I have a lot of reservations about this
episode. The story line is an uncomfortable one for me. This could be due
to the fact that I am female. I just don't buy the attitude depicted by
Lt. Marilyn Isaaks or the premise of the episode - Isaaks is there because
of political pressure and she's not up to the task. She's a whiner so she
accused the CAG of sexual harassment to get back at him for grounding her.
I agree that in the current push for political correctness there are
probably a number of women in positions way beyond their capabilities in
the military. I would like to believe, however, that the women who venture
into these male bastions are capable and strong and would not resort to
false accusations.
This episode was brimming with politics at all levels, from the opening
teaser, with the scene of the crossing-the-line ceremonies - shipboard
politics, i.e., are you a wuss? - to the call to the Sexual Harassment
Hotline, and then the Congresswoman's descent on the Seahawk. It was
interesting indeed to see the military kowtowing to the politician. No
wonder the CAG felt like resigning his commission! He was supposedly the
Carrier Air Group Commander, yet he has to return to flight status a pilot
who had been grounded for safety reasons, on a civilian politician's say
so. As CAG, he was fully aware of all the life-threatening consequences.
The politician hadn't a clue. Yet he had to obey.
It was fascinating to watch Harm and Mac in their dealings with
Congresswoman DeLong on board ship. Harm was so at home and relaxed in
those surroundings, ducking reflexively as he stepped through each low
hatch, nodding in acknowledgement of salutes. Mac, however, was in strange
territory, valiantly trying to acclimatize despite Bud's helpful
directions. (Note to TPTB, shouldn't Mac be wearing pants? Let's not get
too silly, huh?) But she was on the ball enough to try to deflect some of
the Congresswoman's darting questions to Harm. She did not entirely
succeed. This led to the funny little scene in which DeLong tried to turn
the sexual tables on Harm with her observations about his looks. But our
favourite sailor was up to the task. Without turning a hair he gave back
as good as he got, all the while crunching celery in a most sexy way. It's
panache. Some people have it; some don't. <Sigh>.
The last act and obligatory cute closing scene were dreadfully
disappointing. Still, it was a treat to watch Harm so at home and in his
element, giving a play-by-play of the mission. But the crash and Harm
rescuing and then carrying Skates to safety, plus the CAG's remarks to
Skates before they took her to sickbay - a replay of his scene with
Painter in Defensive Action - were too trite and sappy. Yuk!
The Bud and Harriet romance was cute and fun. However, the final little
kissing scene, with commentary from a tastefully bandaged Harm and a
smirking Mac, was in poor taste. We've just had a horrific crash in which
a pilot was burned to death, folks. The entire crew would be affected. So
to have the camera zoom in for a view of the blackened deck of the
Seahawk, only to go to Bud and Harriet ... Puh-lease!
