"The Court-Martial of Sandra Gilbert" is an episode of JAG that first aired on September 30, 1997. Directed by Alan J Levi. Written by Stephen Zito.
Marine Lieutenant Sandra Gilbert (Elizabeth Mitchell) is doing well as a Cobra gunship pilot during an exercise. But then her squadron commander grounds her and brings her up on charges of disobeying a direct order, and conduct unbecoming an officer.
Lt. Gilbert allegedly had a sexual relationship with Gunnery Sergeant Maxwell Frankl (Rex Smith), a flight line gunnery sergeant, who is married. Major MacKenzie will prosecute, while Lt. Commander Rabb agrees to defend Lt. Gilbert. To further complicate matters, Congresswoman Bobbie Latham (Anne Marie Johnson) shows up, believing that Gilbert is being unfairly railroaded out of the Marines.
Tropes
- Book Ends: The episode begins and ends with Lt. Gilbert doing well in a helo gunship training exercise. Both times she exclaims "Not bad for a girl huh!" The first time she says it, she is overjoyed. The second time, she is rather melancholy, as she is getting kicked out of the Marine Corps in disgrace.
- Cigar Chomper: Rabb at a bar, twice in this episode. The first time hanging out with Mac and Roberts, the second time by himself when Latham joins him at the table.
- Jackie Robinson Story: Gilbert was heading in that direction. Until she slept with her flight line chief.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: Air Force Lt. Kelly Flinn
is name checked, and Lt. Gilbert is an intentional Expy. - Orbital Shot: For Rabb's first meeting with Latham. She has just debarked from an aircraft and Rabb has gone up to meet her. The camera swings around them a couple of times.
- Replacement Goldfish: Congresswoman Bobbie Latham becomes one for Straw Feminist character Congresswoman DeLong. Latham however, isn't as much of a Strawman Political.
- The Smurfette Principle: Being the only woman in the entire squadron, meant that Lt. Gilbert got very lonely. And that was what led her to fraternize with an enlisted man.
- Walk and Talk: At least three for Latham and Rabb: their first meeting on the airfield, when walking out of a military building before she addresses reporters standing outside, and again on the airfield as Latham prepares for her helicopter ride with Lt. Gilbert.
- You Go, Girl!: Gilbert was first in her class in Advanced Helicopter Training, was the first woman in the Corps, chosen to fly gunships and is the top scorer in pre-deployment exercises in her squadron. Not bad for a girl, huh?
