Ep 15. Hemlock

In JAG season 1 episode 15, titled "Hemlock," the Naval lawyer Harmon Rabb Jr. (played by David James Elliott) continues his duty to represent the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps members in legal issues. The episode follows a court-martial case involving a female officer, Lieutenant Annette Bartlett (played by Julianne Christie), who is charged with negligent homicide after one of her subordinates, a seaman named John F. Wells, dies due to a severe reaction to a medication that Bartlett prescribed to him.

As the trial begins, Harmon quickly realizes that the case is not as straightforward as it seems. He finds out that the medication Bartlett gave to Wells, a herbal remedy called hemlock, was not listed on the current Navy formulary and was not approved for use by the Navy medical department. However, Bartlett claims that she gave Wells the medication only after he specifically requested it and that she believed it was safe for him to take.

Harmon also discovers that Bartlett and Wells had an affair, which raises questions about her motives for prescribing him the medication. The case becomes even more complicated when a witness, a Navy pharmacist named Petty Officer Second Class Tony Palladino (played by Jeff Kober), testifies that he warned Bartlett about the potential side effects of hemlock and advised her not to use it.

Despite the mounting evidence against her, Bartlett continues to maintain her innocence and insists that she did nothing wrong. Harmon, who was initially determined to secure a conviction, begins to doubt whether Bartlett is guilty and starts to investigate the case further. He discovers a conspiracy involving high-ranking Navy officials who may have tried to cover up the use of hemlock in the Navy medical department and who may be tied to Wells' death.

As the trial reaches its climax, Harmon must navigate through a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal to uncover the truth and clear Bartlett's name. He faces intense pressure from the prosecution and from Bartlett's own defense team, who accuse him of putting his own reputation above justice. In the end, the verdict is delivered, but the consequences of the trial far outweigh its outcome.

"Hemlock" is a tense and gripping legal drama that delves into the complexities of military justice and the personal lives of those who serve our country. It explores themes of loyalty, morality, and integrity in the face of impossible choices. With strong performances from its cast and a compelling storyline, "Hemlock" is a standout episode in the first season of JAG.