Ep 18. Hero Worship

In JAG season 7 episode 18, entitled "Hero Worship," the story begins with Commander Harmon Rabb being assigned to defend a young man, Lucas Tatum, who is on trial for stealing a laptop from a Navy veteran who was his neighbor.

Lucas claims to have taken the laptop in order to retrieve the personal information of the veteran's deceased son, who was also a Navy SEAL. Lucas idolized the young man and wanted to learn more about him and the missions he had been on.

As the trial progresses, it becomes clear that Lucas' actions were motivated by admiration for the deceased SEAL and a desire to follow in his footsteps. Commander Rabb, himself a former Navy pilot, is torn between his duty to defend his client and his own sense of honor and loyalty to the military.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Bud Roberts and his wife Harriet work together to help a young girl, Jamie, whose father was killed in a military plane crash. Jamie is struggling to adjust to life without her father and facing bullying at school.

Bud and Harriet's efforts to help Jamie are complicated by the fact that the pilot of the crashed plane was Bud's friend and colleague. As they navigate the emotional complexities of the situation, Bud and Harriet are also dealing with their own grief and feelings of loss.

Throughout the episode, themes of honor, loyalty, and sacrifice are explored through the experiences of the various characters. From Lucas' hero worship of the deceased Navy SEAL to the painful loss felt by Jamie and the military community as a whole, the show touches on the challenges and rewards of military service.

As the trial comes to a conclusion, the decision reached has significant implications for both Commander Rabb and Lucas. The episode ends with a poignant moment that highlights the sacrifices made by those who serve their country, and the importance of remembering and honoring their legacy.