Ep 13. Life or Death

Life or Death is the 13th episode of the fifth season of the American legal drama television series JAG. The episode centers on the Gulf War conflict and the legal outcome of a controversial shootdown.

The episode opens with a scene in the Judge Advocate General Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The main cast of the series is present, including Commander Harmon Rabb Jr., played by David James Elliott, and Lieutenant Colonel Sarah 'Mac' Mackenzie, played by Catherine Bell. They are joined by Captain Jack Tetting, who represents the defendant in the case. Jack is a former JAG lawyer and friend of Mac's, and his defense team has been led by Mac's former partner, Lieutenant Bud Roberts, played by Patrick Labyorteaux.

The story features a young airman named Lieutenant Allen who is flying an F-16 over Iraq. During a patrol flight, Allen fires a missile at what he believes is an enemy aircraft but turns out to be a civilian aircraft carrying 50 people. The plane is shot down, and all passengers die. Allen survives the attack and is captured by the Iraqi military. They torture him mercilessly, and he confesses to shooting down the plane. He is eventually rescued and brought back to the United States.

When the military authorities learned about the incident, they put Allen on trial. Captain John 'Mic' Brumby of the Australian Navy, played by Trevor Goddard, is Allen's lawyer and approaches Mac for assistance. Mac is not interested in assisting him, knowing the potential ramifications and repercussions of aiding the enemy.

As the trial unfolds, the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense is shocking. The prosecution argues that Allen was negligent in identifying the target as a civilian aircraft, leading to the deaths of 50 civilians. The defense, on the other hand, claims that Allen acted on the best of his instincts and that he had been trained to shoot down any aircraft that posed a threat to the US military.

During the hearing, new evidence is presented that causes the judges to question Allen's guilt. The judges are hostile towards Allen from the beginning due to his confession to the Iraqi military. Still, they are forced to consider new evidence that proves that Allen was not alone in making the mistake of identifying the airplane as an enemy.

The episode highlights the difficult decisions military personnel must make in the heat of battle. It also shows the potential legal ramifications if those decisions lead to the deaths of innocent people.

In conclusion, Life or Death is an engaging, heart-wrenching episode that delves into the complexities of battlefield situations. The episode manages to stay true to the broader themes of the series, examining the legal implications of military decisions. The performances of the cast are excellent, and the script manages to keep the viewer engaged throughout. Overall, it stands as an excellent example of the quality of storytelling that made JAG a beloved and long-running series.