Ep 23. In Country (1)

In Country (1) is a dramatic episode from the seventh season of JAG. The episode begins with a flashback scene that provides insight into Commander Rabb's past when he was a young man serving as a Marine in Vietnam. The scene shifts to the current day, where Rabb is working on a case as a lawyer in the Judge Advocate General's office.

The case involves a young Marine, Lance Corporal Tony Vickers, who is accused of desertion. Vickers has been missing for several months, and his platoon sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant Elmore, is convinced that he fled to Canada to avoid serving in Iraq. Rabb is assigned to defend Vickers and soon finds himself deeply involved in the case.

Not long after taking on the case, Rabb receives a letter from Vickers' mother, who is suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease. She begs Rabb to do whatever he can to bring her son home. The letter strikes a chord with Rabb, who remembers how difficult it was to be a soldier in Vietnam and wonders how he would have reacted if faced with a similar situation.

As Rabb digs deeper into the case, he begins to uncover evidence that points to Vickers being innocent of the charges against him. He finds a witness who claims to have seen Vickers in the United States well after he was supposed to have fled to Canada. Rabb also learns that Vickers was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving in Iraq.

Despite this evidence, Rabb finds himself up against a tough prosecutor, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Claremont, who is determined to see Vickers convicted. Claremont has a personal stake in the case, as he lost his own son in Iraq. He sees Vickers as a coward who abandoned his fellow Marines and his country.

The tension between Rabb and Claremont builds throughout the episode, culminating in a dramatic courtroom showdown. Rabb presents his evidence and argues passionately on Vickers' behalf, while Claremont counters with his own arguments and tries to discredit Vickers' character.

In the end, the judge must decide whether Vickers is guilty or innocent. The final moments of the episode are tense and emotional, with Rabb and Vickers' mother waiting anxiously for the verdict. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers wondering what the outcome will be and how the case will continue to unfold in the next episode.

Overall, In Country (1) is a powerful episode that explores the difficult issues faced by soldiers during wartime. It raises important questions about patriotism, duty, and honor, and challenges viewers to consider what they would do in similar circumstances. The acting is top-notch, with standout performances by David James Elliott as Rabb and Sean Murray as Vickers. The episode is a must-watch for fans of JAG and anyone interested in military-themed dramas.