JAG (1995–2005): Season 8, Episode 2 - The Promised Land - full transcript

( gunfire )

We're pinned down!

( speaking native language )

( computer beeping )

( whirring )

White, A-5.

White, A-5.

Wait.

He doesn't have a weapon.

Get down!

White, B-2.



White...

( whirring )

B-2.

Confirmed.

Ish.

That's a hit.

Well done.

Okay, let's go.

Captain?

No need to proceed, Corporal.
You are relieved.

I, uh... need you
to come with us.

What's this about, Captain?

Corporal Mars
is being charged
with desertion.

Sir, he's standing
right in front of you.



Yeah, except the charge
is being proffered

by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Wow, I wasn't expecting this.

You look so good.

Daddy!

Hey, come here, little cowboy.

Oh! Oh!

I missed you, buddy.

I went poo-poo
in the potty.

Oh, you big boy.

( all chuckling )

Good job, buddy.

Oh.

Okay, you go, go...
back to Mama.

( grunts )

Come on, cutie.

Sorry about the break
in protocol, sir.

Not a problem.

Mikey.

Hey, Bud.

How's the academy?

It's tough.

You're up to the challenge.

Is Dad here?

He got tied up.

The doctor on the Guadalcanal

is really encouraged
by Bud's recovery.

Hey, hey, way to go, Bud.

Thank you, sir.

She said in time,
he should be fully functional.

Which I told 'em would actually
be an improvement

over the way I used to be.

( laughter )

What can we do
to help, Bud?

You being here
is enough, ma'am.

Seriously, Lieutenant--

we're available,
whatever you need.

Right now it's up to me, sir.

We'll talk when I'm back
on my feet.

As you were.

Anyone here believe
Lieutenant Robert's
circumstances

should affect
our attitudes?

No, sir.

No, sir.

I agree.

First up, Marine Corporal
Peter Mars went UA

from the USS San Michiel

when it was docked
in the port of Haifa.

Five months later, his company
commander happened to catch him

in the background
of a ZNN report

from the West Bank.

He was wearing the uniform
of an Israeli Army paratrooper.

Charge is desertion.
He's been extradited.

Um, Rabb

you and MacKenzie
will defend.

Yes, sir.

The corporal was an expert
in hyper-spectral imaging.

It's a very uncommon skill set
with the Israeli defense wars

and they want him back.

Turner, you and Singer

will prosecute.

Turner, you're first chair.

Yes, sir.

Understood, sir.

Did the corporal indicate

why he deserted
in the first place, sir?

( bell dings )

Anti-Semitism, sir.
From whom, Corporal?

A member of my platoon,
Commander, a Corporal Fogal.

Did you request
mast up the chain
of command?

All the way to my C.O., ma'am.
Did no good.

Then, when Corporal Fogle came
back at me, I took him on.

Got relieved as Fire Team leader
for my troubles.

At what point
did you decide to leave?

About that time, sir.

Have a seat.

So, you were frustrated?

Persecuted, sir.

You believe
that validates desertion?

I guess I looked at it more
as changing alliances

than deserting, ma'am.

The problem wasn't
going away.

I could no longer
serve as trained.

Israeli citizens were
being murdered

in their own
neighborhoods.

I put it all together
and I figured

if I couldn't be useful
to the country of my birth

I'd join the country
of my faith.

You think a panel of Marines

will be receptive
to that argument?

Well, if they react like you,
ma'am, no.

But I'm willing
to accept any kind
of discharge

as long as I'm
allowed to serve
where I'm wanted.

I love Israel,
everything about it:

the culture, the food,
the passion for life.

I just want to go back.

Well, you'll first have
to avoid confinement, Corporal.

Well, that's where I'm hoping
you can be of help, sir.

The corporal
who was harassing you

did he ever harm you
physically in any way?

He threatened to, sir.

What initiated the hostility?

When he found out I'd converted,
ma'am.

It bothered him
that I'd chosen Judaism.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Attention to orders.

"For wounds received in
combat on May 21, 2002

"in Ghazni, Afghanistan,
Lieutenant Bud J. Roberts

"U.S. Navy Judge Advocate
General Corps

is awarded the Purple Heart."

Um... should I?

I'll take it, sir.

It'll be a reminder of Bud's
desire to return to JAG.

Good attitude, brother.

My shrapnel wound is still
infected, sir

but as soon as it heals.

They expect it to take
about three weeks, sir.

Well, no need to rush--
you've got a lot

on your plate, Lieutenant:
convalescent leave

medical board,
reviews of those findings.

I understand that, sir.

Bud will overcome that,
Admiral.

We'll make sure of that.
It's a family affair, sir.

So, you heard
from your father?

Not yet, sir.

Uh, by the way, sir,
in the meantime,
I'm available

for research, consultations,
phone investigations.

I'd think you'd want
to concentrate

on your rehab right now.

Well, I do,
but I consider

my duties at JAG
part of that process, sir.

Well, we'll see.

I am serious, Admiral.

RABB:
Our only option is duress.

We need to prove
he was escaping

intolerable circumstances.

The corporal's desire

to be of service to Israel
will work against him.

We need a handle, Mac.

He has a compelling story.

Yeah, but can
he deliver it?

Not in his current state
of mind.

The corporal has no idea
how much trouble he's in.

He's still expecting
a discharge.

If we don't knock
this out of the park, Mac

the Members will turn him
into a middle-aged convict.

Do you have an idea?

You first.

We settle.

That was my idea.

Offer six months

say yes to one year's
confinement.

Have you noticed
we're beginning to
think a lot alike?

That's something,
isn't it?

How do you account
for that?

Uh, a rip in
the time-space
continuum.

Ten years confinement.

Way out of line.
What?

Sir, ma'am

the sentence for desertion

with intent to avoid
hazardous duty during wartime

can be life imprisonment.

Or in extreme
circumstances, death.

I didn't avoid hazardous duty,
Lieutenant

I sought it out.

In another country's army,
Corporal.

The "time of war" argument
doesn't apply.

Since the advent of terrorism

plenty of deserters have been
administratively separated

with bad paper,
but no confinement.

Times are changing.

You're forgetting
the corporal has
been awarded

a citation for bravery
by the Israeli Defense Force.

He can wear it on his overalls
in Leavenworth, sir.

Six months confinement,
discharged as adjudged.

Good-bye.

One year.

Ten.

Why the hard line, Commander?

Because neither
the lieutenant nor
I swallow desertion

as an answer
to discrimination.

There are mitigating factors,
Sturgis.
The offer stands.

Our client has suffered
day-to-day harassment

from a member
of his own platoon

not to mention the consistent
threat of bodily harm

all because he's Jewish.

Put yourself
in his shoes.

I happen to be in his shoes,
Commander.

I'm Jewish myself

and I can't imagine
a single scenario

that would ever force me
to break my oath of service.

( knocking )
STURGIS:
Come in.

Preliminary witness list, sir.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

You're staring,
Commander.

Lieutenant

why didn't I know
you were Jewish?

Until yesterday afternoon,
sir, no one knew.

It's not something
I advertise.

So you preferred
to conceal it?

That's not what I said, sir.

I'm just curious.

Why wouldn't you
want us to know?

I'd rather not be identified

by a religion
I don't practice, sir.

Well, may I ask what religion
you do practice?

The Navy is my religion, sir.

Do you identify
with your heritage in any way?

It was never part
of my growing up, Commander.

So relative to the Mars case

you're not offended
by anti-Semitic behavior?

I would be
if I'd experienced it, Commander

but that hasn't been the case.

Well, maybe you haven't
experienced it

because no one
knows you're Jewish.

If that will be all, sir.

MAN ( over TV ):
...the revolutionary new driver
that you've been waiting for.

Five years in the making...

( telephone ringing )

Introducing Hammer King--
It goes the distance.

Yeah.

Hey, Dad.

Bud?

Listen, I, uh...

Hey, how are you, son?

Are they taking

good care of you?

They are.

Listen, I wanted to...

Hey, Mikey says you look great.

Not that much has changed, Dad.

No. No, of course not.

Uh... Heh. Hey, look, son,
I'm sorry I missed your arrival.

I mean, I got hung up
at the DMV.

First they put me in the wrong
line and-and then...

some problem with...

Dad.

You don't have
to come and visit.

No. No, I'm coming. Um...

It's okay.

I know you care.

So, uh... what kind of sludge
are they feeding you down there?

Can I bring you a pizza?

ROBERTS:
Sure.

Deep dish?

You know what I like.

Looking forward to it, son.

Me, too.

Dad?

Yeah?

I love you.

( phone disconnects )

CHEGWIDDEN:
I try to be encouraging

but I can't help but feel...

I don't know,
a bit uncomfortable.

Well, that's only natural.

I wouldn't know
what to say

to someone who's suffered
that kind of an injury.

Yeah, but you didn't suggest
that your staff get past it.

So what is it that
you can't get past?

I don't know.

Sure you do.

All right. All right.

It involves
the lieutenant's wife.

Then talk to her.

Ask her if there's a problem.

I should.

But you're afraid
of the answer.

Well, would you prefer
suffering with the question?

If I did, I wouldn't...

I wouldn't be
talking about it.

Okay.

So knowing what you know,
what are you going to do?

Works for me.

When Corporal Peter Mars
reported anti-Semitic behavior

from a member of your platoon,
how did you respond?

I questioned the Marine

Corporal Fogle, Sir.

Did he admit any wrongdoing?

He admitted to being an equal
opportunity offender, sir.

He liked to go after any
member of the platoon

who didn't share
his racial or
religious history.

And how did you respond
to this answer?

I gave him an
earful, sir

but I knew what he meant.

Can you elaborate, please.

The Marines have a
well-defined policy

against bigotry, but there is
a kind of benign ribbing

that tends to go on--
there's no harm meant.

It's just an instinctive
way of leveling things.

Everyone takes
a little abuse

about their
race and religion.

Now, you're speaking
from personal experience?

I've found a watermelon or two
in my locker, sir.

Had anyone else complained
about such treatment?

Just Corporal
Mars, sir.

Did Corporal Fogle
agree to back off?

He did, sir.

TURNER:
What happened
three days later?

CAPTAIN:
Corporal Mars broke
Corporal Fogle's nose

in two places.

TURNER:
How did you react
to this, sir?

CAPTAIN:
I held office
hours, sir.

Busted Corporal Fogle one
pay grade to lance corporal

elected not to impose
one on Corporal Mars

but I did relieve him of his
duties as Fire Team leader.

Why did you handle
Corporal Mars differently?

His job required
a high level

of responsibility
and good judgment, sir.

TURNER:
Was Corporal
Mars unhappy

about your actions?

CAPTAIN:
Extremely.

TURNER:
And when did he go U.A.?

Four days later, sir.

No more questions.

Captain, did Corporal Mars

characterize his actions
as self-defense?

Yes, sir. He said Corporal Fogle

had threatened him
with physical harm.

Is that what you meant
by "benign ribbing"?

No, sir, but
by that time

tension between those
two had escalated.

That's why I refused
to pick sides

and I chose to punish them both.

Did it not occur
to you, Captain

that given the tensions
in the Middle East

anti-Semitic commentary of
any weight was inappropriate?

Yes, sir, but

I also knew that Corporal Mars

was a recent convert to Judaism.

Because he wasn't used to being
treated that way

I felt he could have

been overreacting.

Well, according
to that explanation

then Corporal Mars is at fault
for being offended.

Corporal Mars was at fault for
breaking a Marine's nose, sir.

( knocking )

Enter.

As requested, sir.

Oh.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Been to the hospital today?

Every day, sir.

Well, uh...

Bud's doing remarkably well.

Yes, he is, sir.

It's almost unreal.

Oh, it's very real, sir.

Of course.

I'm sorry, sir, I'm just
trying not to judge it.

I understand.

I'm a little backed up
out there, sir

so if that's all...?

Do you resent me, Lieutenant?

I'm sorry, sir?

I was instrumental
in getting Bud his assignment.

Do you hold me responsible?

Yes, sir.

You are responsible for enabling
Bud to grow into the kind of man

who can overcome adversity.

I think if Bud
were given the choice

whether to get his leg back

or never having had you
in his life

he wouldn't blink before
choosing your leadership, sir.

I really am swamped
out there, sir.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

SINGER:
Corporal Ligget, how well

did you know Corporal Mars?

We talked, ma'am.

Did he ever talk
about his mother?

Objection. Relevance.

Goes to state of mind,
Your Honor.

Overruled.
Answer the question, Corporal.

The corporal said his mother
had a bad reaction

when he told her he had
converted to Judaism.

Objection. Hearsay.

JUDGE:
I want to hear

this testimony,
counselor.

Same ruling.

What kind of reaction?

She told him he'd burn in hell
and then spit at him.

SINGER:
How'd Corporal Mars
feel about this?

That's why he cut off
contact with her.

Pretty much why he
joined the Marine Corps.

Could you be more specific?

What he told me, ma'am

is that he was
looking to travel.

Wanted to be as far away
from his mother as possible.

Your witness.

Corporal Ligget,
wasn't Corporal Mars also upset

about being harassed
by Corporal Fogle?

He was, ma'am.

Did you ever witness
this harassment?

A couple of
times, ma'am.

Did you approve of his behavior
towards Corporal Mars?

No, ma'am.

No more questions.

SINGER:
Redirect, Your Honor?

Corporal Ligget,
did Corporal Mars

receive a letter from his mother

the day before
he deserted?

Yes, ma'am.

I ran into
him on deck.

He had it with him.

Had he opened it?

No, ma'am.

What did he do with it?

He threw it
over the fantail, ma'am.

RABB:
Punitive discharge.

Four years confinement.

Four years?

If it were solely
up to Lieutenant Singer

you'd be facing brig time
for the rest of your life.

Yeah, and we were able
to move her off the mark

mainly because her lead counsel
doesn't see any point

in dragging this thing on.

I don't understand, sir.

You'd think, as a Jew,
she'd be able to relate.

Yeah, well, you'd think as
a human she'd be able to relate.

You should take
the deal, Corporal.

It's a good one, considering
they have control of this trial.

But you haven't
even presented my
defense yet, ma'am.

We're limited in what
we can do now, Corporal.

They've impeached
our duress strategy

by suggesting you left
because you'd been punished

and were running away
from your mother.

If we don't settle now,
you're facing more prison time.

And if we succeed, I can
walk away with none.

We don't have a case, Corporal.

I'm asking you to find one, sir.

Lo mein.

This must be yours.

What'd you get?

Buddha's Delight.

Mac, I'm stumped.

I don't know how we defend
Corporal Mars at this point.

Duress suffered as a result
of religious persecution

we can argue.

Without it, we're...
we're left with character.

Which is a tough angle
considering he deserted.

This is anything
but delightful.

You like noodles?

You don't mind sharing?

Dig in.

What if we...
what if we portray him

as a man so eager
to fight a common enemy...

That's he's willing
to break the rules.

Not bad.

It's not enough.

Not nearly.

We need both strategies.

If we can't establish
a compelling reason

for him leaving
the Marine Corps
in the first place

he just looks irresponsible.

Character
has to serve motive.

We need to start
by building a client

with whom the members
can relate.

And who can engage
their respect.

Yeah, but at the same time

they need to consider
their own vulnerabilities.

As long as they're not
rejecting them as foibles.

The only way this thing
has a chance...

Is to have Corporal Mars
take the stand.

Yeah.

You need to stop
finishing my sentences.

Stop starting mine.

Hi, sweetheart.

Hey, sweetie.

This is from everybody
at the office.

Wow.

You want a piece?

Yeah.

Those pears look great.

Right after rehab,
Lieutenant.

Are you taking him down?

Mm-hmm.

Today he
gets mobile.

Yeah, crutch work.

Um...
Can we do this later, ma'am?

This is your
appointment time.

Well, I know,
but my wife's here now.

Well, she can wait
in the cafeteria.

Only be about an hour.

Uh, let's do it later.

Lieutenant, you
haven't stood yet.

But I'd like to be with my wife.

It's okay, honey.

Go, I can wait.

I don't want you to wait.

It's not a problem.

I'll help you
off the bed.

I'm not interested
in doing this now.

Really, Commander.

I'll see if I
can reschedule.

Could you pass me
a pear, please?

MacKENZIE:
How long did Corporal Mars

serve under your command
in Israel?

Three months.

And what was
his specialty?

He operated cutting-edge
electronic imaging equipment.

What was its purpose?

Basically to identify
sources of threat.

In combat?

Always.

Which made him a visible
target for rock throwers

snipers... gasoline bombs.

Was he effective?

I never saw him waver

in the execution of his duties.

So he was brave.

Very much so, yeah.

Skillful?

I would say
his expertise

was responsible
for saving many lives

on both sides
of the conflict.

In what way?

Well, in identifying
hidden hostiles

he was saving
Israeli combat soldiers

from exposing themselves.

By the same token,
he was making it unnecessary

for the same soldiers

to use massive fire power
against buildings.

Thus limiting
civilian casualties.

Was he trustworthy?

Oh, yeah.

You were impressed by him.

Especially in
the spiritual sense.

You see, the
corporal's interest
was to defend

the Jewish state,
not harm Palestinians.

Some of my men were
over-stressed and angry

and frankly, not always willing

to make the same
distinction he did.

Am I that transparent?

First two dates,
you spot the problem,
nail the solution.

Maybe shrinks and priests
should teach Shakespeare.

Well, if I'm so insightful,
why did it take so long

for the second date?

Had to defend a terrorist
in Afghanistan.

I would've come.

We could've had
kabobs in Kabul.

( laughs )

And by the way,
your only transparency

is your inability
to give yourself credit.

You knew the solutions

you just needed some
feedback to confirm them.

You're remarkable.

No.

I just think I get you.

Yeah, well, it's pretty
damn intimidating.

Oh, you'd rather
be an enigma?

Yeah, maybe.
In a romantic way.

Say Rick in Casablanca.

A.J., it's a clear evening.

You don't own the place and
the Nazis have been defeated.

Yeah, but there is a
piano player over there.

Well, who could ignore
that opportunity.

Have you ever been
serenaded, Admiral?

You sing?

Whenever possible.

Ladies and gentlemen

we have a guest vocalist
tonight.

May I introduce the song
stylings of...

Oh... Meredith Cavanaugh.

( applause )

( piano plays
"As Time Goes By" )

♪ You must remember this ♪

♪ A kiss is still a kiss ♪

( flat ):
♪ A sigh is still a sigh ♪

♪ The fundamental things apply
as time goes by ♪

♪ And when two lovers woo ♪

♪ They still say "I love you" ♪

♪ On that you can rely... ♪

Corporal, when did you
convert to Judaism?

Three years ago, sir.

Why?

I didn't have much religious
guidance growing up, sir.

My father died when I was young
and my mother preached the Bible

but didn't practice it.

After high school, I
ran into an old friend

and he invited me over
to a Passover seder.

And the story resonated
with me, sir.

The nature of exile,
the need for a homeland.

I found myself relating
to the value system, sir

to the tight-knit
community.

Are these some
of the same reasons

you joined the Marine Corps,
Corporal?

They were, sir.

What made you decide to leave?

'Cause it turned out not to be
the case in my platoon, sir.

Were you being harassed?

By Corporal Fogle, sir.

When I told him
I'd converted, he
took it personally.

At first he was content
calling me "New-Jew."

That soon escalated
to the nickname "Judas."

Finally I started getting
wake-up calls

like "Kike-a-doodle-doo."

Were you satisfied
with Captain McVicker's response

to your complaints, Corporal?

I knew there was only
so much he could do, sir

so after a while I just
decided to suck it up.

What changed your mind?

Corporal Fogle himself, sir.

He asked me
if I'd been circumcised.

What did you tell him?

I told him it was
none of his business, sir.

Did he back off?

No, sir.

He assumed I wasn't.

That's when he produced a knife
and informed me

he would be willing
to help me with my problem.

What happened next, Corporal?

I disarmed him and I slammed
his face into the bulkhead, sir.

What did you tell
Captain McVicker

when he confronted you
about this incident?

That I joined
the military

to fight Jew-hating extremists,
but not in my own platoon.

Thank you, Corporal.

No further questions.

Corporal

did you break your oath
to the Marines?

I admit that, sir.

Because of the way
you were treated?

Yes, sir.

And I assume you can relate

to the African-American
and Asian marines

who encounter similar
circumstances.

I can, sir.

What would you say
to an African-American marine

who deserts to fight
for a democratic Nigeria?

Or a Korean-American

who feels obligated
to defend the 38th parallel?

If the situation
is warranted, sir.

Do you know of any such cases,
Corporal?

I don't, sir.

Neither do I, Corporal.

( bell dings )

Ma'am.

If I may, I'm
Commander Harmon Rabb

I'm your son's attorney.

Am I that obvious?

Well, to your son you are.

I saw him looking at you
in the courtroom.

If I could only get him
to talk to me.

Ma'am, I just wanted to say
I know why you're here.

I think it's the right thing.

I wanted to encourage you
not to give up.

Commander...

Would you at least ask him

how he can find it in his heart
to forgive Leslie and not me?

MacKENZIE:
When was the last time
you spoke to your fiance?

Excuse me, Ma'am?

Leslie Rosenbaum
said it was May 27.

How would you even
know about Leslie, sir?

I know I didn't tell you.

Your mother did.
She has her number.

I met Leslie after I stopped
talking to my mother, sir.

Before I shipped out.

She'd been in contact
with your friends

who put them in touch.

Apparently they've
had conversations.

What does she think
she's doing?

Addressing her regrets,
reaching out, Corporal.

Corporal, did you speak
to Leslie Rosenbaum

on March 27?

I did, Ma'am.

Was she calling to break
off the engagement?

Yes, sir.

Is that the real reason
why you deserted?

RABB:
How long have you been engaged,
Corporal?

Eight months, sir.

Must have been upsetting

Leslie breaking it off
while you were at sea.

I was upset about a lot
of things, ma'am.

Is that the news
that put you over the edge?

It may have contributed, ma'am.

Why didn't you tell us
about it, Corporal?

I didn't want Leslie
to be dragged into it, sir.

Did it ever occur to you
that she might want

to participate of
her own free will?

You mean testify?

She wants to take the stand,
Corporal.

But wouldn't that prove
that I left for reasons
other than anti-Semitism?

Well, it's a long shot,
but we actually think

it may help
to prove our case.

It wasn't my decision.

You mean you wanted
to marry him?

From the day I met him.

But my parents had an issue
with Peter's conversion.

When they first
brought it up,
I ignored them

thought they'd
get over it.

But they continued
to pressure you?

Yes.

What made you
finally give in?

I don't know.

Weakness, I guess.

In the end I was afraid
to stand up to them.

MACKENZIE:
What was it about Corporal Mar''
conversion that bothered them?

We're Orthodox.

Peter converted
to Reformed Judaism.

It's a lot less rigid.

Could he have converted
to Orthodox Judaism?

We talked about
it, but it would
have complicated

his life in
the Marine Corps.

In what way?

He would have had to keep kosher
and not work on Shabat

that kind of thing.

Peter didn't think they
could accommodate him.

So he resisted?

Yes.

And you let him go.

Not easily.

I called him
to say good-bye

and I couldn't keep myself
from talking about stuff.

Anything to keep him
on the line

and all he could say was,
"I understand. I understand."

And then, finally,
there was nothing I
could do but hang up.

So I'll see you
Saturday.

And Sunday
if you like.

Yeah, I like.

Something I can help you
with, Commander?

Well... I'd-I'd heard you
were seeing someone, sir.

I assumed that she's...

Walk with me.

Name's Meredith Cavanaugh.

She's a Shakespearean scholar.

Nice.

She's the brightest
and by far the most
perceptive woman

I've ever dated.

Wow.

There's very little
that doesn't interest her

and damn near nothing
she won't try.

She's fearless.

Unfortunately, that's
the problem.

You've lost me, sir.

Her capacity for
expanding herself

it's, well, it's
becoming an issue.

How's that?

Um...

here, have a cookie.

Meredith brought
them to me.

They're homemade.

Thank you, sir.

Dreadful, aren't they?

See, with the exception

of her uncanny
instincts about me

and, of course, her considerable
knowledge of her field

she's remarkably unskilled,
but she doesn't know it.

I'm falling for a woman
that has no sense

of her own limitations.

Well, is that a problem
you can overcome in time, sir?

( sighs )

Well, I'm working on it.

I'm sure you'll be successful,
Admiral

knowing you as I do.

I'd also like to say, sir,
frankly, I'm flattered

you feel you can share
your personal life with me.

Oh, I only mention it
because you're involved.

How, sir?

I was talking to Meredith
about the staff

and mentioned that
you're an aviator

and that you owned
your own plane.

Yes, sir?

She wanted me to ask you
if you'd be interested

in teaching her how to fly.

( groaning ):
Oh, God!

Bud!

( groaning )
Oh, God!

STURGIS:
What is the ultimate moment
of truth?

I believe it is the intersection
of what you want for yourself

and what is expected of you.

For Corporal Peter Mars,
that moment occurred

when he chose
to abandon his platoon

because he was unhappy.

Were other Marines
aboard that ship

faced with personal
challenges? Yes.

Private Keith Bonnard learned
that his 18-month-old son

was diagnosed with autism.

Sergeant Andrew Lesculie lost
his home in a forest fire

but only Corporal Mars chose
to jump ship

and further insult his country
by joining the armed forces

of another nation.

(sighs)
And that makes him
guilty of desertion

under Article 85-A2

of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice.

Corporal Mars did not leave
the Marine Corps

with the intention
to avoid hazardous duty

or to shirk important service.

He left because he was
victimized

by anti-Semitic sentiment

and he felt
he could no longer contribute.

Am I saying that one bigoted man
is responsible

for the corporal's departure?
No.

The corporal faced
a chorus of religious prejudice

from his own mother

to the Jewish parents
of his fiancee.

Did the corporal join
the Israeli Defense Forces

because he liked them
better than the Marine Corps?

He did not.

He joined because as a Jew

he felt unable
to serve in our Corps.

( groaning )

( panting )

Harriet, I don't know why
you just didn't call the nurse.

'Cause at home
there won't be a nurse.

I can't believe
that I forgot that
I was an amputee.

I wanted some more pears
so I just jumped off the bed

like I had two legs.

You did... for 30 years.

This is the first time
we're talking about this.

Why is that?

I thought you needed
time to adjust.

Is that why

you wouldn't go to rehab
when I was here?

I didn't want you to have
to look at my leg

before you were ready.

The only thing I would have
trouble looking at

is your casket.

Why didn't you say anything?

Before you arrived,

I talked to this amputee
and he said

that I should support
you in your process

whatever it is

and I just thought that
you were in denial.

It's kind of hard to forget
that you lost a limb.

Why did they wrap
it like that?

To, uh, mold it

so that it fits
into a prosthesis.

Does it hurt?

Phantom pain?

A lot.

Are you frightened?

No. Worried.

About?

Everything.

I'm worried if I'll ever
feel normal again.

Worried if I can provide
for us.

Worried about military career

if it's going to end.

You've got to be thinking
about these things also.

I'm thinking
we'll find a way.

Where's your medal,
Lieutenant?

It's in the drawer.

You should wear this.

Okay, hold on.

( groaning )

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

We're okay.

Yeah.

We're okay.

On the charge and specification
of desertion

this court-martial finds you
guilty.

Corporal Peter Mars,
United States Marine Corps.

This court-martial sentences you
to a dishonorable discharge

and to confinement at hard labor
for one year.

JUDGE:
Thank you for your service.

This court is adjourned.

( gavel bangs )

Sir, ma'am

thank you.

I think I can handle a year.

Give you a chance
to think things through.

Think what through, sir?

Whether or not
to go back to Israel.

There's never been
a question of that, sir.

That's why
he said it.

You didn't just run
from the Marine Corps, Corporal.

You ran from
your mother, your fiancee.

They rejected me, sir.
You even said as much.

That was then.

They've worked hard
on themselves, Corporal.

Hard enough to change
their attitudes.

What are you going
to do?

Commander, Lieutenant.

The Members gave him
a light sentence, sir.

Well, maybe...
maybe they empathized.

That's where I'm having
my problem, sir.

With the Members
or with the concept
of empathy?

The Members, sir.

Their decision was irresponsible
and depressing.

Well, let me brighten your day.

Your new orders.

I'm going
to the Seahawk, sir?

You're their new JAG.

I instructed the detailers
to slate you

as Lieutenant Robert's
replacement.

Guess you were destined
for the position after all.

Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.

Commander.

TURNER:
Sir.

Good for you, Lieutenant.
Consider it a mitzvah.

You don't know
what that means, do you?

Should I, sir?

I do, and I'm not Jewish.

As I told you, sir...

Excuse me,
Lieutenant

but I had some trouble
accepting what you told me

so I checked
your service record.

You listed your religion
as Methodist.

That would be accurate, sir.

But I don't practice
that, either.

So the only part
of our conversation

that was untrue
is that I'm Jewish.

Then why did you announce
that you were?

It was a tactic, sir.

Commander Rabb was pressing
and it was the only way
to shut him down.

That seems rather
desperate

considering we were
already in the driver's seat.

I was also upset
with Corporal Mars.

I thought what he did
was rather selfish
and immature.

So it was for
his benefit, too.

Good luck on your reassignment,
Lieutenant.

Thank you, sir.

Saves me from having to request
we never be partnered again.

Commander...

you're not going to reveal this
to anyone, are you?

I'm considering it.

Is there anything I can do
to influence you

to keep it under your hat, sir?

If it were anyone else
but you, Lieutenant

I'd suggest that you pray.