Mishap, November 30, 1999

As Reviewed by Rosepetal

As Reviewed by Michele Blackburn

This episode starts with Skates, Harm's old Rio, is charged with dereliction of duty after the plane she is guiding in, crashes into the deck of the USS Patrick Henry.  Mac and Mic are sent to investigate the mishap and see if charges should be brought against her.  Mac makes her report and charges are filed.  Mic doesn't feel charges should be brought against her but he is assigned to prosecute with Mac and Harm is assigned to defend Skates.

During the trial, Harm reminds Skates, he has never let her down before and he wont this time either.  He wont let her go to prison for this.  During a plea bargain discussion, Harm makes an offer and Mic refuses it without speaking with Mac and Harm wants to know who is in charge.  They tell him they will bring it to the judge.  Mac has Mic have it for making a decision that should have been hers.

Harm asks Bud to help him with some things and he goes back into his office.  While he is in there, Lt. Singer comes in and wants to work with him on the case.  He tells her no that he has already asked Bud.  She says maybe next time. He tells her next time leave the door open. 

An old friend from Harm's flying days tells him that it was not Skates fault, that there were problems on the ship.  Harm goes to the Patrick Henry to speak with the Captain who tells him he will not get the reports he is asking for and has them escorted off the ship.  The Admiral gives his okay to get a court order.  The Court gives him the order he wants and he gets the information he needs.

During trial, Harm proves that the problems that arose were not Skates fault but in fact were the problems based on the ship.  He puts Skates on the stand, and she says she was doing her job and before she is court martialed she will resign.  She is found innocent of the charges against her and outside Harm tells the captain that he would like to work with him again if he ever has a chance and the Captain agrees that it would be good to work together again.

By Michele Blackburn

Elizabeth "Skates" Hawkes, Harm's ex-RIO, is the Landing Signal Officer on the Patrick Henry when aviator Dalton Jonas and his RIO hit the ship. Skates is charges with dereliction of duty due to the mishap.

Mac and Mic are sent to the Atlantic Ocean to investigate the mishap. Harm's frustration is evident at not being able to go. It is then that the Admiral tells him who is up for the court martial. Skates admits she blew it even though Mic doesn't think she did. Mac writes up her report that Skates is culpable of the action. Mic admits that he doesn't believe she is. The Admiral puts Mac and Mic as prosecution and Harm as defense. As their standing in the Admiral's office, Harm gives Mac an unfriendly look over her report.

During the trial, Skates admits that she even believes she did it. Harm reminds her of the time four years ago when her plane went down and he pulled her up by her parachute before she could go into the water (CROSSING THE LINE).

"I DIDN'T DROP YOU THEN AND I'M NOT GOING TO DROP YOU NOW."He tells her.

Harm, Mac and Mic try to plea bargain. Harm suggests non-judicial punishment and a letter of admonition. Mic refuses before Mac has a chance to answer.

"WHO DO I TALK TO HERE?" Harm asks. Mac tells him she'll talk it over with the judge. Harm picks up his briefcase and leaves. When he's gone, Mac confronts Mic about his loose lips.

"I BROKE HARM OF THE FACT THAT A WOMAN CAN'T MAKE JUDICIAL DECISIONS. I BROKE HIM. I CAN BREAK YOU YOU." She walked out just as Mic said very arrogantly.
"SURE YOU WILL."

Thanks to his ex-wingman's visit, Harm finds out that a lot of things have happened on the Patrick Henry. This makes Harm want to see records of the ships problems. He goes to Bud to ask for help with the computer. Bud seems reluctant to help. Lt. Lori Singer (Nanci Chambers, DJE's wife) steps into Harm's office and closes the door.

"EVER SINCE I CAME TO JAG I'VE HEARD OF HARMON RABB. NOW THAT YOUR BACK I'D LIKE THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOU AND MAYBE IMPRESS YOU."
"YOU'RE VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD."
"YES, SIR."
"I'VE ALREADY ASKED LIEUTENANT ROBERTS FOR HELP."
"MAYBE NEXT TIME THEN."
She walks to the door.
"LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN NEXT TIME." He tells her.
"YES, SIR." She walks out. You can tell that Harm is very impressed with how straightforward she is.

Harm brings up the fact that a lot of things were going wrong when the mishap happened. People were out sick, parts were unavailable, people were exhausted. He even brings Bobbi Latham into the courtroom to testify about the condition of many of the crew and boats on the sea.

When Skates testifies, she makes a shocking revelation. She tells the court that if doing her job is cause to be court-martialed then she will resign her commission. Mac looks like she has been slapped in the face. Harm looks up at Skates and smiled. You could tell he is proud of her for saying that.
Skates was found innocent of all charges. Mic and Mac congratulate she and Harm. When Captain Engels comes out, he congratulates them both. As he walks away, Harm speaks up.

"SHOULD THE OPPORTUNITY EVER ARISE, SIR, I'D LIKE THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH YOU AGAIN."
"I'D LIKE THAT TOO, COMMANDER." Both Harm and Mac stared at each other dumbfounded. After all, this was the man that told Harm to leave flying and go back to JAG and now he was telling him he'd like to have him back.
 

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