The Worst Episodes of JAG

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Worst Episode
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   2.7/10(170 votes)

   #1 - People v. Gunny

   S5:E172/22/2000

   Trouble in the JAG office starts when Gunnery Sgt. Victor Galindez, ""Gunny,"" is charged with assault following an off-duty altercation outside a gay bar. It comes to light that P.O. Tiner was also involved in the brawl, having come to the aid of his companion, whom Gunny was roughing up. Meanwhile, Mac finds herself wrestling with the ""don't ask, don't tell"" policy as attitudes toward Tiner change around the office under suspicions that he's gay.

   Director:Terrence O'Hara

   Writer:Larry Moskowitz

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   Director:Terrence O'Hara

   Writer:Larry Moskowitz
2. 

   4.0/10(174 votes)

   #2 - What If

   S9:E183/12/2004

   Members of the "JAG" staff are "helped" along to discover their true inner feelings while celebrating Jennifer Coates promotion to Petty Officer 1st Class.

   Director:Kenneth Johnson

   Writer:Don McGill

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   Director:Kenneth Johnson

   Writer:Don McGill
3. 

   5.3/10(224 votes)

   #3 - King of the Fleas

   S3:E510/21/1997

   When a former Vietnam POW arrives at JAG headquarters to report a murder he's just committed, Harm confronts a very complex individual who may know something about his MIA father. When Willie relates the fact that he was imprisoned with Harm's father and then blindsides Harm by claiming that his father was a turncoat, the information has a profound effect on the JAG lawyer. Willie, a very complex individual, has been waiting 30 years to tell his story in his own way. Ultimately, Harm finds out that Willie's murder victim was the contemptible, sadistic commander of the POW camp where Willie had been -- but that's just the beginning of Willie's incredibly sad war story.

   Director:Tony Wharmby

   Writer:Dana Coen

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   Director:Tony Wharmby

   Writer:Dana Coen
4. 

   5.5/10(221 votes)

   #4 - Ghost Ship

   S3:E19/23/1997

   Harm discovers evidence that his father, an MIA from the Vietnam War, may be alive and under KGB control in Russia. Harm and Mac are investigating the murder of a Navy pilot whose body was found hidden aboard the decommissioned aircraft carrier the USS Hornet. With help from a local police lieutenant, they discover a motive for the crime, which involves a list of MIAs and POWs supposedly still alive and under KGB control in Russia -- and the list includes Harm's father. But before Harm can act on the information, the book mysteriously disappears along with the helpful police lieutenant.

   Director:Donald P. Bellisario

   Writer:Donald P. Bellisario

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   Director:Donald P. Bellisario

   Writer:Donald P. Bellisario
5. 

   5.5/10(217 votes)

   #5 - The Court-Martial of Sandra Gilbert

   S3:E29/30/1997

   A top female helicopter pilot is accused of disobeying an order---to cease her affair with a married enlisted man, and a Congresswoman is determined to ensure the pilot's fair treatment as a potential court-martial looms.

   Director:Alan J. Levi

   Writer:Stephen Zito

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   Director:Alan J. Levi

   Writer:Stephen Zito
6. 

   6.0/10(263 votes)

   #6 - We the People

   S2:E11/3/1997

   Harm teams up with Maj. Sarah MacKenzie and Lt. Roberts to investigate, together with Special Assistant Webb, the theft of the Declaration of Independence, which was stolen by Colonel O'Hara. O'Hara, who turns out to be Mac's uncle, claims he has taken control of it to remind the people - and especially the politicians - of its meaning and spirit. Locations: East of Yuma, Arizona; Red Rock Mesa; Washington, D.C.; Falls Church, Va.

   Director:Les Landau

   Writer:Donald P. Bellisario

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   Director:Les Landau

   Writer:Donald P. Bellisario
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7. 

   6.0/10(212 votes)

   #7 - Heroes

   S2:E41/24/1997

   Harm and Mac face off on opposite sides of the courtroom at the trial of a Navy Seal accused of murdering his closest friend during a mission against terrorists. Despite evidence to the contrary and the accused's unwillingness to cooperate, Mac, who is defending him, feels there's more to the story than meets the eye. Her fervor causes Harm, who is prosecuting the case, to dig deeper into the dead boy's personal life. It is Harm who discovers that it isn't a case of murder -- but, in fact, the victim begged his friend to kill him in order to keep a secret from his father, a strict former Navy petty officer.

   Director:Tony Wharmby

   Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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   Director:Tony Wharmby

   Writer:R. Scott Gemmill
8. 

   6.0/10(224 votes)

   #8 - Crossing the Line

   S2:E51/31/1997

   Harm and Mac investigate a female fighter pilot's charge of sexual harassment against her commanding officer. The pilot, Lt. Marilyn Isaaks, claims to have been grounded for pressing charges of sexual harassment against her commanding officer, Capt. Boone (guest star Terry O'Quinn). Capt. Boone claims he grounded her because she's a bad pilot. While Harm and Mac are called in to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations, congressional intervention forces Boone to schedule Isaaks for a training flight -- an action that Harm feels will have deadly consequences.

   Director:Tony Wharmby

   Writer:Stephen Zito

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   Director:Tony Wharmby

   Writer:Stephen Zito
9. 

   6.0/10(227 votes)

   #9 - Trinity

   S2:E62/7/1997

   Harm & Mac are sent to Belfast, Ireland when the child of Navy Lieutenant Nivens suddenly turns up missing and a note left behind indicates it was taken by Lorcan Barnes of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), who also happens to be the child's father. Arriving in Belfast, Harm & Mac are immediately at odds with the Royal Police, when they suggest ""negotiating"" with the IRA for return of the baby. Not finding much help, they go and search out the IRA on their own. Directed to a bar & told to ask for a particular type of beer. While playing darts, a man showing Mac the proper way to throw a dart whispers in her ear to go to an abandoned storefront. With the Royal Police tailing them, Harm and the baby's mother risk going to the storefront, while Mac boards a bus and leads the Police away from Harm.

   Director:Alan J. Levi

   Writer:Jack Orman

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   Director:Alan J. Levi

   Writer:Jack Orman
10. 

    6.0/10(194 votes)

    #10 - Ghosts

    S2:E72/14/1997

    The JAG team discovers an evil plot by a rogue CIA agent after two attempts are made on Admiral Chegwidden's life. After Harm and Mac uncover the fact that all the members of the admiral's former SEAL team have recently died under mysterious circumstances, the JAG team learns that Chegwidden and his team were part of a CIA-controlled SEAL mission during the Vietnam war. Suspecting that the murder attempts may be connected to the mission, they start an investigation that leads to the rogue agent's plot to eliminate all witnesses to a terrible incident that occurred during the mission. But when the assassin kills Chegwidden's girlfriend, he decides to take care of the job himself -- even if it means losing his stripes.

    Director:Ray Austin

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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    Director:Ray Austin

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill
11. 

    6.0/10(211 votes)

    #11 - Full Engagement

    S2:E82/21/1997

    Harm and Mac play a deadly game of hide-and-seek in the Appalachian mountains when they are tracked by backwoodsmen poachers who have just killed a game warden. While on their day off, Harm takes Mac for a flight in his vintage airplane, only to be forced to make an emergency landing in a mountain clearing because of mechanical problems. While in search of help, they unwittingly surprise a band of poachers who have just murdered a game warden and who are now determined to kill Harm and Mac. Their lives in jeopardy, Harm and Mac must utilize every evasive military maneuver they've ever learned in order to escape the murderers who are now hunting them.

    Director:Alan J. Levi

    Writer:Jack Orman

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    Director:Alan J. Levi

    Writer:Jack Orman
12. 

    6.0/10(214 votes)

    #12 - Washington Holiday

    S2:E92/28/1997

    Harm is assigned to escort a rambunctious and ravishing Romanian princess, whose life has been threatened if her father petitions to join NATO. Meanwhile, Bud wrestles with starting a romance with Ens. Harriet Sims.

    Director:Joe Napolitano

    Writer:Stephen Zito

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    Director:Joe Napolitano

    Writer:Stephen Zito
13. 

    6.0/10(185 votes)

    #13 - The Game of Go

    S2:E102/28/1997

    A Colombian drug lord wants to deal for the life of a Marine who was left behind when the covert mission to kidnap him went awry.

    Director:Ray Austin

    Writer:Tom Towler

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    Director:Ray Austin

    Writer:Tom Towler
14. 

    6.0/10(200 votes)

    #14 - Force Recon

    S2:E113/7/1997

    Harm goes undercover as a Marine gunnery sergeant to help Mac in her investigation of questionable Marine training methods and becomes a victim of unsafe maneuvers himself. While undercover, Harm learns that the tough-as-nails officer in charge of Force Recon training, Capt. Koonan, introduces unexpected problems into the training missions as a means of teaching the men to react quickly to surprises during combat. In addition to testing the Marines' mettle, the method also doubles their chances of returning safely from combat. However, in the mission in which Harm is involved, the method backfires dramatically, leaving five men trapped in a training maneuver destined for a disaster that even Capt. Koonan can't reverse, and it's up to Harm to get the trainees -- and himself -- out safely.

    Director:Alan J. Levi

    Writer:Tom Towler

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    Director:Alan J. Levi

    Writer:Tom Towler
15. 

    6.0/10(243 votes)

    #15 - The Guardian

    S2:E123/28/1997

    Harm and Mac defend a former Navy Seal, now a homeless man, but still a highly trained killing machine, who is accused of using excessive force in killing three men who tried to hold up a convenience store. It seems like an open-and-shut case of triple homicide until Harm and Mac discover that the former Seal, Paul Bauwer acted instinctively at the store as he sought to protect a young boy -- who happened to be his estranged son but didn't recognize him. Bauwer, embarrassed by his own vagrancy, wants to keep his identity a secret from his son. As a result, Harm and Mac must devise a successful defense without divulging their client's relationship to the only witness to the incident, while at the same time proving that Bauwer acted in an appropriate manner.

    Director:Michael Schultz

    Writer:Jack Orman

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    Director:Michael Schultz

    Writer:Jack Orman
16. 

    6.0/10(205 votes)

    #16 - Code Blue

    S2:E134/4/1997

    Hospitalized with a knee injury, Harm is forced to take action when the Hamas, a terrorist Islamic Resistance group, takes the hospital hostage. An Israeli diplomat undergoing a heart transplant provides the Hamas terrorists with the perfect negotiating tool. They take over the operating room -- as well as the entire hospital -- and use the diplomat as leverage while demanding the release of one of their imprisoned leaders. Meanwhile, Mac is trapped in the hospital cafeteria trying to negotiate with two terrorists.

    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill
17. 

    6.0/10(204 votes)

    #17 - Cowboys and Cossacks

    S2:E144/11/1997

    Harm, Mac and Bud are assigned sea duty to be official observers during a joint war games exercise between U.S. and Russian naval forces, but the games take a deadly turn when the rival captains decide to make the battle real -- and Harm, Mac and Bud are trapped on board the warring ships. The captains are bitter enemies from Cold War days and have deemed this their final grudge match. Both are determined to make it a battle to the death, even if it means going down with their ships -- and taking everyone on board with them -- and it's up to Harm and Bud to defuse what could become World War III.

    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill
18. 

    6.0/10(190 votes)

    #18 - Rendezvous

    S2:E154/18/1997

    Harm and Mac find themselves courtroom adversaries when Mac is assigned to defend an admitted wife abuser whom Harm is prosecuting for the murder of his wife's boyfriend. Mac finds herself detesting the man whom she is supposed to be defending -- a man who reminds her all too well of her abusive father. Meaning well, Harm advises Mac that she's letting her personal feelings get in the way of her professional duties, but the advice enrages Mac and she takes out her anger on Harm as well as her client.

    Director:Duwayne Dunham

    Writer:Craig Tepper

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    Director:Duwayne Dunham

    Writer:Craig Tepper
19. 

    6.0/10(198 votes)

    #19 - The Good of the Service

    S3:E310/7/1997

    When a Marine colonel defies orders from superiors, as well as the State Department, and rescues his men who are being held and tortured by a Haitian warlord, he is court-martialed. Harm and Mac are assigned as prosecutors and are shocked when they find they must go head-to-head with Chegwidden. Bud was put in a position to choose which side to go on. He choosed Admiral Chegwidden

    Director:Alan J. Levi

    Writer:Larry Moskowitz

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    Director:Alan J. Levi

    Writer:Larry Moskowitz
20. 

    6.0/10(205 votes)

    #20 - Blind Side

    S3:E410/14/1997

    Harm risks ending the career of his mentor, as well as their friendship, when he investigates a training accident that killed two civilians. When an F-15 has a mid-air accident and the occupants are forced to eject, a mother and her child are killed on the ground by the falling debris. Mac is assigned to represent the pilot as Harm investigates the cause of the accident and the leader of the training mission, Capt. Hachausen, his former flight instructor and mentor. When Harm's probe reveals that the captain's been covering up problems with his eyesight and the pilot of the plane is covering up for the captain, Harm must decide whether to reveal his findings -- information that would certainly end his mentor's career.

    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:Dana Coen

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    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:Dana Coen
21. 

    6.0/10(192 votes)

    #21 - Against All Enemies

    S3:E711/4/1997

    International tensions mount as Harm, Mac and Bud board an aircraft carrier in the Sea of Japan to investigate the accidental shooting down of a North Korean civilian airline by Navy jets. While negligence on the part of the Navy fliers is indicated, Harm and Mac uncover evidence of a spy aboard the carrier. Meanwhile, the threat of war becomes real when a U.S. salvage vessel is sent to the site to help with the investigation and two North Korean warships threaten to sink it if both U.S. ships don't leave the area immediately.

    Director:Joe Napolitano

    Writer:Alex Davidson

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    Director:Joe Napolitano

    Writer:Alex Davidson
22. 

    6.0/10(186 votes)

    #22 - Above and Beyond

    S3:E811/11/1997

    When Harm, Mac and Bud are ordered to run a routine background check on a Navy SEAL who is a candidate for the Medal of Honor, they uncover unsavory information that may make him unworthy. Lt. Rivers is up for a medal after he single-handedly rescues the undersecretary of state from fundamentalist terrorists. Harm and Mac, in their investigation, find Rivers, an African-American, to be a very tough, complex and uncommunicative individual who is totally devoted to his country and his duty. But his men paint a different picture of him as a gung-ho loner who doesn't care about the safety of his team and, in fact, botched the mission by leaving one of his men behind. Rivers finally agrees to open up to Harm -- but only if Harm can withstand arduous SEAL training for one day -- including the brutal manhandling required of the ""hostage interrogation.""

    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:Paul J. Levine

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    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:Paul J. Levine
23. 

    6.0/10(198 votes)

    #23 - Impact

    S3:E911/18/1997

    Harm & Bud are sent to Twenty-nine Palms Marine Base to investigate the mid-air collision of 2 helicopters & subsequent crash of one helicopter which killed the pilot. Upon arrival at the crash site, they learn that the ""other"" aircraft was not another helicopter as was first thought. A piece of wreckage that is found that belongs to the ""other"" aircraft only deepens the mystery. When members of the Defense Security Division appear onscene with orders to take over the investigation and crash site, Harm becomes convinced that a major cover-up is in the works. The base commander, Col. Barrett gives Harm time to investigate further. When Harm & Bud are out driving the base at night, they see an unknown type aircraft flying above them and follows it, but are soon blocked by a fence over the road marking the property of the ""Bradenhurst Corporation"".

    Director:Paul Schneider

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill

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    Director:Paul Schneider

    Writer:R. Scott Gemmill
24. 

    6.0/10(186 votes)

    #24 - People v. Rabb

    S3:E1011/25/1997

    Harm meets with a Russian 'contact' in order to purchase documents that will prove his father was taken to Russia after being shot down in Vietnam. However, during the transaction, they are interrupted by a KGB agent, Col. Parlovsky who shoots & kills the Russian, then runs off as FBI agents show up, finding Harm over the body, with the gun & documents he wrestled away. As the FBI wants to hold him for the murder of the Russian, Adm. Chegwiggen manages to have Harm transferred to a military brig, and court-martialed, much to the dismay of the FBI agents. CIA agent Clayton Webb, knowing that it was Parlovsky, not Harm that committed the shooting, arranges for Harm to escape from custody in hopes Parlovsky will contact Harm. In the end, Parlovsky makes contact with Harm, but they both get away before Webb can catch them. Parlovsky tells Harm the documents were a fake and burns them. He then leaves, refusing to help clear Harm of the shooting.

    Director:Greg Beeman

    Writer:Larry Moskowitz

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    Director:Greg Beeman

    Writer:Larry Moskowitz
25. 

    6.0/10(189 votes)

    #25 - Defenseless

    S3:E1112/9/1997

    Harm's skills as a lawyer are challenged when he defends a female ensign who claims she murdered an officer because her ""instincts"" told her he meant to hurt her. The ensign claims that when the officer entered her apartment on false pretenses, she felt threatened by him and killed in self-defense. Though the defense is decidedly thin -- no weapon was even found on the man's body -- Mac and Harm decide to stick with the case and are determined to help the ensign remember forgotten details of the event.

    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:Kimberly Costello

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    Director:Tony Wharmby

    Writer:Kimberly Costello