reviewed by Rissi C.
     

Hoping this would improve on season one, I began the second year of JAG with excitement and a little trepidation, seeing as changes were afoot…

On a dusty country road, two FBI agents have charge of a small U.S mail truck, something frequently seen traveling any road or street, only today instead of carrying the bills and expected packages, it holds something far more valuable: the Declaration of Independence. Before they know what hit them, a U.S. chopper has ambushed them and stolen the priceless piece of history. The scene quickly becomes the center of attention as media, law enforcement and branches of service men surround the site. Special Assistant hotshot Clayton Webb (Steven Culp) is the most “commanding” presence, being in charge of the investigation, much to the chagrin of JAG headquarters and Admiral Chegwidden (John M. Jackson). Suspecting Marines to be responsible, the investigating teams don’t have to wait long before their leader breaks into programming, proving he and his freedom-loving comrades have the document… but not for the the reasons they might assume. This sends Lt. Commander Harmon Rabb (David James Elliot) to further explore any and all options along with his new partner in the form of a by-the-book Major, Sarah MacKenzie (Catherine Bell).

Before any solid leads can be formed, Harm observes that “Mac” knows more about the colonel than is normal of a suspect. While lawyer-in-training Lt. Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux) is assigned to stay with Assistant Secretary Webb and learns he is monitoring both Harm and Mac’s communication. Season one’s unofficial finale left us in turmoil as to the “why,” plus it found us questioning numerous suspicious characters, and more importantly wondering just where Meg disappeared to. True, this is somewhat standard of Bellisario productions, but in this case it wasn’t finished with the usual flair. This is especially seen in the writers not following up with a dream Harm had right before his arrest by suggesting that we “missed” just who the bad apple was… or did we simply misinterpret the moment? If I had to guess, I’d have said what happened in that vision would have turned out to be reasonably accurate considering all the dynamics that led up to that moment.

When compared to today’s television, JAG is one of the worst shows for making heart-pounding action look as real as can be. The stunts are awful (the opening features Harm channeling Chuck Norris’ style, only it’s even less believable, if possible) in some cases and more realistic in others, but thankfully they play as little a part as possible. Still, that doesn’t bother the overall enjoyment because realistically this doesn’t fit into a category that any of those said exploits become a “necessary” – it’s a courtroom drama that includes some edgy areas. The content varies from impressive restraint to more disturbing elements. One case (“Heroes”) finds Harm discovering the victim was homosexual and HIV positive. His way of ending the case was both noble and at the same time makes you just a little sick when knowing what his death is to bring (in regards to his service). “Crossing the Line” is one of the more intriguing installments (it features a string of fabulous acting from David James Elliot), but deals heavily in the “fight” of women being better or equal to men and a sexual harassment claim that was unjust, and winds up in tragedy (clips of a Navy “crossing the line” ceremony  are shown). Various double-meaning quips are scattered about; several women find Harm attractive and attempt to form an intimate relationship with him (one girl comes on to him, but he resists). The finale finds a married woman sharing a romantic night on the beach with her lover; she undresses (unseen) and takes a swim. Bud takes his girlfriend to the beach and when they begin kissing, he says he “can’t,” before she pulls a blanket over them. It’s quickly revealed a lead character had a drinking problem but has been sober for many years (this never plays largely into the show).

Violence ranges from characters being shot in the back to taking stray bullets in the leg; a person is stabbed. Occasional cases involve murder. There are profanities, but it never becomes over-used (he**, d**m, a**, etc). After the unfinished business of the pervious set, I wondered just how everything would come about in regards to changes and such, only to learn that most everything relating to those ties is going to be spread out in the course of 10 seasons and likely not answered until much later. New characters have really brought a lot more depth to the show, but unfortunately what I’ve come to realize is the characters are another “weakness,” considering they are not used to their full potential, something that does improve a bit nearer the end of the short season. Sure they are “likable” and most times insanely charming, but screen writers rarely give their audience any past history or those solid personality quirks that we can come to love. In general, characters just haven’t grown into someone we can become invested and thoroughly interested in… or those have been my impressions. Bud is a fantastic addition and with time, I’ve a feeling Mac will become just as agreeable as Meg, albeit in a much different way; she holds her private feelings close and thus far is very careful about whom she shares them with. It may be thought a bit awkward knowing that previously Bell played a friend of Harm’s (a continued favorite character) who was murdered, but then at their meeting and eventual personal future that history leads partly to the relationship (i.e., Harm’s déjà vu experience), and thus the reasoning. Numerous reappearing guest stars such as Karri Turner likewise add much to the building blocks, making this overall a greater improvement. Humor subtly is played on this time, making the laughs more frequent and in general each forty-some minutes wraps itself up -- one of the sweetest being “Washington Holiday.”

Even among its noticeable faults, including not always answering questions that are raised, the premiere is loads of fun and a promise of the fantastic moments that do follow.