 JAG: Season Five (1999)
Rating: 3 out of 5
Rated: TV14
Reviewer: Rissi C.
Suddenly, somewhere along the way, JAG became more than just a “mediocre” show that aired in the early nineties. Season five continues to prove it has earned a spot among “elite” series while morphing into the occasional tender moments that sometimes includes some hard-core truths.
Leaving behind endless paperwork, dress whites and those he loves, Commander Harmon Rabb (David James Elliot) is back in the air. Just a few short months ago, he resigned his commission from JAG, requesting to return to flight status after a minor operation that fixed the misdiagnosed eye impediment that grounded him over eight years ago. Among his comrades, Harm is thought of as “pappy” being the oldest fighter pilot on the squadron. No one enjoys reminding Harm more of his age than the young, cocky hotshot pilot, Lt. Buxton (Lochlyn Murno), the mirror-image of who Harm once was. Buxton’s call signal
(“X-Man”) says it all when it comes to his attitude. Always one to push even the simplest of missions to the limits, fellow RIOs and pilots alike -- including the woman Harm once rescued who now acts as his RIO, Lt. “Skates” Hawkes (Sibel Ergener) and wingman Lt. Medwick (Mario Schugel) -- know Buxton is a costly mistake just waiting to happen…
Everyone back at JAG headquarters is attempting to settle into a new pattern… of chaos! After the birth of her son, Lt. Sims (Karri Turner) isn’t at the office as often, so files are misplaced and no one seems to know anything about anything, leading Admiral A.J. Chegwidden (John Jackson) to be in an even more cantankerous mood than usual. Sarah MacKenzie (Catherine Bell) recently was promoted to Colonel with little fanfare, right in the midst of she and Aussie lawyer, Commander Mic Brumby (Trevor Goddard) continually sparring in the courtroom. Their most current case
is negligence brought against a Corporal accused of misfiring a high-tech piece of equipment following a night of partying. With the office still in need of a new employee, Mac finds a prospect in a witness, Gunnery Sgt. Galindez (Randy Vasquez).
Before one case can be properly closed, charges are soon brought against Buxton after firing on U.S. allies, bringing Harm and his former co-workers together, only this time Harm defends against Mac and Lt. Roberts’ (Patrick Labyorteaux) prosecution.
Normally, I cannot stand any sort of change that is going to affect the emotional nature of a show, especially if it has made it onto my favorites list, but after that moment of “panic” you get when realizing the season opener changes, I found myself liking what was happening in the arc of the first four episodes – when all was said and done, it came to an end far too soon. It was wonderful to finally experience Harm on a different side of the Navy, doing something he loves after watching that build; the feel-good, easy banter Harm and the pilots had was tons of fun. In the beginning combat sequences were poorly filmed due to unrealistic shots (there was no way anyone could ask the audience to believe they were “real”),
but overall the picture is much improved. The warships depicting action are often so impressively awesome that even if they are interchanged between real footage and filming, one easily forgets
which is which, especially in light of the military being most always portrayed in such an honorable manner, often times with conservative leanings. One fine example of that is “True Callings,” an impressive display of bravery and courage based on an event in war that really happened (so what if it’s a bit dramatized?). Repetitive scenes (i.e. the front shot of JAG) that often open episodes are a bit “old” considering they are in nearly every show,
and dedicating yet another episode to Harm’s father is an
equally worn out plot device. There is some truth to the fact that Harm’s missing father is a defining force of his character (his father is the reason he turned out as he did), but its high time writers let that subject rest.
Most likely, I’ve let certain plot lines off the hook, as it were, for less, this one just somehow seems done and explored too much. Having said that, I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit the episode that revisits Harm Sr.’s past is entertaining - - just see if you can stop yourself from smiling while recognizing so many characters taking on a whole other persona (and spot some familiar Bellisario alums’, too!).
What I do enjoy about JAG is the creative team rarely forgetting those characters that were most memorable; it’s always a treat to see certain actors reprise their roles, so that even though they aren’t regulars on the show, their personification sort of develops right along with returning week-to-week characters. Tiner gets quite a lot of screen time (this is fun, because he, Bud and Gunny share some comical dynamics; they act like kids, sometimes!), while two other recurring characters are introduced for the first time; Gunnery Sergeant Vasquez and Lt. Singer, in telling appearances.
Following a trend, three rape cases come about, mostly they aren’t graphic with the exception of one; it relives the act more vividly when a victim testifies in court (she recalls her clothes being removed, hands placed on her body, etc), another opens with the victim running from her assailant (her dress is torn), but the specifics are never argued in a courtroom. A woman from a foreign land was raped by enemies of her country; a petty officer sneaks her aboard a plane thinking she was in danger. “People vs. Gunny” delves into homosexuality after Gunny was involved in a gay bar fight (using class, it was wise of writers not to reveal a likable JAG officer to be gay as originally assumed). Violence remains tame in comparison to most shows; guns are fired, some people are hit (the camera avoids anything graphic); scenes show fighter planes in the heat of battle (meetings discuss their recourse when coming upon what appears to be enemy fire and split decisions made in battle, some of which can be disastrous). “Physic Warrior” is a program that soldiers submit to, using them for mind programs, while the man in charge claims to have ESP. Elsewhere the “religion” Wicca is the focus of a case; the participants dance around fires naked and practice forms of witchcraft. Formerly involved in a gang, a marine is said to be in witness protection after committing a murder, but testifies against the gang, another chooses a dark and serious path about whether a man convicted of murder should receive the death penalty (“Life or Death”). Mic and Sarah dance around a potential relationship (we know he is in favor of becoming intimate); on a trip to Australia much ado is made about Mac seemingly topless on the beach (she wasn’t).
There are some sexual connotations and Mac shares a conversation with her boyfriend via phone revolving around sexual things (it’s never graphic). As a “funny” side plot a man encounters problems while piloting a fighter plane after using the drug Viagra (he questions his friend about his “right” to have a happy marriage). Bud mistakenly tells his wife there are “naked breasts” in Aussie (shots briefly show the women, but the nudity is carefully obscured). Less troubling is a married couple not having much of a love life now they are parents; we hear them on the phone talking about their next romantic getaway upon his return (she teases him about wearing a sexy “pink nightgown” that is revealed to be his favorite). One episode revolves around drugs; profanity consists of; he**, da**, ba*****d (etc).
Writers manage to string together a number of memorable
episodes such as “Rules of Engagement,” which is a fine example of Harm’s courtroom skills when winning his case, but ultimately, his client is punished greater than any jury could have handed down; it’s a great illustration of disciplinary action in the military that brings about the loss of a talented pilot whose brain never caught up with his skill, therefore making him more of a risk than a worthy pilot. Harm’s CAG was a stand-up guy, and I liked Harm and his few scenes together. Reverting somewhat to a pattern that began when JAG premiered is seeing the gang work more outside the courtroom – I don’t mind this some of the time as it shakes the office up a bit, but seeing as this is a legal drama, I rather like seeing them dispute over near nothings in court; especially when it’s between Harm and Mac. Dynamics between them are hysterical now she is a ranking officer (its fun to see writers play with) while Mac gets involved in her first serious relationship since Dalton, one that may result in a proposal. “Boomerang” is not only a fascinating plot, but is also telling because one person’s feelings are finally spoken aloud.
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