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Date Posted: 14:08:22 08/20/05 Sat
Author: all
Subject: responses
In reply to: Araninda 's message, "Episode of the Week Discussion. . .Inside" on 13:52:46 08/20/05 Sat

I give this one a 4.5. It's one of the better episodes of season 5, but I have a hard time with episodes with a split focus (I really think Harm's returning to flying was the true beginning of the A, B, C, etc stories - we'd seen it to a small degree at the end of season four, but it really took off in season five). 2) I'm kind of reminded of a line from the John Lennon song "Beautiful Boy" - Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans. He'd thought his entire life that he'd wanted to be a Naval aviator and when he had a chance to relive the dream, he jumped at the chance. While he still loved flying, I think a combination of a few things made him realize that it wasn't his dream anymore - his having come to terms with what happened to his father plus being involved in Buxton's and Simpkins' cases made him realize that he really did love the law, probably as much or even more than flying. Harm really likes being able to help people, and while he is able to do that as a pilot, it's more from a distance. He really has a sense of pride and accomplishment of being able to help people who aren't really in a position to help themselves. 3) I think he would have been happy to an extent, but not as happy as he'd thought he would be in the air. This really goes back to what I was saying in #2. As for him and Mac, I don't think so. They hadn't been keeping in touch prior to Buxton's court-martial and we don't really have an indication that they kept in touch after. That's one thing that bothered me about the "500-pound gorilla" mentioned in FWAFS - if their working together was keeping them apart, why didn't they get together after Harm left JAG (aside from the fact that TIIC didn't want it to happen - of course, they couldn't even keep their stories straight on why Harm and Mac didn't get together before the end). 4) Yes, Harm is an excellent teacher. I really think it is like apples and oranges to compare Harm and Mac as mentors because they have different styles. They both did a good job with Bud. Neither was able to impart anything to Singer. Although Alfred was resistent at first, Harm did get through to him and he was a lot more confident in "People v. Gunny" (although of course, he was given that case probably with the unspoken expectation that Gunny would get off). Mac didn't accomplish a thing with Vukovic. If you're counting, that would seem to give a slight edge to Harm. It's called too much story, not enough time. With the CAG's statement, we're supposed to know that Harm has been agonizing over this off-screen. That's why we have fanfic - to fill in those blanks.(NT)--
TracyJean, 21:47:06 08/12/05 Fri

Sorry, forgot a couple of points. I think Harm really wanted to be an aviator more for his father than himself. Also, I had a hard time with episodes where Harm wasn't at JAG. The show is JAG, not Top Guns, not Secret Agent Man. (NT) -- TracyJean, 21:48:52 08/12/05 Fri

Tracy Jean...Have to respectfully disagree here. I think Harm LOVED flying..he has a very large inner child remember(smile) but I think the tradition of service was about his father and grandfather. Once he was in the Navy it became his own. (I still just love this guy) (NT) -- mkim miss my boy Harm on JAG tonight sooo much, 00:17:46 08/13/05 Sat

I like this episode. #1- we see what Harm was trained to do. #2 figuring out a way to bring his wingman back alive. #3 telling Skates to worry about the airspeed and how they were doing than worry about the tailhook, that he, Harm, would worry about the tailhook, and lastely #4 don't you just LOVE him in a flight suit. (NT) -- Deborah Brady- my husband would look great in a flight suit of his own., 21:47:47 08/12/05 Fri

The rating for this I would give a 4.7 (NT) -- Deboarh Brady, 21:50:03 08/12/05 Fri

1. 5. 2. Harm's true calling is the law. He realizes it in this episode and he confirms it in Season 9 in his comment to Mattie (It's who I am). I will add that it's not just being a lawyer; it's being a Navy JAG. 3. No, he would not have been happy because he didn't have enough hours in to make squadron commander before he had to hang up his wings. 4. I think Harm's outstanding as a mentor. I'm trying to think if I've ever seen Mac mentor another lawyer. I do think she mentored two other females well (Harriet and Jen). I'll point to several examples of Harm mentoring. a. In the episode where Singer (theoretically) planted the file in Mac's car. Harm dresses Singer down and never raises his voice, but there it NO question about how forceful he is. b. Harm is not afraid of giving praise and encouragement. He does it all the time with Bud. He's so secure in himself that it does not threaten him. He does it with this incompetent attorney (who is very arrogant as well overly confident of his own skills). c. Finally, the proof is in the pudding with Vuk. Until the series finale, Mac seems perplexed in how to handle Vuk. Harm never misses a beat with the guy. Not that it was ever brought out (since we know the ulterior motives of TPTB) but Vuk could have been a "command test" for the DD. On this one particular test, I think Harm did better.
(NT)--TH, 21:53:28 08/12/05 Fri

I always thought the CAG's comment was a way for Harm to save face. The CAG listed the reasons Harm should go back to JAG and then gives him the "out" that it's Harm's decision, that the CAG wasn't really forcing him out of his squadron. I think the CAG was putting the case forward then pushing Harm to make what the CAG thought was the right decision so he wouldn't have to force him out. I don't think Harm had made a decision yet, the CAG's "augument" made him see what it should/had to be. I never saw the CBS edit of this ep...did USA cut out a scene where Skates has a confrontation with someone? Harm asks her about it, but I don't think he was refering to her comment in the briefing room. To my view, Harm tries to be a good mentor and often is, but he sometimes his frustration at people not seeing/doing what he would gets the better of him. (And I'm sure he was trying to be encouraging to Lt. Aldrich by telling him he might make a half-way decent lawyer, I found Aldrich to be the epitome of "legal weinie".) I think if Harm could not keep flying and could not go back to JAG he would have been devistated and totally at a loss as to what to do with his life. Give this ep a 4. (NT)--clr, 22:20:32 08/12/05 Fri

I'm writing this from memory and reading my JAG review(I cant find my tape with 'True Callings on it, I never rewatched it much) I'm going out on a limb here to say this was a 3.5 for me. I love Harm in an F -14 but Harm without any interaction with Mac is barely JAG for me. I'm a Major Major Shipper(I cant help it) 2) Harm's True Calling was the Navy period, it was ALL his destiny he just ended with the law. 3) I dont think Harm would have been happy ultimately with his career had he not returned to JAG. The CAG said he had run out of sky and he would have ended up 'flying a desk.' He had to feel like he was making a difference in the world and JAG helped him do that.(More than he realized until this ep.) 4)Harm and Mac both have good mentoring skills..just in different ways...thats why Bud had it so good. He had the best of both worlds. I agree with your pet peeve, and it would have helped to see him e mailing Mac to talk about it or at least thinking about his and Mac's conversation before he left...her conflict with his leaving the law..etc..It would have at least left a door open..but we all know it stayed closed...the Return broke my heart. I hated the way they looked at each other. Their lack of interaction in this ep is what made it a lower number for me...it was the beginning of a long heartache. (NT)--mkim, 22:34:33 08/12/05 Fri

I love, love, love this ep! I'd give it a 5. More if I could. 1) Anytime we got Harm flying, I loved it. He seemed happy flying. And it meant more Harm screen time. 2)I think Harm's true calling was the law - but he still 'needed' flying, too. That's why he kept up his quals even after he went back to JAG. 3)I think Harm would have been happy if he couldnt' return to JAG, but I think he would have made the best of it and done his 20. As for Mac - I don't know. They didnt' seem to keep in touch while he was gone - maybe if they'd 'run into' each other somewhere, - but Mac was like Jordan: she never understood Harm's "need" to prove that he could still do what he was trained to do most of his life. 4)I think Harm's a very good mentor. He was a mentor to Meg, and to Bud. And to others, including the young lawyer on the carrier. As someone else said, his and Mac's styles are very different. 5)I think we're dealing with 'dramatic shorthand' here. I think Harm was agonizing over the decision - and the CAG knew he was helping with the case as well as flying. He was also the wing legal person. He was *still* being a lawyer even though he wasn't part of JAG. I know this wasn't "Top Gun" or "CIA Harm", but I loved the eps that were this Harm focused, and I missed that in later seasons.(NT) --nancyeddy, 23:00:20 08/12/05 Fri

Rating some of these are tricky. I'd give the main story (with Harm, of course) a 5. I'm wondering if the title didn't indicate that both flying and the law were true "callingS" The CAG said there was no one else he rather have flying for him, but he also saw how good he was as an attorney. I think he just knew that Harm would eventually go back to it, and career-wise, the sooner, the better. Later, Harm said he had gotten flying "out of his system." (NT) -- Carol R, hoping this makes some sense and that I didn't add a line from the BBC news., 23:00:36 08/12/05 Fri

Diehard or casual viewer its a given Harm belongs to the courtroom thus the show is called JAG not Jets or Pensacola Wings.It was just a matter of time what ep.Harm returns.It was symbolic because for me Harm was coming home and also cant escape his love that is Mac.Harm and Mac are both great mentors with different styles.You cant count Vuk because he's in lust with Mac so NO ONE can get through him because he's in love with himself. (NT) -- JosieW -rate this episode 3 out of 5., 23:09:39 08/12/05 Fri

I also love the CAG in this episode and Lt.Aldridge was also so funny in some of the Jag eps.Poor Alridge was also bullied and mocked by the cocky fighter pilots in other eps. (NT) -- JosieW, 23:12:52 08/12/05 Fri

I would give it a 3! I think the flying part is exciting!!! :) I, however, am not a big fan of the case......... I know this is a Harmy board, but I guess a bit more Mac would have been better! Hee hee........ (NT) -- Acer, 00:09:22 08/13/05 Sat

PS. I loved Tiner and Bud's little competition!! LOLOLOLOL :) (NT) -- Acer, 00:11:09 08/13/05 Sat

Though I didn't watch this ep in a long time, I remember it and would give it a 3.5. Harm started out as an aviator, so it certainly was in his blood. It was obviously his first choice. But due to circumstances beyond his control, he bacame a lawyer. I think the law is where his heart belonged. He had felt the need to go back to flying to finish what he started. That said, he knew his true calling was the law and Mac, or Mac and the law. (NT) -- my2kats, 00:20:10 08/13/05 Sat

I watched this the first time before I was online-- and didn't over think it too much..I still get excited everytime they push the other plane over the mountains by the tailhook-- I just can't help it. I give it a 4.5 for excitement. A couple of episodes before this was when they had Chloe say that Mac was in love with Harm and that Harm loved her, too-- so I knew without a doubt that TPTB would lead us slowly down that garden path-- but I also knew that this separation would be a way to keep us dangling and on hold. I enjoyed the flying eps but was happy he was going back to JAG since I like to see him interact with the ones that brung him....I didn't have the same reaction to the return that other's did so I never felt any huge gulf between the characters-- or that Harm was mistreated in any way--he'd chosen to leave and had to work to fit back in to the routine. I think that's realistic. But back to this ep. I think Harm was finishing a dream--his first true calling-- by going back to flying-- so that he would be free to give himself more completely to his other true calling the law. How many people are lucky enough to have two things that they have such talent and passion for? I think he did know-- so what the CAG said didn't bother me. If he couldn't have returned to JAG-- I think he would've felt some dissatisfaction with his career-- but he knew he was taking that risk when he left so I think he would have managed to live with it and redirect his energy somewhere else. I think it would have made it easier to pursue something with Mac. He mentored Bud--along with Mac. The show always made it clear they both shaped the kind of lawyer he became and they did a good job. I don't think he had anymore luck with Vik than Mac did. Vik steered him into reacting the way he wanted so he could give the wrong impression to the prosecutor and then he didn't rule out other sources for the toxins even though Harm told him to do it. But in general I think Harm liked to share his knowledge-- his wisdom with inexperienced lawyers who wanted to learn. I still love the shot of him standing on the deck -- wind in his hair,sun on his face at the end..It's a powerful shot- full of the emotion of him making peace with the past and moving on with the future.(NT) --manette, 01:39:35 08/13/05 Sat

Another thing I like about the courtroom part that I forgot to mention was the way that it just makes sense to him-- he 'sees' the case, the charges, what applies, what doesn't, so clearly that it pains him to watch it being bungled up. I loved the way he sorts it all out and wraps it up in a bow in about two seconds for the judge. (NT) -- manette, 01:48:03 08/13/05 Sat

I loved the way he could be a hero in the air and save the day in the courtroom all in the same day. Not bad for a mortal. LOL (NT) -- judi, 03:43:26 08/13/05 Sat

I give it a 5. I loved this ep. Noone looks better in a flightsuit. I think that Harm's original true calling was flying, but the crash changed that. Now, it's the law. If he had his druthers, he'd spend his career in the air. But given what happened to him where he lost about 7? years, he wouldn't be able to keep going. Like he said, he'd end up in a desk job and he wouldn't be happy there. Harm always seemed happiest in the air and enjoyed his time flying. He loves the law, but it's his second love to flying IMO. (NT) -- judi off to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream about Harm, 03:41:51 08/13/05 Sat

I agree with judi. Harm's first love will always be flying but since he realizes that he can't have it the way that he wants it, he'll content to "fly" in the courtroom. He takes the same love and passion that he has for flying with him into the courtroom and he has almost as much love and passion for the law. No matter what he's doing, whether it's flying or practicing law, he gives it everything that he has--and more. (NT) -- abrah, 11:11:52 08/13/05 Sat

I give this ep. 5 was good writing, with a good plot and a lot of Harm's reflection. I think that there are a few people that have more than one true callings but Harm is not one of them and he knew that when Lt. Aldrich remember him that he is an aviator not a lawyer. Until this moment Harm only thought that his behavior lid him to help the young Lt, after that he loves fly and he has to keep this part of his life (fly status) but now his true calling is the law and the search of justice and oportunities for others. Also I think he and Mac are a good teacher, Bud improvement prove that.(NT) --Gra, 10:05:50 08/13/05 Sat

This is one of my favorite episodes, it has everything in it. Excitment, humor and drama. But most of all this episode was another step of closure for Harm. He grew up wanting to follow in his fathers footsteps, when that was derailed because of his eyes he went into law, but it wasn't his choice. He never finished what he planned to do. By going back to flying, finding that he was as good as ever, he did what he planned to do since a child, follow in his Dad's footsteps. But he also realized he was a few years too late, and that he loved the law as much as flying. In "Shakedown" in season 4 Mac makes a comment about Harm not being able to fly F14's and that he can never go back. Harm responds that it "wasn't my choice" and it's one of the few times we hear him sound bitter or maybe it's anger. (I just knew after that ep they were going to send Harm back to flying) Anyway you can tell it was unfinished business for Harm. In the eps begining with "Second Sight"(season 4) thru "True Callings" we saw Harm make the choice to go back to flying status, prove to himself he could do, follow his Dad's footsteps and be at peace with the past. It freed him to make the choice to go back to the law (as the CAG said, he had nothing left to prove), his other "True Calling" and move forward. (NT)--MAL, 10:22:20 08/13/05 Sat

Exactly. I thought it was a well down story arc. It gave him the closure to move on without the regrets. Then the shallow side of me says Harm in a flight suit. Wowee. The screen caps reminded me of all the wonderful expressions on his face. I love the one where he covers his face with his hand. Even though we can't see Harm's face, it was such a good moment. (NT) -- Gunshy, 11:54:52 08/13/05 Sat

I hate to seem shallow (but I am...LOL), but these episodes where Harm is flying drive me to delirium. To me, this is handsome, hot Harm at his peak. Oh man. But back to the episode. give it a 5. Much as I am crazy about pilot Harm, seeing Harm introspective really interests me. You could tell in this episode that Harm could never be happy away from the law. He just couldn't keep himself away. I believe the law is where his heart and mind were the most satisfied. Flying was the excitement and adrenalin rush of his life, something he needed. But as a steady diet, flying would not have sustained him. I don't think it was just a matter of being too old to get anywhere in his career. If Harm had wanted to fly most of all, he would have been prepared to do it regardless of what career position he would have had to give up. With the law, he wasn't giving up flying, but if he was flying full time, he would have to give up the law. I think Harm was a terrific mentor. Yes he was different from Mac, but they were both good. Harm was better at mentoring young guys, but he seemed a bit awkward around young women like Jennifer. I think with Jen, he was more of a father figure than a professional mentor. FAAAAAAAAAbulous ep!!!(NT) --Cece, 13:02:02 08/13/05 Sat

1)5 2)Both. oh, and then there's Mac!LOL 3)Relatively happy if he continued to fly. Mac would have succumbed to Gold Wings eventually4)Great mentor. Never a showman - just passionate about what he does, truth, justice and all that. H & M are good mentors in there own special ways. (NT) -- Vicky - who loves H in the cockpit, in the courtroom, on a carrier, as a seal, as a marine, as a crop duster.....LOL, 13:36:10 08/13/05 Sat

Well, once again I am checking in late (been out of town). I can't really say much that hasn't already been said, but I will comment on Araninda's pet peeve. I agree that it would have been nice to have seen more to support the CAG's statement, but I took as meaning that the CAG saw how Harm just couldn't stay away from the case and he (CAG) was only stating the inevitable to Harm. (NT) -- JAG Junkie, 19:59:49 08/13/05 Sat

B+ grading. I just love this episode because we see Harm finally making his peace about flying. We saw some funny moments from AJ,Mac,Tiner and Semper fi on Gunny's addition. The only cast addition I find a wise move from TPTB. And most of all this episode is where we saw Harm makes his decision about his love for JAG and Mac. (NT) -- Yvonne, 00:35:13 08/14/05 Sun

I know it's late, but . . . To me, if the two elements of Harm's story have any common thread, it would be helping someone. He clearly felt he could help the petty officer beat the charges and wanted to help Aldrich win the case, but most urgently, he wanted to help his buddy, Tuna up over those mountains. One was an act of inspiration and training in the law, the other was an act of desperation and superior flying skills, but he aced them both with typical Harm bravado. To me, his "True Calling" is helping someone. (NT) -- Dancer, 02:18:23 08/14/05 Sun

I thought that Harm would have preferred to continue flying, but realized his future was at JAG. I thought his quest to returned to flying resulted in the same way his quest for his father did and, well both gave him closure, he wished both ended differently. In both instances, he found that he was too late and was forced to give up his dream. Up until this episode, I think Harm always thought of himself as a pilot first and a lawyer second. I think this episode showed him that now he was a lawyer first and, as when any dream dies, I think he was very disappointed, much more then he lets on (actually, I think it broke his heart). I think having the court case in the episode showed Harm that when God closes a door, he opens a window (which I also think God showed him in Russia with Mac, but that's a whole other post). I think maybe Harm saw then even though his flying career was taken away many years ago with his eye problem, his legal career (which I think he always considered only a fallback) enables him to make a real diffence in the world in ways that being a pilot cannot and gives him a real sense of fulfillment. As for whether Harm and Mac would have still gotten together if he continued his flying career -- yes, I think their being together forever was destiny. Also, I think the baby deal which they entered into right before he left (which I think was not so much a deal to have a baby, but a deal to make things work one day) would have always been in the back of both of their minds (just like it always was) and would have always keep then drawn to one another. (NT) --Sammy, 09:54:12 08/14/05 Sun

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