JAG (1995–2005): Season 4, Episode 16 - Silent Service - full transcript
A US submarine mistakenly surfaces in the middle of a sailing regatta in Norwegian territorial waters. Harm and Mac go aboard the sub underway to investigate; they find also a series of illnesses and an injury; they suspect that someone aboard has induced the problems. An unexpected change of orders causes the boat to make a transit under the Arctic ice to the Pacific Ocean. With help from Bud at the HQ, Harm narrows the list of possible suspects, and that prime suspect suddenly does a number on Harm. Both Harm and Mac deal with him and eventually beat him at his own game. During their time at sea they work out their differences. They and the bad guy ride a helo together back to the US.
Submarine!
Yeah! MAN 2: Go, go, go, go!
Turn it, hurry! Turn it!
The yeoman testified he
handed his urine sample
to the lab technician.
No, he testified he handed it
to the corpsman.
The lab assistant
handed it to the supervisor.
You skipped over how
it got from the corpsman
to the lab assistant,
which was the whole point
of this line of
questioning... to create
the possibility of a break
in the chain of custody.
That was your intention, Harm.
As far as I'm concerned,
lab incompetence was never
at the center of this case.
Well, then, what was?
Please. The
suspense is killing me.
Sir.
It's the Lipari
court-martial, Admiral.
The yeoman failed
his drug test, sir.
He insists a shipmate
he beat at poker
spiked his tapioca with hashish.
There's no way for
us to prove that, sir.
Did you communicate
this to the Major?
I did, sir.
Major?
Not conclusively, sir.
Well, since you are
the defense team
don't you think it would be
in the best interest of your
client that you would agree?
I don't think that's going
to happen on this one.
The Major and I just don't
seem to see eye-to-eye.
Is that your opinion, Major?
It is, sir.
Okay. What's going on?
Well, sir, I don't think
we need to be overly
concerned about it.
I mean, the Major
and I are together a lot,
and there's bound to be
a few bumps in the road
every once in a while.
And this would be one of them.
Yes, sir.
Seems to be, sir.
Hmm... that's very interesting,
because I just got
authorization from Judge Chaidez
to have you both
removed from the case.
Well, he wouldn't get
an argument here, sir.
So I can send you
both, as a team,
to the Arctic Ocean to
conduct a JAGman investigation
aboard the submarine
USS Watertown.
S-Sir...
Apparently, it strayed
into Norwegian waters
and surfaced in the
middle of a sailing regatta.
Watertown's claiming
operational mishap.
Our Scandinavian allies,
tired of us skulking
around their shoreline,
are a little more skeptical.
The Coast of Norway has
some strategic significance
that the Pentagon
is loathe to give up.
Sir... We're looking
for a defensible position.
Admiral...
Commander, I understand that you
had an assignment
aboard the USS Tigershark.
Uh, yes, sir,
before you arrived.
My partner at the time,
Lieutenant Austin, and I
were assigned there to
negotiate with a terrorist.
Tigershark is a
Seawolf class, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
Watertown is Los Angeles class.
Are you familiar with them?
No, sir.
Be prepared to do
a lot of slouching.
Understood, sir.
Good.
Major, one caveat.
You'll be in tight
quarters with 141 men.
Prepare yourself.
Sir, might I suggest
you give that warning
to the crew of the Watertown?
I'm going to assume you two
can resolve your
differences and move on.
Any reason for me
to think otherwise?
No, sir. No, sir.
Good. That'll be all.
Aye, sir. Yes, sir.
Top bunk. Top bunk.
Tails.
Heads.
Leave the lingerie
at home this time.
Oh, and, uh, I feel I
should let you know:
the entire time we
were down there
Lieutenant Austin suffered
from claustrophobia.
I'm not Lieutenant Austin.
We'll see.
Skyhook One to USS
Watertown, we have your pass.
Standing by for clearance.
Skyhook One, this
is USS Watertower.
Tower is clear for delivery.
Stand by to receive.
Load away, Skyhook.
Watertown, they're all yours.
Moving through!
Harm?
Yeah? Ow.
Heads up.
Thanks.
Yeah.
Two-thirds
of the morning watch
threw a puke party.
Both the navigational officer
and the bowplane
operator went down.
Within minutes,
Watertown had drifted
off track and depth.
By the time the XO
could take control
and correct her back,
she was seriously off course.
How'd the men get sick, sir?
Chief Corpsman?
E. Coli, ma'am.
Bad meat?
Pancakes and hash browns, sir.
Any previous incidents, sir?
Negative.
You out of ink, Major?
Uh, a pencil would
help, Skipper.
I've got a better idea.
XO, let Major MacKenzie
use your PDA.
Ever try one of these?
Personal Digital Assistant...
Provides its own light.
You can take notes,
access data.
Even has an
infrared transmitter,
so you can e-mail
anywhere on the boat
using Watertown's internal
communication system.
Uh, Commander Flagler, if the XO
needs this...
Ah...
I want you to thoroughly
check out the veracity
of these accounts.
XO Eustis, myself...
every man on this boat is
prepared to cooperate fully.
Yes, sir.
We'll get on it,
Commander. Very good.
Every food stuff on
board is either frozen,
freeze-dried,
canned or packaged.
The quality control's like
that on the space shuttle.
If there was contamination,
it happened elsewhere.
What about unclean surfaces?
Ma'am, as I said,
the sanitation regs
on a sub are unreal.
You know, you could perform an
appendectomy on my countertops.
An infected crew member?
Everyone scrubs down
before and after, sir.
I'm telling you, my galley's
cleaner than the pope's nose.
Well, we're going to need more
than just your assurance, Chief.
Permission to speak freely.
On the record, Chief. Go ahead.
Go ahead, Chief Basilio.
Something's not
right about Watertown.
In what way? She's
spooked, ma'am.
Chief...
Look, sir, the vibe is bad.
Guys are getting sick
and hurt all the time.
This week it's nausea.
Before that, the leading
yeoman punctured an eardrum.
The same day, one of my
mess cranks got scabies.
We had to strip and sterilize.
Took us 18 hours.
Now I get to do it again.
Look... you probably think
I'm some Brooklyn bozo,
but I been a bubblehead
for seven years
and I've never had
an assignment like this.
I'm telling you, there's
something wrong
when the Chief Corpsman's
is the hardest-working
squid on the boat.
We'd just began
our fourth back-to-back patrol.
Didn't even have liberty.
When you have men
working this close
for that long a period of time,
they develop a
single consciousness.
If it's unhealthy
it can support spread
of sickness, job injury,
and even depression.
Is it unhealthy?
I believe that was Chief
Hodge's point, Mac.
I'm aware of the Chief's point.
I was looking for specifics.
The men are tired, ma'am.
Yeah, what about that?
Well, it's to be expected.
I mean, I'm busier
than I should be,
but I don't think
there's any cause for alarm.
What can be done about it?
Nothing really, sir;
but this is a great crew.
They're bulldogs.
There isn't a drill
these guys can't handle.
Are you okay, Major?
Yeah. I think I
pinched something.
Doesn't surprise me.
It's the number one
complaint around here...
All that bending and hunching.
Whoa.
Trust me, ma'am.
Been reading this
book on reflexology.
It's...
very cool stuff.
Okay...
All right.
Oh...
I think it worked.
That's amazing.
Anything I can do for you, sir?
Can you make me shorter?
Commander Rabb
and Major McKenzie,
report to the conn ASAP.
XO, make your depth 400 feet.
Make my depth 400 feet.
Aye, sir.
Maintain course 3-4-0.
Ten-degree down angle.
Make depth 400 feet.
All engines ahead full.
Maintain course 3-4-0,
ten-degree down angle.
Make depth 400 feet;
all engines ahead full.
Skipper?
Naval intelligence has located
what they believe to be an
underwater missile facility
off the North Korean coast.
Watertown has just been
deployed to the Sea of Japan.
Sir, the Major and I have enough
to file a preliminary report.
You can put us off at any point.
We're already under the
Arctic ice, Commander.
You'll be riding the
vents until we surface
on the other side..
We understand, sir.
Well, we don't put mints
on your pillows here,
but we'll do our best
to make your stay
as comfortable as we can.
Two of your officers
have the flu, sir.
Well, have to be enlisted
quarters then. I'm sorry.
We'll notify your
Command of the situation,
and guarantee your safety.
Sir, how long do you
expect this to take?
Shouldn't be more
than a week, huh, sir?
15 days minimum.
Think of it this way.
You'll have time to
complete your investigation.
XO...
All right, now...
Welcome to Hotel
Shoehorn, ma'am.
Petty Officer First-Class
Dirking at your service, Major.
Can I take your gear?
I'm fine.
Evening, sir.
I was just about to
show off the visitor's suite.
How long is she bow to stern?
I'd say you have about
four inches on her, sir.
Guess this would
be yours, ma'am.
We're hot-bunking
down here, Mac.
Two to a coffin.
Who is he?
Petty Officer Donahue, ma'am.
My turn.
Yeah.
Major...
that's the head.
Yes, Master Chief.
Well, you're going
to need instructions
on what to do in there.
Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.
That came out wrong.
Uh, you.. What I mean is
that the facilities on
a submarine are, uh...
well, unique.
Think of it as a chamber
within a chamber.
So your, when you've, uh...
concluded your business,
then you'll have to stand
and open the
saltwater inlet valve,
close it when it fills then
open the flapper valve.
That's a cylinder
with a hole in it,
that's located in the bottom
of the receptacle itself.
Uh, turn it so that
the contents empty
into the sanitary tank.
Uh, the thing is you're
going to have to open it
into its smallest aperture first
because if the pressure
in the sanitary tank's
higher than that in the toilet,
then the contents
can blow back at you,
and, uh... anyway, um,
if you're turning the
valve and you see bubbles,
then just stop and
call the engineer.
Thanks for the instructions,
Master Chief Crimins,
but at the moment,
I'm just using it to change.
Oh. Yes, ma'am.
What?
You're squirming.
My knees are in my face, Mac.
Give me a break.
For crying out loud.
Whoa. Sorry.
Wrong rack.
Just the compactor, Major.
Sorry about that.
Snap to!
Was this your
idea, Petty Officer?
Standard procedure, ma'am.
Well, let me be
as clear as I can.
While I'm aboard
this boat, I expect you
and your shipmates
to maintain the respect
due an officer.
If I find this
lacking in any way,
I will haul you out the
forward escape trunk
and feed your ass to the crabs!
Understood, ma'am.
Why you jumping all over me?
I had nothing to do with it.
No, you were just
enjoying yourself.
Mac, they were just having fun.
You're the best thing
to happen to this crew
in a month.
You consider disrespecting
an officer "fun"?
I don't think this
qualifies as disrespect.
Besides, pranks are
common on a sub.
Oh, so it's my problem?
No, but you could take it easy.
I mean, lighten up.
I'll work on it.
You know what?
It's quite obvious
that we are not getting along,
so why don't we just
agree to take it easy
on each other for the
duration down here?
Then maybe this
thing will work itself out.
I can do that.
Good.
I'll try to be more sensitive
and you try to be less.
You try to be more sensitive
and I won't have to be less.
You know what, Mac?
It is your problem.
No pulse!
Let him through!
All right, make a hole!
Go.
It's the emergency
ballast line, sir!
XO, shut it down!
Aye, aye, sir!
It's EMBT line!
Sir!
So the Captain's air flask
provides HP, or
high pressure air,
to the emergency main
ballast tank blow head.
Yes, sir.
That allows us to force water
from the main ballast tanks
for emergency surfacing.
Well, how much pressure
are we talking
about, Master Chief?
4,500 pounds per square inch.
When coming through
a hole that small,
it's like a laser beam.
Can pierce flesh like a needle.
It burst his vena cava, sir.
He was dead before
he hit the deck.
Somehow, during maintenance,
the packing must
have been nicked,
which eventually
caused the fitting to blow.
Apparently, the
nick was so small,
no one noticed it.
So you're saying it
weakened over time. Yes, sir.
Petty Officer Towson was
unlucky enough to be passing
when it gave way.
Sir, someone's
got to bring this up.
Might as well be me.
We have a body on board.
Excuse me, sir,
but that body belonged to
the Petty Officer Towson.
And as far as I'm concerned,
he still has an identity.
I don't care for
the tone, Chief.
All right! All right!
Stand down, both of you.
Sir, I know I'm not
handling this very well,
but something in the universe
must be out of whack.
This kid should not be dead.
I understand.
I'm scheduling a memorial
service for 1600. I suggest
that we deal with our
feelings at that time.
Yes, sir.
XO, what is your suggestion?
Burial at sea, sir.
I don't understand.
We can't surface.
Torpedo tubes, Mac.
I'm not doing
that to his family.
Only under battle conditions
would I even consider it.
No. We're bringing him back.
Order Chief Basilio to
clear space from his freezer.
We'll bag Petty Officer
Towson and store him there.
Defrosted food will be
cooked and preserved with salt.
XO, come left heading 2-2-5.
All engines ahead full.
Aye, aye, sir.
Come left. Steer course
2-2-5. All engines ahead full.
Come left. Steer course 2-2-5.
All engines ahead full.
Sir, we have real
ice cream aboard.
You arranged for it in port.
Thirds, Major?
No, thanks.
Commander?
No, I'm still good, thanks.
None for me, either, Gary.
Is the crew all set?
Yes, sir. They have plenty.
Doesn't seem very Christian,
indulging ourselves like this
in the wake of a tragedy.
Any thoughts on why all
this is happening, Skipper?
Medical emergencies,
death of the Petty Officer?
Should I?
Well, the reason I asked, sir,
is your Corpsman, Chief
Hodge, seems to think
it has to do with
shared fatigue.
I wondered if you
agreed with his thesis.
I respect the Chief's opinion.
As far as I'm concerned,
this is the finest
688 crew in the fleet.
They can handle the stress.
Have you considered bad vibes?
Bad vibes are the
result of bad crews.
I'm talking about
the boat itself, sir.
There are those who believe
the Watertown is cursed.
What do you think, sir?
I think that's horse pucky.
Permission to enter, sir.
Granted.
Sir, I don't know
how to say this.
One word at a time, Chief.
Sir, I've been concerned
about Petty Officer Bluesteen.
He's the only member of the crew
who hasn't yet recovered.
Bluesteen, the mess cook?
Yes, sir. He's been
running a 103 fever.
That's not treatable?
Of course, sir.
It's just that this
morning, I noticed
some yellowing in his
eyes so I took a blood test.
Now, don't tell me
the man has jaundice.
Hepatitis A, sir. I'll
need authorization
to quarantine him to
the Corpsman's room, sir.
Surrounding areas will
also have to be off-limits.
So, how is it spread?
Through uncooked food, sir.
You'll all need to be tested.
The wrong rack.
Mac, it's me.
I'm sorry, I can't sleep.
Well, I don't know
any bedtime stories.
Listen to this:
I've been running everything
over in my head, right?
And I was thinking back to
when we were on the Hornet
and the possibility
of ghosts and the like.
Now, I try to apply
that to the Watertown
but I keep tripping
over reality.
What do you mean?
Well, first off, the
food-poisoning incident.
The Skipper told us
that the navigational
watch took sick
before the XO
could replace them.
But they all ate
the same breakfast,
so how does the XO not get sick?
Well, maybe he didn't eat.
Why wouldn't he?
The nicked valve...
Given the fact
that subs are
obsessively maintained,
how does a nicked
valve go undetected
in the time it would
take for it to weaken?
Go on.
Hepatitis A... how does
it appear aboard a vessel
where there's been
no liberty for weeks?
When I was flying
off the Seahawk
there was an outbreak...
boatswain's mate picked it up in port.
The infection
spread within days.
Watertown isn't spooked, Mac,
and the fatigue
factor's irrelevant.
Well, then what is it?
Someone aboard this vessel
is deliberately trying
to hurt the others.
I suggest you both
lighten up on the bug juice.
First, my boat is cursed.
Now, there's a madman aboard.
Sir, I didn't say that.
Why else would an individual
with few ways of
concealing his actions
and no possible means of escape,
try to infect or
injure the others?
I don't know.
You damn well better.
You don't wake me
up out of a dead sleep
and feed me this
theory without knowing.
Understood?
Look, Skipper, let the
Major and me poke around,
see if we can turn something up.
We can conceal it from the crew
by folding it into
our investigation
of the sailboat incident.
You behind this, Major?
I trust the Commander
implicitly, sir.
There's no one
with better instincts.
He's right.
It makes no sense.
Where's the motive?
Acrimony, revenge,
claustrophobic delusions...
take your pick.
I think I'm more comfortable
with ghosts and curses.
Hey, Mac, with these
space restrictions,
even the least
aggressive crew member
is going to feel like
killing somebody
at one point or another.
Can we do this somewhere else?
What, you want to go outside?
You know, if you're
wrong about this,
we're going to be the
most unpopular guests
at the party.
Well, as long as
we dance together.
And you lead.
You know, Mac,
I'm beginning to think
this is more than just
a bump in the road.
You honestly resent me.
And you have no faith in me.
How did we get to
this point anyway?
I guess we were due.
We have been on a
honeymoon of late.
Are you saying
this was inevitable?
I don't know, but I think
maybe we should talk about it.
You know, there
might be deeper issues.
I am not going there with you.
This is not a marriage, okay?
Well, you have a better idea?
Yeah, let's get through it.
We have an
investigation to conduct.
That's it.
End of conversation.
No, you can tell
me what you know
about laser communications.
Yeah...
Well, I'll take that
to mean not much.
How were you able to get
a signal through the ice, sir?
A P-3 out of Brunswick
is circling at low altitude.
Radio watch tells me
this reduces attenuation
of the signal.
The patrol plane
then clean-beams it
to the nearest satellite.
Cool.
Listen, Bud,
I need you to check the records
of every crew member
aboard the Watertown.
All right, sir, what
am I looking for?
Aggressive behavior
a history of therapy...
anything that might
suggest dysfunction.
You got it.
How is everything
down there, sir?
That's to be determined,
Lieutenant, but don't worry.
The Major and I are fine.
You know, I've
never been on a sub.
What's it like?
Well, you can experience
it firsthand, Bud.
I can?
Yeah. When you go home
tonight throw out all your fresh
fruit and vegetables, put
lube oil in your humidifier,
go to sleep on a
shelf in your closet
and go to work before sunrise.
Is that Rabb?
Uh, yes, sir.
Listen, Bud,
if the Admiral asks what
we're up to, just tell him...
Everything he wants to know.
Admiral. Sir.
How are you and the
Major getting along?
We're working through it, sir.
Are you operating with the
full endorsement of the Skipper?
Yes, sir.
You do anything
irregular or unlawful
or ill-advised?
No, sir.
Uh-huh.
Carry on.
Aye, aye, sir.
Whew.
Sorry, guys, everyone
has to be tested.
Whatever.
It's the second time in a week.
If we have to be stuck
here, might as well do it.
Chief pulled me down here, is
he going to get the other guys?
Is this will-call?
Mac, you can't ignore me.
We bump into each
other every five feet.
What is it?
Come here.
I need some humoring
on this theory of mine.
Of everyone we've
met, what do you think
of Mess Chief
Basilio as a suspect?
Too overt.
Mess Chief Crimins?
Too many years.
The XO?
My thoughts exactly.
Especially his lack of
empathy toward the crew.
Yeah, and he was the only one
who didn't get
sick on that watch.
What do we know about him?
Nothing yet.
Well, we could ply
the Skipper for info.
Ah, it's too risky, Mac.
We could tip our
hand, lose the support.
Then we go directly to the XO.
But you shouldn't go.
Well, the XO hates you.
You took his PDA.
No. The Skipper gave it to me.
I better go alone, Mac.
Fine.
Whatever.
I'll keep you in the loop.
You better get back in line.
Don't lose your place.
There you go.
Thought you might need
a pick-me-up, Commander.
I carry a tablespoon of grounds
between my cheek and lower jaw.
All that caffeine doesn't
make you irritable?
You bet.
And that's okay?
Sleep is not a
primary consideration
aboard a submarine.
All personnel,
particularly the command
have to maintain a
high level of readiness.
It's far more important
I be alert than nice.
What if you crash physically?
I don't.
XO, I'm going to need
to ask you a question
about... the morning
the watch took sick.
You want to know why I didn't.
Yeah, what about that?
I'm allergic to wheat.
Had a bowl of oatmeal
instead of the pancakes.
What about not
seeing the sailboats?
Now, that's a question
I'd expect from an Airedale.
How'd you know I was a pilot?
Records check.
We're in the dark down here.
No moonlight...
Can't take star fixes.
You got sonar.
You can't hear a sailboat
unless it has its motor running.
Anyway, there
were only a few of us
and we were keying on large
undersea targets like reefs.
Don't imagine you
see many of those
at 15,000 feet.
Depends on your air supply.
It's a different world.
Yeah, I'm wondering about
all this water pressure...
If it gets to you after a while.
What does that mean?
Well, if you're upset
about something,
could exacerbate the problem;
push you over the edge.
We're too well-trained for that.
Everybody's human, Commander.
Profound.
Anything else
before I kick you out?
Yeah. What happens when
you eat wheat, anyway?
I grow fangs.
Nothing jumps out at me, sir,
and I've reviewed
each file at least twice.
Bud, what did you
dig up on the XO?
He's clean, sir.
No dings as far as I can see.
In fact, all of these
records are outstanding.
The, uh, the Chief
Corpsman was honored
with a distinguished
service medal
on his last tour with
the frigate Sterling.
He's credited with saving
the lives of 12 crewmen
stricken with
Legionnaire's disease.
Uh, Commander Flagler received
a legion of merit award for...
Wait a minute, Bud, go
back to the Chief Corpsman.
There was an outbreak
aboard the Sterling?
Yes, sir.
Tell me what else
is in his record.
Uh, he served
time at Bethesda...
Hmm. That's interesting.
What?
Well, he was commended
for stabilizing a ward of patients
who had developed a
serious bacterial infection.
That would be three
epidemics in a row.
Talk about your coincidences.
Bud, I need a psyche
eval on Chief Hodge.
We're not authorized
to obtain those
unless Chief Hodge is
under investigation, sir.
Consider him under
investigation, Bud.
Yes, sir.
Can I ask where you're
going with this, sir?
To the Corpsman's room.
Take care, Lieutenant.
Sir...
this area is off-limits.
Well, I hope you don't mind.
I borrowed some rubber gloves.
Of course, but you, uh,
shouldn't have taken the risk.
Oh, there's no risk.
I've been around
hepatitis before.
Can't catch it in
the air, can you?
Where are yours?
That's a good point.
You know, I've been
so busy, I forgot.
Is there, uh, something
you need to know, sir?
Well, for starters,
you can tell me
where your patient is.
He's in the auxiliary
machinery room.
I need this space to work.
How's he doing?
He's better.
His fever's almost gone.
You know, sir, um...
I don't believe I did
a blood test on you.
No, not yet.
Well, why don't we do that
now that you're here?
I've been talking to
the crew about you.
They, uh, they
speak very highly.
Well, why is that, sir?
They consider you
a miracle worker.
I believe one of them
called you a "water-walker."
I've seen some of
the evidence, too.
I make my share
of mistakes, sir.
Yeah? Like the Ipecac
syrup in the pancake mix?
I'm sorry?
Ipecac.
My mother used to keep a
bottle in the medicine cabinet,
in case I swallowed poison.
Induces vomiting, right?
That would be correct, sir.
Can you explain this?
Yeah. I ran out.
Apparently.
This is Lieutenant
Commander Rabb.
I'd like Major MacKenzie to come
to the Corpsman's room ASAP.
I'm aware of the quarantine.
Chief Hodge has
made an exception
for investigative purposes.
Sir, you're not accusing
me of intentionally making
these men sick, are you?
I'd like to see Petty Officer
Bluesteen, Chief, so...
Can't let you go in there, sir.
Is that because Petty
Officer Bluesteen
doesn't have hepatitis, Chief?
The Petty Officer
is very ill, sir.
Oh, I don't doubt that.
Let me read you
something, Chief.
"MBP, also called
Munchausen By Proxy.
"A dangerous form
of maltreatment
"in which caretakers...
"often mothers
of small children...
"exaggerate, fabricate
or actually cause
"physical or psychological
illness in others.
"Central purpose of this
behavior is to gain attention,
including some form of internal
gratification for themselves."
All this time, I've been looking
for someone trying
to hurt the crew
when I should have been
concentrating on the person
who was trying to help them.
This is the Captain.
We've just crossed
under the North Pole.
My congratulations
to Lieutenant Commander
Rabb and to Major MacKenzie.
You are now
officially bluenoses.
This is a sedative, sir.
It'll help you
deal with the pain.
All right...
All right, let me look at it.
Come on, let me look at it.
Okay, sir.
You have a herniated larynx.
Can you speak?
Now, easy, easy, easy.
Don't strain yourself.
It'll only make it worse.
I don't like to worry
my patients, sir,
but I think it's only fair
that you fully understand
the circumstances.
Your injury will require
an invasive procedure.
Now, sir,
I want you to know I have
operated while underway,
aboard the Sterling.
The Quartermaster was having
trouble passing a kidney stone,
and after two days
of treating his pain, I was
given permission to remove it.
He couldn't thank me enough.
When we landed in port,
he wanted to buy me
a woman for the night.
Of course,
throat surgery is far riskier.
I'll have to be
honest with you, sir.
Given the minimal equipment
and the lack of
surgical personnel,
I... I can't guarantee survival.
Ma'am.
Glad you're here, ma'am.
Should I be here?
The danger's over, ma'am,
but we have, uh,
another problem.
The Commander's been injured.
Harm, what happened?
He damaged his larynx, ma'am.
He can't speak.
Why is he drugged?
The Meperidine's for the pain.
He came down to
get his blood taken
and afterwards, he
went out to the head,
and I heard a noise
in the passageway
and I found him on the
deck, holding his throat.
My guess is
he tripped over a knee-knocker
and fell onto the equipment.
Commander's been
negotiating ships all his adult life.
He doesn't trip
over knee-knockers.
Ma'am, I didn't want to make
an accusation I couldn't prove,
but I did see a crew member
disappear around the corner
after it happened.
Now, it's possible
that Commander Rabb
could have been attacked.
Did you see his face?
I'm afraid I didn't.
Harm, were you attacked?
Yeah? Who was it?
He thinks you can help us.
I'm sorry.
Why did he want me down here?
He didn't say, ma'am.
He knows something.
Better report this
to the Skipper, ma'am.
Well, the Skipper has
trouble with our theories.
I need your testimony.
We'll do it together.
Yes, ma'am.
You're going to be
safe down here, Harm.
I'll ask the Captain
to post a guard.
You know this crew, Chief.
Give me some suspects.
I'd be speculating, ma'am.
I'm just going to ask
him some questions.
Well... you know, actually,
there is someone
who comes to mind.
Seaman Garabedian?
Yes, ma'am.
Has a mold allergy
and a spastic colon.
That doesn't help me, Chief.
Oh... sorry, ma'am.
Uh, he's tall,
he's got bad skin.
Kind of cranky and
he never smiles.
Is he capable of
hurting someone?
We all are, ma'am...
under the right circumstances.
I've got mail.
We should get going, huh?
Oh, if I may, Major...
You have a lash
in your left eye.
Oh! What is that?
Just ammonia, ma'am.
I can flush that for you.
It's only gonna get worse.
You're going to need my help.
I need help!
I need help here.
Coming, Major.
Ah, Harm... Hodge
blinded me with ammonia.
I can't see.
Harm!
Major, you all right?
Major?
Now, you do realize
you are not helping yourself
by resisting treatment.
The longer this goes on,
the greater you risk
permanent loss of vision.
Harm, are you okay?
Oh, God.
Relax, ma'am, just relax.
This won't take long.
The last thing I
wanted was to lose you.
I had the same problem
with Petty Officer Bluesteen.
I mean, what can I say?
If you people work against me,
how am I supposed
to make you better?
You know, it used to be
that I'd lose sleep
over my patients.
Now I... I know I
can't save everyone.
It's a hard reality
but I know I'll be
the stronger for it.
You do understand,
the three of you
will be sharing a ride home.
It's all right, Skipper.
I have a few questions
for Chief Corpsman Hodge.
This has been the
damnedest thing.
I requested the man, you know?
Heard how he'd gotten
his dolphins in record time.
Interviewed him for two hours.
The man impressed
the hell out of me.
He had everybody
fooled, Commander.
I lost two men.
The Navy did not
give me this command
so I could be fooled.
No, sir, they gave it to
you so you could lead.
That's why the
Watertown will be the first
American submarine
to enter the red zone.
Well... thank you for
pointing that out, Major.
A healthy dose of self-criticism
is always useful
but we should never
underestimate our support.
No, sir.
Well...
you two are quite a team.
You always work
this well together?
Yeah, when he lets
me do the talking.
Yeah! MAN 2: Go, go, go, go!
Turn it, hurry! Turn it!
The yeoman testified he
handed his urine sample
to the lab technician.
No, he testified he handed it
to the corpsman.
The lab assistant
handed it to the supervisor.
You skipped over how
it got from the corpsman
to the lab assistant,
which was the whole point
of this line of
questioning... to create
the possibility of a break
in the chain of custody.
That was your intention, Harm.
As far as I'm concerned,
lab incompetence was never
at the center of this case.
Well, then, what was?
Please. The
suspense is killing me.
Sir.
It's the Lipari
court-martial, Admiral.
The yeoman failed
his drug test, sir.
He insists a shipmate
he beat at poker
spiked his tapioca with hashish.
There's no way for
us to prove that, sir.
Did you communicate
this to the Major?
I did, sir.
Major?
Not conclusively, sir.
Well, since you are
the defense team
don't you think it would be
in the best interest of your
client that you would agree?
I don't think that's going
to happen on this one.
The Major and I just don't
seem to see eye-to-eye.
Is that your opinion, Major?
It is, sir.
Okay. What's going on?
Well, sir, I don't think
we need to be overly
concerned about it.
I mean, the Major
and I are together a lot,
and there's bound to be
a few bumps in the road
every once in a while.
And this would be one of them.
Yes, sir.
Seems to be, sir.
Hmm... that's very interesting,
because I just got
authorization from Judge Chaidez
to have you both
removed from the case.
Well, he wouldn't get
an argument here, sir.
So I can send you
both, as a team,
to the Arctic Ocean to
conduct a JAGman investigation
aboard the submarine
USS Watertown.
S-Sir...
Apparently, it strayed
into Norwegian waters
and surfaced in the
middle of a sailing regatta.
Watertown's claiming
operational mishap.
Our Scandinavian allies,
tired of us skulking
around their shoreline,
are a little more skeptical.
The Coast of Norway has
some strategic significance
that the Pentagon
is loathe to give up.
Sir... We're looking
for a defensible position.
Admiral...
Commander, I understand that you
had an assignment
aboard the USS Tigershark.
Uh, yes, sir,
before you arrived.
My partner at the time,
Lieutenant Austin, and I
were assigned there to
negotiate with a terrorist.
Tigershark is a
Seawolf class, isn't it?
Yes, sir.
Watertown is Los Angeles class.
Are you familiar with them?
No, sir.
Be prepared to do
a lot of slouching.
Understood, sir.
Good.
Major, one caveat.
You'll be in tight
quarters with 141 men.
Prepare yourself.
Sir, might I suggest
you give that warning
to the crew of the Watertown?
I'm going to assume you two
can resolve your
differences and move on.
Any reason for me
to think otherwise?
No, sir. No, sir.
Good. That'll be all.
Aye, sir. Yes, sir.
Top bunk. Top bunk.
Tails.
Heads.
Leave the lingerie
at home this time.
Oh, and, uh, I feel I
should let you know:
the entire time we
were down there
Lieutenant Austin suffered
from claustrophobia.
I'm not Lieutenant Austin.
We'll see.
Skyhook One to USS
Watertown, we have your pass.
Standing by for clearance.
Skyhook One, this
is USS Watertower.
Tower is clear for delivery.
Stand by to receive.
Load away, Skyhook.
Watertown, they're all yours.
Moving through!
Harm?
Yeah? Ow.
Heads up.
Thanks.
Yeah.
Two-thirds
of the morning watch
threw a puke party.
Both the navigational officer
and the bowplane
operator went down.
Within minutes,
Watertown had drifted
off track and depth.
By the time the XO
could take control
and correct her back,
she was seriously off course.
How'd the men get sick, sir?
Chief Corpsman?
E. Coli, ma'am.
Bad meat?
Pancakes and hash browns, sir.
Any previous incidents, sir?
Negative.
You out of ink, Major?
Uh, a pencil would
help, Skipper.
I've got a better idea.
XO, let Major MacKenzie
use your PDA.
Ever try one of these?
Personal Digital Assistant...
Provides its own light.
You can take notes,
access data.
Even has an
infrared transmitter,
so you can e-mail
anywhere on the boat
using Watertown's internal
communication system.
Uh, Commander Flagler, if the XO
needs this...
Ah...
I want you to thoroughly
check out the veracity
of these accounts.
XO Eustis, myself...
every man on this boat is
prepared to cooperate fully.
Yes, sir.
We'll get on it,
Commander. Very good.
Every food stuff on
board is either frozen,
freeze-dried,
canned or packaged.
The quality control's like
that on the space shuttle.
If there was contamination,
it happened elsewhere.
What about unclean surfaces?
Ma'am, as I said,
the sanitation regs
on a sub are unreal.
You know, you could perform an
appendectomy on my countertops.
An infected crew member?
Everyone scrubs down
before and after, sir.
I'm telling you, my galley's
cleaner than the pope's nose.
Well, we're going to need more
than just your assurance, Chief.
Permission to speak freely.
On the record, Chief. Go ahead.
Go ahead, Chief Basilio.
Something's not
right about Watertown.
In what way? She's
spooked, ma'am.
Chief...
Look, sir, the vibe is bad.
Guys are getting sick
and hurt all the time.
This week it's nausea.
Before that, the leading
yeoman punctured an eardrum.
The same day, one of my
mess cranks got scabies.
We had to strip and sterilize.
Took us 18 hours.
Now I get to do it again.
Look... you probably think
I'm some Brooklyn bozo,
but I been a bubblehead
for seven years
and I've never had
an assignment like this.
I'm telling you, there's
something wrong
when the Chief Corpsman's
is the hardest-working
squid on the boat.
We'd just began
our fourth back-to-back patrol.
Didn't even have liberty.
When you have men
working this close
for that long a period of time,
they develop a
single consciousness.
If it's unhealthy
it can support spread
of sickness, job injury,
and even depression.
Is it unhealthy?
I believe that was Chief
Hodge's point, Mac.
I'm aware of the Chief's point.
I was looking for specifics.
The men are tired, ma'am.
Yeah, what about that?
Well, it's to be expected.
I mean, I'm busier
than I should be,
but I don't think
there's any cause for alarm.
What can be done about it?
Nothing really, sir;
but this is a great crew.
They're bulldogs.
There isn't a drill
these guys can't handle.
Are you okay, Major?
Yeah. I think I
pinched something.
Doesn't surprise me.
It's the number one
complaint around here...
All that bending and hunching.
Whoa.
Trust me, ma'am.
Been reading this
book on reflexology.
It's...
very cool stuff.
Okay...
All right.
Oh...
I think it worked.
That's amazing.
Anything I can do for you, sir?
Can you make me shorter?
Commander Rabb
and Major McKenzie,
report to the conn ASAP.
XO, make your depth 400 feet.
Make my depth 400 feet.
Aye, sir.
Maintain course 3-4-0.
Ten-degree down angle.
Make depth 400 feet.
All engines ahead full.
Maintain course 3-4-0,
ten-degree down angle.
Make depth 400 feet;
all engines ahead full.
Skipper?
Naval intelligence has located
what they believe to be an
underwater missile facility
off the North Korean coast.
Watertown has just been
deployed to the Sea of Japan.
Sir, the Major and I have enough
to file a preliminary report.
You can put us off at any point.
We're already under the
Arctic ice, Commander.
You'll be riding the
vents until we surface
on the other side..
We understand, sir.
Well, we don't put mints
on your pillows here,
but we'll do our best
to make your stay
as comfortable as we can.
Two of your officers
have the flu, sir.
Well, have to be enlisted
quarters then. I'm sorry.
We'll notify your
Command of the situation,
and guarantee your safety.
Sir, how long do you
expect this to take?
Shouldn't be more
than a week, huh, sir?
15 days minimum.
Think of it this way.
You'll have time to
complete your investigation.
XO...
All right, now...
Welcome to Hotel
Shoehorn, ma'am.
Petty Officer First-Class
Dirking at your service, Major.
Can I take your gear?
I'm fine.
Evening, sir.
I was just about to
show off the visitor's suite.
How long is she bow to stern?
I'd say you have about
four inches on her, sir.
Guess this would
be yours, ma'am.
We're hot-bunking
down here, Mac.
Two to a coffin.
Who is he?
Petty Officer Donahue, ma'am.
My turn.
Yeah.
Major...
that's the head.
Yes, Master Chief.
Well, you're going
to need instructions
on what to do in there.
Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.
That came out wrong.
Uh, you.. What I mean is
that the facilities on
a submarine are, uh...
well, unique.
Think of it as a chamber
within a chamber.
So your, when you've, uh...
concluded your business,
then you'll have to stand
and open the
saltwater inlet valve,
close it when it fills then
open the flapper valve.
That's a cylinder
with a hole in it,
that's located in the bottom
of the receptacle itself.
Uh, turn it so that
the contents empty
into the sanitary tank.
Uh, the thing is you're
going to have to open it
into its smallest aperture first
because if the pressure
in the sanitary tank's
higher than that in the toilet,
then the contents
can blow back at you,
and, uh... anyway, um,
if you're turning the
valve and you see bubbles,
then just stop and
call the engineer.
Thanks for the instructions,
Master Chief Crimins,
but at the moment,
I'm just using it to change.
Oh. Yes, ma'am.
What?
You're squirming.
My knees are in my face, Mac.
Give me a break.
For crying out loud.
Whoa. Sorry.
Wrong rack.
Just the compactor, Major.
Sorry about that.
Snap to!
Was this your
idea, Petty Officer?
Standard procedure, ma'am.
Well, let me be
as clear as I can.
While I'm aboard
this boat, I expect you
and your shipmates
to maintain the respect
due an officer.
If I find this
lacking in any way,
I will haul you out the
forward escape trunk
and feed your ass to the crabs!
Understood, ma'am.
Why you jumping all over me?
I had nothing to do with it.
No, you were just
enjoying yourself.
Mac, they were just having fun.
You're the best thing
to happen to this crew
in a month.
You consider disrespecting
an officer "fun"?
I don't think this
qualifies as disrespect.
Besides, pranks are
common on a sub.
Oh, so it's my problem?
No, but you could take it easy.
I mean, lighten up.
I'll work on it.
You know what?
It's quite obvious
that we are not getting along,
so why don't we just
agree to take it easy
on each other for the
duration down here?
Then maybe this
thing will work itself out.
I can do that.
Good.
I'll try to be more sensitive
and you try to be less.
You try to be more sensitive
and I won't have to be less.
You know what, Mac?
It is your problem.
No pulse!
Let him through!
All right, make a hole!
Go.
It's the emergency
ballast line, sir!
XO, shut it down!
Aye, aye, sir!
It's EMBT line!
Sir!
So the Captain's air flask
provides HP, or
high pressure air,
to the emergency main
ballast tank blow head.
Yes, sir.
That allows us to force water
from the main ballast tanks
for emergency surfacing.
Well, how much pressure
are we talking
about, Master Chief?
4,500 pounds per square inch.
When coming through
a hole that small,
it's like a laser beam.
Can pierce flesh like a needle.
It burst his vena cava, sir.
He was dead before
he hit the deck.
Somehow, during maintenance,
the packing must
have been nicked,
which eventually
caused the fitting to blow.
Apparently, the
nick was so small,
no one noticed it.
So you're saying it
weakened over time. Yes, sir.
Petty Officer Towson was
unlucky enough to be passing
when it gave way.
Sir, someone's
got to bring this up.
Might as well be me.
We have a body on board.
Excuse me, sir,
but that body belonged to
the Petty Officer Towson.
And as far as I'm concerned,
he still has an identity.
I don't care for
the tone, Chief.
All right! All right!
Stand down, both of you.
Sir, I know I'm not
handling this very well,
but something in the universe
must be out of whack.
This kid should not be dead.
I understand.
I'm scheduling a memorial
service for 1600. I suggest
that we deal with our
feelings at that time.
Yes, sir.
XO, what is your suggestion?
Burial at sea, sir.
I don't understand.
We can't surface.
Torpedo tubes, Mac.
I'm not doing
that to his family.
Only under battle conditions
would I even consider it.
No. We're bringing him back.
Order Chief Basilio to
clear space from his freezer.
We'll bag Petty Officer
Towson and store him there.
Defrosted food will be
cooked and preserved with salt.
XO, come left heading 2-2-5.
All engines ahead full.
Aye, aye, sir.
Come left. Steer course
2-2-5. All engines ahead full.
Come left. Steer course 2-2-5.
All engines ahead full.
Sir, we have real
ice cream aboard.
You arranged for it in port.
Thirds, Major?
No, thanks.
Commander?
No, I'm still good, thanks.
None for me, either, Gary.
Is the crew all set?
Yes, sir. They have plenty.
Doesn't seem very Christian,
indulging ourselves like this
in the wake of a tragedy.
Any thoughts on why all
this is happening, Skipper?
Medical emergencies,
death of the Petty Officer?
Should I?
Well, the reason I asked, sir,
is your Corpsman, Chief
Hodge, seems to think
it has to do with
shared fatigue.
I wondered if you
agreed with his thesis.
I respect the Chief's opinion.
As far as I'm concerned,
this is the finest
688 crew in the fleet.
They can handle the stress.
Have you considered bad vibes?
Bad vibes are the
result of bad crews.
I'm talking about
the boat itself, sir.
There are those who believe
the Watertown is cursed.
What do you think, sir?
I think that's horse pucky.
Permission to enter, sir.
Granted.
Sir, I don't know
how to say this.
One word at a time, Chief.
Sir, I've been concerned
about Petty Officer Bluesteen.
He's the only member of the crew
who hasn't yet recovered.
Bluesteen, the mess cook?
Yes, sir. He's been
running a 103 fever.
That's not treatable?
Of course, sir.
It's just that this
morning, I noticed
some yellowing in his
eyes so I took a blood test.
Now, don't tell me
the man has jaundice.
Hepatitis A, sir. I'll
need authorization
to quarantine him to
the Corpsman's room, sir.
Surrounding areas will
also have to be off-limits.
So, how is it spread?
Through uncooked food, sir.
You'll all need to be tested.
The wrong rack.
Mac, it's me.
I'm sorry, I can't sleep.
Well, I don't know
any bedtime stories.
Listen to this:
I've been running everything
over in my head, right?
And I was thinking back to
when we were on the Hornet
and the possibility
of ghosts and the like.
Now, I try to apply
that to the Watertown
but I keep tripping
over reality.
What do you mean?
Well, first off, the
food-poisoning incident.
The Skipper told us
that the navigational
watch took sick
before the XO
could replace them.
But they all ate
the same breakfast,
so how does the XO not get sick?
Well, maybe he didn't eat.
Why wouldn't he?
The nicked valve...
Given the fact
that subs are
obsessively maintained,
how does a nicked
valve go undetected
in the time it would
take for it to weaken?
Go on.
Hepatitis A... how does
it appear aboard a vessel
where there's been
no liberty for weeks?
When I was flying
off the Seahawk
there was an outbreak...
boatswain's mate picked it up in port.
The infection
spread within days.
Watertown isn't spooked, Mac,
and the fatigue
factor's irrelevant.
Well, then what is it?
Someone aboard this vessel
is deliberately trying
to hurt the others.
I suggest you both
lighten up on the bug juice.
First, my boat is cursed.
Now, there's a madman aboard.
Sir, I didn't say that.
Why else would an individual
with few ways of
concealing his actions
and no possible means of escape,
try to infect or
injure the others?
I don't know.
You damn well better.
You don't wake me
up out of a dead sleep
and feed me this
theory without knowing.
Understood?
Look, Skipper, let the
Major and me poke around,
see if we can turn something up.
We can conceal it from the crew
by folding it into
our investigation
of the sailboat incident.
You behind this, Major?
I trust the Commander
implicitly, sir.
There's no one
with better instincts.
He's right.
It makes no sense.
Where's the motive?
Acrimony, revenge,
claustrophobic delusions...
take your pick.
I think I'm more comfortable
with ghosts and curses.
Hey, Mac, with these
space restrictions,
even the least
aggressive crew member
is going to feel like
killing somebody
at one point or another.
Can we do this somewhere else?
What, you want to go outside?
You know, if you're
wrong about this,
we're going to be the
most unpopular guests
at the party.
Well, as long as
we dance together.
And you lead.
You know, Mac,
I'm beginning to think
this is more than just
a bump in the road.
You honestly resent me.
And you have no faith in me.
How did we get to
this point anyway?
I guess we were due.
We have been on a
honeymoon of late.
Are you saying
this was inevitable?
I don't know, but I think
maybe we should talk about it.
You know, there
might be deeper issues.
I am not going there with you.
This is not a marriage, okay?
Well, you have a better idea?
Yeah, let's get through it.
We have an
investigation to conduct.
That's it.
End of conversation.
No, you can tell
me what you know
about laser communications.
Yeah...
Well, I'll take that
to mean not much.
How were you able to get
a signal through the ice, sir?
A P-3 out of Brunswick
is circling at low altitude.
Radio watch tells me
this reduces attenuation
of the signal.
The patrol plane
then clean-beams it
to the nearest satellite.
Cool.
Listen, Bud,
I need you to check the records
of every crew member
aboard the Watertown.
All right, sir, what
am I looking for?
Aggressive behavior
a history of therapy...
anything that might
suggest dysfunction.
You got it.
How is everything
down there, sir?
That's to be determined,
Lieutenant, but don't worry.
The Major and I are fine.
You know, I've
never been on a sub.
What's it like?
Well, you can experience
it firsthand, Bud.
I can?
Yeah. When you go home
tonight throw out all your fresh
fruit and vegetables, put
lube oil in your humidifier,
go to sleep on a
shelf in your closet
and go to work before sunrise.
Is that Rabb?
Uh, yes, sir.
Listen, Bud,
if the Admiral asks what
we're up to, just tell him...
Everything he wants to know.
Admiral. Sir.
How are you and the
Major getting along?
We're working through it, sir.
Are you operating with the
full endorsement of the Skipper?
Yes, sir.
You do anything
irregular or unlawful
or ill-advised?
No, sir.
Uh-huh.
Carry on.
Aye, aye, sir.
Whew.
Sorry, guys, everyone
has to be tested.
Whatever.
It's the second time in a week.
If we have to be stuck
here, might as well do it.
Chief pulled me down here, is
he going to get the other guys?
Is this will-call?
Mac, you can't ignore me.
We bump into each
other every five feet.
What is it?
Come here.
I need some humoring
on this theory of mine.
Of everyone we've
met, what do you think
of Mess Chief
Basilio as a suspect?
Too overt.
Mess Chief Crimins?
Too many years.
The XO?
My thoughts exactly.
Especially his lack of
empathy toward the crew.
Yeah, and he was the only one
who didn't get
sick on that watch.
What do we know about him?
Nothing yet.
Well, we could ply
the Skipper for info.
Ah, it's too risky, Mac.
We could tip our
hand, lose the support.
Then we go directly to the XO.
But you shouldn't go.
Well, the XO hates you.
You took his PDA.
No. The Skipper gave it to me.
I better go alone, Mac.
Fine.
Whatever.
I'll keep you in the loop.
You better get back in line.
Don't lose your place.
There you go.
Thought you might need
a pick-me-up, Commander.
I carry a tablespoon of grounds
between my cheek and lower jaw.
All that caffeine doesn't
make you irritable?
You bet.
And that's okay?
Sleep is not a
primary consideration
aboard a submarine.
All personnel,
particularly the command
have to maintain a
high level of readiness.
It's far more important
I be alert than nice.
What if you crash physically?
I don't.
XO, I'm going to need
to ask you a question
about... the morning
the watch took sick.
You want to know why I didn't.
Yeah, what about that?
I'm allergic to wheat.
Had a bowl of oatmeal
instead of the pancakes.
What about not
seeing the sailboats?
Now, that's a question
I'd expect from an Airedale.
How'd you know I was a pilot?
Records check.
We're in the dark down here.
No moonlight...
Can't take star fixes.
You got sonar.
You can't hear a sailboat
unless it has its motor running.
Anyway, there
were only a few of us
and we were keying on large
undersea targets like reefs.
Don't imagine you
see many of those
at 15,000 feet.
Depends on your air supply.
It's a different world.
Yeah, I'm wondering about
all this water pressure...
If it gets to you after a while.
What does that mean?
Well, if you're upset
about something,
could exacerbate the problem;
push you over the edge.
We're too well-trained for that.
Everybody's human, Commander.
Profound.
Anything else
before I kick you out?
Yeah. What happens when
you eat wheat, anyway?
I grow fangs.
Nothing jumps out at me, sir,
and I've reviewed
each file at least twice.
Bud, what did you
dig up on the XO?
He's clean, sir.
No dings as far as I can see.
In fact, all of these
records are outstanding.
The, uh, the Chief
Corpsman was honored
with a distinguished
service medal
on his last tour with
the frigate Sterling.
He's credited with saving
the lives of 12 crewmen
stricken with
Legionnaire's disease.
Uh, Commander Flagler received
a legion of merit award for...
Wait a minute, Bud, go
back to the Chief Corpsman.
There was an outbreak
aboard the Sterling?
Yes, sir.
Tell me what else
is in his record.
Uh, he served
time at Bethesda...
Hmm. That's interesting.
What?
Well, he was commended
for stabilizing a ward of patients
who had developed a
serious bacterial infection.
That would be three
epidemics in a row.
Talk about your coincidences.
Bud, I need a psyche
eval on Chief Hodge.
We're not authorized
to obtain those
unless Chief Hodge is
under investigation, sir.
Consider him under
investigation, Bud.
Yes, sir.
Can I ask where you're
going with this, sir?
To the Corpsman's room.
Take care, Lieutenant.
Sir...
this area is off-limits.
Well, I hope you don't mind.
I borrowed some rubber gloves.
Of course, but you, uh,
shouldn't have taken the risk.
Oh, there's no risk.
I've been around
hepatitis before.
Can't catch it in
the air, can you?
Where are yours?
That's a good point.
You know, I've been
so busy, I forgot.
Is there, uh, something
you need to know, sir?
Well, for starters,
you can tell me
where your patient is.
He's in the auxiliary
machinery room.
I need this space to work.
How's he doing?
He's better.
His fever's almost gone.
You know, sir, um...
I don't believe I did
a blood test on you.
No, not yet.
Well, why don't we do that
now that you're here?
I've been talking to
the crew about you.
They, uh, they
speak very highly.
Well, why is that, sir?
They consider you
a miracle worker.
I believe one of them
called you a "water-walker."
I've seen some of
the evidence, too.
I make my share
of mistakes, sir.
Yeah? Like the Ipecac
syrup in the pancake mix?
I'm sorry?
Ipecac.
My mother used to keep a
bottle in the medicine cabinet,
in case I swallowed poison.
Induces vomiting, right?
That would be correct, sir.
Can you explain this?
Yeah. I ran out.
Apparently.
This is Lieutenant
Commander Rabb.
I'd like Major MacKenzie to come
to the Corpsman's room ASAP.
I'm aware of the quarantine.
Chief Hodge has
made an exception
for investigative purposes.
Sir, you're not accusing
me of intentionally making
these men sick, are you?
I'd like to see Petty Officer
Bluesteen, Chief, so...
Can't let you go in there, sir.
Is that because Petty
Officer Bluesteen
doesn't have hepatitis, Chief?
The Petty Officer
is very ill, sir.
Oh, I don't doubt that.
Let me read you
something, Chief.
"MBP, also called
Munchausen By Proxy.
"A dangerous form
of maltreatment
"in which caretakers...
"often mothers
of small children...
"exaggerate, fabricate
or actually cause
"physical or psychological
illness in others.
"Central purpose of this
behavior is to gain attention,
including some form of internal
gratification for themselves."
All this time, I've been looking
for someone trying
to hurt the crew
when I should have been
concentrating on the person
who was trying to help them.
This is the Captain.
We've just crossed
under the North Pole.
My congratulations
to Lieutenant Commander
Rabb and to Major MacKenzie.
You are now
officially bluenoses.
This is a sedative, sir.
It'll help you
deal with the pain.
All right...
All right, let me look at it.
Come on, let me look at it.
Okay, sir.
You have a herniated larynx.
Can you speak?
Now, easy, easy, easy.
Don't strain yourself.
It'll only make it worse.
I don't like to worry
my patients, sir,
but I think it's only fair
that you fully understand
the circumstances.
Your injury will require
an invasive procedure.
Now, sir,
I want you to know I have
operated while underway,
aboard the Sterling.
The Quartermaster was having
trouble passing a kidney stone,
and after two days
of treating his pain, I was
given permission to remove it.
He couldn't thank me enough.
When we landed in port,
he wanted to buy me
a woman for the night.
Of course,
throat surgery is far riskier.
I'll have to be
honest with you, sir.
Given the minimal equipment
and the lack of
surgical personnel,
I... I can't guarantee survival.
Ma'am.
Glad you're here, ma'am.
Should I be here?
The danger's over, ma'am,
but we have, uh,
another problem.
The Commander's been injured.
Harm, what happened?
He damaged his larynx, ma'am.
He can't speak.
Why is he drugged?
The Meperidine's for the pain.
He came down to
get his blood taken
and afterwards, he
went out to the head,
and I heard a noise
in the passageway
and I found him on the
deck, holding his throat.
My guess is
he tripped over a knee-knocker
and fell onto the equipment.
Commander's been
negotiating ships all his adult life.
He doesn't trip
over knee-knockers.
Ma'am, I didn't want to make
an accusation I couldn't prove,
but I did see a crew member
disappear around the corner
after it happened.
Now, it's possible
that Commander Rabb
could have been attacked.
Did you see his face?
I'm afraid I didn't.
Harm, were you attacked?
Yeah? Who was it?
He thinks you can help us.
I'm sorry.
Why did he want me down here?
He didn't say, ma'am.
He knows something.
Better report this
to the Skipper, ma'am.
Well, the Skipper has
trouble with our theories.
I need your testimony.
We'll do it together.
Yes, ma'am.
You're going to be
safe down here, Harm.
I'll ask the Captain
to post a guard.
You know this crew, Chief.
Give me some suspects.
I'd be speculating, ma'am.
I'm just going to ask
him some questions.
Well... you know, actually,
there is someone
who comes to mind.
Seaman Garabedian?
Yes, ma'am.
Has a mold allergy
and a spastic colon.
That doesn't help me, Chief.
Oh... sorry, ma'am.
Uh, he's tall,
he's got bad skin.
Kind of cranky and
he never smiles.
Is he capable of
hurting someone?
We all are, ma'am...
under the right circumstances.
I've got mail.
We should get going, huh?
Oh, if I may, Major...
You have a lash
in your left eye.
Oh! What is that?
Just ammonia, ma'am.
I can flush that for you.
It's only gonna get worse.
You're going to need my help.
I need help!
I need help here.
Coming, Major.
Ah, Harm... Hodge
blinded me with ammonia.
I can't see.
Harm!
Major, you all right?
Major?
Now, you do realize
you are not helping yourself
by resisting treatment.
The longer this goes on,
the greater you risk
permanent loss of vision.
Harm, are you okay?
Oh, God.
Relax, ma'am, just relax.
This won't take long.
The last thing I
wanted was to lose you.
I had the same problem
with Petty Officer Bluesteen.
I mean, what can I say?
If you people work against me,
how am I supposed
to make you better?
You know, it used to be
that I'd lose sleep
over my patients.
Now I... I know I
can't save everyone.
It's a hard reality
but I know I'll be
the stronger for it.
You do understand,
the three of you
will be sharing a ride home.
It's all right, Skipper.
I have a few questions
for Chief Corpsman Hodge.
This has been the
damnedest thing.
I requested the man, you know?
Heard how he'd gotten
his dolphins in record time.
Interviewed him for two hours.
The man impressed
the hell out of me.
He had everybody
fooled, Commander.
I lost two men.
The Navy did not
give me this command
so I could be fooled.
No, sir, they gave it to
you so you could lead.
That's why the
Watertown will be the first
American submarine
to enter the red zone.
Well... thank you for
pointing that out, Major.
A healthy dose of self-criticism
is always useful
but we should never
underestimate our support.
No, sir.
Well...
you two are quite a team.
You always work
this well together?
Yeah, when he lets
me do the talking.