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JAG: The Fifth Season (TV)
R1 - America - Paramount Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (29th January 2008). |
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The Show
 I don't get into military-based movies or TV too much. I've only watched a select few on the recommendations of friends. There was "Biloxi Blues" (1988), the first three movies in the "Rambo" series (1982-1988), "Full Metal Jacket" (1987), "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), "Top Gun" (1986), and "A Few Good Men" (1992). When I got the fifth season of the series "JAG" (1995-2005) to review, I had to think about this for a moment. I had briefly heard of this series, but I never really considered watching it. Judging by the cover, I knew right away that it was a military TV series and with the exception of a season of "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." (1964-1969) which I had reviewed not too long ago, I have never really watched a military-based TV series all the way through. Still, I had to convince myself that maybe I might like it. "JAG: The Fifth Season" continues of the story of Commander Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliot), Colonel Sarah 'Mac' MacKenzie (Catherine Bell), Lieutenant Commander Bud Roberts, Jr. (Patrick Labyorteaux), all with their commanding officer Admiral Albert Jethro 'A.J.' Chegwidden (John M. Jackson). As for the season itself, Harm and Mac are reunited when Harm leaves his flying career behind and returns to the JAG office...and not a moment too soon, as cases aboard carriers, submarines, and even a hijacked plane demand their attention. And as Admiral Chegwidden finds romance, and Bud and Harriet (Karri Turner) adjust to parenthood, the whole gang travels to Australia in what ends up being a great season of "JAG" (Judge Advocate General). Judging from watching just the first two episodes (a two-parter), I get the feeling that this series a cross between "Top Gun" and "A Few Good Men". I liked the intelligent storylines, which "A Few Good Men" had. The two-part season premier alone was very impressive. Harm, Mac, Bud, and A.J. are great characters and can grow on you very quickly. You see quite a few courtroom battles take place between Harm and Mac as opposing attorneys. Even though they will do what it takes to win, it's interesting to see just how far their friendship and respect goes for each other. I also like that in some cases, even though a person may still win in court, they can still lose in other ways. I've also seen a person lose a case, but still win in his own way. The downsides? As far as the series, I can't really think of any. It's definitely well-written. I guess my real downsides would be further down in the Video part of the review. This DVD set includes all 25 fifth season episodes: - "King of the Greenie Board" (44:18) Harm is now a combat pilot stationed on a carrier in the Adriatic Sea, where he tries to rein in a hot-shot flier. - "Rules of Engagement" (44:05) After Harm's young pilot mistakenly shoots down some Russian peacekeepers, Mac and Bud board the carrier, where they intend to prosecute. - "True Callings" (44:28) Harm takes an interest in a case aboard the carrier, but then receives bad news about his carrier. The men of JAG try to score some concert tickets. - "The Return" (44:23) With Harm now back at JAG, he is given a controversial case where the son of the Secretary of the Navy is being tried for disobeying his strict captain. - "Front and Center" (44:02) Bud and Harm try to locate the only witness to their rape case, a Marine who has disappeared. Mac and Brumby spar in court over a drug-sniffing dog. - "Psychic Warrior" (44:16) Mac is critical of an admiral who claims to have ESP, but when her young friend goes missing in the woods he offers to help. - "Rogue" (44:29) A colorful character who tests security for the military is ordered to "sink" a submarine, but then ends up stealing it...with Bud Roberts on board! - "The Colonel's Wife" (44:19) Mac and Harm travel to Panama to investigate a high-ranking Marine's young wife, who shipped a package of cocaine to California. - "Contemptuous Words" (44:27) When a scathing article criticizing the President is traced to Harm's computer, a right-wing political group offers to pay for his legal defense. - "Mishap" (44:25) Harm learns he must head back to the carrier and defend his former RIO, who disobeyed orders and waved in a plane that crashed upon landing. - "Ghosts of Christmas Past" (44:20) On Christmas Eve, Harm meets a beautiful singer who was part of the 1969 USO show, and who had an encounter with Harm's fighter pilot dad. - "Into the Breech" (44:19) The Admiral sends Harm and Mac back to school to assist students at a military academy, where they end up reopening an old murder case. - "Life or Death" (44:24) Mac tries to save the life of a Marine on death row, a case the Admiral lost years ago. Meanwhile, Brumby announces he's heading back to Australia. - "Cabin Pressure" (44:03) While Harm is aboard ship questioning a petty officer suspected of murder, their boat hits a reef and they become trapped in the brig below. - "Boomerang: Part 1" (43:42) Bud and Harm travel to Australia to defend an American accused of murdering an Aussie sailor decades ago; Brumby is surprised when Mac tags along. - "Boomerang: Part 2" (44:37) While Harm and Brumby square off in court over the murder case, Harm grows jealous of Mac's relationship with the Aussie attorney. - "People V. Gunny" (44:33) When the JAG gunnery sergeant is arrested for gay bashing, the only witness to the crime is the Admiral's personal yeoman. - "The Bridge At Kang So Ri" (44:21) The commercial airliner that Harm and Mac are traveling on is hijacked by Korean radicals, who demand that a trial be held aboard the plane. - "Promises" (44:11) Fresh from starring in a recruitment commercial, Harm must defend a female seaman who claims the Navy made her promises they could not keep. - "Drop Zone" (43:56) Bud defends a senior chief who is brought up on manslaughter charges when it is suspected he was hung over during a parachuting exercise. - "The Witches of Gulfport" (44:31) Mac goes undercover on a military base in Mississippi in order to investigate a rape charge against a chief who heads a controversial Wiccan group. - "Overdue and Presumed Lost" (43:50) Admiral Chegwidden tries to stop a businessman from exploiting an old WWII submarine, which may contain the first casualties of Pearl Harbor. - "Real Deal Seal" (44:27) A Navy SEAL who was awarded the Medal of Honor is charged with assaulting a politician who he claims lied about his military service. - "Body Talk" (44:22) When Harm tries to free a man from the Leavenworth prison for the murder of his wife, he is shocked to find out their daughter is an old friend. - "Surface Warfare" (43:42) Days before the Admiral is due to give a big speech, Bud finds out his petty officer brother almost killed fifteen Marines during an exercise in Florida.
Video
All 25 episodes are presented in anamorphic widescreen format (1.78:1 ratio). The back of the outer package has the fine print: "some episodes may be edited from their original network versions." Having never seen "JAG" previously, I wouldn't have a clue as to which episodes (if any) were edited. Although there are no chapter selection menus, each episode has chapter stops. In watching the second episode, I noticed pixels against the dark brown and deep red colors in the background. I also noticed occasional grain. While this doesn't bother me all that much, it makes me wonder if these episodes are direct transfers from the original source or if they underwent the re-mastering process. If the DID undergo re-mastering, then it wasn't the best job. The episodes aren't so bad that they're unwatchable, but if I'm noticing some of these items then so will others who buy this DVD.
Audio
Each episode is accompanied by an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo surround soundtrack. There are no subtitles available whatsoever. The audio sounds normal. In other words, I didn't notice any noticeable drops or volume rises. The dialogue is crystal clear and the music plays quietly in the background when needed. I didn't find any fine prints about the music, so I think it's safe to say that it's all there.
Extras
Paramount has included a gag reel plus a collection of bonus trailers as extras, below is a closer look at these supplements broken down per disc. DISC ONE: The first disc features the following bonus trailers which play before the start of the Main Menu only: - "CBS Dramas" which runs for 1 minute 48 seconds. - "Ghost Whisperer: The Second Season" which runs for 29 seconds. - "Charmed: The Final Season" which runs for 50 seconds. - "Criminal Minds: The Second Season" which runs for 32 seconds. - "Jericho: The First Season" which runs for 30 seconds. - "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Volume 1" which runs for 1 minute 40 seconds. - "Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition" which runs for 1 minute 40 seconds. Note: These can only be viewed through a sub-menu before the start of the Main Menu. They cannot be selected any other way. DISCS TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE & SIX: These discs do not have any extra features. DISC SEVEN: This final disc features a gag reel which runs 3 minutes, 4 seconds. It's just one clip after another of bloopers from the season. This could have been longer, considering there are almost NO other extras.
Packaging
"JAG: The Fifth Season" is a 7-DVD set with a total of four clear plastic slim-cases. The first three cases house 2 DVDs, while the last one only houses 1. They are placed into a cardboard case.
Overall
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