The Promised Land

Episode # 160/8-2

Air date: Oct. 1, 2002

 

A man is tried for desertion when he leaves the Marines to join the Israeli army after being the target of anti-Semitism.     paramount.com

Harm and Mac fight an uphill battle when they have to defend a Marine who claims he deserted because he faced anti-Semitism among the ranks. Meanwhile, Bud returns to a D.C. hospital to face the rigors of rehabilitation after the loss of his leg.    cbs.com

 

The JAG crew welcomes Bud home.


Back at JAG , Harm and Mac learn they'll be defending Corporal Mars, who is being prosecuted for desertion.

 

Corporal Mars explains to Harm and Mac that he is a victim of anti-semitisim by a member of his platoon after his conversion to Judaism.

 

Harm and Mac try to work out a defense strategy. They agree to try and settle. Joking that they've been thinking a lot alike lately, Mac responds that it may be due to a rip in the time-space continuum.

 

Prosecutors Sturgis and Singer won't accept a settlement. Harm is stymied when Singer states that she is also Jewish and that she would never think of breaking her oath of service.

 

The trial isn't going well. . .

 

Harm and Mac discuss plea bargaining with Corporal Mars.

 

Harm and Mac share lunch and try to come up with a new strategy for their client. . .

 

The trial continues as the accused takes the stand. . .

 

Harm speaks to the Corporal's mother outside the coutroom and gains some valuable information. . .

 

The Corporal is in the hot seat with Harm and Mac. It appears that he may have deserted due to a breakup with his fiance. But they decide that it may just work in their favor and decide to let her testify.

 

Outside the courtroom, Harm overhears a conversation between the Admiral and Meredith. The Admiral confides that Meredith doesn't know her own limitations (evidenced in Harm's look as he samples one of the cookies she baked). The Admiral tells Harm that Meredith would like him to teach her to fly. . .

 

Closing arguments . . .

 

The verdict: Guilty-bad conduct discharge, 1 year at hard labor. Harm reminds him that he still has a family to come home to, if he's willing to work things out. . .

 

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