Ep 3. Shadow

In JAG season 1 episode 3, titled "Shadow," we see a complicated case involving a naval aviator, a local sheriff and NCIS. The episode starts with the Mira Costa Airshow, where we see Captain Thomas Boone flying an F-14 Tomcat as part of the show. In the middle of his routine, the plane suddenly loses altitude, and instead of ejecting himself, he tries to save the plane and crash lands it into the woods.

Following the crash, Captain Boone is taken to a hospital suffering from severe burns and fractures. NCIS takes over the investigation, and Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Meg Austin are assigned to the case. Their job is to investigate the crash and find out if it was an accident or a deliberate act.

While investigating the case, the JAG team discovers a previous incident in which Boone had disobeyed orders and put his plane in danger. During their investigation, the team also discovers that the local sheriff, who had responded to the crash, had tried to take pictures of the crash site and had taken the pilot’s helmet instead of turning it over to authorities.

The episode takes a twist when the sheriff claims he saw the crash and confirms that it was an accident. However, Rabb and Austin discover that he had a criminal record and was looking to make money through blackmailing the navy. They also learn that he attempted to steal the pilot’s helmet, which had an onboard camera to record the pilot's flight experience.

As the JAG team delves deeper into the case, they discover that Captain Boone was under intense pressure following a recent divorce case and had turned to alcohol. His blood-alcohol level had been at 0.18 percent, which is illegal when flying a plane. They also find out that Boone had been blackmailed by the NCIS agent, who offered to drop the charges against him in exchange for his cooperation.

As the case unfolds, Boone wakes up from a coma, and Rabb and Austin interview him about the crash. Boone reveals that he had deliberately crashed the plane to avoid killing innocent civilians in the event of a mechanical failure. Boone had been under pressure due to his recent divorce and had turned to alcohol. The guilt of the previous incident and the divorce case had caused him to drink excessively, leading to his accident.

The episode ends with Rabb and Austin presenting their findings to the Corps, and Boone being charged with disobeying orders and drinking while on duty. The NCIS agents who had blackmailed him were also reprimanded, and the JAG team comes away with valuable lessons learned from the case.

Overall, "Shadow" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the complex issues faced by naval aviators and the legal implications of their actions. It highlights the importance of transparency and honesty in the armed forces and the vital role that JAG plays in ensuring justice for all military personnel.