Fan Club Newsletter

Newsletter Editor: Nancy P.

Asst. Editor: Jenni M.

Here are the entries for our Name the Newsletter Contest. I have listed them in the order they were received. I will let you know who authored the winning entry.

To vote for your favorite, simply e-mail npratt@ma.ultranet.com and put your choice in the subject line. You may explain your choice or not - it's up to you. But please do take a minute to vote; otherwise, Jenni and I get to pick the name! (On second thought . . . .) The polls will close on September 20, so please vote early. Because of the high number of quality entries, this will be a weighted vote. You may vote for as many as you like, and each will be assigned a point value, with your first choice getting the highest point value (e.g., if you vote for 3 names, the first one will get 3 pts., the second choice--2 pts., the third choice, 1 pt.) Then we'll add them all up, do a runoff if necessary, and announce the winner.

(From "Smoked" - Season 1 - our first look at A.J.)

Trivia Corner

From time to time we'll run either a bit of trivia or a trivia question about JMJ or his roles. When we ask a question, we'll give it a point value (1 pt. is an easy question, 2 pts. for a moderately hard question, and 3 pts. for a "toughie"), and if you answer correctly, you get credit for those points. At the end of each season, we'll total up the points and let you know who won the most points (maybe we'll even award a prize!).

* According to the author, an Admiral's aides are called "flag writers" - hence those two entries.

** According to the author, S.E.A.L. can stand for either Substantive Explorations by the Admiral's Ladies or Silly Emanations from the Admiral's Ladies, depending your mood.

You Be The Judge

Have you ever wanted to be a critic? Well, here's your chance. This newsletter will be starting a new feature with our October issue - a fan review section of each new JAG episode that airs.

Here's how it works: After you watch an episode, write your "review" of it. You do not need to give a plot summary - most readers will know the story already, but please put the episode title at the beginning of your review. You can focus on whatever appeals to you - the acting, the script, the special effects, "bloopers," whatever. At the end of your review, give the episode two (2) marks (based on a system of 1-10 with 10 being the best) - the first mark will be for the episode as a whole; the second mark will be for the episode as a showcase for JMJ (did he get a lot of air time/were his scenes particularly good/did he get great lines, etc.). Example: if you thought the episode as a whole was pretty good (gave it an 8 out of 10) but JMJ was only in the opening scene (gave it a 1 as a showcase for JMJ), then the mark would be written as 8/1. Simple, right?

You can review as many episodes as you like - every single one or just certain ones that really appeal to you. Send the reviews to HughesFan@aol.com; the reference line for each review must read "JAG/JMJ Review." Please do not put anything else in the reference line. Remember, the more people that take part, the more fun it is for everyone. So don't be shy - tell us what you think! You can write 2 sentences or 2 pages, whatever you like.

The deadline for reviews to be in to HughesFan is the 20th of each month. That gives us 10 days to put them together for the newsletter. However, please send reviews throughout the month - you do not need to wait to send them all at once. FOR SEPTEMBER ONLY, the deadline will be Sept. 25. The episodes that can be covered for the October newsletter are the Sept. 15 episode "To Russia With Love" and the Sept. 22 episode "Gypsy Eyes." I realize TRWL is a Season 3 episode, but it makes sense to review the 2-parter as a whole. The Sept. 29 episode can be reviewed for the November newsletter along with the Oct. 6, 13 and 20 episodes. The deadline for those reviews is October 20.

If you have any questions about this new feature, you may e-mail HughesFan@aol.com or npratt@ma.ultranet.com.

To get us started, HughesFan has written a sample review of the Season 3 episode "Someone to Watch Over Annie":

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ANNIE

Ratings: JAG: 8 AJ: 10

It may seem strange to choose an episode where the focus is on Harm as the best Admiral episode so far, but that is just what I am doing. The reasons are quite simple. Not only do we get to learn more about his background in this one show than we have in the previous season and a half (plus) put together, but we get to see him in action, in personal situations, and in rare form.

There are so many things I liked about this episode that I don’t know where to start. The Admiral’s interactions with Josh were wonderful, showing us a side of the character that we hadn’t previously seen. It was great, given how professional AJ is most of the time, to see what a terrific rapport he has with children. I’m not sure which bit was my favorite--the Admiral teaching Josh how to kill a man with his bare hands or the "secret handshake" they shared in Harm’s apartment. Better yet, maybe it was Harm’s reaction to seeing his CO interacting so naturally with the boy. His look was priceless.

I also liked the way this episode set up so much of what was to follow in the next few episodes--indeed the rest of the season. The Admiral’s revelation about his brief marriage in Italy set up the revelation of Francesca in the next episode and her visit to Washington in The Stalker. His willingness to open up to his staff for the first time signaled a shift to a warmer, more human AJ, one who continued to appear from time to time throughout the rest of the season. And, of course, the interactions with Mac foreshadowed the turn their relationship would soon take.

Indeed, while there are many opinions about when TPTB at JAG began to play the Mac/AJ flirtation/attraction, it seems clear to me that by this episode they were actively building it up. From Mac’s belief that AJ was angry at her "on a personal level" to the dinner party to the final action sequences, there were many moments, small and large, that seemed to imply that what was going on between the two of them was more than professional. I was struck, for example, by the fact that when Harm walked in to find Mac leaning over AJ (yes, they were only going over some paperwork together), she stood up and began rubbing her nose. That’s classic body language for when you feel as though you’ve been caught doing something you shouldn’t be--even if you weren’t. (Don’t believe me? Watch what you do next time you pass a cop going a little more than the speed limit--or think you are—I always start rubbing my chin or nose.) Then later, when AJ arrived at Harm’s apartment, notice how Mac shows up in the background of the shot. That’s a conscious decision on the part of the director (or writer) to set up the duo. Finally, when the Admiral lets slip that he was married, it was Mac, looking extremely stunned, who pursues it, "You never said….."

None of these moments would seem as significant if it weren’t for what they were building towards--AJ’s forgiveness of Mac and her kissing him on the cheek. If there was any doubt that his anger at her was more personal than professional, it should be put to rest by the personal, non-professional nature of the resolution. That’s certainly the way Mac took it, or there would be no excuse for her kissing a senior officer in her chain of command. Long before I knew what that moment was building towards, I thought it was odd that Mac would do that (and apparently she wanted to for a while: "There’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.") and wondered why. Now that I know (and even though I remain a fan of the Mac/Harm relationship also), I am intrigued to see where TPTB intend to take the attraction between the pair. Wherever they go, it was set up in this episode.

As much as I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of these new, more human, sides of AJ--his rapport with Josh, his personal (and ultimately dangerous) interest in Mac--I can’t let a review of this episode go by without a mention of Action AJ. I hope we get to see more of this side of our favorite Admiral as well. As a former SEAL, we know he has it in him. But for now, I’ll settle for the brief glimpse we got in his battle sequences with Mac (wasn’t it fun to see the two of them in action together?). My only complaint is that the direction here was weak. We all know that AJ wouldn’t make the mistake he did (exposing his back to an area from which the enemy could still emerge). The director was just lazy. And if you think I’m just making excuses for AJ, I would point out that this is not the only moment where this director proved weak with action sequences. In the bathroom when Josh is abducted, the boy doesn’t try to make a break for it while the thug is distracted by the other man. Given everything else we’ve seen of Josh, I don’t for a minute think he is someone who would cower in a corner when he could take action himself. The director was just plain lazy--or unimaginative--when it came to these moments.

Finally, a review of this episode, especially from the perspective of an AJ fan, can’t conclude without a mention of some of the wonderful exchanges and lines of dialogue he had. I have to say that my absolute favorites occurred early on with Mac (when he gives her the Admin job and she tries to argue with him) and Harm ("Are you sure that’s the best use of the Major’s talents?" "Are you questioning my decision, too?" "Perhaps not, sir." And, of course, "Upon further reflection, I wonder if I might talk to you about what’s going on between you and Major Mackenzie." "Are you out of your mind?" "Apparently.") But they continued throughout the episode ("JAG is not a daycare center." "If I see anybody I don’t know, I’ll shoot them." "You’re not going to do that a lot, are you, Major?" and so on). Definitely a lot of classic Admiral lines in this one!

As for the overall plot of the episode itself, while it was simplistic and cliched at times (something JAG has a tendency to be more often than I’d like), I enjoyed it. Let me amend that. It was the "action" story that had these problems. The weapon-selling ring plot worked, but it wasn’t anything above standard episodic television fare. What made the show better than average were the personal plot lines--both the Admiral’s and Harm’s. I like Annie and Josh and loved seeing them here. Harm has loved her for a long time, so it was only natural that their relationship would take this turn at some point. Given his feelings about what happened in his own childhood with his father, it was also inevitable that he would try to fill the hole in the mother and son’s life that he had felt in his own. Too bad for him (and Josh) that Annie has never dealt with her own feelings about the death of her husband. Still, I was rooting for them here.

All in all, then, a great episode, but especially a great AJ episode.

This is a 3-point question: "Smoked" was the episode that introduced us to our favorite Admiral. What is AJ looking at in the above photo? You must be specific.

To play, e-mail your answer to npratt@ma.ultranet.com. Be sure to phrase your answer in the form of a question. (No, wait - sorry - wrong show!) The answer will appear in the October issue.

Welcome New Members

We would like to extend a hearty welcome to the following members who joined us during the month of August:

• Sharon Spolidora

• Ami Ballard

• Heather M.

• Sheryl Humphreys

• Hollie Simon

• Marlene E. Morley

• Linda Campbell

• Sharon Nuttycombe

• Christine West

• Patty Ostronic

• Susan Levy

• Nancy Oroian

• Kathy McGregor

• Kate Tower

• Dorie R.

• Roxann Eddy

If I've missed anyone or if you are listed above but joined prior to August, my apologies. We didn't know we were going to be doing this, so our recordkeeping was not the best during August. We should do better next month. In any event, welcome aboard one and all!

(From "The Stalker" - Season 3)

JMJ Website of the Month:

This month we have selected CharmerNO’s JMJ site as our website of the month. Honestly, the fact that CharmerNO is also none other than our Membership Secretary, Virginia B., had nothing to do with it. This site deserves your attention for one big reason - 55 (count ‘em) 55 photographs of JMJ in the Photo Gallery alone! Plus the photo on the home page, and you get 56 looks at JMJ in all. And she had the good taste to include the photographs from our inaugural online newsletter in the group! (Yes, we can be sucked up too!) Just kidding.

But this site is eye candy of the best sort - so go on out and take a look - but be prepared to stay a while - there’s more to this site than just the pictures. If you go to her links page, you can connect to her overall JAG site as well as find links to other great sites. You can literally spend hours exploring everything you can get to from here. The address for this site is http://members.tripod.com/~CharmerNOs/ jmjindex.htm

If you know of a good site dedicated solely or partially to JMJ, please e-mail Patty at PattyOs@aol.com. We’ll go take a look at it for possible selection as a future JMJ Website of the Month.

Favorite Quote:

Admiral: While the rest of the Navy rides out this media storm in port, we’re going to attack.

Harm: The media, sir?

Admiral: Since you have the hot hand in JAG, I’m going to give you the hot investigations. I expect results . . . and headlines—positive headlines. Can you handle that, Mr. Rabb?

Harm: I think so, sir.

Admiral: If you can’t, I’ll drop you in my wake faster than my garbage!

Harm: Understood, Admiral.

Admiral: Good.

AJ and Harm meet for the first time in "Smoked."

(From "The Stalker" - Season 3)

This new column put together by Jenni will spotlight our pick for "FanFic of the Month" with a review and an interview with the author. First up:

"Waiting" by Sarah Rettger.

As promised last month, you’re going to get to meet the two other officers of the Fan Club.

Sandy B. is one of two Club Secretaries - she’s our General Secretary.  Sandy says, "I enjoy JAG, reading, writing fanfic, computers, tennis, sailing, horseback riding, the stock market, sky diving (o.k. I only did it twice!) and sleeping late!!"

Author: Sarah Rettger

Rating: PG

Classification: SAR (Mac/AJ) (SAR stands for Story And Romance)

Summary: A newspaper article leads to an investigation of AJ.

This story is a definite possibility when it comes to next season. Sarah did a great job in introducing Deborah King, a character of her own creation, who is the author of the newspaper article in question. This story is not only an AJ/Mac story but is also a Harm/Francesca story. Harm and Francesca have a small role in it, but I am glad to see that someone else enjoys the banter between them. Along with the usual players in this story, we also get to hear from Commander Imes, Congresswoman Bobbie Latham, and a reference to Dalton. This is a definite must read if you are an AJ/Mac shipper. It gives us a reality check while encouraging us along. Definite thumbs up if you ask me.

You’ll find this story at http://exlibris.simplenet.com/archivestories/waiting.txt.

About the Author

Where are you from: Connecticut

When did you start watching JAG: "We the People" (Episode 1 of Season 2)

When did you start writing JAG fanfic: January 1998

What other stories have you written: Blind Date, Timing, Little Princess, Musings of an Insomniac Ice Cream Eater, Harm and Dr. Laura, Rhapsody, Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?

How were you inspired to write "Waiting": I looked at a page I had written in June and said, "No, you are not giving up on another story."

Who is your favorite author: Gray Cargill

What is your favorite story: Devil Puppy

Who would you like to see Mac with: AJ

What would you like to see on Season 4 of JAG: More of Mac’s family, more Mikey, Bud and Harriet having a baby.

Starting next month, we’ll begin introducing the general members. If you posted an intro piece to the list, we’ll use that (although you may submit a revised bio if you like). If you haven’t posted to the list, please send your bio information to jenni@home.com. Tell us a little bit about yourself so we can all get to know each other. We’ll print several each month, so don’t be shy.

Trivia Corner

Ever wonder what kind of money an Admiral makes? Our two-star Admiral makes $115,580.76/year broken down as follows:

Monthly base pay for O-8 at 22 years and above - $8,333.70/month; Housing Allowance (without dependents) - $1,142.33/month; and Substance Allowance - $155.70/month for a grand total of $9,631.73/month.

This information was provided by member Chris West, who found it at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service website. Thanks, Chris!

(From "High Ground" - Season 1)

Trivia Corner

According to Paul Dafelmair, Costume Supervisor for JAG Productions, AJ's ribbons and decorations are as follows:

Seal Trident, Navy Cross, Bronze Star with Bronze "V," Purple Heart, Navy/Marine Corp. Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudia Arabia).

John M. Jackson’s current role is as Admiral A. J. (Albert Jethro) Chegwidden on the CBS series, JAG. He was first introduced midway through Season 1 in the episode "Smoked." He was a Navy SEAL in Vietnam, commanded a destroyer, then went to law school and joined the Judge Advocate General Corps working his way up to become the Judge Advocate General of the United States Navy. We are told that he has broken all the rules of advancement, moving from one branch of the Navy to another and "surfing the crest of them all." According to Commander Krennick, Admiral Chegwidden is a ‘genius at changing horses in mid-stream and getting on the faster horse." His ambition is to become the next Chief of Naval Operations.

Admiral Chegwidden is a fair, honest and demanding Commanding Officer. He expects the best from his people (and usually gets it), and he is always ready to back them up and make sure they have what they need to get the job done. He wants the truth above all else and doesn’t hesitate to go against orders from his superiors to be certain that the truth comes out.

As the show has progressed over its first three seasons, this character has undergone perhaps the biggest transformation of all the characters. We have seen him soften somewhat in his attitude toward his officers, even to the point of discovering a playful side to his nature (he just loves to tease Bud Roberts, who has no idea what’s happening). We’ve seen him go through a romance that ended in the accidental death of his girlfriend, Judge Laura Delaney, and we learned in Season 3 that he had been married once to the daughter of an Italian mayor and has a grown daughter, Francesca Perretti, who lives in Italy and works for a fashion magazine. We’ve seen that he is a loving and devoted (albeit long-distance) father and that, despite his gruff exterior, he harbors a fondness for children.

The character of Admiral Chegwidden has a growing following (witness this group!) and has been used a little bit more each season. We all hope this trend will continue and that we will see a lot more of Admiral Chegwidden (and John M. Jackson) in Season 4.

We provide for you here a look at JMJ as Hank Mickers in the 1989 movie, Ginger Ale Afternoon.

(Unless otherwise specified, all times shown are Eastern Standard Time)