"Black Ops" is an episode of JAG that first aired on April 10, 1996. Directed by Ray Austin. Teleplay by Greg Strangis and Robert McCullough, based on a story by Peter Lance, Strangis and McCullough.
Senator Grace Marion (Rosemary Forsyth) demands answers in the death of her son, Lt. Douglas Marion, a naval aviator who went on a special mission with Navy SEALs. Allegedly, the SEALs were negligent. Chegwidden, himself a SEAL, sends Rabb and Austin to investigate, but soon after takes a more hands-on approach to the investigation.
Supposedly Lt. Marion died because his parachute didn't open. But the autopsy shows that he had already suffocated before hitting the water, suggesting negligence or perhaps even murder. He was supposed to have an oxygen supply with him.
However, the fault actually lies with Army General Behnke (Conor O'Farrell), who is still trying to cover up his own involvement with a drug cartel. Chegwidden has the SEALs try the mission again, this time with Rabb in Lt. Marion's place. Rabb successfully parachutes where Marion died and gets a seeming lemon of a drug running plane up and flying.
With the finding now proving the idea that Lt. Marion committed suicide was wrong, he can now be buried with full military honors, and Senator Marion receives a folded flag with a SEAL trident pin.
Tropes
- General Behnke commits a form of Seppuku once he realizes that the dots are going to connect back to him. Behnke dies in a manner similar to how the senator's son died, but presumably the corrupt general won't be getting a military burial with honors.
- Shout-Out to Jane Austen: the SEALs quiz each other on famous quotations, including one from the British novelist. Specifically, the very first line of Pride and Prejudice: "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."
- Subtle (relative to prior episodes) Theme Music Power-Up when Senator Marion sees firsthand SEALs parachuting out of a helicopter. The theme music turns a bit somber for Lt. Marion's funeral.
