Newsletter Editor: Nancy P.

Asst. Editor: Jenni M.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover

Website of the Month

Are You Crazy?

Do your family and friends think you insane when it comes to a certain television show? Are you obsessed with a certain tall, handsome, bald Navy Admiral? Afraid they are going to commit you? Let them! Join the rest of the JAGniks at The Jag Asylum at http://www.oocities.org/~jagasylum

The JAG Asylum is a place where your addictions can be properly diagnosed, you can receive support from the caring and just as crazy staff, and you are able to spend time with fellow Jagaholics a.k.a. JAGniks. Build it and they will come. That is what Sandy and Sheryl and several other volunteer JAG experts did to alleviate the stress caused by mental instability of JAG fans everywhere. In the last three months, over 10,000 addicts, I mean fans, have visited the asylum for treatment.

Once you arrive at the asylum you are assigned to a cozy wing with padded rooms based on your symptom's classifications. I would suggest all Admiral's Ladies report to the Seal Wing asap. While enjoying your stay with the other Admiral's Ladies, who by the way are easy to spot since they all tend to shave their heads in homage to their great passion, you can take part in the recommended JAG diet and exercise plan. Addicts of this wing are known to be snackers, just like their favorite two-star. By the way, has anyone seen the guacamole? Since a certain former Navy Seal expects all to carry their own weight (warning - easy on the brownies and chili) and have high stamina for extra curricular activities, everyone is expected to get physical with the Seal … I mean in the Seal wing. A little running, softball, and if the residents of the Top Secret Wing come over for a little visit - boxing anyone?

At the asylum, you are not required to stay locked down in your room. The highly trained and very familiar staff has planned daily group activities that all JAGniks can participate in. This is a great opportunity for residents of the Seal Wing to mix and mingle with members of the Semper Fi wing. With fun being the only rule here, no UCMJ rules and regulations apply while checked into the asylum. Other events that take place are group discussions on the latest news and events, ranking the top ten scenes of each JAG episode, a scavenger hunt through the lost and found area, and for the good JAGniks, passes are given to check out other favorite links.

Before leaving The JAG Asylum, all JAGniks should check out the very special tribute to the JAG-man himself and all the wonderful people who work so hard each week to bring happiness to all JAGniks. You also are given the opportunity to Make A Difference to a POW/MIA. JAGniks may be crazy but all have big caring hearts.

Is there a cure? Sorry, there is no cure for Jagaholics aka JAGniks. But who really cares! When the treatment is so great, nobody will ever want to leave The JAG Asylum at http://www.oocities.org/~jagasylum.

PATTYOS@aol.com is our website feature editor. She will be scouting out JMJ (and JAG) websites and reviewing them so you'll know the best places on the web to go for your JMJ fix! If you know of a good JMJ or JAG site or if you yourself have a JMJ or JAG site, please let Patty know - yours may be next to be our Website of the Month.

Trivia Corner

Last month's trivia question was: AJ came up against an old enemy twice in Season 2. Who was this person (1 pt.) and why did he hate AJ so much? (2 pts.) The enemy was Gayle Osbourne. He held a grudge against AJ initially because he blamed AJ for the death of Jack Holford, Osbourne's friend and protege. However, after AJ bested him in "Secrets," Osbourne comes after him in "Ghosts" for revenge for that as well as for Jack's death.

We're going to go a little more recent for this month's trivia question since we have many readers who are "new" to JAG. So for 2 points, how does AJ describe a typical day in his life and, for 1 pt., what episdoe does this come from?

To play our trivia game, e-mail your answers to admiralslady@oocities.com by March 31. Answers will be in the next issue of The Journal.

JMJAS Shirts!

We are pleased to offer to you the first official "unofficial fan club" merchandise - got that? We have JMJAS shirts that you can purchase for yourself or as a gift for a friend. The shirt is a Navy blue, medium-weight, polo shirt - very nice and very sturdy. Our source will purchase the shirt and then embroider the SEAL trident with "JMJAS" above it on the left chest area. Your name will go on the left sleeve.

The cost is $35/shirt, which includes shipping. Please send a money order only - no checks, please. You may send cash at your own risk! Each shirt is made to order, so please allow 6-8 weeks to receive your shirt. As with the SEAL merchandise, the JMJAS makes no money from the sale of this shirt - we have simply found a supplier. If you would like to order a shirt or would like more information about this shirt, please e-mail chris45@jaguarsystems.com Or print out this newsletter and drop it in front of your "significant other" as a helpful hint for Birthday, Mothers' Day or Anniversary shopping!

From the Admiral's Desk

This feature is our new book review section. We will let you know about interesting JAG-related books, both fiction and nonfiction. This review was submitted by Kelly.

This is the first of a set of 7 (so far, but I know more are planned) stories focusing on the various members of  the fictional Alpha Squad of SEAL Team Ten.  The book publisher is Silhouette Intimate Moments, the author's name of this "mini-series" is Suzanne Brockman.  The name chosen for this "mini-series" is Tall Dark and Dangerous.  This premire novel is titled "Prince Joe" and was originally published in June of 1996. (You can find copies of older books at used bookstores/book traders....and if anyone would like a copy of this, email me and I'll explain how to get this, or any other book in this series)

The back of the book blurb is as follows: "The government wanted Veronica St.John to teach a tough, combat-hardened Navy SEAL how to impersonate a visiting European crown
prince who'd been targeted by terrorists.  But even if every gorgeous inch of him did look the part, this guy simply WASN'T prince material.........

It wasn't just that everything about Lt Joe Catalanotto-from his New York accent to his arrogant, streetwise attitude-said he was anything but an aristocrat.  No, the REAL trouble was the way he made his refined, upper-crust teacher want to slap him silly-and then kiss him
senseless......."

Ok, that takes care of the publisher's version of the blurb....now for mine *g* ok...certain ladies that are reading this publication prefer the folically challanged pate of a certain Admiral, but just picture a young SEAL team leader who's finally found a place to belong after a not-so-great childhood, but has no delusions on his ability to attract a woman who's spent her life in exclusive boarding schools rubbing elbows with royalty.  Except, as in all romance novels, something happens *g* I try not to give away suprises, so I won't really delve into the plot, or storyline, except to say....PAY ATTENTION!!!  Just about all the characters you'll meet in this story will soon take their turn at center stage.  There are two actual "ops" in the book, and a bit about SEAL training, along with some military slang (which we should all already know *g*).  There are enough twists and suprises to keep you interested (and depending on how much you follow) guessing that the book is throughly entertaining.  Brockman has a style I personally like, she gets inside the characters and makes you see them as flesh-and-blood people...not perfect creations, but ones you can imagine walking into on the street (we wish :-) Her characterizations are vivid and lively, you
can picture the image she paints with her words and you can almost see these two characters going toe-to-toe.  In this, the first of a hopefully (to me anyway) never-ending series of "Tall Dark and Dangerous" you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll want to pump your fist at the high points and, if you're anything like me, you'll put the book down, look around and say "who's next?"

If you have read a JAG-related (in one way or another) book that you think others might like, please send your review to us at moviesii@aol.com.

The Jackson Vibe

The insiders have provided us with a scoop for this April issue of The Jackson Journal - a sneak peek at the season finale. You won’t find this anywhere else, guys! He (or maybe it’s a she - I’m not sure) promised me an exclusive. So, if you don’t want to know any spoilers for the season finale, stop reading now!! You have been warned!

In "New Hope for the Dead," tentatively scheduled to be aired on May 25, Harm is re-certified to return to active flight status (thus - the title - which refers to his thoughts about his flying career). It turns out he did not have nightblindness at all, but a rare form of viral infection which lodged in his eye and affected his vision. He leaves JAG—but not before popping the question to Jordan. Mac is assigned Brumby as her new partner, and the two begin to get very close as Mac finds that she just can’t help herself when it comes to men who treat her badly. Both Bud and Harriet may get transferred out of JAG after the lack of sleep and general chaos that follows the birth of a baby add up to mishaps at the office that get them into serious hot water with the Admiral, who discovers that while he can tolerate pregnant women and he loves children, he hates crying babies. If you bought any of this, check the date of this newsletter again! April Fool! <g>

(From "Secrets" - Season 2)

Welcome New Members

We would like to extend a warm welcome to the following members who joined the fan club during the month of February:

• Rose Warrington
• Sandee Jaeger
• Debbie Franco
• Rebecca Bryce
• Debbie Soze
• Sandra Beverloo
• Lia
• Karen Harrison
• Caroline Mathew
• Janet Arnott
• Kelly Lee

Welcome aboard! We add yet another new country this month -- England. We now have fans in 9 foreign countries. We're glad to have you join our (not-so) little family--we now number 152 members.

April Birthdays!

We would like to wish a Very Happy Birthday and a joy-filled year to the following members with April birthdays:

Kelly Ludwig - April 8

Sheryl Miranda - April 9

Robyne Grumbles - April 10

Elizabeth Whitaker - April 11

Roxann Eddy - April 18

Carol Burgess - April 25

Kate Tower - April 29

Meet Our Members

NAME: Patrick Murray

RANK: Lieutenant, (junior grade), United States Navy, Inactive Reserve

LAST POST: CVW-17 Intelligence staff deployed on CVN-69, USS Eisenhower

CURRENT POST: Customer Service Rep for @Home cable Internet service

MARITAL STATUS: Single, looking for Ms. Right

INTERESTS: Computers, Internet, Soccer, History (20th Century), Military theory and concepts. The study of JAGology and its effects on the human species, and the study of the follically challenged male authority figure and his effect of the human species of the female gender.

READING INTERSTS: Tom Clancy (his real stuff) and JAG fan fiction.

Stefano and Chiara... Stefano is 43 years old, born 11/23. Chiara is 30 years old, born 5/22. We have been married since June 13, 1996. We are eagerly awaiting our first offspring due the second or third week of July. Name chosen for the baby is either Aaron James or Alice Jane ( both AJ for us). We live in Italy in a little spot on the map 100 miles away from Milan. We're both relentless readers, writers for inner need and workers cause there's no other way to pay our bills.

We met during a Star Trek Convention in November 1995, got engaged two months later and married the following June. Chiara's got a penchant for baldies, Stefano for intergenerational relationships between mature men and younger women. These are the reasons we are both of us JAG FANS and AJ/MAC shippers. We love Star Trek, ER, Homicide, NYPD Blues and X-Men comic books.

We also love a lot Fan Fiction. Chiara is trying to write her first JAG FF right now... Stefano, who is more a plot maker than a novelist, is busy writing his first novel and spends his time planning JAG stories, but he risks being thrown out of a window if he doesn't make up his mind and make a finished story out of some of his plots. The second best thing we've done in our life has been to get married... The First one is Our AJ.

If you would like to introduce yourself to the group, please send a one-paragraph bio to Jenni at gypsy77@home.com. We'd love to get to know you.

Birthday Greetings for JMJ

Although it may seem a little early to some, the JMJAS is starting to collect birthday greetings for Mr. Jackson, who will turn 49 on June 1. We have set up an internet birthday card for him (thanks to Yankee Rose for designing and maintaining this page for us). A few weeks before his birthday, we will print out and mail the messages to him in a card designed just for him. So be sure to include your birthday wishes.

Favorite Quotes:

This month's quote comes from "Ghosts."

To Phil Delaney: "She died alone . . . just like you and I will."

Later, referring to Gayle Osbourne:

Tiner: "Should I call Security?"

AJ: "No, I might order 'em to shoot him."

 

(From "Secrets" - Season 2)

 

FanFic Forum

The Reception

Author: Sandy Bose

Rating: PG-13

Classification: Romance (AJ/Mac)

Summary: Mac and AJ at Bud and Harriet's weding reception.

Mac and AJ prove, in this story, that just because you hear something someone says, doesn't mean you heard it correctly.  This is a charming little story with lots of laughs.  There is one laugh that is classic, but I am not going to tell...  This story is a great post Wedding Bell Blues tale.  It is a must read for Mac/AJ shippers.  It is a good read for non shippers too.  Well, maybe not all but it is funny.  Almost all of the main characters are in there and poor Tiner gets in the middle of Mac and AJ's miscommunications.  This is definitely one of the best AJ/Mac post-ep stories.  Enjoy shippers...

You will find this story in the FanFic Archives on the JMJAS site.

About the Author

Name: Sandy Bose

Where are you from?  Chicago, Illinois

When did you start watching JAG?  The very beginning of last season.

Why did you start watching JAG?  I don't know what episode it was but I remember  seeing the Admiral and thinking he was a great character, I also liked Catherine Bell a lot and liked the way she approached the character of Mac.

When did you start writing fanfic and why?  I've only written two fanfics and they were both last year.  It was after the "near-kiss" and I wanted to write something that developed the relationship between Mac and AJ.

What is the favorite story you have written?  other authors? I like the Reception because it was my first fanfic and it really was so easy to write.  I could hear the dialogue and "see" the story.  So it was a lot of fun to write! I love anything that Hughesfan and Gray Cargill write !  I think the quality of their writing is really incredible.  And I love any and all writers who focus on A.J. !

Do you have any plans for other stories?  Unfortunately I have zero time lately.  I may have more time during the summer and would love to write another story.

Comments???  Well, I guess lately I've been a little disappointed with the show.  It seems like they have A.J. back in a very minor role.  He does so much with the screen time he gets.  But I'd love to see at least one more story line this season where he's the major focus. My fingers are crossed !

The Admiral's Briefing:

I've borrowed another one of the names submitted for this newsletter to bring you a new, somewhat limited feature. We're going to bring you a complete list (in no particular order) of military abbreviations, so you'll know what the heck they're talking about on the show! I'll include this when I have space.

AIM - Air-intercept missile

APU - Auxiliary power unit

ATARS - Advanced Tactical Reconnaissance System

CAG - Carrier Air Wing Commander

EMI - Electromagnetic interference

FRM - Flight-related mishap

HR - Hazard report

IG - Inspector General

JCS - Joint Chiefs of Staff

LSO - Landing Signal Officer

MIR - Mishap Investigative Report

MR - Mishap Report

MRE - Meals Ready to Eat

NAS - Naval Air Station

NCO - Noncommissioned officer

NFO - Naval Flight Officer

OOD - Officer of the Day; Officer of the Deck

RAN - Royal Australian Navy

RIO - Radar Intercept Officer

RN - Royal Navy

SAM - Surface-to-Air Missile

This is a continuation of last month’s feature article on the awards, medals and decorations which our favorite admiral wears. This month, we’re looking at the various Military Campaign and Service Medals that he has.

Military Campaign and Service Medals

(Ribbon)		Navy Expeditionary Medal The Navy Expeditionary Medal was authorized in August 1936. It is awarded to both officers and enlisted men of the Navy and the Marine Corps who have actually landed on foreign territory and engaged in operations against armed opposition or operated under circumstances which, after full consideration, shall be deemed to merit special recognition and for which service no campaign medal has been awarded. Now I have to admit this one has me stumped. I found a site that purported to list all the expeditions for which this medal was awarded, but it had nothing listed later than 1942. So, either the site was not actually complete, or AJ should not be wearing this medal. I’m going to see if I can find out anything further about this.

(Ribbon)		National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal has been worn by three generations of sailors and Marines. It is awarded for service in three distinct periods of military history. The first medals were awarded to those who served during the Korean War era between June 27, 1950, and July 27, 1954. The second set of medals were awarded to Vietnam veterans - those who served between January 1, 1961, and August 14, 1974. AJ would have earned his first National Defense Service medal during this period. Since AJ wears a bronze star on his ribbon, it means he has also earned a second National Defense Service medal. This would be for the most recent period of eligibility which began on August 2, 1990, and encompasses Southwest Asia service. The terminal eligibility date was later set as November 30, 1995; however, that has been amended, and no termination date for eligibility exists at the present time.

(Ribbon)		Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Department of Defense developed the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal to recognize duty in smaller regional conflicts. The medal was authorized by Executive Order signed by President Kennedy on December 4, 1961. To qualify, you must have served at least a minimum of 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, unless the full period of an operation is less than 30 days, in which case you must have participated for the entire period. There is an exception for personnel engaged in combat or other duty which is considered equally as hazardous, in which case they qualify for the award regardless of time in the area. There are, according to the site I found, 25 operations for which one would qualify for this award. Here are some possibilities for operations in which AJ could have been awarded this medal: Cambodia, Thailand, Cambodia Evacuation (Operation Eagle Pull), Vietnam Evacuation (Operation Frequent Wind), Mayaquez, Lebanon, Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury), Libya (Operation Eldorado Canyon), Persian Gulf (Operation Ernest Will), Panama (Operation Just Cause), Somalia (Operation Restore Hope), and El Salvador. All of these operations took place between 1973 and today. I discounted any operations that took place entirely within the last 3 or 4 years as he has been the JAG during that time, and I think we would have seen any involvement in campaigns that recent - not to mention the fact that he was already wearing the medal when he showed up as a regular. <g>

(Ribbon)		Vietnam Service Medal The Vietnam Service Medal was signed into law by President Johnson on July 8, 1965. It is awarded to all members of the armed forces who served in Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace between July 3, 1965, and March 28, 1973. Personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during that same time period are also eligible for this award. To qualify, AJ would have had to meet one of the following criteria: (1) be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations; (2) be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days aboard a Naval vessel directly supporting military operations; (3) actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and its contiguous waters directly supporting military operations; or (4) serve on temporary duty 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas. That time limit is waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. There were a total of 17 individual campaigns for which this medal was awarded - since AJ wears only one bronze star on his ribbon, he participated in only one of the qualifying campaigns, and it is impossible to guess which one. However, unless he is considerably older than we think, it is most likely that it was one of the last 4 or 5 campaigns, which all took place in the early ‘70s.

(Ribbon		Southwest Asia Service Medal The Southwest Asia Service Medal was established by President George Bush on March 12, 1991, and is awarded to any member of the armed forces for service in certain areas of the Middle East during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I have seen conflicting information on this medal. By all accounts, the period of eligibility began August 2, 1990; however, one report says the termination date for eligibility is still open whereas two other reports say the termination date was November 30, 1995. I do not know which is correct.

Next month we’ll look at the last three Military Campaign and Service Medals that he has. My thanks to Chris who answered my question from last month about the Good Conduct Ribbon. The Good Conduct Ribbon is awarded to enlisted personnel only, so as an officer, AJ would not qualify.

(Again, my thanks to John Strandberg, Tat, and the United States Navy for their invaluable assistance in researching this article.)

As a MEMBER-ONLY benefit, you can place an order through the JMJAS for selected SEAL merchandise. Merchandise available includes bumper stickers, SEAL Team 3 patches, baseball caps, and a variety of t-shirts. The JMJAS makes no profit on this merchandise - prices quoted are what we pay. Please allow 6-8 weeks to receive merchandise. To order SEAL Merchandise, please print out the order form you'll find at that link, fill it out completely, and mail it with your check or money order to the address given. Be sure to include your e-mail address or phone number (we will call collect) so we can contact you in case of a question or problem with your order. Again, this is a member-only benefit, so if you do not already belong to the JMJAS, please join before placing an order. Thank you.

In this feature, you - the viewer - get to be the critic. We invite you to review the JAG episodes and give them two ratings - one for the overall episode and one for the episode as a showcase for JMJ. Please rank them based on a system of 1-10 where 10 is the best. You can review every episode or just your favorites. You can write two sentences or two paragraphs or two pages. You can write about the plot (although you do not need to summarize the plot as we will have seen the episodes ourselves), the special effects, the acting, "bloopers," whatever aspect appeals to you. But do write! This is truly a case of "the more the merrier." This column is being compiled by HughesFan so send your reviews to HughesFan@aol.com. The subject line should read "JAG/JMJ Review." Please do not put anything else in the reference line. Send your reviews in as early as possible, but the deadline is the 25th of each month. [Note: For May, we will extend the deadline to May 31 to allow for the inclusion of "Wilderness of Mirrors" on April 27.] So, for May the March 30, April 13 and April 27 episodes are scheduled to be new ones - the others have already been reviewed.

Review by Jenni Martin

Ratings: JAG: 7 AJ: 8

Well I am sure all of us Admiral's ladies were surprised at the fireplace. I don't remember seeing it but it could be my lack of having any JAG eps on tape... Every time I start a tape my hubby tapes over them...

I loved how Mac tried to explain the "one armed man" thing to the Admiral... The look he gave her was priceless... I use that one all the time with my friends at school.. It is that "I'm not that old" look... LOL...

The look on Harm's face was awesome when Beecham made those sexist comments to Mac. I was sure he was thinking "Oh shit, she is going to beat the crap out of him." LOL... I was waiting for it. I know I would have when I was in but that is just me.

Did anyone catch the bumper sticker???? It was a quote off of MIB... I am sure there was actually a bumper sticker with that on it before hand but I remember it from MIB. "You can have my gun when you pry it out of my cold dead hands"... Can you all tell that I like MIB????

I liked this ep over all but was disappointed when they used footage from the other ep with River's in it for the ending....

Ratings: JAG: 10 AJ: 8

Bravo to Stephen Zito, who wrote this script, which was such a departure from the usual JAG script it was shocking. It was disturbing, and not the kind of episode that you want to watch over and over again, but certainly one of the best the series has ever produced. Kudos to Tony Wharmby for his brilliant direction. Kudos also to all the actors. Though some of them had more to do in this episode than others, they all did a fine job. In particular, I have never seen better acting out of David James Elliott. I was impressed. Trisha Yearwood was terrific, once again. (As an aside, the song she sang in the teaser of the episode was hauntingly beautiful.) And Karri Turner did a wonderful job with her mini-breakdown in the bullpen. (Note to TPTB: Two dead children in three weeks is too much for any pregnant woman to bear. Please don't write any more scripts about dead children for a while, okay? It seems kind of cruel to put Harriet through that.) Alysia Polk just wrung my heart out as Annie and Dar-Lin, and Vyto Ruginis was a very convincing pedophile (I hope future casting directors don't hold that against him!).

John Jackson did his usual superior job in this episode. From AJ's inability to respond intelligently to Mac's comment about Alvarez's "large. . . .following" to his response to Harriet's behavior ("I can't count the number of times I've thought about hitting Rabb") to his shaken response to the graphic photos of the dead girl, we got to see a broad range of emotions from Mr. Jackson in this episode. To nobody's great surprise, I'm sure, he carried it all off brilliantly. In particular, he really got to shine here as a caring leader and commanding officer.

Not many bosses so consistently think of their staffs as AJ does. First, he pulled them all together to congratulate Bud on passing the bar. Then he showed forethought in removing Harriet from the room before launching into the unpleasant details of the case. His compassion to Harriet after she fell apart in the bullpen was what I have come to expect from him--very fatherly and understanding. He could have just denied her resignation and ordered her back to work, but that wouldn't be the AJ we know. He knew she was beating herself up about her behavior, and he needed to reassure her that what she'd done was understandable and forgivable.

While it is not unusual for him to let Harm get his own way about cases, in this instance, it didn't seem to be so much because Rabb is "the golden boy" of the office (as often seems to be the reason), but because he, too, wanted to make sure the little girl got justice and he could tell Harm cared enough about the case to make sure she did. AJ's probably been around the block enough to know that cases like this go unsolved all the time because of a lack of interest or resources. It helps when the person investigating cares passionately about the case. His refusal to allow Mac to remain on the case with Harm when she made the request was more subtle (he never came out and said why), but clearly, he had her best interests in mind. I hope she realizes that; it's so easy to misinterpret someone's behavior, and in this case, she might just think he still doesn't have faith in her or that she's still in his doghouse, and that would be a shame.

I don't have children, but if I did, my response probably would have been very similar to those of parents who complained that there should have been a parental warning in front of this episode. While there wasn't much blood shown, the opening sequence, with Annie being stalked menacingly by Charlie, would have been very disturbing for a child to watch. (I'm sure it was even disturbing for some adults.) Hearing the grisly details of her life and death wasn't something I'd want to expose a child to, either. Believe me, they'll learn soon enough what an ugly place the world can be. Let's not hasten that.

Question: How did Charlie gain access to the Naval Annex? Can anyone just enter at any time without authorization or clearance?

Favorite Quote:

Harm: So what were you doing in that car outside Marion Anderson Elementary School? Making new friends?

Willy: I was listening to the Vienna Boys' Choir. "Als ich meinen Schafe wacht."*

Harm: Catchy tune.

*This may not be the exact title. I translated to the best of my (limited) ability.

Review by Darlene

Ratings: JAG: 6 AJ: 6

It was nice to see Mac and Harm still chatting and mentioning their three year history together. I loved Harm's concern for the child, not wanting to leave her alone in the morgue even though she was dead. It was wonderful to watch him go through all those emotions of shock, disgust, anger, protectiveness, etc. DJE is just soooo good! I love a man who can act with his eyes. I wish Mac could have been in this one more, but it was good to see her interrogate that molester with Harm. Personally, if they were interrogating me, I think I'd be more afraid of her than Harm!

The ep was well done, emotional and touching while also being very disturbing and creepy. However, just when I really started to get into it, the end credits rolled! There were so many unanswered questions. It felt like half an episode, it went by so fast and nothing was really resolved. Although TPTB have been doing that in many eps this season. Some things just aren't getting wrapped up by the end of the hour, and I actually like that. That was my first thought at the end of this one. "Wow, things didn't get solved in a nice tidy hour--just like real life." But then it just started to bug me. Will Harm find Annie's killer? Is it really Charlie? Why did he do it? Why did he follow her on that school trip (from a school she wasn't even in) just to beat her to a pulp? I don't know!! So over all, I think I'd give this ep a 6.

As for JMJ's scenes, they're always gold even when he's just standing there doing nothing. When he's looking over the autopsy report, you can see his expression change as his disgust and sympathy for the child consume him. He always tries to be restrained and objective in his job, but his human side still manages to sneak out every once in a while, like when he mutters under his breath (while Harriet is walking out the door) how many times he's wanted to hit Rabb. All of JMJ's scenes in this ep allowed us to get a glimpse of A.J.'s personality, although certainly not as much as eps like Ghosts. Still, this ep showed A.J. as being tough, fair, and caring, so I'd give his scenes a 6 overall.

Review by Heidi:

Ratings: JAG: n/a AJ: n/a

I don't know how any parent could have not been in tears by the end of the episode. I was and the first thing I did when the credits were over was hug my son, hard. Smart kid that he was he asked what was wrong. He didn't watch JAG with me tonight; he was watching Buffy, figuring that he'd catch JAG when my husband and I watched it on tape later. I'm rather glad he didn't. It was hard enough explaining it all to him later.

Now to the episode and you'll have to excuse me if I start to babble, I'm still numb...

DJE was... outstanding... it's the only way to put it.

I can understand Harriet's feelings. She's pregnant, carrying a new life and was faced with the horrid death of another child. Until she dropped that file she only knew about the case second hand. Looking at the pictures, she was faced with exactly how horrific the child's death was. Given that, I'd have probably struck out at Rabb too for even wanting to be involved.

AJ's line about hitting Rabb was the one funny spot in the episode and it was brilliant. I can also see it as being a way for him to really let Harriet know what she did was okay. It reminds me of the conversation in "Jaggle Bells" where he had the talk with Mac. He didn't come right out and say it but he said it in other ways.

AJ's understanding of what Harriet was going through was probably also coming from another level. We know that he's fond of her, it's been shown to us many times, but this time it was more than just a commanding officer being fond of a subordinate. It was more like an understanding of exactly why she was horrified. He was a parent, too. And on that level, he could cut her even more slack than he might have any other time.

I still haven't shown the episode to my husband. I may give him the tape and leave. I'm not totally sure that I can watch it again right now. Maybe later when it's sat a while. I will say that this episode in particular is a real testament to just how well the actors can do their job, to allow me/us to be able to feel like that.

Review by Kelly Ludgwig:

Ratings: JAG: 10++ (ok, at least a 12) AJ: 10

Wow, where to start? First of all, fabulously written and IMHO, definitely should at least be nominated for writing, one of the best dramatic hours I've seen this season. Acting, wonderful as always.

CB didn't have that much tonight, but what she had, she made the best of...and now we're back to the "everything's ok stage again" with Harm, but that's for another post.

DJE *g* what a chance to shine....Harm's a great character, and we all love him, but, with the exception of Gypsy Eyes, DJE hasn't really had a juicy really dramatic episode this season....til now....and he made the most of it....wonderful! PL....kinda the same as CB tonight, not a lot of scenes, but steady.

JMJ....well, KIP said it last week, steady as a rock....and proving yet again how much he can convey without a single line of dialogue. Watching his face as he read the autopsy report...you could feel the rage at what this poor child went thru just build...and then get clamped as he ok'd Harm to keep on it.

Loved the way AJ excused Harriet before briefing on the case (another example of paternal concern perhaps?) and the scene with AJ and Harriet was wonderful (especially him muttering as she leaves "I don't know how many times I've thought about hitting Rabb" *LMAO*) GREAT line! Whatever else we may complain about, the writers...and JMJ!! certainly understand AJ...his commitment to duty over desire (think "Jaggle Bells") and most of all his concern for "his people." He supports and defends their actions, thinks of their welfare (well in evidence in this episode) and knows how to get the most...and the best from his staff....because they'd all walk through hell for him (ssssshhhhhhh......just like we would!!)

Trisha Yearwood *g* well, I love her, love the character. The writers did a great job with the scene at Andrews...the how've you been/catching up came across as really realistic, and the rest of her scenes were great too. Hopefully TPTB will bring Cmdr Coulter back again, can't have too much of a good thing. *s*

Personally, I thought KT was great tonight, although I wasn't crazy about the scene where she lost it with Harm.....I'm not sure where TPTB wanted to go with this, but I expected Harriet to be happy that SOMEONE was trying to do something, to at least find out who she was...I can understand her being upset about Bud being dragged into it, and certainly about seeing the pictures. I just didn't agree with her just wanting the case to "go away".

Review by Patty OS:

Ratings: JAG: 8 AJ: 8

I've been reading the comments that have come in about this show on how it was a difficult topic to watch and all I keep thinking about is how difficult it must have been for the actors to portray and the crew to work on. DJE has a young daughter about five doesn't he? I think the emotions the character Harm was displaying was the daddy in DJE coming through. This truly was a great performance by DJE.

I thought it was very touching the way the Admiral escorted Harriet out of the office before he explained the case to the rest. In my opinion, the majority of the time the Admiral is portrayed as a father figure not just a boss. The character Harriet seems close in age to the character Francesca. The Admiral wanted to protect Harriet, like a father would shield his daughter from a horrible sight. If he were 'just a boss' who only followed the rules, he wouldn't have cared that Harriet was in the room. I've heard that JMJ is a father and from his biography it stated that he coaches children's baseball. He obviously must like kids--again like I said about DJE, I think the emotions displayed were JMJ's paternal emotions coming through the Admiral--not just acting. I'm a fan of JMJ and I've seen other shows where JMJ portrays a father. He has done yet another powerful job of portraying a caring father figure.

We've been told how both Bud and Mac are survivors of horrible childhoods. I, too, noticed how Mac stood back and didn't get close then turned her focus to Harm instead. People I have known who have gone though a trauma like abuse try to block it out and channel that hostile energy somewhere else, something safe and they also tend to be ultra protective of those they care about. We have seen that in the past the way Mac deals with emotional issues is to shut them out and become very business/routine focus. I felt Mac's reactions were very well written and portrayed by CB. She'd be there if needed for the case but more importantly she was going to be there for her friend, Harm.

Harriet's reaction to the photos was the way I think I would have reacted; shocked, sickened, angry. When she struck out at Harm I think she was striking out at the evil she just saw and not Harm. Again the Admiral's reaction was not 'military right' but paternal, he wanted to calm Harriet down and sent Bud to care for her. He didn't yell at her to act Navy nor did he accept her resignation, he listened and expressed how he understood her feelings--like a good father. Bud's confusion at that moment was well portrayed, too, but in the end, Bud did right by protecting and comforting his wife and child from the evil.

The ending left me speechless. When Harm was talking to the little angel's ghost and when Coulter started talking to her too--I thought 'could they both be hallucinating?' Powerful ending. Someone else wrote why didn't the social worker tell them about the twin? The woman was overwhelmed with work and they didn't ask if she had siblings. Not that that is right but IMHO today's social service systems greatest flaws are too little resources--time, money and most of all people. The woman was doing her best to help over two hundred families--there is no humanly possible way for that to happen! But sadly it is expected to.

I know this post is long and hope I haven't stepped out of line with my comments. In closing, I just wanted to tell the writers, production staff and crew and the actors what a powerful and wonderful job they did with this performance. It must have been very difficult for you to tell this story. Thank you..