Having grossly neglected her fiancé after determining that their wedding should be postponed for the time being when her best friend nearly died after a navy-related accident, Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie (Catherine Bell) has been left behind. Not only has Mic (Trevor Goodard) chosen to severer their relationship, but she has again come in second to best friend, Harm, when his girlfriend requires the attention Sarah wanted from him. By her interpretation, Sarah is left with a broken heart as these events transpire so that she can do nothing to control them when in reality she simply hasn’t confronted her fear of being left alone. With Harm about to return to duty, Mac requests from Admiral Chegwidden (John Jackson) that she be allowed to take temporarily assigned duty aboard a carrier in order to investigate a Marine’s disappearance. Taking Gunnery Sgt. Galindez (Randy Vasquez) with her, Mac has hopes of clearing her head and sorting through the jumbled up feelings she had about Mic and the man she always hoped to call more than a “friend.”

After his near brush with death, Commander Rabb (David James Elliott) is now about to return to duty. Receiving a frantic call from Sarah that Mic has left, Harm invites her to his apartment with the hope that they can finally reconcile some things only to have his longtime girlfriend, Rene (Cindy Ambuehl) show up in need of comfort in light of her father’s sudden death. Once again, their plans are postponed because of fate, something that continues to present a problem. Feeling fit enough to resume his duty, Harm is surprised to learn Mac left without telling him but at the same time is glad to be back among friends and co-workers, Bud (Patrick Labyorteax), Harriet (Karri Turner) and Jason Tiner (Chuck Carrington). “Normalcy” at the JAG offices is about to be disrupted as Harm is thrown headlong back into work with a new case that brings him up against newcomer, Commander Turner (Scott Lawrence) who also happens to be an old Navy buddy. For those who have been anxiously awaiting a break in Harm and Mac’s potential relationship, this was definitely the season to see. While many things are finally straightened out, there is a disappointing end to the season if one was hoping to see them move beyond anything but a chaste kiss.

Both keep their distance; both claim to have issues to work through, needing “space” and both continue to pretend that all they want out of the relationship is friendship. (“Measure of Men” in particular is a telling jaunt that finds Harm voicing something Mac needed to hear, only to see her walk out before the words were spoken aloud; the assumedly comical romp “Jagathon” explores the inner-workings of JAG, but on a personal level.) Interestingly enough, the would-be couple spend an aberrant time apart that leads to Mac forming a fun new friendship with Turner. (And finally she speaks the “L word” aloud!) Harm and Mac are in stable, seemingly lifelong relationships when this all comes to a head and because of that there are tears and broken hearts. Even though she came onto the scene as a newcomer and rather ditzy, I grew to really enjoy Rene’s character and as such am sad at her leaving. On the other hand, she and Mic along with mutual friends constantly reminisced how much Mac and Harm liked each other. Was it really wise of Mic to pursue Sarah when he “knew” that she didn’t fully love him? Their broken hearts were partly of their own making. Sarah “believed” she was in love with Mic; however, she had such a turbulent life one would wonder if she even realized what true love was… Circumstances surrounding Rene’s exit makes it a tad easier to not “miss” her terribly as she would have been the one to cause hurt had situations been different. Meanwhile, two new romances pop up that have their share of “aww…” moments.

Some characters do disappear this season, while one new face is introduced and another is given some passing screen time. Saying good-bye to these people is a bit sad whenever you are talking about someone you’ve become attached too or have emotionally connected with. One of them I won’t much miss, the other two will be. According to Canadian standards, the content warranted a “14A” rating this season which in turn would have led to American screens counter-acting with a “TV14.” Apart from a few more troubling missteps along the way, things remain on par with former sets. Accused of rape, a Marine finds charges brought against him (he is rather cocky about the whole thing) while a Navy pilot is formally charged with fraternizing with his RIO. People involved in cases at JAG are murdered; one woman is stabbed as experienced through a dream; men are seriously wounded by fires, gunshot wounds and in some cases, they die from their injuries; one man has his leg blown off. An American consulate comes under attack; the Saudi Arabia dress of their women becomes an issue when a U.S. pilot finds the regulations unfair; serious accusations of child abuse are handled. Some viewers may not like the additional emphasis that is placed on Mac’s “ability” to “see” things, suggesting a bit of physic powers. WWII racial prejudices play largely as the story for one episode as does terrorism. Da**, he** -- pretty much the “usual” variety of profanity is used; God’s name may be misused a dozen times over the twenty-some episode season.

In what has become “expected” of JAG, some of the more serious episodes offer up profound messages, whether they are of hope, forgiveness or military heroics that remind you how proud you are, knowing full well they deserve the term, to call these soldiers “heroes.” (Some of these are just awesome!) Holding true to its habits, themes of espionage, feminism (for those ladies who choose to defend this country, you should be held to the same standards as your fellow men; and most the time despite placing them as the “bad guy,” the CO is not prejudiced), politics (sorry congresswoman Latham, sometimes you are just wrong) and rules of engagement (yes, one pilot did disobey orders, but in the process preserved vital American secrets). Often there is something much deeper beneath the façade of comedy and those confusing (sometimes even a tad bizarre!) relationships that build in the confines of JAG’s HQ.