"Hemlock" is an episode of JAG that first aired on March 27, 1996. Directed by Jim Johnston. Teleplay by Jack Orman and Donald P. Bellisario, based on a story by Robert Cochran, Orman and Bellisario.
Lt. Austin receives a top secret fax by mistake, unknowingly becoming the target of an elusive assassin known only as "Hemlock." The fax has the American itinerary tour for an important international figure code-named "Shepard."
Retired Lt. Colonel Oliver North (as himself) visits Austin in the hospital at Lt. Commander Rabb's urging. Somehow the retired Marine officer, disgraced in the Iran-Contra scandal, knows that "Shepard" is the code name of Russian President Boris Yeltsin. Which of course now means that it's now up to Rabb to prevent the assassination of a foreign head of state on American soil.
Krennick saw Hemlock, and describes him to a sketch artist. Hemlock tries to kill Krennick with a car bomb. Rabb gets to a stop on Yeltsin's itinerary only minutes after Hemlock has already insinuated himself into the security detail.
Soon Rabb chases Hemlock into a parking garage and is able to shoot the car the assassin has just commandeered, shattering the rear windshield and killing the driver, so that the car, which was going up a ramp, rolls down instead. Rabb and Krennick catch up, and Krennick confirms the dead man is indeed Hemlock.
Tropes
- Brief Accent Imitation: When stopped by British security, Hemlock produces credentials from the Security Service while speaking with a heavy Russian accent.
- Hollywood Silencer: Of course the assassin has one of these.
- Improbably Quick Coma Recovery: Hearing Oliver North's voice and dreaming about her father are enough to bring Austin out of her coma.
- It's Personal: Chegwidden, when telling Rabb and Krennick to find Hemlock:Chegwidden: S.O.B. comes in here and shoots one of my officers, I want him stuffed and put in my trophy room. And I want us to do it.
- Jurisdiction Friction: Chegwidden is told to "call off your dogs." Instead, he tells Krennick and Rabb to continue working on the investigation. It's not like these military lawyers have any actual court-martials to litigate.
- Master of Disguise: The assassin has time to make most of his costume changes throughout the episode, but in the chase at the end, he's extremely well prepared and quick on his feet, seeming to produce a green jacket out of thin air.
- Multiple Identity IDs: Over the course of the episode Hemlock produces credentials as an officer of the Royal Navy, a member of the British security contingent, and a member of the Russian Security Service.
- No Name Given: We never find out the assassin's real name.
- The Nondescript: This is what makes Hemlock so elusive — he's an white male of average height, average weight, and average build with no distinguishing features or characteristics. Between that and his knack for accents, he can blend in with any crowd.
- Professional Killer: The assassin, of course.
- Shout-Out to Elvis Presley: Carmichael says he feels bad Austin was shot, but tells Rabb not to turn Hemlock into Elvis.
