‘JAG’ 30 YEARS LATER: THE MILITARY DRAMA HAS IMPRESSIVE LEGACY

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Putting together something for this 30 year old show on its special anniversary day (this was back on September 23^rd) did not happen. This we know. Nonetheless, given that Donald Bellisario still has dramas with his name attached and that I happen to be almost done with a re-watch of this series from start to finish (seriously, could I have planned to rewatch this on a better year??), well it would seem a spotlight was kismet. Without further ado, let’s talk up the drama JAG 30 years later.

LIST | THE MEN WHO HAVE PLAYED JAMES BOND

‘JAG’ 30 YEARS LATER: THE MILITARY DRAMA HAS IMPRESSIVE LEGACY. Reflecting on the courtroom drama #JAG, 30 years later! #NCIS #TVShow #Drama #DavidJamesElliott #CatherineBell Share on X

This show, believe it or not, is the original show that would inspire everything from Special Agent Gibbs (NCIS) to the now streaming exclusive NCIS: Tony and Ziva, and lots in between. In fact, JAG was home to the “spin off” episode of NCIS which did feature original stars Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly. So, yeah, there is a lot of TV legend with this courtroom drama. JAG follows a group of lawyers who defend and prosecute military cases. The show had David James Elliott in the only role that appears in every episode, while Catherine Bell takes on the co-starring role in season two and remains throughout. Many other characters appear in most of the episodes too, even after the one season on NBC before the show moved to its remainder home on CBS.

The show ran for ten seasons and while it mostly sticks to the case of the week, some messy personal things do take shape, but not everything ends the way fans may like. All this to say, let’s take a look at things I am loving in this re-watch.

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JAG 30 years later

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COMMANDER HARMON RABB, the hero

I am sure many people would disagree with me and find great fault with Harm, but honestly, I think David James Elliott’s hero is fabulous. I have things I’m annoyed with him about, but one I honestly cannot be too mad at him about is the lack of communication he has with the woman we are supposed to buy as the soulmate match.

Do I mind seeing them together? Nope. But for a number of seasons, I never “get” that Harm love (loves) her. Sure, we’re kind of expected to root for them, but all I really “feel” between them is abiding friendship. Of course, after he leaves JAG to do other work, there is some sense of “more” between them, but it never really feels like some kind of epic love story. Harm is also often there for in later seasons when the understated emotional turmoil finds her. Similarly, she helps him get through the truth about his dad.

Back to Harm. I like him as a “modern” leading man. He’s flawed, yes, and there is one thing he does that is an objective no in another relationship, but I think he’s good and he has a moral compass which is sometimes hard to find.

THE LOVE STORY

While most love stories that become TV fandom lore are between the main two characters, in the case of JAG, it’s between two supporting characters, who also happen to be stellar characters by their own merit, Bud and Harriet. These two…! I adore them so much. They have so many ups and downs, and for a time, Harriet kind of “loses” Bud because of a trauma he experiences. Before this, they both lose each other after a terrible loss, but whichever one is more “present” fights for the other and it’s a love story that I don’t think gets enough credit.

THE MORAL of the STORY

I think the stories in this show are interesting and compelling. Some stories may have a definite leaning, but I think some are written in a way that is admirable in that they allow us to draw conclusions without the story seeming to judge. Sometimes morals are missing from TV dramas, but I think its quite wise when writing still reflects that society and culture still has (and needs) a sense of morals. This drama presents flaws, yes, but it does this without losing integrity. This may be the thing I appreciate most about this JAG 30 years later reflection.

THE PEOPLE

Harm already got his own heading, but there are so many other fabulous characters, too. I like almost everyone outside of one or two “villain” characters who cause friction. From Sarah “Mac” McKenzie (girl does have a lot of emotional traumas!); Chegwidden (who doesn’t love a good but decisive boss); Sturgis Turner; and Jennifer Coates. The character list is memorable and the people who play them make them likable even when they fumble. I do think, especially in this re-watch (don’t ask me if I thought this in the first run through), it would have been so lovely to have Meg make a return appearance at some point. For most of season one, Meg, played by Tracey Needham, was Harm’s partner and it does feel like her story was left unfinished even though I think the show kind of “reset” with its move from NBC (season one) to CBS.

THE PLANES and SHIPS!

I know that planes and ships are not the fitting naval terms, and I mean no disrespect, but this is the heading we’re using. What’s fun about this drama, and yes, I know, it’s probably not wholly accurate, is it takes its lawyers out of the four corners of their D.C. offices and sends them to a Naval aircraft carrier. We get to see them in a setting that is different and unique, and we get to see those impressive F-14’s (and probably others too!) take off.

What’s cool is you can tell when the footage switches from what the cast and crew film to the professionals taking off the carrier.

Stream, at publication, JAG on Prime Video or find with Paramount+

Photos: Alamy Stock Photo

What are your thoughts on this milestone as we celebrate JAG 30 years later? Do you think the show stands up? Do you think it has value as a drama 30 years old or do you think it deserves the NCIS’s origins title? Let’s hear all the things about your memories of this show.

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