JAG (1995–2005): Season 9, Episode 6 - Back in the Saddle - full transcript

IMES:
I am sure that many of you

are familiar with the story
of the nail missing

from the shoe
of the King's horse

as he rode into battle.

Now, the moral

of that story is
that a small thing, neglected,

can lead to a large consequence.

A kingdom can be lost.

While you're considering the
fate of Petty Officer Lawson,

I ask you to please

keep that in mind.



Now, he is accused
of what may seem

to be a small offense:
he failed to maintain

the starboard gun mount
properly.

But that neglect
led to the injury

of three of
his fellow sailors.

And it is for that reason
that I am asking

for the maximum penalty possible
under the law.

(doors open)

Good Morning, Your Honor.

Uh, one moment, Counsel.

Lieutenant, state
your business--

and you better
have a good reason

for interrupting
this court-martial.

Orders, sir,
from Admiral Chegwidden.



Can't it wait?

Sorry, sir.

Commander,

I've been directed
to apprehend you.

Excuse me?

Is this some kind of joke?
No joke, ma'am.

We've been ordered to
take you into custody
until such a time

as formal charges can be
brought against you

for conduct unbecoming and
fraudulent appointment.

Please accompany us, ma'am.

Do as they say,

Commander.

JUDGE:
I'd like to see
defense counsel

in my chambers
immediately.

Yes, Your Honor.

Members are excused,

and this court's in recess
until my call.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Commander Imes
was placed under arrest

at 1100 hours this morning
on my orders.

On what grounds, sir?

Well... she was in line

for a new security clearance.

Background check found
that she was not a member

of the Michigan bar
as she claimed.

In fact, she was not

and is not a member of any bar.

Did she graduate
from law school, sir?

She did, after, uh...
taking night courses
for five years.

How was she accepted
into the JAG Corps, sir?

Well, we don't know for sure.

All we do know is that
around the time that she

presented proof that she
belonged to the state bar,

she had her name legally changed
to that of a member

of the Michigan bar
who'd just passed away.

She requested
a duplicate license

and then presented
it as her own.

Admiral, I know
Commander Imes pretty well

from a previous tour at JAG.

She's a good lawyer.

That's why I brought her
back from Europe:

to take over
Commander Rabb's caseload.

Now this.

Instead of lightening our load,
she's added to it.

Sir?

Coates, every case
in which Commander Imes

served as defense counsel

will be reversed.

TURNER:
Well, several of these
are murder cases, Admiral.

Are you suggesting we let

the guilty parties
go free?
I'm telling you

we're going to start over.

We're going to reevaluate
each and every case

and decide if they need
to be retried.

Sir, a quick review
of these cases

indicates that Commander Rabb
served as a prosecutor

in 27 of them.

Your point?

I think it may be useful
to bring him in to help
evaluate those cases.

Considering we're
short-staffed on
senior attorneys,

it may be a way
to expedite matters.

Expedite all you want, Colonel.

I expect a full
accounting by the
end of the week.

Just when you thought
things couldn't get worse.

Ma'am, when was the last time
you saw Commander Rabb?

A couple months ago.

Harm has moved on,

Lieutenant.

He has a new life

flying for the CIA--
better get used to it.

RABB:
I'm fired?

As of today.

I've flown 37 missions
in the last six months.

And you flew them
with distinction,

especially that
high-profile landing

of a C-130 on a
carrier deck at night.

I had no choice!

The point is your
face was on every
television program

in the known universe.

TV cost you your job.

This doesn't strike you
as a tad ungrateful?

Rabb...

CIA operations
are supposed to
operate in secrecy.

Was this your idea?

I'm the one telling you.

This has Webb
written all over it.

So, I guess using you

as a reference
is out of the question, huh?

Anybody calls,
they get the standard response.

I never worked
for the company;

you never heard of me.

You knew that when
you signed up,

or you should have.

Well, my life
is a constant surprise...

especially to me.

What about Beth O'Neil?

Well, Beth was
smart enough

to be camera-shy.

She still has her job.

You, you...

you can fly for the
Department of Defense.

I'm done with government work.

Well... get your out-
briefing and turn in

your I.D. at Personnel.

Rabb?

If you ever
want to talk

about Air America
in the, uh, good old days,

I'll buy you a beer.

Well, you're going
to have to buy.

You're the only one
still collecting a paycheck.

(knocking)
Enter.

Oh, Commander, you'll,
uh, you'll prosecute.

Colonel, you'll defend.

That'll be all.

Sir, it-it would help

if we had a little
more information.

(laughs quietly)

Colonel,

Commander Imes,

you'll find her restricted
to quarters at Anacostia.

You want to court-martial
the Commander?

No.

I want to throw her
a damn party.

Dismissed!

BOTH:
Aye, aye, sir.

I'm going to ask Bud
to be my cocounsel.

Ah, better you than me.

Almost starting
to miss Harm.

(chuckles):
Why is that?

Because he used to
take most of the heat.

Now that he's gone,
we're in the line of fire.

Just a few
simple questions.

Why?
I didn't think
it would matter.

You were practicing
law without a license.

No, that's a technicality.

So you did at least
earn a law degree.

Yes. Thomas M. Cooley
Law School, class of '87.

That was before you
joined the Navy?

Yes. I was working
as a paralegal

40 hours a week,
going to law school

nights and weekends.

Do you have any idea
how hard that is?

I think maybe I do.

I came from nothing, Mac.

My father deserted us
when I was six.

We lived on welfare
and food stamps.

I did everything
on my own.

Including changing
your name in order to
obtain a bar certificate.

I regret that,
but I was desperate.

Now, you have no idea

what that's like.
I grew up poor.

My mother deserted
the family; my
father was a drunk.

I went to law school
while serving on active
duty in the Marine Corps,

and I made my share
of early mistakes,
so don't tell me

I don't know what it's
like to be desperate.

I'm sorry.

Did you ever
take the bar?

Yes.

Once.

And I missed the cut
by one point.

So why not take
it a second time?

A friend told me
that there were openings
available in JAG,

openings that might not
occur again for some time.

None of that excuses
what you did.

No, it doesn't.

But I have played it
straight ever since.

You were lying every
time you stepped foot
in that courtroom.

You're wrong.
Article 27B

of the UCMJ states
I needed to be

either a graduate
of law school,

or a member of the
state bar, not both.

And I had my diploma.

But the 1991 JAG
regulations clarify

that bar membership
is mandatory.

And I was accepted in '88.

Y-You knew you
were violating

the spirit of the code.

I took it at face value.

Do you really believe
that in your heart?

Yes.

Look, Mac, I have 14 years

of outstanding service.

So what do you want?

A chance to start over again
in civilian life

without a Federal conviction
hanging over my head.

That's a long shot.

You're running the
risk of brig time.

I'm willing to take
that chance.

(knocking)

I took a chance
you'd be here.

Well, where else
would I be?

Out of town. I've
left 17 messages

in the last five months.

Yeah, well, I guess
I have been gone a lot.

Look, I know
you're mad at me.

I'm not mad at anybody.

So, uh, what,

you just decided
to move on,

leave the rest
of us behind?

Just trying to get on
with my life, you know?

I-I know you're upset.

You don't know anything
about what I'm feeling.

Well, I would know what you were
feeling if you would talk to me.

Hey, I thought
we'd done our talking.

You made that pretty clear.

(thunder rumbling in distance)

I need your help.

Do you remember
Commander Imes?

Beat her six times running.

Not that you were keeping score.

Well, I have bad news.

All those convictions
are being overturned.

Why?

She isn't a lawyer.

(chuckles):
I could've told you that.

I'm kidding.

She never passed
the Michigan bar.

Really.

So they're reviewing
all her cases?

Yep.

Harmon Rabb's greatest hits.

Will you help me,
or do you have

some secret
mission to fly?

Webb didn't tell you?

We don't spend a lot of time
talking about you.

Gee. That's a surprise.

He canned me.

What?

I just saw you all over the TV.

Oh.

He really fired you?

Yeah, ask him about it

next time you two are together.

Give you an opportunity
for a little pillow talk.

(sighs)

You ever miss it?

What, being a lawyer?

Everything.

Things change, Mac.

(knocking)

Oh, you have a lot of company
for a recluse.

You busy?

Uh... a little.

Uh, that's okay, Ms. Gale.

I was just leaving.

Uh, read through the files
and call me.

I need your input quickly.

Good night.
Good night.

(thunder rumbling)

You're pregnant.

That's why I'm here.

Uh, so... how far
along are you?

Five months.

It was before we met.

By the way, does, uh,

Colonel Mackenzie know
about our marriage?

Oh, uh, I don't know.

I might have
mentioned it to her.

That's why I got the look.

What look?

The "get away from my man" look.

Oh... that look.

So, are congratulations
in order?

Always, when a baby's concerned.

And the father...?

Doesn't know.

Your mother?

Doesn't have
a need to know.

Wow.

CIA agents are cold.

How is your mom?

Doing well.

She's at the long-term
care center at Kresge.

She still think that,
uh, you and I...?

I haven't found a way

to tell her
that our wedding was fake.

Listen, I want
your advice.

Are there times when you wonder

if life is ever
going to be the same?

The same as what?

As before.

If you're looking
for bad advice,

you've come to the right place.

♪ You're gonna miss me,
little baby ♪

♪ The day that I'm gone ♪

♪ You're gonna miss me,
little darling ♪

♪ The day that I'm gone ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm leaving
in the morning ♪

♪ Won't be back ♪

♪ At all ♪

♪ You have run me ragged, baby ♪

♪ It's your own fault
you're on your own ♪

♪ You have run me ragged,
darling ♪

♪ It's your own fault
you're on your own ♪

♪ You didn't want me
no way, baby ♪

♪ Till your other man
was gone... ♪

(song fading away)

We got to get this back
in the air this afternoon.

Hey.

Hey yourself.

Pops Grahowsky around?

How long since
you been here?

Well, too long

by the looks
of things.

Grahowsky sold out.

It's Grace Aviation's
hangar now.

I'm Matilda Grace.

Friends call me Mattie.

Hey.

We got your message,

and we pulled her up.

Thanks.

She's a beauty.

Are you here to take her up?

Time I changed
the plugs.

Want a hand?

You know how
to change plugs?

My dad taught me

how to change out plugs
when I was six.

Why would he do that?

I couldn't take no
for an answer.

And... he needed the help.

What do they
call you?

Well, my friends call me Harm.

Well, Harm,

we got one thing in common--

we both got goofy names.

(chuckles)

(knocking at door)

So what are you offering?

We're going to take
our chance at court-martial.

Are you crazy?

Apparently.

I expect that from Rabb.

But not from you, Colonel.

Really?

And what would you expect of me?

You generally take

a conservative position,
a safe position.

What else?

My faults?

As long as you're listing them.

You're, uh, sanctimonious.

And a bit of a prig.

Where did that come from?

It's been building for a while.

Now, I'm sure you'll excuse me.

RABB:
How old are you, anyway?

Old enough to know
not to answer that question.

Three-quarter,
open end.

Want a job crop-dusting?

Oh, I look that
desperate to you?

No, I figure you know
how to fly a Stearman

and we're a pilot short.

One of our regular guys
had a wire strike

two days ago.

Is he okay?

Well, let's just say
it didn't do him any good.

What's it pay?

$300 a day.

Going to need to talk

to your dad,
then, I guess.

He's, uh,

dusting the back 40
on the Pearson Ranch,

but you can
talk to me,

I handle all the hiring

and the paperwork
since my mom...

What happened?

It's precisely
none of your business.

Besides, I...

I don't know you
well enough

for you to see me cry.

You know, I may know
exactly how you feel.

You lose
someone, too?

Yeah, I, uh...

I lost my dad.

When I was five.

He was a pilot.

Did you ever get over it?

No.

That's comforting.

Well, I figured

you could handle the truth.

Sometimes.

Sometimes I have
a hard time sleeping at night.

Dreaming about her?

Yeah.

And when
I wake up in the morning,

it's like she dies
all over again.

(sniffles)

Now see what you've done.

Hey...

No, don't.

That just...
makes it worse.

Sorry, I'm... not much
of a hand with kids.

MacKENZIE:
Lieutenant, do you think
I always take the narrow view?

No, ma'am.

Do you find me
sanctimonious?

No, ma'am.

Priggish?

No, ma'am.

Good.

Would you tell me if you did?

No, ma'am.

(sighs)

Have you talked

to the Commander, ma'am?

I left him

copies of the cases.

He promised to get back to me.

How's he doing?

He doesn't call you, either?

Once, to congratulate
Harriet and me on the new baby.

Do you think
he'll ever come back?

That means you think
the Admiral would ask him back.

Well, not as things stand.

But... maybe, if you talked

to the Admiral.

For the past few months,

the Admiral and I are having
a failure to communicate.

Oh.

We're communicating

excellently.

He yells at me,
and I say I'm sorry.

Kind of like married life.

Wouldn't know.

RABB:
So, does Grace Aviation
have a health plan?

(Mattie laughs)

Most guys don't last
long enough to qualify.

So you can start tomorrow.

Show up by 11:00; I'll
give you your orders.

You'll be here, right?

Yeah, I'll be here.

Bring a lunch.

(knocking)

Commander.
Hi.

I, uh, thought I'd stop by,
see how you were doing.

Well, I'm still above ground.

I hadn't seen you
for five months,

then I see you on television.

Yeah, well, who didn't?

And now you're working
for the Company?

Well, uh, not anymore.

I got canned.

Oh, that's
unfortunate.

And now?

Well, now I'm working
for a 14-year-old dusting crops.

(chuckles)

You do lead
a varied life.

Well, if you mean
I can't hold down a job...

What I mean is,
it's too bad

you're not in love
with my daughter.

You didn't really marry her,
did you?

How long have you known?

I suspected it

that night,
but I wanted to give Catherine

the pleasure of pleasing me,

and I didn't expect
to live long enough

to let her know I was on to her.

Darling.

What are you doing here?

Oh, put a cork in it, Catherine.

And you can take
that coat off.

It's not hiding anything.

You didn't
have anything

to do with that, did you?

I'm told no.

I'm sure you'd remember
if you did.

Well, if I'm going
to be a grandmother,

maybe you can tell me
the name of the father?

I-I think I'm going to be sick.

(exhales)

You look like you have a lot
on your mind, Commander.

Oh, have you

ever had your life
turned upside down?

You ever had your heart
stop beating?

Touché.

Tell me,

why did you come by?

I enjoyed being part of
your family, I guess, and...

even for that brief moment.

That's sad and touching
at the same time.

This is all

so refreshing.

haven't felt this alive
in years.

Mock weddings, the prospects
of bastards in the family,

reckless aviators...

Is it exciting
dusting crops?

I'll know tomorrow.

You do know what you're doing?

I hope so.

You, uh, didn't know?

No.

Yeah, well, taking your
office wasn't my idea.

Doesn't matter
to me, Sturgis.

Mac and Bud are
in the conference room.

Thanks.

Want to get a beer?

I'll call.

Nice to see you, sir.

Well, it's nice to
see you, Jennifer.

The admiral is in--
I'll let him know
you're here.

That won't be necessary.
I believe it is, sir.

You two really need
to talk to each other.

I have nothing to
say to the admiral.

(sighs)

(whispers):
Damn.

(sighs)

Commander Rabb!
Hey, Bud.

Here, it's for the baby.

Thank you.

It's good
to see you, sir.

Thanks. You, too.

All right, let's
get down to it, huh?

You saw the Admiral?

Oh, yeah, I saw him.

He ran the other way.

He's just embarrassed.

End of discussion.
Yeah, but he...

Mac, look, I don't work here.

I have precious little time.

I said I'd do you a favor.

Let's get on with it.

All right, before we
go over the cases,

I want you to know
I'm calling you as a witness

for the defense
on Commander Imes' case.

Oh, come on. I don't
have time for this...

Then I'll subpoena you.

You know her, and you can
testify to her competence.

(knocking on door)

CHEGWIDDEN:
Enter.

What can I do for you,
Petty Officer?

I wanted to
explain my actions.
No. Let me

explain them for you.

You are meddling in affairs
that are none of your business.

All I wanted was...

No. Petty Officer, I-I'm not
interested in what you want.

I'm interested in what I need,

and what I need is
an administrative assistant

who does her job
and that job only.

Understood?

Sir, I'm still defining
the parameters of my duties.

With your input,

of course, being paramount.

Petty Officer,
did... did you just handle me?

Of course not, sir.

You're not, by chance,

going to law school
at night, are you?

No, sir. Why do you ask?

(sighs)

You're starting to parse
the truth like a lawyer.

No, sir. I am, however,

starting to look
deeper into the truth,

like a psychologist.

The Human Mind 101.

It's a course
I'm taking on-line.

(quietly):
Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Is he in?
Yes, ma'am.

Ma'am, what does,
"parse the truth
like a lawyer" mean?

It means that you
massage the truth
to get what you want.

Has he ever accused
you of that?
All the time.

I like to think he means
it as a compliment.
Hm.

CHEGWIDDEN:
Enter.

What can I do
for you, Colonel?

Uh, I, uh, wanted
to update you

on the Imes case, sir.
Go ahead.

First, I wanted to tell you
that Commander Rabb has

been a great help.
Glad to hear it.

While reviewing
his cases,

I was just reminded
what a fine lawyer he...
Colonel.

That is so pathetic

and transparent.
No, no, I was...

Commander is done here,

so don't come in here

and start singing
his praises.

They fall on deaf ears.

That'll be all.

Yes, sir.

(sighs)

(MacKenzie sighs)

When someone is that angry,

you know they're hurting inside.

Petty Officer?

Sir, I am so sorry.

(sighs)

I can't do anything right,
ma'am.

None of us can.

MATTIE:
Hurry up.

This should've
been loaded by now.

You'll be spraying DEF on
200 acres of mature cotton.

What is DEF,
and why would I spray it

on a mature crop?

DEF is a defoliant--
it tricks the cotton

into dropping its leaves.

Makes it easier for the
mechanical harvesters.

Got it.

The application is
five gallons per acre.

We'll take care of the mix.

Spray nozzles are set at
the correct pressure.

Anything else?

I suggest you walk
the field first

to check for power lines
or any other obstacles.

And also make sure
you watch your

wind speed and direction.
You want to avoid

any off-target drifts,
so stay low.

Hey, hey, hey. Frank.

How low is low?

Optimum,
eight feet above the deck.

MacKENZIE:
Commander Imes, can you
tell the court what kind

of fitness reports
you received?

Generally
outstanding, Colonel.

Is this one of those reports?

Yes.

Who's the reporting senior?

Admiral Chegwidden.

And what does it say?

That I received the highest
fitness marks across the board.

So, you have an exemplary
record, Commander Imes.

One free of blemish

for the last 14 years.

Your Honor, does counsel have
a question for the witness?

Colonel?
Commander Imes,

at any time, did you mean
to bring disgrace

upon the United States Navy?

I did not.

Are you sorry

for what you did?
I am.

Would you do it again?

No. Absolutely not.

And I would like to apologize
to this court

and the navy for my actions.

Thank you.

No further questions.

Commander Imes,
did you pass the Michigan bar?

No.

Do you recognize this?

It's a letter stating that I am
a member of the Michigan bar.

There's an explanation.

Please wait for the question.

Did you legally
change your name

in order to obtain
a certificate

stating you were a member
of the bar?

Yes.

And you did that
in order

to be accepted
into the JAG Corps?

I believed I was qualified
for the appointment.

It was a youthful indiscretion
committed

in civilian life.

I'm not interested in your
justifications, Commander.

I followed the
appropriate procedures

in applying to JAG.

And what might those be?

According to Article 27-B,

I did not need to be
a member of the bar,

to be qualified to try

court-martials as
a judge advocate.

That was the law then.

But not
its implementing regulation,

and it hasn't been for 12 years.

You were appointed and remained
a JAG by fraudulent means.

I dispute that.

The facts speak for themselves,
Commander.

♪ ♪

Whoa.

TURNER:
Commander,
in the course of 14 years,

how many times did you

misrepresent your status
as a lawyer?

I can't come up with a number.

Let me help you.

Every time you went
into a courtroom, you lied.

Every time you filed
a document, you lied.

Your Honor...

I'll allow it.

So I make it hundreds,
perhaps thousands

of times, and in all
of those times, did it

ever once occur to you...?
ROBERTS:
Your Honor,

counsel is testifying.

Commander,
do you have a question?

Yes, Your, Honor,
and I was just getting to it.

Then please ask it.

I apologize, Your Honor.

So, what's it like living a lie?

Well, that's not really....

Or disgracing the uniform
that you wear?

ROBERTS:
Your Honor.

Counselor is badgering
and harassing the witness.

Pick one, Lieutenant.

Harassing, sir.

Commander, I agree
with Lieutenant Roberts.

Please move on.

Nothing further,
Your Honor.

You're good.

Real good.

Thanks.

I've been flying
since I was your age.

So how long
have you been driving?

Sheriff knows me,
so it isn't a problem.

Here's your pay.

We do an all-cash
business here,

so it's up to you to report
your income, pay your taxes.

You're not going
to count it?

I'm sure it's all there.

Well, I got work
for you tomorrow.

Good.

See you later, boss.

What's your hurry?

You got a hot date?

RABB:
Let's give it a shot.

"It"?

A relationship.

I'm pregnant.

Nobody's perfect.

What the hell is going
on with your life?

You're a skilled attorney,

but you're crop dusting
for a living.

You're an attractive man,

and the only woman
on the horizon

is pregnant by
somebody else.

Look, we've already walked
down the aisle together.

I'm flattered, really.

But you are way
too high risk.

What are you talking about?

Harm, you're
grasping at straws.

Come on, let's try it.

See what happens.

With a woman you hardly know
and a child who isn't yours?

Or is that what you're
really after, an instant family?

Look, let's make this simple.

When you're sure
of what you want, let me know.

MacKENZIE:
What is your appraisal

of Commander Imes'
legal skills?

Outstanding.

And her character?

Impeccable.

Would you consider her a friend?

I consider her

a respected colleague.

Thank you, Mr. Rabb.

No further questions.

Commander Turner?

Mr. Rabb,

did you take an oath
when you were certified

to try court-martials
under Article 27-B?

I did.

What was that oath?

To faithfully perform the duties
of counsel

in any court-martial

to which I was detailed
as counsel.

So help me God.

So Commander Imes lied
to her God,

as well?
Well, I'm not
really qualified

to answer that question,
Counselor.

Neither are you qualified
to ask it.

Did you take that oath
seriously?

I did.

And did Commander Imes take
a similar oath?

I presume so.

Do you believe
that the violation

of such an oath
is conduct unbecoming?

Well, that's for Judge Morris
to determine, isn't it?

Answer the question, please.

Yes.

So all her fitness reports
are based

on a lie and a fraud.
They count for nothing.

Objection. Argumentative.

Nothing further.

COATES:
Admiral,

talk to him.

Petty Officer,
you're not going to make me

sorry I made you
my yeoman, are you?

I can't promise
you that, sir.

Petty Officer,
you are flirting with in...

Insubordination, sir?

Do you think I'm incapable
of-of finishing a... ?

Sentence?

Sorry, sir.

Bad habit.

I do not want to...

hear what you have to say.
Yes, sir.

Not one word.
No, sir.

I am not interested in you
taking the commander's side.

Or if you think
I should take him back.

I'm not interested in-in
if you think

I'm, uh, being unreasonable
or-or, um...

pigheaded or...

unfair.

No, sir. There's no
need for that.

Because you already know it.

Sorry, sir.

You know, Petty Officer,

people don't like
to be handled.

Yes, sir.

So if you do it,

you damn sure better be right.

(sighs)

As you are this time.

They opened the doors
at both ends of the hangar.

Uncle Dick flew right through.

Upside down?

Damn straight.

Well, your uncle's
a pretty crazy guy.

Well, you
ought to know.

How are you,
Commander?

Well, A.J.,
I'm fine.

And it isn't

Commander anymore, is it?

Force of habit.

How about a drink?

(propeller whirring)

You buying?

Dutch treat.

All right.

What exactly do you do
around here?

Crop dusting.

Enjoy it?

Pays $300 a day.

(chuckles)

Well, uh,
don't you think

this is kind of a
waste of your talents?

No.

I put in my hours,

I don't have to wear a suit
and a tie, and I like my boss.

Harm, is this bald guy
the jerk who fired you?

Well, I...

I didn't, um, I didn't
really fire him.

I, uh, just didn't ask him back.

Yeah. Around here,
that's called fired.

And you are, um...?

Mattie Grace.

I'm his new boss.

She's kidding, right?

No.

Mattie runs the day-to-day
operations

for Grace Aviation.

So now you're, uh,
working for a little girl.

Hmm.

So, see you
tomorrow?

Bright and early.

You got the Earl farm.

It's got a nasty crosswind,
so watch out

for the high tension lines
on the west end.

See you, boss.

Thought it was time
we had a talk.

Thought we'd done
our talking.

So did I.

Turns out there's
more to say.

Well, I can't imagine
what that would be.

Boy, you're damned annoying.

Oh, is that what you drove
100 miles to tell me?

It's part of it.

Well, I am also-- and
here I paraphrase--

not a team player

and controlled
by my emotions.

All that's true.

Look, why are you
here, Admiral?

What, did you come
looking for absolution?

Did you come to gloat?

Or you just want a
ride in an airplane?

Bordering
on insubordination, Rabb.

I'm a civilian now, A.J..

I'm not in your navy.

Right.

All right.

Here it is.

As you know, the, uh,
Imes debacle has forced us

to review over 200 cases,
many of which

you were involved.

And you did some...

fine lawyering.

Now you're a...

crop duster.

I'm good at that, too.

(sighs)

I might consider asking SECNAV
to reinstate your commission

and take you back at JAG
under the right circumstances.

I'm listening.

Harm, it's time
to stop being,

uh, Peter Pan.

The little boy who likes to fly
and never grew up.

You're not going
to have the life you want

until you learn
to take responsibility

for your actions.

Not at work, not with women,

not in any facet of your life.

Let me know what you decide.

You're here, Admiral,
because you need me.

Because I'm

an excellent lawyer.

And because the officer
you chose to replace me

is looking at seven
years hard labor.

That's true.

Come back.

We'll start fresh.

Let me know.

JUDGE MORRIS:
Commander Carolyn Imes,

Judge Advocate General
Corps, United States Navy,

this court-martial finds you
on all charges

and specifications, guilty.

This court
sentences you

to dismissal from
the naval service.

In arriving at this sentence,

I took two principal factors
into consideration.

The offenses
you committed

are serious and
caused a burden

on an already
overburdened JAG Corps.

Two,

you have 14 years
of outstanding service.

So, I consider that
an extenuation and mitigation.

Upon your return
to civilian life,

I suggest you take
the Michigan bar.

I have no doubt you will pass it
with flying colors.

The fact of this court-martial

conviction will make your
admission to the bar difficult,

but not impossible.

You'll need good references.

And I believe
that among your friends

and colleagues at JAG,
you'll find those references.

This court's adjourned.

(bangs gavel)

I'm sorry.

So am I.

But thank you, Mac.

MATTIE:
You're late.

Yeah, well, traffic
was murder.

I didn't even know you
were going to show up.

Oh, come on, a deal's a deal.

So what's up for today, boss?

You're going to quit.

Yeah.

To go back to the navy
with that mean old man?

Yup.

That sucks.

Well, that remains
to be seen.

You know, I-I can
talk to my dad.

He'll give you a raise.

Mattie, it-it isn't
about the money. It's...

Then what?

It's what I am good at.

It's who I am.

How come
I haven't met your dad?

He was driving the car

when he got in the accident
that killed my mom.

He was drunk.

And after he killed her,
he kept right on drinking.

Where is he?

Don't know, don't care.

I don't even use his name.

Grace is my mother's
maiden name.

Well, where do you live?

My mother's old house.

Well, what about
relatives?

There must be someone
you can go to.

They're mostly
all his family.

When they call, I tell them
Dad's passed out on the couch.

What are you doing for money?

I've got Grace Aviation.

Pays the bills.

Well, what happens
when he comes back?

He's not coming back.

Not after what he did.

Besides, I wouldn't let him

in the house.

It's his house.

It's mine.

My mom left me the airplanes
and the house in her will.

What happens when they
find out, Mattie?

I mean, Child Protective
Services, the FAA?

'Cause they will.

You going to tell?

No, I'm not
going to tell.

What I will do, though...

is I'll call you

every day, and I'll come
out here at least once a week,

until I can file a petition
with the court

to become your guardian.

(stammering):
Are you sure about this?

'Cause...
you could back out now,

and I wouldn't hold it
against you.

I'm going to find a neighbor
to check in on you.

And then there's the question
of school.

I know all I need to know.

Oh, I doubt that.

You don't know how
to fly a plane.

♪ ♪

You want to take her?

Yeah.

(yells)