"Shakedown" is an episode of JAG that first aired on March 30, 1999. Directed by Alan J Levi. Written by Donald P. Bellisario & R Scott Gemmill.
Rabb and MacKenzie are dispatched to the USS Coral Sea to investigate an electrical systems failure that occurred during defense operations in the Persian Gulf, and which led to a sailor suffering second degree burns from a ruptured steam pipe. They interview two civilian tech reps: Yarborough (Jack Conley), an electrical engineer, and Newman (David Graf), a hazardous materials specialist. Harm suspects Newman is responsible for causing the accident, while Mac is convinced Yarborough did it.
Turns out they're both right: Yarborough and Newman are collaborating to rob the ship's vault, currently storing over a million dollars in cash. Yarborough causes the ship's systems to fail, including communications and alarms, while Newman hides the money in a hazmat container, which will never be inspected by anyone but him. The plan unravels when Newman double-crosses Yarborough, kicking him overboard with some cash to make it look like he was the only robber. Caught and soundly beaten by Rabb, the robbery is foiled and most of the money recovered.
Back at JAG Headquarters, Bud - having passed his bar exams - is officially inducted as a JAG lawyer, receiving his insignia in a ceremony conducted by Admiral Chegwidden. Later, Chegwidden is visited by a protégé of his, Lieutenant Sherkston (Jon Pennell), whom Chegwidden convinced to join the Navy after he stole the Admiral's car. In town for a routine physical, Sherkston and his young family are shocked when he is diagnosed with leukemia.
Tropes
- Bank Robbery: The true reason behind the electrical faults on board the Coral Sea. Yarborough splices into the ship's power grid in order to knock out the alarms in the disbursement office and rob the vault, while Newman hides the cash in his chemical storage lab.
- Old-School Dogfight: The ship's electrical faults happen at the worst possible time: during an active engagement between the Coral Sea's F-14 Tomcats and unidentified enemy MiGs. The F-14 pilots destroy the MiGs handily, but without power for the runway lights, they can't land on the carrier and are running low on fuel...
- The Topic of Cancer: Lt. Sherkston is diagnosed with leukemia. As a Navy SEAL, Sherkston initially feels that accepting treatment would be like showing weakness; Admiral Chegwidden convinces him that rather than being a sign of weakness, fighting and beating cancer would be the greatest way a SEAL could show his strength and resolve.
- You Have Outlived Your Usefulness: Newman betrays Yarborough, throwing him overboard to take the heat off of himself and make it appear that the money was lost at sea.
As you were...
Dismissed.
