Ep 15. Boomerang (1)
- February 8, 2000
- 43 min
-
7.8 (163)
As Lieutenant Colonel Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie returns to JAG headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, she is asked to take charge of prosecuting a marine who is accused of murdering his wife, who was also a marine. The accused, Corporal Tom Sullivan, is a former Marine sniper who is now facing the death penalty for having killed his wife while on active duty in Okinawa, Japan. Mac is teamed up with Commander Harmon Rabb, Jr. to help with the defense, but the two find themselves at odds in the courtroom as they wrestle with their differing views on military justice.
Meanwhile, despite being relieved of his duties as head of JAG, Admiral Albert Jethro 'A.J.' Chegwidden refuses to leave the office and decides to take on a case of his own. After learning about the murder of a close friend's son who was a marine in Iraq, he joins forces with LT Bud Roberts, Jr. to investigate the circumstances of the young man's death. They soon discover that the fatal wound was not caused by enemy fire as initially reported, but by a piece of shrapnel from an American missile. As they dig deeper into the events leading up to the incident, they uncover a conspiracy involving government officials and military contractors.
Back in the courtroom, Mac and Harm continue to struggle with their conflicting allegiances as they prepare to present their cases. Mac sympathizes with the victim and is determined to prove that the defendant killed his wife in cold blood. Harm, on the other hand, believes that the defendant was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and deserves a chance to fight for his life. As the trial advances, both attorneys are faced with surprising revelations, forcing them to question their own beliefs and the truth of the matter.
Throughout the episode, the characters face personal and professional challenges that put their loyalty and integrity to the test. Mac is haunted by memories of her own past as a military prosecutor, while Harm is torn between his professional duty and his emotions. Admiral Chegwidden must confront the harsh realities of war and the political machinations that often accompany it. Meanwhile, LT Bud Roberts, Jr. is forced to reconcile his admiration for the military with his growing disillusionment with its bureaucracy and corruption.
Overall, Boomerang (1) is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that explores the complex issues of military justice, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the hidden costs of war. With its strong performances, tight writing, and well-constructed plot, it will keep viewers on the edge of their seats and leave them eager for the next installment in the series.