"Above and Beyond" is an episode of JAG that first aired on November 11, 1997. Directed by Tony Wharmby. Written by Paul Levine.
Lt. Curtis Rivers (Montel Williams) is under consideration for the Medal of Honor for rescuing Undersecretary of State Lawrence Culbertson (Gregory Itzin) from a very dangerous situation, but his subordinates say he was reckless.
Culbertson is understandably very grateful to Rivers. Chief Petty Officer Wilkins (Guy Garner) has a markedly different opinion. Rivers allegedly abandoned Petty Officer Douglas (Tico Wells) in order to rescue Culbertson, a gross violation of the SEAL code.
Lt. Commander Rabb and Major MacKenzie are sent to investigate. Mac quickly gets fed up with Rivers's insubordination and unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation. The only way Rabb gets through to Rivers is in a fistfight.
When Rabb finally hears Rivers tell his side of the story, Rabb doubts that Douglas was unconscious when Rivers left him alone. In fact, Douglas, bitter that he lost a leg and Rivers is being considered for a medal, pretended to be unconscious when the other SEALs found him.
Tropes
- Alcohol-Induced Idiocy: Lt. Roberts sings Tom Jones's "Delilah" after drinking a few cocktails. This is referenced later in "Chains of Command".
- Due to the Dead: A Medal of Honor. Lt. Rivers's on his father's tombstone.
- Mistaken for Racist: Supposedly one of the SEALs has no problem taking orders from a black man because his wife is a black woman. Rabb and Mac seem convinced, and drop the line of inquiry.
- Political Overcorrectness: The suggestion that Lt. Rivers should get the Medal of Honor strictly only for the sake of "national healing" rather than because he deserves it.
- Shout-Out by Mac to General Patton, a highly decorated soldier who wanted a Medal of Honor but never earned one. Rivers is unimpressed, and seems not to care whether or not the investigators determine that he deserves the highest military decoration.
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Throw It In!: Someone secretly recorded Patrick Labyorteaux singing karaoke one night, which led to Bud doing the exact same thing in this episode (it’s Patrick lip-syncing his own drunk vocals). - With All Due Respect: Said by Wilkins to Mac when talking to her and Rabb.Mac: So the lieutenant took responsibility for Douglas' safety as well?Wilkins: Oh, with all due respect, ma'am, he [Douglas] would not have needed to be saved if he hadn't been in danger.Rabb: You're a difficult man to impress, chief.
