reviewed by Rissi C.
     

Typically, the Judge Advocate General offices wouldn’t investigate claims of a skeleton found on a decommissioned Navy ship, but upon further inspection, the ship may not be in use but it has as of yet to be handed over for scrap metal, so technically is still a part of the Navy, making it their responsibility. At JAG’s headquarters, Admiral Chegwidden (John M. Jackson) sends in his two best -- in the courtroom and at investigation -- lawyers, Lt. Commander Rabb (David James Elliot) and Major Sarah MacKenzie (Catherine Bell) to solve the mystery. And that is exactly what it turns out to be, a puzzling mystery. Not to mention a bit spooky, what with the ships constant groaning… and what about sensing another presence on the abandoned vessel? Adding to the already bizarre twists, including the presence of a local cop helping on his “own time,” Harm and Mac learn from the coroner that the man was actually murdered. But how did the man enter into the sealed room, getting trapped inside?

Back in D.C. at headquarters, Lt. Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux) and Ensign Sims (Karri Turner) work at uncovering any leads that have paper trails, the result of which tells the victims name... but who murdered him? And how does this American officer tie in with the KGB? Just as suspected, the move to CBS in the show’s third season was a definitive turning point. Improvements are many; already at the premiere you can tell this season is going to be “different.” Or perhaps that was just reading the brief plot synopsis’ talking. Unlike before plot arcs are better represented and this time around writers manage to do justice to its primary genre; a legal courtroom drama. Slowly this has begun to master the art of intrigue in many different intensities, an unforeseen feat for something of JAG’s capabilities within its era. But it’s the show’s impact or way of delivering its meanings that still need a bit of work -– instead of cliffhanging finales some of the most jaw-dropping turns come smack in the middle of the season, as evidenced in “The Stalker” (a fabulous, yet creepy example of building tension).

It always took me a bit aback at the amount of time the characters spent investigating the crimes -- isn’t that the various branches of law enforcement's job, or in this case, the Navy’s branch, NCIS agents? But then I had to remind myself that Harm and Mac were considered investigative lawyers; how true their characters' representation is, I cannot say. On the rare occurrences, it is fun to see the leads practice their hand-to-hand combat skills. More time is dedicated to the cases playing out in the courtroom, which I confess to liking so long as the entire case doesn’t lag about in a tiresome manner, something that is rarely the situation (one example is found in “King of the FLEAS,” a rather tedious exercise). Interesting elements quickly take shape this season like romantic sparks between characters (one inclination will shock you!) and Mac’s sudden “interest” in leaving the service for private practice –- that alone makes for some intrigue. Political correlations are still found to be the topic by which some of the trials are based off of. Females in high positions (congress or just a position in the service that didn’t come easily) continue to be a source for the screenwriters to gather plots, but this is often presented as such a double-standard too (women cannot have it both ways). Particularly the latter in a similar episode from season two; race is an issue in a couple instances similarly. Sexual implications continue to invade the scripts, sometimes meant to be “funny” and others are meant more seriously.

A naval aviator is suspected of having an affair with a fellow enlisted man who is married with two girls, and while she denies it, it’s later revealed she’s pregnant. Bud admits to his girlfriend that he was recently “tested,” so they could further their relationship, she concedes to it being a good idea and decides to do the same –- some conversation revolves around that, and is a bit awkward; admittedly it is supposed to be, considering the characters (veiled references infer later that they continue an intimate relationship). Implications recommend that Harm sleeps with a woman twice. References are made to the sexual harassment system for the Navy; “red light,” “yellow,” etc as well as some suggestive comments and references to anatomy. “Chain of Command” and “The Stalker” deal with sexual things; the former in a superior willing to “forget” a female's mistake if she’ll have sex with him, the latter in a deranged stalkers obsession, and a man is accused of beating a prostitute to which he cavalierly offers his thoughts of her. One episode involves a bachelor and bachelorette party; the former has pole dancers, the latter male strippers, both take place in coarse bars. A man is brutally shot, another falls between the cement of the dock and the ship and is said to have been crushed. At various points, men get into fistfights; once two men are noticeably beat up in the aftermath (having bloodied faces and injuries). Elsewhere, men briefly discuss their war injuries –- some a bit more graphic than others; while another episode discusses a mother who is said to be using drugs. Drinking is a problem, especially when one character who was an alcoholic briefly falls off the wagon (another man is said to be an alcoholic and abusive). Language is problematic in the “usual” forms; he**, da**, etc.

Characters are noticeably better also, although Bud is still quite a bumbler who only wants to impress (in the best sense) his superiors, but he has an adorable little side story this season. Meanwhile both Harm and Mac fall in love with their potentially perfect someone’s… and share their first kiss? Something that provides the first real inkling there is chemistry beneath their work façade and reveal that the two of them like each other as more than a co-worker as is seen in their curiosity and jealously. Still, their respective, newfound relationships may end up in nothing but heartbreak. The individual personalities are really beginning to take shape and the insignificant touches that make these characters seem “human” are perfect, like taking them out of their working environment into their home. In a touching episode that finds a lead character overreacting, we finally learn the secrets behind the rarely seen “Skelton Crew,” and season one finale, while this season finales questions aren’t answered until the following premiere. “Wedding Bell Blues” is a fabulous episode, mainly for comical purposes, but there are some wonderful examples of standing up for ones beliefs. The various cases are both a bit more intriguing and comical, in the formers case in several involving personal connections that place either Harm or Mac in awkward positions and the latter in seeing them oppose each other… and at one point both opposing the Admiral!