Need to Know, November 5, 2002

By Michele Blackburn

A missing submarine, a renewed relationship and a returning CIA agent make Need to Know a very interesting episode of JAG.

On December 21, 1968, a submarine, Angel Shark, went down in the Sea of Oskhantz. Thirty four years later, a Congresswoman wants the new SecNav to find out what happened to her father's boat. He turns to JAG for the answers.

Harm, Mac, and Sturgis are called on to find out about the Angel Shark. Mac gets Bud to help because she doesn't like to work on the internet (In real life, Catherine Bell has her own website that she works on herself).

The CIA's counsel, Catherine Gale, gives the three only what they need to know. So who does JAG go to when they need help with the CIA? Well, Clayton Webb, of course. Webb appears for the first time this season and declines to help Harm on the fact that his boss ordered him not to.

With the help of two retired Admirals, Harm, Mac and Sturgis find out that the Angel Shark didn't have a rumored self-destruction mechanism on it and that it was indeed found. The only thing they can do is subpoena any records that have to do with the mission. The order is denied by Ms. Gale and Webb asks Harm again at the CIA's memorial wall to let it go. Harm says he can't because the crew of the Angel Shark didn't get stars like the fallen CIA heroes on the wall did.

There was a very brief shipper moment with Harm and Mac at his apartment. Was it just me or did Mac seem a little to at home in Harm's apartment in the way she offered to cook dinner at his apartment. As they were talking, Mac noticed Harm had a TV/VCR combo. She called him on it and he told her he never bought one, but there was a tape to go in it.

This told viewers as well as Harm and Mac that the only one that could have put it in there was Webb because only the people that have been in Harm's apartment would know that he doesn't have a TV or VCR to play a tape.

The tape is shown to Catherine Gale. It is a tape showing a burial at sea of the crew that died on the Angel Shark. While the tape is playing, Mac relays the story of what they think happened to the Angel Shark. While she is telling the story, flashbacks show what happened. William Moses returns to JAG (his last appearance was on Webb of Lies) in the flashbacks as Commander Dorning. Mac goes on to tell the story of how a traitor was among the group and told of the Angel Sharks whereabouts. A sub collided with the Angel Shark and in an attempt to get away from the sub, the Angel Shark blew up. However, a rescue buoy was released and the cable-tapping equipment (the reason they were down there) was secured.

The board of inquiry agrees that the collision and what happened afterwards should be revealed to families, but nothing else.

At the end, Harm and Webb are watching the film of the burial with the families. Harm mentions Webb's new location in South America. Webb tells him he's close to Devils Island( a notorious prison off of French Guiana known for pirahnas being in the water surrounding the prison. FYI, Trevor Goddard co-starred in a movie with Hulk Hogan about the island), but he's glad it's not Canada (I don't know if that was a joke put in by DPB because as everyone DJE fan knows, he grew up in Canada).

Meanwhile, Bud has been working harder at his therapy and still talks to Coates over IM. Coates reveals to Bud that Singer is still seasick. However, we the viewers, who read spoilers know the real reasoning for Singer's sea sickness which should be revealed soon. Bud also takes more than one step to get closer to Harriet. He climbs his steps one at a time and finally makes it. It's a look of pride as he climbs the last step and sits down with a smile on his face. Harriet finds him in their bedroom and they talk about their insecurities over what happened and how it is affecting their love life. Bud makes a joke and Harriet kisses him.

BEST QUOTES OF THE SHOW:

"We can't tell the court its declassified because the reason it's classified is classified."~Harm
"You've got it."~Catherine

"Anything that keeps me off the internet is a good thing."~Mac

"Getting me to cook is an accomplishment?"~Mac
"Getting you to sit down is an accomplishment."~Harm

"Someone broke into your home and left you a television?"~Mac

"Honey, I'm not a freak. I just lost a little weight, finally."~Bud

"I hear your boss gave you a new assignment. Somewhere in South America?"~Harm
"He was not happy."~Webb
"Anywhere I know?"~Harm
"Deputy Chief of Station in Paramaribo."~Webb
"Where's that?"~Harm
"Surinam. Two hundred miles from Devils Island."~Webb
"Ouch."~Harm
"Well, it could have been worse. It could have been Canada."~Webb.

"This is better than stars on a wall."~Webb
"Yeah, it is."~Harm

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