelet.

Mikey went before Lindsey for his acceptance interview for the Naval academy. H restored his Vet w/ Ts help. T revealed a childhood punishment by his chaplain father for "wrongful appropriation of a bike." Hs car didn't have a top on it yet so he refused to give T a ride; and then it was "stolen" from his garage. Webb tried to make cell phone contact w/ H throughout the story but was nearly blown up. Chloe talked to her deployed dad on the phone, and helped M & H befriend Coats. H kissed M under mistletoe.

C had to defend the Navy in a "publicity trial" from a NY lawyer claiming "imprisonment" of reindeer getting on to military runway in Iceland. T introduced his father Chaplain Turner who was going to give his 50th Christmas sermon in the service. He is recalled to active duty one time a year to give the sermon. C recalled to him his memory of a Xmas sermon in Vietnam that really helped him through the hard times and realized it had been chaplain Turner who had given it! Chaplain T called in a favor from a Jewish chaplain friend in Iceland and got him to take custody of the reindeer.

Chaplain T used the theme "the unsung father Joseph" as a vehicle for flashbacks into the characters' fathers' relationships: "had a premature death, but taught skills & prepared for future," and "bind up the broken hearted and free the captives"-- (Hs father); "at times a solid foundation for family, support taken for granted or may need shoring up himself"-- (Mikey, B); "tired, impatient, mired in own problems"-- (M & her father reconcile B4 death); but, "he always looked beyond here and now; keeping one eye on the next generation so of necessity he is a man filled w/ hope that a knowing God watches over the universe, hope that justice will prevail, hope that we will be reunited w/ loved ones"-- (B & Hts loss of baby). Paul said: "abide by these 3: faith, hope, Love, the greatest love. When we give thanks to the father for our blessings, let us not forget Joseph or our own fathers"-- (back to H) "that they not be forgotten this Xmas."

Afterward C told the chaplain "you did it again" (comparing w/ previous sermon in Vietnam.) Lindsay told Mikey he was accepted to naval academy. Big Bud complimented Mikey & hugged him. Singer met Lindsey. T "returned" Hs car he "appropriated" with a new top. Coats stayed w/ M & kissed H in gratitude "I could get arrested but it was worth it". And lastly, H went to the Vietnam wall to see his fathers name & found an Xmas card taped to it addressed "to Harmon Rabb Sr - the father I never knew"-- Sergei appeared. Webb had risked his life & traded Chechens wheat for him and brought him out! Webb said "merry Xmas H" but didn't allow Sergei to say "thanks" by giving him a preemptive "you're welcome."

To Walk on Wings - 130

An OSPREY was hit by an ocean swell during a "ride-along" conducted for representatives Latham (L) and Fetzer. L tried to kill the Osprey during her hearings. She blamed the mishap on the Osprey which was "so faulty that the pilot couldn't handle it", played to the press then claimed there had been a cover-up because the pilot over-flew the data recorder. Mac (M) was asked to assist Fetzer on the committee and "blew away" Leatham's hired henchman, William Markey, a civilian weapons analyst. Harm (H) represented Maj Asher, the pilot, and eventually showed that the mishap was due to Latham's 2 hr delay, thich put their course directly into the blinding sun; and, Fetzer's prolonging the jump, due to standing for a picture. M restored the data recorder which proved that Asher was honest. L flippantly asked "is there anyone else you would like to blame?" H said "yes: the Critics - who expect hardware to be perfect out of the box; the Media for sensationalism, exaggerating everything to the dimension of tragedy; and Congress for not listening to those who know the aircraft best, pilots, who are telling you they are willing to risk their lives because they believe it's important to the defense of our country."

Harriet said she feels like a valueless paper pusher and investigated and cleared an old case of Mstr Chief David Litrell who refused exoneration on a commissary theft in order to avoid his wife's embarrassment for infidelity with him, (her then husbands best friend.) However he still wouldn't accept exoneration not wanting his wife to live with the stigma. Gunny and Tiner were planning the bachelor party for Brum.

Iron Coffin - 125

Capt Alex Volkonov (AV) came to the US and asked Harm for assistance in investigating the demise of the Russian sub Vladivostok. At first Capt Baxter stonewalled H then C called in a favor of Adml Crawford at SUBLANT then Cmdr Flagler spoke with H and the angry AV. Baxter questioned Hs loyalties so C & H spoke w/ him; he finally admitted that the experimental Russian Shkval 2 torpedo did a 180 and sunk their own ship. But he said, "How we know is security classified."

Mac and Bud assisted female Ensign Terry Childers in testifying before Latham's committee regarding her wanting to serve on submarines, despite policies against it. L shanghaied M into taking a "fact finding" sub cruise on the Watertown with Flagler and reporting to her. H was, at the same time, also invited for a Public Relations cruise on the Russian sub Minsk. The irrational Russian Captain was firing another Shkval 2 torpedo putting H & M in "tap dance mode." Finally M convinced Flagler into breaking the subs radio silence. M told the Russians that the US had "placed listening devices aboard all Russian ships" trying to convince him not to fire the defective missle. The Russians fired anyway so Flagler fired a drone (toward Minsk) so that when the torpedo finally did its 180 and came back at the Minsk, it acquired the drone at the last minute and prevented it hitting the Russian sub.

Brum & Renee went to a concert together; both said they were afraid to ask M & H if they had had an affair.

Family Secrets - 119

Bud (B) and Harriet (Ht) learn that Dr Lawrence Gettis had missed a myoma in Ht, and that he was test driving his new Porsche during her labor when a prolapsed cord occurred. Chegwidden (C) talked B out of suing the government; but he instead filed dereliction of duty charges against Gettis. Brumby's (Brum) new law firm was handling Gettis' defense and when Sr partner Larry Kaliski tried to order him to take the case Brum quit the firm. Mac (M) prosecuted and C ordered B to "stay out of it." Instead B tried to interject too much becoming emotional. Even M had to dress him down for it. Despite the evidence against Gettis, Kaliski switched Ht's ultrasound with a nearly identical ultrasound of another woman thus tricking a nervous doctor witness into identifying "the myoma" on the wrong ultrasound. Ht was called to the stand and, although Kaliski tried to trap her into lying, she admitted that she had had a previous abortion as a teen and a former doctor had diagnosed myoma; but, she hadn't revealed any of that to Gettis. Gettis was acquitted and apologized to B & Ht.

Webb (W) informed Harm (H) that Sergei's helicopter was shot down in Chechnya (again). H immediately wanted C to send him to Russia but his request was denied. When it didn't look good W prompted a story about Sergei in a national news magazine. Having not ever told his mother about Sergei H needed to flee to San Diego to tell her before she read it in the magazine. She was upset that he hadn't told her! H decided to resign his commission in order to go to Russia and put his letter in Cs in-box. W eventually found that Sergei had been captured alive and was in a Chechen prison camp, so C tore up Hs resignation saying it "needed to be in triplicate anyway."

M caught Brum putting on his Australian Navy uniform and he told her that he had decided to accept a very good position back in Australia. When she said that "they had something" he countered that she was still, at this late date, "thinking" about the engagement after 10 months! So, pressured, M changed the ring from her right to left ring finger as the credits closed.

Real Deal Seal - 107

[This episode had such a ridiculously implausible plot line so as to be insulting to regular viewers and damaging to DJ Elliot's character (Harm) who was shown to lie to Mac, unrealistically put his life in danger, and be derelict in his legal skills.] Lt Curtis Rivers, using his medal of honor, crashed an election rally for "Wild Bill" Layton running for the senate, and called him an imposter. Layton, who was wearing his navy pin on his lapel, told everyone that he was a "Navy SEAL" and running on the platform of "integrity in government and family values." Rivers removed the pin and Layton took a swing at him. Rivers held his hands up and stepped back until Layton came at him again so he decked him. Chegwidden (C) told Harm (H) that Layton wasn't a SEAL but had received a Navy Cross. Also that Rivers was in a group of retired SEALS who exposed imposters. B said there were "more fraudulent SEALS than real ones." C assigned H to try and obtain an apology from Rivers so any charges would "go away." Senator Henry Barrington asked C for permission to submit his name for a federal judgeship then segwayed, without gratification, into Layton's case. Rivers refused H the apology and instead told him of another imposter who was a gun for hire. The FBI knew about him but were stymied. C asked Bud (B) to help with the application and B told he would be good for the job but would the job be good for him. Mac (M) was assigned to prosecute but wanted 24 hours to reason with Layton. Instead she found a campaign manager who quoted a focus group that said to "convict Rivers" and that "compassion was in this year." When M pointed out that the spotlight would be turned on him, Layton said he "had nothing to hide." H offered to defend Rivers but he declined saying he'd "do it himself" and that H could be 2nd chair. Instead he told H of the imposter-assassin, Earl Ticktin, who washed out of Navy after basic and had three confirmed kills. Rivers smugly told H that he'd hired Ticktin to kill H as bait(?!!). Then convinced him to go along with it by basically calling him "chicken" (?!!) He introduced H to Pops Munchak and Vic Velasco who were arguing with each other. Rivers said "relax, I'd trust them with my life," and H retorted "I'd trust them with YOUR life too." They then offered to "call off the hit" if H said so and he didn't (?!!) Rivers made his own opening statement and began eloquently using rhetoric about SEALS. M objected, and the judge asked him if H could perform the duties of a SEAL. He responded "no," so she asked him "what makes you think you do the job of a trial lawyer." He responded "because he knew the truth" and she quipped "obviously you've never been to law school."

H went jogging with Rivers who was explaining his defense strategy to claim that he was making a citizens arrest. H pointed that he hadn't arrested only forcibly removed the pin and punched him. Rivers claimed "in self-defense" but then macho-ly claimed that he had not felt the least bit threatened by Layton. Munchak took a shot at a sniper targeting H but missed and lost him on a motorcycle. Rivers said "we'll get him next time" and H merely shook his head (?!!) The sniper loaded his own shells, 7.62 mm with soft rim primers and hollow point. Rivers remembered a previous FBI case sighting of a motorcycle so they went to talk to police chief Carson. There was a report of someone shooting transformers and setting off explosives in the Vallecito Mtn's. The FBI had investigated after someone had confessed hiring a contract killer and made a pay drop in the location but couldn't find anything. H told M that he didn't know why anyone would try and kill him. M said she "hoped he wasn't involved in one of Rivers crazy scheme's and H said "you know me better than that!" (?!!) M made the motion to prevent H from bringing up Layton's military record and the Judge Granted the motion. Layton lied that Rivers assaulted him. H did convince Rivers to let him cross-examine Layton. Rivers told the judge "there are different kinds of beaches to storm, this one is Cdr Rabb's." H let Layton pontificate and his playing to the crowd brought up his military service so, with the door open, H was able to impeach his military record. Layton claimed that he "didn't go around touting his own horn about his decorations." He said he "earned his trident in the field (?!!) when he rescued 3 POWs." H showed only one American had ever been rescued from captivity during the entire Vietnam war. Layton claimed that it was a black op, and no-one would admit it. The rest of his platoon disappeared in Cambodia- he was on solo recon and never made the mission.

Barrington began trying to pull strings with C for his friend "Bill Layton." Carson called H to come up to a cabin he found in the mountains before the FBI got there and H went without telling anyone (?!!) Rivers had his buddies check if Layton's Navy Cross was really classified. (?!!) Claiming that Ticktin had been sighted, he got H to go with him to the cabin. H called M to ask her to request a continuance but didn't reveal anything (?!!). When M was receiving the continuance Rivers objected claiming that he was ready (?!!) then, only after Layton was on the stand, Munchak rushed in with evidence he'd just obtained. Rivers asked how he obtained his Cross and Layton described a "riverine OP on the Mekong Delta where he captured a North VN Major on an ambush and abduction mission under fire then interrogated him to reveal a weapons stockpile. Rivers pointed out that Layton had been in a public affairs office writing press releases and Layton gloated "before he was transferred to combat unit." Rivers had Layton read one of his press releases which turned out to be of PO Mora with the exact same details Layton had just claimed for himself! Rivers asked him to describe any of the men in his unit that disappeared or give names and his couldn't. Rivers called him a coward, liar and imposter and Layton just sat there. Carson sent H around to the back of the cabin and claimed that he was an excellent shot and could cover him. He said he loaded his own ammo and described the same ammo that H knew of the sniper. Suspicious, H found a booby trap and set it off drawing Carson in for the kill. H took pot shots at him until, as he tried to escape, H got the drop on him. Instead of dropping his gun, he turned to shoot H but was shot himself. H returned to stand by Rivers as the verdict was read. Found "not guilty" of conduct unbecoming but "guilty" of assault and battery (?!!), with forfeiture of one day pay. Barrington told C that "in time he would learn to be a team player." When he became a judge he would "remember who got you that appointment." When C advised of constitutional separation of powers, Barrington spoke of "the difference between the platitudes of civic lessons and cold hard realities; and that it would be a mistake to disagree." C advised "no, the mistake was yours." H told C that he would "miss him" and C retorted "why? Are you leaving us again?"

Overdue & Presumed Lost - 108

[A barely believable episode with inconsistencies but was dedicated to all USN submariners on the event of the 100th anniversary of the first USN sub] On 5 Dec 1941 the USS Dolphin, a submarine on patrol, spotted the "entire Jap fleet," 45 miles NW of Hawaii. They stayed on the surface, despite being found and shelled, until their radio message to pearl was received. Fifty-nine years later the sound of a sunken ships hull was picked up on sonar listening devices and triangulated to the last known location of the Dolphin. Self claimed archeologist/treasure hunter, Jack Riggins, ran to the site and "dropped his flag" claiming in court, "finders keepers." Riggin's attorney, Stewart Grossman, told Chegwidden (C) that "the judges down here are different" than what he was used to. Admiral Matthew Stanton, an old friend of Cs represented the SECNAV and interests of the submarine community. C told Harm (H) that a privilege of rank is the opportunity to squash parasites like Riggin's myself." He assigned H to fill in for him at his budget hearings saying "last time you got the funds to repair your holes in the courtroom ceiling." Judge green was flippant and full of herself making snide comments. C pointed to specific laws making US vessels property of the government in perpetuity, that it wasn't abandoned, and that it was a gravesite for 60 sailors. Green asked Riggins if a restraining order would cause him hardship and he replied it would and accused the navy of covering up the fact that the government had ignored radio messages in order to get the US into war in order to solidify public opinion with outrage. The accusation was so completely idiotic it flummoxed C. Green refused the restraining order but said C could be on the vessel as an observer.

Using a remote sub they brought up the ships lock box and found the ships log intact. It showed that a warning message had, in fact, been sent and acknowledged by Cardinal Point listening station. C, with H and Gunny (G) had to overcome the ineptitude of the records storage facility personnel and found the message log book but the applicable page had been razored out! Riggins came to Cs office and told him that he would help solve the puzzle because "you're hooked- the ghosts are speaking to you." He asked G to find personnel of Cardinal Point and Admiral Stanton was revealed. Stanton told C that he had definitely received it and sent it on to Washington, per protocol. They were supposed to decide which messages to send back and when he saw the zero's three miles out he was surprised that the fleet was still at anchor because he had forwarded the message hours before. He told C that the message was received by undersecretary of war Malloy (or something that started with an M). G personally twisted the records clerk into searching boxes for the undersecretary's material and found the actual message misfiled in a folder on the Panama Canal. Judge Green pontificated that "I am the law" and the laws cited by C didn't pertain to "historical truth." She allowed the salvage claim of Riggins. Upset C told Riggins to "listen to see what the ghosts were telling HIM now." Later C and Stanton were show in a memorial service at Pearl. Riggins told C that he had withdrawn his claim citing that he had "listened to the ghosts, and to you (C)."

Renee told H that the JAG budget was just like a movies and shamed him into saying he preferred doing budget with her than onboard the vessel with C. He told C that he didn't get the 4.3% increase that C had told him to get; rather, he got 8.1% by adding funds for inflation factor, contingency fund, and travel allowance. Bud (B) was assigned to defend PO 2nd class Potts in his court-martial for ditching his mandatory physical training and taking diet pills to loose weight. He said he wanted to stay in but Mac (M) told him that his love of the Navy was outweighed by his utter lack of military discipline. B identified with him and said that the navy was using his as a scapegoat to send a message. He told him that he had "lost 20 pounds when he had his jaw wired." He showed that Potts' job required him to sit and run a 50million dollar missile system and that his CO said he didn't care how much he weighed unless he broke the chair. A BMI greater than 25 was considered unfit for the navy ( weight (in pounds) X 705 / square root of height (in inches)) and Potts could do it in his head. There were two recruiters watching the trial and started a bidding war in the hallway over Potts, including $120K, stock option, condo's etc. M was astounded when he said he "just wanted to stay in the navy." She counter-offered with "$20k, forfeit 30 days pay, 2 week confinement to quarters, drug testing, mandated PT and regulated diet, and may end up in combat." He took it!

Into the Breech - 97

[Renee Peterson was introduced to produce a recruiting commercial] Renee Peterson was hired to produce a recruiting commercial and was frustrated by being stuck with the "legal" aspect instead of something interesting. She ran around arrogantly abusing everyone at JAG, even Singer (S). Chegwidden (C) tried to give Harm (H) acting advice from his experience on the film "field of gold." He assigned H and Mac (M) to assist in a mock trial by cadets at Iron Force Naval academy where his friend Cmd Haglan worked. They were trying gunners mate Gregory Riordan, posthumously, for 29 counts of 1st degree murder when he blew up a gun turret to get even with his shipmates for hazing him. Original investigation believed he had filled his boda bag with accelerant and placed it in the turret. Billy played the part of Riordan and Luisa (and M) his defense council. Steve (and H) were prosecution. They found a real witness that would testify so Haglan said "lets have the trial that the Navy never had." Terence Connor testified that he had filled Riordan's boda bag with grease and saw him throw it overboard. H and M asked C to re-open the case. C said no and to just finish the case and get back to work. The kids said no, however, cause they didn't work for C. Steve, who was trying to hit on Louisa, chastised her for hanging out with "losers" like Billy. While chatting, H told M that he "missed out on being a kid, trying to be the man of the house, shoulda gone to a disco." M said "I know what you mean, I've seen you dance." M counseled Louisa to be "better than the men but don’t rub their noses in it. Think like a woman but act like a man."

Shepard Carmine testified that he saw a man come out of the turret with a bloody nose 15 minutes before the explosion. He sort of turned out to be a nut but Bud (B) checked sick bay records and found PO Michael Saunders had lied about how he got his bloody nose. Gunny (G) helped B find Saunders through his ex-wife, Kathy. H went to the tavern Saunders worked at and got him to admit he had thrown Riordan a blanket party and held him upside down by the ankles over the rail above the screw until he cried. Happy about the findings, Louisa hugged Billy and Steve beat up Billy in the restroom. Louisa advised Billy to report it and he declined saying he'd beat him in court. Billy remembered a letter written to Riordan by Kathy "with love," so M and H went to talk to Saunders "ex" again. This time she admitted that the two had been fighting over her and she had chosen Riordan. When he had died she was four months pregnant with her son, now named Greg Riordan after his father. H went back to Saunders and shamed him into testifying to prevent Greg from being embarrassed when he found out. C attended the final day of trial to correct any possible miscarriages. Saunders said he had gone into Riordan's turret and picket a fight over Kathy. While Riordan's back was turned he saw someone load an extra bag of propellant but didn't say anything about it. Riordan was acquitted in the mock trial and C said he would take care of the real case.

C had tried to help Renee with her commercial and, when she maligned most of the navy who were "were not exciting," gave a masterfully powerful speech about being "trained in the art of war, but the profession of peace." Paused and told him that he had "great presence, but it was too hokey and would never sell." She called B the Pillsbury Dough Boy then said that H almost works "if only he'd done something beside being a lawyer." When the case was over, C told H to report to the Washington Monument during "magic hour" to help Renee.

Psychic Warrior - 91

Lieutenant McGrane, the subject of a "remote viewing" experiment had "flashbacks" and killed himself by escaping the room and jumping off a balcony. Admiral Harrison Spencer, the director of the "Star Gazer" research program for the navy was then blamed for the death by Admiral Linsenmeyer, director of naval intelligence, who was trying to make his embarrassing program go-away. McGrane had lied in order to join the experiment and Spencer had initiated his "viewing" experience before the drug screen had returned. McGrane was using psychotropic drugs "Sertraline and Fluoxetrine" for "manic-depression and anxiety." Arrogant Linsenmeyer commanded Harm (H) and Mac (M) to "work it out with the minimum embarrassment to the navy," and H had to put him in his place saying his sole allegiance was to exonerate Spencer. M badgered H about paranormal belief and predicting the super bowl. Spencer wanted to take the stand and use the trial to publicize his research despite Hs disagreement. M badgered him into claiming he could bend spoons and trying on the stand. He failed and blamed it on the "environment" of the courtroom. Bud (B) was helping M with prosecution but began badgering professor Pilkinton, his own know-it-all skeptic witness who was maligning anyone who believed in paranormal activities in general. M had to tell him to "sit down and be quiet." On cross examination, H showed him up for the arrogant bigot he was.

Chloe called M from her grandparents house and asked if she was dating H yet. She said she had a dream where they married and she was the flower girl. Later she fell off her horse during a ride and went missing. M was worried and Spencer offered to "remote view" in order to find her. M told him unequivocally no but then while M was cross examining him went into a trance and said he saw Chloe under a covered bridge, over a dry stream, by some white rocks. Spencer was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter but guilty of disobeying an order (using McGrane before tox screen back). M flew back to Chloe's grandparents house and, while on the plane, had a "vision" of lightening striking a tree in the forest and Chloe appearing from behind it. When riding in the truck with her grandmother they were stopped by a tree across the road. M recognized it from her vision and began searching the area. Chloe was found wet and whining. When M came back to JAG she said that she was recommending the court accept "mitigating" evidence and retirement with no loss of rank or benefits. Spencer looked at her surprised by her turn-around and declared that she had seen a vision. When M admitted she had to H, he asked her who was going to win the super bowl.

Wilderness of Mirrors - 82

Chegwidden (C)was going to argue a case before the supreme court having to do with a sailor who developed aids, thereby earning his "silver quill pen." He decided to hold a Moot court on a Saturday in order to prepare and asked everyone to come be judges. Harm (H) had planed to go sailing with Jordan but didn't say anything about it so Mac (M)spoke up for him. C gave M, Bud (B) and Brumby (Brum) robes for the occasion and made B "chief justice." The SECNAV came to try and get C to let a "justice weenie" argue the case. C told accused him of not trusting him and said that arguing before the supreme court for a lawyer was like planting the flag on Sarabachi and he not only was capable but intended to win. B agreed with one of Cs arguments one time and was roundly chastised and told to be "aggressive." B was shown making several very technical points and eventually got so carried away that he became belligerent and abusive to C, telling him to sit down. M jumped in and extended the time so C could make his argument and was able to "win" his point. However, M came to Cs house after she was relieved from watch to inform him that the sailor in question had resigned his commission thereby canceling the case. C couldn't be comforted and told her that "the other side retreated, there's no satisfaction in that!" When B apologized for his belligerence C told him that he could be a great lawyer, to just let his style develop naturally and not to fire any weapons in the courtroom.

H began seeing his father. First at JAG then at his apartment. He got phone calls with his fathers voice. Jordan was staying at his apartment for the weekend and was interrupted by a patient who was seeing his dead partner and feeling guilty over missing a shot. Because H was having his own "visions" he went to talk to M instead of Jordan telling her that she had always humored his occasional metaphysical moments. M told him that he should be speaking to Jordan so he did with his anticipated results. She immediately jumped to hallucinations and wanted to do a CT scan to rule organic brain disease. He eventually realized that the phone calls were exactly what his father had said in his letter tapes, and found that his tapes were out of order so someone had been in his apartment. Of course he thought of Clark Palmer, and was correct. H traced a phone call back to a hotel where a Harmon Rabb Sr was registered. H said he could be the hunted or hunter so, over Jordan's objections, went to confront Palmer. It was a ruse, however, in order to get Jordan alone so Palmer could take her hostage. He gagged and bound her to a chair and placed her behind a Mylar mirror angled so H would see Palmer sitting in a chair from the door. When H returned Palmer had the lights off and flashed lights into Hs eyes while he talked to him. H pulled his gun while they argued and finally Palmer pulled his gun to force H to fire. Jordan tapped the mirror with her foot but H realized the image of Palmer was drawing his gun with the reverse hand so he fired to the side of the mirror. Jordan capitulated that H wasn't unstable and didn't need therapy. H accompanied Palmer to Leavenworth so he made it to jail this time. Palmer faked a trip and was shown picking up a paper clip and secreting it in his sling.

Above and Beyond - 45

A black SEAL, Lt Curtis Rivers, was nominated by Pres Clinton to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor, for rescuing Under Secretary of State Lawrence Culbertson from terrorists before they killed him. His squad disliked him and as they were only supposed to do recon, argued w/ him when he led them into rescue Culbertson. Rivers killed 8 terrorists and went back for the wounded PO Douglas who told him to go. Rivers lit off a pop up flare and carried Culbertson to the beach. Harm & Mac needed "two witnesses" in order to recommend the medal but the angry, wounded Douglas lied and said he didn't see it because he was unconscious. Chief Wilkins told H that Rivers was dangerous to his men and that he had broken the SEAL code of not leaving his man. Rivers acted like a spoiled brat the whole episode and wouldn't give his side. M told him to "not play the race card with us." H took a bottle of liquor to his house and tried to "buddy up" to him in order to obtain his side of the story. Rivers said that his father, Edgar, had been a seaman who was wrongfully accused of stealing money from the officers mess and had hung himself while in the brig. Rivers said that neither of the JAG lawyers believed his father and that he had read his letters from the prison. A "weenie" assistant to the president came and dogged H to "push through" the award ostensibly for "national healing." C assisted by interrogating Culbertson. H finally told Rivers that he was using his father as an excuse which provoked an attack. Rivers said he would "talk to H" if H would do "SEAL hell week." He used the excuse to abuse H until the Chief stopped him. When H recovered he "cleaned Rivers clock." Rivers still didn't keep his word but H deduced that Douglas wasn't unconscious as he had claimed then got Douglas to stop lying which allowed Rivers to get medal. Footage of Clinton's speech was used with a dubbed voiceover. Lt. Rivers was shown receiving the medal then leaving it at his fathers tombstone.

B got drunk on "pineapples" and when M accused him of being lovesick he told her that was the "black pot calling the kettle the same thing." He asked her if she was leaving JAG for Dalton and she just said that she hadn't been given an offer. B went up on stage and sang Delilah.