"Ghosts" is an episode of JAG that first aired on February 14, 1997. Directed by Ray Austin. Teleplay by R. Scott Gemmill based on a story by Brian Nelson and Gemmill.
Chegwidden is jogging with his girlfriend, Judge Laura Delaney (Meg Wittner), when she sets off a booby trap meant for Chegwidden. Someone is murdering people close to Chegwidden, leaving little Buddha statues as a calling card. All signs point to Osbourne (Leon Russom), a CIA operative who's lost perspective.
Rabb and Mac talk to Judge Delaney. She seems more frustrated with Chegwidden's stoicism than afraid for her own life. She goes to Chegwidden's house to cook for him. When he comes home, she accidentally sets off another booby trap that was meant for Chegwidden, but this one kills her.
Rabb worries that Chegwidden's going to take justice into his own hands and murder Osborn. Chegwidden has Rabb revise his will, adding a codicil (we never hear what the codicil's about). Rabb's concerned that Chegwidden doesn't even bother to read the new will. Also, Chegwidden has written a letter of resignation, and leaves the office.
Roberts discovers the address where Chegwidden is going: 37 Elm Street, Middleburg, Virgnia. We see that there's a listening device hidden on Chegwidden's desk, but we're led to believe that Chegwidden and his subordinates are unaware of it.
Osborn is in his car when he hears the address, and immediately goes there. He breaks into the place, he's got a gun with a silencer. But then he feels Chegwidden's gun on his neck. Chegwidden ties Osborn up and transports him to the woods to kill him.
Meanwhile Rabb and Roberts go fetch Agent Webb. Since Rabb's Corvette is a two-seater, only Rabb and Webb can go, temporarily stranding Roberts.
Chegwidden has both a knife and a gun. But then he throws his knife into the ground. Maybe Chegwidden won't kill Osborn after all. But then Osborn steps on a mine. Osborn begs Chegwidden to tell him how to disarm the mine, and confesses everything. Chegwidden walks away.
It turns out that Rabb, Mac and Webb have been nearby, recording everything Osborn's been saying. Webb says it would be useless in court, and the lawyers agree. But what would happen if certain people at the CIA heard that tape? Webb says he'll make sure the right people hear it.
Osborn tries to disarm the mine, but sets it off. It was just a training mine, dangerous like fireworks, but unlikely to be lethal. Osborn has just gotten a taste of his own medicine, but Chegwidden didn't want to be seen taking pleasure in someone else's agony.
Also in this episode, something or other about Roberts, some midshipmen and a mascot goat.
Tropes
- 555: Middleburg, Virginia is a real town, and there are a few 37 Elm Streets in Virginia, but none of them in Middleburg.
- Chegwidden and his staff Bluff the Eavesdropper, Osborn.
- Driving Question: What happened to Harmon Rabb, Sr.? All Rabb Jr. knows for sure at this point is that his father was shot down over Vietnam on Christmas 1969. This episode doesn't bring the son any closer to the answer: CIA agent Jack Holford desecrated the corpses of North Vietnamese Army sympathizers he killed before he went MIA, but he seems to have no direct connection to Rabb Sr. whatsoever.
- Engineered Public Confession, averted somewhat: Chegwidden gets Osborn, fearful for his own life, to confess on tape. But the tape will only be heard by a few people at the CIA, not the general public.
