The Fourth Season

J.A.G.: Judge Advocate General is about the judicial body of the United States Navy, Judge Advocate General's corps (J.A.G.). The individuals who serve in J.A.G. are military officers with specializations in legal matters; they are military lawyers. J.A.G. officers investigate, prosecute, and defend crimes involving persons and property connected to the Navy and Marine Corps. Their investigations take them all over the world, wherever U.S. military presence may be. The crimes include homicide, treason, espionage, terrorism, conspiracies, hostage situations, and other criminal acts. For more details about this series, refer to DVD Talk's reviews of season one, season two, and season three.

Season four is another dramatic and action-packed collection of episodes, complete with new relationships, scandals, new characters, and more. Some of the season's biggest developments include the closure to Harm's missing father, Mac's shady past coming to light, the appointment of a Royal Australian Naval officer to the JAG office, more stories with the CIA, Bud and Harriet's pregnancy, and Harm deciding to leave JAG. The season four episodes have the same momentum as season three, albeit the drama feels a little thicker and soapier. Nevertheless, it is a fun ride.

The season picks up where it left off. In the season three finale "To Russia With Love (1)", Harm and Mac went to Russia looking for clues about Harm's father. In the season four premiere "Gypsy Eyes (2)", Harm and Mac seek refuge in a gypsy camp while hiding from former KGB agents. They do not seek help from the authorities, because they do not know who they can trust. Their disappearance is covered up by the Russian government and they are declared dead. Chegwidden refuses to believe it and strong arms the CIA to use their resources to save them.

Another big development this season ties into Mac's past. Previously, it was revealed that she was an alcoholic and was in a really bad spot before joining the Marine Corps. One thing she never brought up was her husband, Chris Ragle. In "Mr. Rabb Goes to Washington", he comes back into her life and starts to make things very difficult for her. "People v. Mac" is when things get really bad. Mac and Col. John Farrow (her former commanding officer and lover) are put on trial when Chris is found dead. The truth about Mac and John's love affair comes to light in the trial. It is a messy proceeding that almost costs Mac her job.

The season has a couple new reoccurring characters. The first new character is Commander Mic Brumby (Trevor Goddard). He is an officer of the Royal Australian Navy assigned to the JAG office on an exchange program. He starts off with a rough relationship with both Harm and Mac, as his views about the job conflict. He reoccurs throughout seasons four to six. He is also a love interest for Mac. The other new character is Lt. Commander Parker (Susan Haskell). She is Harm's love interest for the season.

CIA Agent Clayton Webb and all of the common drama associated with the spy are in full force. Webb continues to make appearances and bring key CIA details to the JAG officers' attention. He is a snaky, but likeable guy. Notably, the season's biggest spy episode is "Webb of Lies". Webb is found dead; the night prior he tried to contact Harm, who for the most part ignored him. Harm feels guilty about not helping him. As he looks into Clayton's death, he finds out an unsettling truth. In season three, Harm helped shut down the Defense Security Division (a covert, unsanctioned branch of the CIA) and put agent/assassin Chuck Palmer in jail. The catch is that Palmer isn't in prison and his agenda involve Clayton and Harm.

Another big advancement this season includes Bud and Harriet announcing their pregnancy, naming their future baby, and actually having the child. Bud also goes through the final stages of becoming a full-fledged lawyer. He graduates law school and takes on his first big case, which is defending his father in "The Adversaries". Chegwidden's past is also revealed in more detail with the episode "Going After Francesca". While in Italy, his daughter is kidnapped and along with the JAG team uncovers a plot to illegally obtain U.S. weaponry.

The season's last major development is about Harm and his career with JAG. Towards the end of the season in "Second Sight", Harm has surgery that cures his night blindness. In "Yeah Baby", he resigns from JAG to return to the sky. It is a sad time, as everyone close to him does not want him to go. Regardless, being a pilot is what Harm loves more than anything. In the season finale "Goodbyes", Harm changes his mind when a child killer comes to his attention. He puts off his pilot career to stop the murderer.

Overall, JAG's fourth season continues is another dramatic and action-packed season with some pretty intense storylines and developments for the cast. The season has several all-around good courtroom cases with some old and new faces. Fans of the series will really enjoy this season; it is one that should not be missed.

Episode Guide

1. Gypsy Eyes: After stealing the jet in Russia, Harm and Mac are shot down, but then saved by a gypsy brother and sister, who help Harm learn the truth about his father.
2. Embassy: While visiting the Sudanese embassy, Mac and Harm are caught off-guard when it's taken over by terrorists. Meanwhile, Harriet announces she's pregnant.
3. Innocence: When an ensign is accused of raping a teenage girl in Japan, the JAG team flies to Tokyo to defend him, but gets caught up in strained US-Japanese relations.
4. Going After Francesca: In Italy, where a Navy officer faces a court-martial for stealing Stinger missiles, Chegwidden is reunited with his ex-wife when their daughter is kidnapped.
5. The Martin Baker Fan Club: Roscoe, the wheelchair-bound ex-Marine from Harm's past, is now being charged with the murder of his hospital buddy who jumped out of a window.
6. Act of Terror: A terrorist is caught, but then gunned down on national television. Harm must defend the Marine who shot him, but was the Marine insane or merely patriotic?
7. Angels 30: When a top gun fails to fire on an Iraqi plan, he claims that a voice told him not to. Upon investigation, he admits to Harm it was the voice of God.
8. Mr. Rabb Goes to Washington: Harm assists the government in a hearing concerning the use of sarin gas during the Gulf War. And Australian attorney Mic Brumby joins the JAG team.
9. People v. Mac: Harm defends Mac when she and her former mentor - and lover - are accused of killing Mac's ex-husband, who threatened to reveal their past and ruin her career.
10. The Black Jet: A Navy pilot is tried for espionage in Iran after his jet crashes. But when Harm and Mac find out the plane is intact, they have to sneak it out of the country.
11. Jaggle Bells: During a holiday snowstorm, Bud plays Santa, Harm meets a pretty shrink, and Mac hopes to reunite a little girl with her long-lost father.
12. Dungaree Justice: A bar owner is severely beaten by three sailors who claim he raped their female shipmate. Meanwhile, Bud's brother feels he made a mistake enlisting.

13. War Stories: Bud gets his first major case, but is then asked to step down. And while on leave, the Admiral wanders onto a movie set and becomes their technical advisor.
14. Webb of Lies: When CIA agent Webb's body is found aboard a burning ship, Harm uncovers a rogue spy agency, and learns an imposter is serving time for an assassin who twice tried to kill Harm.
15. River's Run: When a Navy SEAL accidentally kills boy during a training mission, the local townsfolk, including the boy's fugitive uncle, try him in a kangaroo court.
16. Silent Service: Far too many accidents have been occurring aboard a nuclear submarine. So Harm and Mac investigate, while also dealing with problems in their relationship.
17. Nobody's Child: Harm becomes emotionally attaché dto a little girl who was found dead on a naval base. So he calls in an old friend for help while they search for the killer.
18. Shakedown: Mac and Harm suspect foul play when they board a carrier that experienced a complete power outage. And Bud passes his bar exams and gets promoted.
19. The Adversaries: Bud's first case following his promotion is to defend his father, who's accused of having stolen from the Navy. And prosecuting the case is Commander Rabb!
20. Second Sight: Harm considers an operation on his eyes that might enable him to fly again. Meanwhile, Mac dreads facing her estranged father, who is dying in a hospice.
21. Wilderness of Mirrors: When Harm starts seeing images of his dead father, he opens up t his psychiatrist girlfriend. And the Admiral prepares to argue in front of the Supreme Court.
22. Soul Searching: Webb comes to Chegwidden with a request: to help rescue his mentor, the man who also saved the Admiral's life. And Harm's beloved Corvette is stolen.
23. Yeah, Baby: With his vision repaired, Harm resigns from JAG in order to fly again. And as Bud argues a pregnancy case, Harriet goes into labor in the Admiral's office.
24. Goodbyes: As Harm prepares to leave his friends at JAG, he finds out that the man who killed the little girl months ago has resurfaced, and is now after her sister.

The DVD

Video:
The video is given in its original television aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame color. The picture quality is pretty good. It has a noticeable amount of noise with some dirt and grain. The picture, while slightly rough, is still very viewable and should not ruin the viewing experience.

Audio:
The audio track supplied is an English 2.0 Dolby digital stereo surround sound track. The track is pretty clean sounding. Spoken dialogue is audible throughout the episodes. There is also a fair usage of the surround sound setup used with sound effects from gunfire, explosions, military aircrafts, etc.

The release also has support for closed captioning.

Extras:
The only extra included with this season set is a gag reel that run slightly over four minutes.

Final Thoughts:
JAG's fourth season has a lot of big and important developments for the cast, from the conclusion of Harm's missing father to Mac's misbegotten past to new love interests. The content is dramatic and a little thicker than past seasons, but it still comes off as engaging and entertaining. You will want to see Harm and the rest of the JAG team in action, especially when their paths cross with terrorists and spies.