I'll have a stab at an easy one. INSIDE -- HarmyBoard Reviews

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Date Posted: 23:55:48 04/27/05 Wed
Author: Cece
Subject: I'll have a stab at an easy one. INSIDE
In reply to: - 's message, "season eight: Critical Condition, September 24, 2002" on 18:05:49 12/03/02 Tue

The season opener was in many ways, a quiet, understated episode that nevertheless had some powerful moments. These moments came in the nuanced performances of the actors who could so easily have turned CC into an overly sentimental, melodramatic episode.

The story picks up from the end of Season 7, where Bud was blown up by a land mine, and suffered the loss of his lower right leg. His recovery is uncertain throughout the episode, and intersperced with the shots of his evacuation and surgery, we are shown the reactions of his family and JAG colleagues. In the end when his recovery is certain, the camera focusses on Harm's face as he finally cries while Mac gently supports and comforts him. The camera pans aways as the two sit in silent union, and Harm brings their joined hands up close to his heart as Mac rests her head on his shoulder.

Earlier in the episode, Harm and Mac argue over who will stay as the acting JAG on board the Seahawk, knowing that neither one would be willing to go back to JAG HQ while Bud's prognosis is uncertain. Neither is willing to allow the other to destroy their career, which would be the case if they stay in defiance of a direct order. There is a humorous moment back at HQ as the Admiral gives Tiner the impossible job of deciding just who should be charged.

When Tiner's realizes that Bud is the JAG officer who has been injured, the expression on his face, delivered by the actor (Chuck Barrington) with a subtle eloquence, is one of the episode's poignant moments.

Harriet's initial and subsequent reactions, are superbly played by Kerri Turner, who understands the emotional paralysis and ennervation that so often come after the initial shock of unbearable news. Bud's brother, Mikey, shows a strength and maturity hitherto unseen, as he tries to redirect Harriet's attention away from her thoughts of Bud's injury.

The Admiral's own response showed the sobering reality of knowing being a military officer, who will inevitably know a colleague who has been wounded or killed in action. AJ covers his shock and personal emotions with a dispassionate vocabulary. Nevertheless, the subtle expressions of deep sadness and shock, play across the actor's face and show again in his slumped shoulders, and in the weariness of his eyes.

The secondary story line takes place at a senate hearing on the JAG officers' major involvement in what had amounted to a nuclea crisis. The Secretary of the Navy ultimately takes responsibility for involving untrained JAG personelle, and for not coordinating the offensive with the Director of the CIA and other trained military units.

The relationship between Harm and Mac shows signs of deepening, though there is no sexual, physical involvement at this stage. But with Harm finally giving way to his emotions, with the help and support of Mac, the possibilty for a deeper relationship developing into a full blossomed romance, looms (hopefully) on the horizon.

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Replies:

INSIDE>>continue (BTW I said Chuck Barrington instead of Carrington.) d'uh -- Cece, 23:57:05 04/27/05 Wed
- Good review, Cec! JAG needs someone with an edge and the Coates character has already been developed well. She's street smart and edgy. (NT) -- judi, 23:58:00 04/27/05 Wed