Ep 1. A New Life (1)

The show JAG, or Judge Advocate General, follows the lives of military lawyers who work for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. In season 1, episode 1, titled A New Life (1), viewers are introduced to main character Lieutenant Harmon "Harm" Rabb Jr. and his new partner, Lieutenant Caitlin "Kate" Pike.

The episode begins with Harm, a former F-14 Tomcat pilot, being assigned to the Navy's legal division after experiencing vertigo while flying. He is initially hesitant about his new role as a lawyer, but soon becomes intrigued by a case involving a Marine Sergeant accused of stealing classified documents. Harm's investigation leads him to believe that the sergeant might be innocent, but the evidence against him continues to mount.

Meanwhile, Kate Pike arrives at the JAG headquarters as Harm's new partner, and the two get off to a rocky start. Kate is a Harvard graduate and former Miss Iowa who comes from a wealthy family, and Harm immediately sees her as privileged and inexperienced. However, she proves her worth to Harm and their boss, Admiral Chegwidden, by quickly researching and presenting evidence that helps the sergeant's case.

As the episode progresses, viewers see the dynamics of the JAG team, including the banter between Harm and Admiral Chegwidden, the tension between Harm and Kate, and the allyship between Kate and Petty Officer Tiner. There are also glimpses of personal lives outside of work, such as Harm's relationship with his father and Kate's interactions with her family.

A New Life (1) sets up the overarching theme of the first season, which is the pursuit of justice within the military justice system, as well as the personal growth and relationships of the main characters. The episode also introduces the procedural aspects of JAG as viewers witness the gathering of evidence, the presentation of cases, and the deliberation of guilt or innocence.

Overall, A New Life (1) is a solid start to the series, establishing the main characters and the premise of the show while also delivering a compelling case for Harm and Kate to work on. It sets the tone for the following episodes to come and leaves viewers wanting more.