JAG s09e23 Episode Script

Bridge CIC I have contact on a baringer 032 Affirmative.
Six, you'll find them at one o'clock.
Aye, aye, sir.
Bridge, Six, we have a visual about a thousand yards out.
Lower when ready, Chief.
Away the boat! Steady! Steady as she goes! Move! Keep her steady! Steady your line! Stop! Stop the winch! Man overboard! Bridge, launch capsized! Rescue team's in the water! Sound "man overboard.
" Aye, aye, sir.
Man overboard, starboard side! I repeat, man overboard! Establish a Williamson turn, starboard.
Williamson turn to starboard, aye.
Skipper, the other survivors? Our men are first priority.
This is the Captain.
We have four crewmen in the water and are commencing rescue.
The Department of the Navy reported six bodies were recovered this morning after a severe storm in the Malacca Straits.
Attention to orders! Lieutenant Sims, front and center.
You have been awarded a certificate of commendation from the Secretary of Navy for services rendered in the coordination of the Christmas USO Tour 2003.
By upholding the highest traditions of the naval service, you have not only brought honor upon yourself, but the unit in which you serve.
This commendation will become part of your permanent service record.
Ta-DA! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
At ease.
Congratulations, Lieutenant.
Thank you, sir.
As you were, people.
Actually, sir? I have a quick announcement to make.
Um, I was going to wait a week, just to be sure, but Now is as good a time as any.
I'm pregnant.
Twice.
I'm going to have twins.
You guys ever sleep? Apparently not, sir.
And as a consequence of this, I'm going to request a transfer to an inactive reserve billet, which means that I will be leaving JAG on a full-time basis.
It doesn't mean that you won't ever see me.
I will come to visit as much as I possibly can.
Um It's just a mixed blessing, leaving one family for another.
Well, Lieutenant, you will be missed.
Hear, hear.
Thank you, sir.
Commander, walk with me? Yes, sir.
In regards to the casualties aboard the Thomas Alliance.
I'd be glad to take the assignment, sir.
I'll grab the next transport? Good.
Oh, and, Sturgis, confine your investigation to the rescue team.
Aye, aye, sir.
Something wrong? It's just that you don't usually refer to me by my first name, sir.
Oh.
Well, it's a nice name.
You decent? Well, I've sinned, but overall, I've lived an upstanding life.
You ready? Almost.
You're sure you want to do this, huh? Yeah, I like foreign films.
Because, you know, that Adam Sandier picture is showing at the same time.
Nah, that's a little too young for me.
Well, that sounds kind of funny coming from a young person.
Oh, I'm so much more.
Yes, you are.
What's this? This is new.
Where'd you get that? It was my mother's.
I had it in a drawer.
Oh, yeah? What made you take it out? It was time.
Well, this is a good thing.
I knew you'd think so.
However, there's no way of forgetting about what happened.
Well, nobody's asking you to forget, Mattie.
It's-it's more about acceptance, isn't it? What, do you want me to accept that my father killed her? If it makes you less angry.
That'd be letting him off the hook.
Well, Mattie, maybe he's been punished enough, you know? I mean, he's certainly been hard on himself, not to mention the time he served.
He didn't serve any time.
He would have had to.
A DUI accident with a death carries a mandatory sentence.
And you wonder why I'm angry? We received a distress call from the inflatable.
The weather created challenging conditions on deck, dumping my rescue team in the water.
Managed to save only the chief boatswain's mate.
I'm sorry, Skipper.
Lost three going after three.
Six casualties in all.
Are the bodies aboard? En route to Hawaii.
Any suspicion of negligence, Skipper? Not with Gale force winds, this was an act of God.
Can I talk to that chief boatswain's mate? As soon as he's up to it.
Good enough.
Could you describe your mission, Skipper? We're providing naval component support for an ongoing PAC-COM operation.
Specifically? That's specific enough, Commander.
This is Petty Officer Murphy.
He'll escort you to your quarters.
Let me know if I can be of any more help.
Will you follow me, please, Commander? The morning's waning, Colonel.
I had personal business.
Oh, with a real person? No, and what's your point? I just figured you were out with everyone's favorite CIA officer.
Not even in the country.
He's gone to Rheine Mein Air Force Base.
In Germany? The very one.
To do what? He couldn't say.
For how long? I don't know.
Well, I got to hand it to you, Mac, that's not a lot to hang your hat on.
It's from Frankfurt.
Amusing.
It's more than I can say about you.
You're back's still bothering you? I think it's getting worse.
Have you seen a doctor? I've been busy.
I'm calling Bethesda right now to make you an appointment.
Then I'm going to grab the heating pad out of my office and come back here.
Come on in! End-of-the-month close outs, Admiral.
Hmm.
Let's see.
Ah, perfect.
You're glowing, Lieutenant.
Have a seat.
If you were a marine, it'd be cause for a dismissal.
I'm just proud of my wife, sir.
Don't blame you.
If she weren't going inactive, she'd be a lock for lieutenant commander.
Mm.
Pretty gracious, considering My terminal rank, sir? I've kind of come to terms with that.
You know what they say I don't have a leg to stand on.
The lieutenant commander board is up next, right? I know, sir.
This will be the second time? Yeah, two strikes, yes, sir.
You're a good officer, Lieutenant.
I appreciate that, Admiral.
You like eagles? Sure.
Here.
You don't want this, sir? I'm thinning out my possessions.
Hell Take two.
May they bring you luck.
This is very generous of you, sir.
Anything else catch your eye? Giving away the baseball, sir? No! Oh, Commander.
The Virginia State Police claim that the accident report that you inquired about has been archived, and they will not pull it without proof of some ongoing trial or investigation.
However, the officer at the scene filed a copy with the insurance company.
Oh, good luck getting it from them.
Don't need it, sir.
They just faxed me a copy.
How'd you get this? Commander, I have experience talking pop singers out of taking their humidifiers to Iraq.
It wasn't a problem.
Hey.
Got a minute? I'm writing a paper on the Federalists.
I've got as many minutes as you can give me.
Good.
Is Jen around? She's at her class.
Do you need to talk to her? No.
No.
Uh actually, this is good.
Mattie, I know we've been over this, but I, uh I need to ask you a few questions about the night your mom died.
Why? Do you trust me? Okay.
I know the doctor called you from the hospital that night, but did you ever talk to the police? No.
Why do you think they didn't arrest your dad? I don't know.
They either screwed up, or he talked them out of it.
Did you ever consider the possibility, that he might not have been drunk? No.
Why not? Because I hardly ever saw him when he wasn't.
And they were at a party, Harm.
What do you think they were doing? Playing Twister? This is the accident report from that night.
Mattie, they gave your father a sobriety test.
He passed.
They determined the car skidded on a patch of ice.
You're looking into this? Well, I couldn't get past the inconsistencies.
So what? Why are you doing this? You want to get rid of me? No, Mattie, but it's important that you understand exactly what happened that night.
I know what happened.
He was drunk.
Police screwed up.
Good morning, sir.
You received a fax from Annapolis.
Okay, fax this back for me, please.
Rebooking the officer's club, sir? Nothing slips by you, does it, Coates? I try to stay involved, sir.
I was going to make an official announcement, but I'm sure you'll beat me to the punch.
If I may ask, sir, have you reconsidered the wedding? No.
I want to use it for my retirement party.
Pass the word.
Did he tell her why? No, just that his retirement party is at the Academy on the 21st.
Morning, sir.
Morning, sir.
Good morning.
Pondering the news? Sadly.
The Admiral must have already turned in his retirement papers.
Oh, she checked.
The selection board for the Judge Advocate General met last week.
Maybe it's because he reached his ceiling.
He did that when he took the job.
I just think he's burnt out.
Try forced out.
Are you serious, sir? The Admiral's already served twice as long as his predecessor.
A lot of dogs barking at the gate.
Excuse me, Bud.
No, I think it has to do with his daughter.
He hardly sees her.
I know he's not happy about that.
Maybe it has something to do with the breakup with Meredith.
That had to have an effect.
Let's ask the person closest to the action.
Coates, any insight on the Admiral's decision? In a nutshell, sir, He's losing it.
Morning, sir.
We had each other by the wrists, sir.
But, uh this was one mother of a squall.
The swells just kept yanking us apart.
Take your time, now, Chief.
The safety of the crew was my responsibility, sir.
You believe there was more you could have done to save them? Yes, sir.
I could have been a better swimmer with a louder voice.
I could have had a stronger grip.
I'm sorry, Chief.
We would have made it to those men, sir.
I'm sure of that.
Their Zodiac was only 1,000 yards out.
They were in a Navy inflatable? That was my understanding; Yes, sir.
Ein, zwei, drei.
From Clayton Webb, ma'am.
This is very impressive.
What did I do to deserve this? Oh, you don't deserve it.
I just couldn't help myself.
Sarah No, no attempts at appeasement.
Your leaving will always be an issue with me.
You leave.
Yeah for days, and I'm reachable.
I've been thinking about how to make that better for you.
Please spare me.
You're going to like this.
I promise to contact you every day I'm gone.
Mmm, and uh, what are you going to do, call me in the middle of a Predator strike? Have some faith.
I want to.
I'm just going to be in Germany.
It's not like I won't be able to reach out.
I prefer you reach out with your arms.
So do I.
Commander.
Come on in.
This is a surprise.
Oh, you're packing.
Yeah, I'm done here.
Finished my first phase of rehab.
Well done.
Congratulations.
You usually call.
Something wrong? Confusing.
Well, let's talk.
What's on your mind? You were sober the night of the accident.
You checked the police report? Why didn't you tell Mattie? She blames your drinking for the death of her mother.
Well, she's right.
I was up to a quarter of a bottle of bourbon a night.
I had just poured my first when my wife asked me to beg off.
I refused, so she left the party.
I followed her out to the car.
We argued on the trip back.
See, I was convinced I could control my drinking.
She wasn't.
Because my focus was split, I failed to notice a patch of ice.
So, you blame yourself for not paying attention? For being in denial.
See, if I hadn't been so busy defending myself, that wouldn't have happened.
I've never been very smart about my drinking, which is why I drank more after the accident, and probably why I haven't stood up for myself.
So, what about these days? Ah, I don't know.
I mean, she's, she's so angry.
Mr.
Johnson, I've done about as much as I can do.
The rest is up to you.
Yeah, listen, I, uh I want to thank you for that, too.
See, I've just never been very good with disapproval.
My wife knew that.
It's in all her letters here.
But she always found a way to forgive me, God bless her.
Never could have made it through rehab without these.
Has Mattie seen those? Oh, no.
"The Memorandum of the Mess.
" I've decided that my retirement party will be a "Dining Out.
" We've never had one here at JAG.
You familiar with the ritual? Only by name, sir.
It's a formal affair.
Lots of fun.
Entire staff, spouses, escorts are invited.
That's a manual from the last one I attended.
Familiarize yourself with the protocol and distribute it.
You're my coordinator.
"President of the Mess?" That will be me.
"Guest of Honor?" Also me.
"Mr.
Vice?" I will pick a officer for that privilege.
Sounds intriguing, sir.
Coates, absolutely no gifts.
Understood, sir.
Sir, in reference to why you're retiring Carry on, Jennifer.
Yes, sir.
I'm not reading any letters.
Why not? Because it's too weird.
I'm tired of the pressure.
What are you going to do next? Are you going to nominate my father for sainthood? Mattie, take the letters, and I'll leave it up to you if you read them or not.
Do you have a manila envelope? Yeah, yeah, I think so.
What's it for? So I can send these back.
I'm sorry, Skipper, would you mind clarifying something for me? Your survivor mentioned that the three men that sent the distress signal were in a Zodiac; Is that true? A raft of some kind.
No, no, he specifically used that designation.
Why would that be an issue? Well, were they crew members? No.
Skipper, a Zodiac was listed as missing the same night as the rescue attempt, which would suggest it was the same boat that sent the distress signal.
I stand by my answer.
Can you tell me why I only have a partial casualty list? Because the scope of your investigation is limited to the rescue team.
Which, in my eyes, includes who they were rescuing and under what circumstances.
Not in this case.
Do you have a classified manifest, Skipper? Highly.
Then I guess my investigation is concluded.
File your report.
I'll arrange your travel.
Since when do you knock? Is Mattie here? Uh, no, but I'm expecting her.
Is she late? Yeah.
Look, this may not be anything, but the apartment is just as I left it this morning.
Nothing is moved or changed.
Well, that's a good thing, isn't it? Not if you're living with a teenager.
I don't think she came home from school.
I need to get this off, Lieutenant.
Nature of the document, Commander? The JAG Manual Report, what there is of it.
May I have a look, sir? Sorry, sir.
Security issue.
I need to compare your documents with those not cleared for release.
Carry on.
We need to call the police.
I mean, I can't think of another place she could possibly be.
She's gone.
She's either in trouble, or she's run away.
And I know what you're thinking.
If this a false alarm, it's not going to look good on the social worker's next report.
I know what you're thinking, Commander.
The payoff isn't worth it.
911.
Hi.
Um, need to report a missing person.
Cancel that, please.
I'm sorry.
There's been a mistake.
I should have called.
You always do.
I got hung up.
Hung up on what? Everything's fine.
What, we're not going to talk about this? Not tonight.
That's not okay with me, Mattie.
It's going to have to be okay for now.
You missed your first Alateen meeting.
I forgot.
All right, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.
Don't do me any favors.
Hey, Mattie.
Hey! I'm tired.
I'm going to go to bed.
Any abdominal pain? Mostly in my back.
What about pelvic sensations? Some.
Do you know what a laparoscopy is? It's surgery.
Exploratory.
Small incision.
What does this have to do with my back? The pain's not coming from your back.
So what are you looking for? Abnormalities.
Like what, cancer? Let's not speculate.
There's no way to tell anything until I can see what's going on.
It's a one day procedure with a short recovery time.
When would you want to do this? As soon as possible.
You all right? Yeah.
My back's sore.
That's not good.
I like my women fit.
Well, I think we fit great.
You want a massage? I spent a year in Sweden one winter.
Mm.
No, I'm fine.
Come on, turn over.
I can help.
No, thanks.
No excuses.
Let's go.
I'm not in the mood.
Okay.
What? I like doing things for you, Sarah.
Well, I'm all for that.
No, sometimes you're not.
Makes we wonder.
About what? How to interpret the phrase, "Being there for you.
" It means being available when I need you.
What if I want to be there when you don't need me? Well, that's great, but Your impulses count, mine don't.
So this is all because I wouldn't let you rub my back? It's not about your back.
It's about us and all the time we don't get to spend together.
There is so much I can't share with you.
Don't make it worse by rejecting my better instincts.
You're fascinating when you're not drinking.
Lieutenant.
Since my party is at the academy, I was thinking of inviting your brother.
Oh, he'd really appreciate that, sir.
Anything I need to consider? Oh, no, we're-we're fine now, sir.
Good, good.
I'd hate for some family squabble to ruin my evening.
Harriet.
Yes, sir? I've decided on my Madam Vice.
Don't you mean "Mr.
Vice," sir? Not unless you want to cut your hair and lower your voice.
You want me to do it, Admiral? I thought you'd appreciate the opportunity to outrank everyone before you left.
I'll be there, sir.
Now I assume you're okay with corporal punishment.
I'm sorry? Well, you know, paddling, that sort of thing.
Actually, no, sir.
So you'd prefer to be on the other end? Neither, sir.
That was a joke, sir.
That was a good one.
You got me.
Um, however, I do have something special in mind I could use your help with.
Does it involve whoopee cushions and hand buzzers, sir? That's a good one.
Ow.
Mattie's fine, Commander.
Was I that obvious? It's understandable, sir.
You haven't seen her in three days.
Longest of my life.
I give you credit for hanging back and giving her space, sir.
She's definitely going through something.
She won't talk about it, but it seems to be a pretty big deal.
Right now, you're doing more parenting than I am.
It's fine, sir.
I can see why you took her on.
Good, remind me, would you? You know, Commander.
Unfortunately, you entered her life at a time when children tend to reject parental authority.
Are you regretting it? No.
I'm just missing her.
Hello, ma'am.
Hi.
Anything? Nothing from Germany.
That's three days now.
Should I be worried? Were you expecting something every day? That was the promise.
Don't worry, ma'am.
I'm sure he's fine.
It just got more involved than he expected.
Mm.
That makes two of us.
Hey.
You're back.
Yeah, last night.
You, uh, heard about the admiral? He told me himself, then he gave me a pair of bookends.
Yeah, we're all a little worried about him.
So how was it out there? Difficult.
How are you doing? Fine.
Where's Clayton these days? He's in Germany.
Why do you ask? Just being conversational.
Since when? Mac Sturgis, do you know something? Yes.
Three years now, and I'm still uncomfortable talking to you.
Excuse me.
Colonel MacKenzie.
You-you surprised me.
What are you doing? I've been laid off.
Why? That's a question for my superiors, ma'am.
Fine.
Put me in touch with Webb.
You know I can't do that.
Are they shutting down his office? I signed an oath, ma'am.
Yeah, but if you're no longer employed by the agency.
I'm sorry, Colonel.
You were sending these? I didn't know whether to keep doing it or not.
Knew I'd only be here a few days.
Thought you'd been told already.
Where is he? In Hawaii.
I want to talk to him.
You can't.
He's in the Tripler morgue.
Webb's dead.
He was one of the six casualties on the USS Thomas Lyons.
I thought he was in Germany.
It was a charade to keep me from worrying.
Who told you this, Sturgis? He wanted to, I think.
The information was classified.
How'd you find out? I squeezed it out of Clay's assistant.
Mac, you may have forgotten, but, uh I know, he faked his death before.
I considered that, but I know it's for real this time because I feel it.
What can I do? You're doing it.
Okay, Colonel.
Let's count backwards from ten.
Ten, nine, eight, seven, six You'll hear from me every day.
I better.
I love you.
I'm so relieved.
How are you feeling? Crampy.
That'll disappear in a few hours.
I'd take it easy tonight.
I can't.
I have an affair.
Take a cab.
Avoid physical activity.
What do I need to know? I wish I had better news.
How long have you been there? I just walked in.
You look nice.
Well, thanks.
It's a retirement party for the Admiral tonight.
You want something to drink? No thanks.
You were late again last night, huh? Yeah.
Jen tell you? I'm sure you have a good reason.
It was an Alateen meeting.
How'd you get there? My dad drove me.
I read those letters my mom wrote.
And in them, she wrote, you know, that she loved him so much that it made her angry to see him hurting himself, and she knew she shouldn't have handled it that way.
She apologized for not being able to help him.
And that helped you? Yeah.
I sort of get it now.
So, what are you thinking? Dad and I are going to spend some more time together.
Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Mess.
Madam Vice, Mr.
Turner requests permission to address the President in regard to an infraction.
The infraction in question, Mr.
Turner? Mr.
Michael Roberts sits before an uncharged wine glass.
I consider that transgression to be of appropriate consequence to recommend the judgment of the President.
Mr.
Roberts, you will stand and step forward.
Well, it's clear to me that you have, uh, violated the laws of formal behavior, if not that of all civilized peoples everywhere.
What do you have to say for yourself? Mr.
President, I'm not experienced in this kind of thing.
Well, this kind of thing, Mr.
Roberts, is referred to as a "Dining Out.
" Sorry, Mr.
President.
May I request uh, defense counsel, sir? Name the counsel.
My big brother, Mr.
Bud Roberts.
Allowed.
Madam Vice, may I address the President? You may.
Mr.
President, I would like for you to take this into consideration.
Mr.
Michael Roberts is the most junior officer in the room.
He does not normally drink wine, and when we were children, I used to randomly beat him about the head with a badminton racquet.
Five dollars.
We'll send it to the Mental Health Association.
Good time for a break.
Smoking lamp is lit.
Hey.
Hi.
What happened to you? Oh, um I-I had a-a procedure.
Are you okay? Uncomfortable.
Why didn't you tell me? I would have been there with you.
Oh, no, no.
It's better this way.
Do you need anything? Hmm.
Good news.
Ha, ha.
Not today.
Mattie reconciled with her father.
I-I thought that's what you wanted.
I guess so.
It just kind of took me by surprise, you know? He's probably going to go for custody again.
Hmm.
You bring someone? No.
I'm here with you.
Madam Vice, to our Guest of Honor.
Ladies and gentlemen, The President of the Mess.
The President of the Mess.
May his departure take him to a place of peace, contentment and natural fabrics.
Much appreciated.
I'm aware of all the speculation regarding my retirement.
Many theories, all of them very interesting.
All of them correct.
I guess it was, uh, a confluence of many things that led to my decision.
But let me be clear.
I'm not leaving anything.
I'm completing one experience and starting another.
Specifically, this summer, my daughter and I will visit every Major League baseball park in the nation.
We'll end up in, uh, Boston in October, where I'm hoping historic things will happen.
And everything after that is pretty much up in the air.
But know this.
I will take each and every one of you with me wherever I go.
And trust me when I say, that I'm a better man for having done my service in your company.
Madam Vice, I believe Mr.
Bud Roberts is out of uniform.
Mr.
Roberts, please approach.
You're rig, Mr.
President.
Mr.
Roberts' shoulder boards are incorrect.
Uh, Madam Vice, my shoulder boards are Attention to orders.
Consider this my last act as Judge Advocate General.
Lieutenant Commander, repeat after me.
I do solemnly swear I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic The Admiral wrote a letter to the promotion board.
He showed me a copy.
It was amazing.
Six pages.
He listed every officer that had been promoted that was handicapped in the last 50 years.
And then he went on and on about your T-A-D aboard the Bennington.
And how you talked that sailor out of suicide.
I can't believe they bought it.
Read the letter.
You okay? You keep asking me that.
Well, give me an answer that works.
I don't think I'm in a position to judge anything right now.
You're missing him? We were getting close to something.
He lied to you, Mac.
Maybe for the right reason.
Is there one? No.
Not in a relationship.
Did you love him? I told him I did.
I don't know if we had a future together.
We hardly ever talked about it.
Certainly never talked about kids.
I don't know if you realize it, but, um This week is, uh It's an anniversary of sorts.
Five years ago.
We're already there? I knew it was this year, but This isn't really the The right time to talk about this, but, uh I want you to know that, uh, if you want to have a baby, in the future, the offer still holds.
I mean, we could do it together, like we planned.
That's all I wanted to say.
You-You don't have to I'm sorry.
I I I shouldn't have I shouldn't have brought it up.
You know, men just seem to, uh Pass through my life.
Except for you.
Will you always be there? Yes.
Then you need to know what the doctor told me.