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JAG

Contemptuous Words

  • Episode aired Nov 23, 1999
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
141
YOUR RATING
S5.E9
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  • E9
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A newspaper prints an op-ed piece, contemptuous of the PotUS (and a violation of the UCMJ), which first appears to have come from Harm's office computer; Harm figures it out. Meanwhile Mac e... Read allA newspaper prints an op-ed piece, contemptuous of the PotUS (and a violation of the UCMJ), which first appears to have come from Harm's office computer; Harm figures it out. Meanwhile Mac encounters an unusual question about childbearing.A newspaper prints an op-ed piece, contemptuous of the PotUS (and a violation of the UCMJ), which first appears to have come from Harm's office computer; Harm figures it out. Meanwhile Mac encounters an unusual question about childbearing.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
141
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Jeannot Szwarc
  • Writers
    • Donald P. Bellisario
    • Ed Zuckerman
  • Stars
    • David James Elliott
    • Catherine Bell
    • Patrick Labyorteaux
Top credits
  • Director
    • Jeannot Szwarc
  • Writers
    • Donald P. Bellisario
    • Ed Zuckerman
  • Stars
    • David James Elliott
    • Catherine Bell
    • Patrick Labyorteaux
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

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    David James Elliott
    David James Elliott
    • Harmon Rabb, Jr.as Harmon Rabb, Jr.
    Catherine Bell
    Catherine Bell
    • Sarah MacKenzieas Sarah MacKenzie
    Patrick Labyorteaux
    Patrick Labyorteaux
    • Bud Roberts, Jr.as Bud Roberts, Jr.
    John M. Jackson
    John M. Jackson
    • A.J. Chegwiddenas A.J. Chegwidden
    Karri Turner
    Karri Turner
    • Lt. Harriet Simsas Lt. Harriet Sims
    Anne-Marie Johnson
    Anne-Marie Johnson
    • Rep. Bobbi Lathamas Rep. Bobbi Latham
    Michelle Stafford
    Michelle Stafford
    • Suzanne Mooreas Suzanne Moore
    Kenneth Kimmins
    Kenneth Kimmins
    • Daniel Citroneas Daniel Citrone
    Harry Lennix
    Harry Lennix
    • Agent John Nicholsas Agent John Nichols
    • (as Harry J. Lennix)
    Kristin Dattilo
    Kristin Dattilo
    • Laurie Westinas Laurie Westin
    Randy Vasquez
    Randy Vasquez
    • Gunnery Sgt. Victor 'Gunny' Galindezas Gunnery Sgt. Victor 'Gunny' Galindez
    Molly Hagan
    Molly Hagan
    • Melinda Davyas Melinda Davy
    Chuck Carrington
    Chuck Carrington
    • Jason Tineras Jason Tiner
    Vasili Bogazianos
    • Pappasas Pappas
    Michelle Clunie
    Michelle Clunie
    • Sally Wexleras Sally Wexler
    • (as Michelle Renee Clunie)
    Seth Jaffe
    Seth Jaffe
    • Colonel Warrenas Colonel Warren
    Peter Murnik
    Peter Murnik
    • Clark Palmeras Clark Palmer
    Paul Collins
    • SecNav Alexander Nelsonas SecNav Alexander Nelson
    • Director
      • Jeannot Szwarc
    • Writers
      • Donald P. Bellisario
      • Ed Zuckerman
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit
    A newspaper in Washington prints a guest editorial supposedly by an anonymous Naval officer; the op-ed piece represents a violation of the UCMJ, because it contains words contemptuous of President Clinton. Harm, Mac, and Bud investigate. Bud finds evidence indicating the article in question originated from Harm's office computer. The Office of the Inspector General of the Navy begins an official investigation. A conservative outside civilian group offers public relations and legal assistance. Harm figures out who wrote the objectionable item and it is not the Leavenworth inmate you think it is. He holds a press conference, and he gets a promotion to full commander. Mac encounters an unusual question about childbearing vis-a-vis a conflict between the almost wife and almost ex-wife of a dead Marine over the late jarhead's sperm. —DocRushing/RM Sieger
    • criminal justice
    • Plot summary
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    • Genres
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      • Crime
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      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Parents guide
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    Did you know

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    • Goofs
      Col. MacKenzie first stores the frozen sperm in the JAG kitchen refrigerator and then in a home freezer. Neither would be cold enough to preserve the sperm at liquid nitrogen temperature.
    • Quotes

      SecNav Alexander Nelson: [after Rabb has been promoted to a Full Commander] Commander... Rabb, have you ever *once* in your life done things the easy way?

      Harm: No, sir. Not once.

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    Still fun to watch decades later
    This highly topical episode made during Bill Clinton's second term is loaded with references to his presidency including the Lewinsky scandal, and even has a quip using "that won't happen until Chelsea's second term" as a measure of a long period of time, that had me laughing out loud in hindsight.

    Social issues are treated in interesting, if rather superficial fashion: the still alarming rightwing media exploiting our hero when he gets in trouble for a message traced back to his computer making threats against the Prez; and a fun yet dramatic and soap-operaish subplot concerning the frozen sperm of a dead man whose bride to be is devoted to having his child, but clashing with his divorce-pending widow's wishes to have the sperm destroyed.

    With Fox News' current well-deserved legal troubles this particular episode takes on renewed relevance.
    helpful•2
    1
    • lor_
    • Feb 10, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 23, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Peter Strauss Ranch - 3000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Belisarius Productions
      • Paramount Network Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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