"Dungaree Justice" is an episode of JAG that first aired on January 12, 1999. Directed by Hugo Cortina. Written by David Zabel.
Three sailors are accused of beating up Peter Reardon (Leo Rossi) a bar owner who allegedly raped one of their shipmates, Petty Officer Lopez (Mercedes Colon):
- Petty Officer Third Class Colbert (Tom Schanley)
- Seaman Hendrix (Anthony Montgomery)
- Seaman Olin (Christopher Dean Johnston)
There's also an Article 32 hearing for Major MacKenzie, who allegedly committed perjury when she was on trial for the murder of Chris Ragle, her husband. The judge, Admiral Morris (Harrison Page), decides not to refer the matter to court-martial and determines the statute of limitations has run out on her fraternization with Lt. Colonel Farrow.
Mikey Roberts asks his brother Lt. Bud Roberts for advice on getting out of his enlistment contract, as he would much rather be a cartoonist for the Washington Post. Bud considers every option, including that Mikey claim to be gay. Bud takes Mikey to the Navy Art Gallery to show him he doesn't have to give up his artistic ambitions in the Navy.
In the last two minutes or so of the episode, we are told of three NATO observers who were kidnapped by terrorists and that some old friends of Chegwidden's have been sent to the rescue, thus setting up the awkwardest cliffhanger in TV history.
Tropes
- Disability Alibi: The bar owner couldn't have raped Lopez because he's impotent. Rabb seems to accept that explanation. In any case, the real rapist turns out to be an active duty sailor.
- Obstructive Vigilantism: The three sailors beating up the bar owner because they think he raped Lopez.
- Rank Up, averted: Chegwidden tells Mac that he's withdrawing his recommendation for her accelerated promotion to lieutenant colonel.
- Shout-Out to Touched by an Angel: Mac sarcastically suggests the wholesome family show as Hendrix's alibi. But Hendrix instead claims he was watching a football game.
- Title Drop: At least twice in the episode. Chegwidden wants to know if there's a culture aboard the ship the three sailors are from "that condones dungaree justice." Later, Rabb says to the three suspects: "That's the problem with dungaree justice, if you're wrong, it's just a dumb crime."
- To Be Continued: For the story of the NATO observers mentioned just before the end credits.
