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Mr. Rabb Goes to Washington, November 10, 1998 |
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By Shirley I am a big Harm fan. I get really
annoyed when I don't see enough of him in an episode. After all, Harm IS
what JAG is all about. Granted the other characters need time to have
their stories told, but only if it is a good story and done well. As good
as the supporting characters have become, they cannot carry the show
without Harm, and this includes Mac, IMHO. This episode had too much of
Harm sitting there in the background for my liking. I actually found the
committee hearings scenes rather drawn out and boring. previous episode review//next episode review
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I
can understand TPTB going all out to do a "really big shew" for the
November sweeps. But the stories suck, both the sarin gas one (we've seen
it in the news already), and the Mac one. Sorry, TPTB, you laid an egg
with this episode story-wise. Oh the script was strong in places,
especially in the Harm/Bobbi scenes, but Mac's lines were really weak, and
Bud and Harriet got short shrift. Millie was priceless. I'm so glad they
brought her back. 
All
right, the Mac story can be summed up thus: it's soap opera. I don't like
soap opera so I can't tell whether it's good or bad soap opera. Because
they had decided to do a two-parter for the sweeps, they had to stretch it
out, which made it even more excruciating. As for the introduction of the
Brumby character at this particular time, that is so like a soap opera.
I
am of two minds about this Brumby guy. I don't take to him right now. I'm
not sure whether he will grow on me. I find him a tad rough. He is as
different from Harm as chalk from cheese. And pardon me, but isn't the
Australian-ness of Brumby a bit stereotypical? I suppose Mac will turn to
him on the rebound? Especially since Harm seemed to be having a bit of a
fling with Bobbi, (It was just a kiss or two, Mac. I don't think it was
more than that). 
I
guess the scene when Mac went to Harm's apartment to talk to him and
walked right into his working dinner with Bobbi illustrates the difference
between a man and a woman's approach to the same problem. Harm, faced with
the need to ask for Mac's help, came right out and asked, both in Martin
Baker and King of the Fleas. In fact, in Martin Baker, he goaded her to
help him by playfully threatening to go to Mattoni. Mac, womanlike, went
at it in a roundabout way. When confronted with Bobbi, she left. From
Harm's point of view, being totally unaware of the situation with her
husband, there was no reason for him to suspect that there was anything
wrong. For all he knew, she had come to talk about a new deal in the
Ellsworth case. He was having a working dinner with Bobbi. He had had
working dinners before with Mac. There was no situation. If anyone is in
any doubt about his feelings for Mac at this point in time, this puts an
end to it. He regards her as his partner and good friend. Period. 
Finally,
we must touch on the Harm/Bobbi possible relationship. It was quite
obvious that Bobbi was attracted to him from the get-go. But Harm, though
he sparred with her, sometimes in a flirtatious way, never showed any sign
that he wanted a relationship. He was aware that she was attracted to him,
but there were no opportunities for any development. I think the fact that
she loved flying was a strong point in her favour. He had scant sympathy
for Mac when she got airsick "Put your head down between your knees." I
believe that she gained his respect and a large measure of his trust over
the course of the third season. As a result, he was more amenable to a bit
of loving. Besides, she was a beautiful woman. 
I
really enjoyed their scenes. There was definitely chemistry there. I know
that this is supposed to be a little romance. I like it and I'm going to
enjoy it while it lasts.