In this episode of JAG, Mac prepares for her impending nuptials with Mic, while Harm heads to a carrier for re=qualifications, pairing up again with Lieutenant Elizabeth "Skates" Hawkes. Mac doesn’t take Harm’s absence at her rehearsal dinner well, while Harm faces the prospect of dealing with a hostile skipper and uncompromising LSO. However, as the rehearsal dinner gets going and Harm tries to fly through a storm to return in time for the wedding ceremony, his Tomcat develops problems.
As the episode draws to a close, Harm and his RIO Skates eject into the stormy Atlantic Ocean. Skates is rescued but Harm is dragged underwater by his parachute.
To be continued...
Tropes found here are
- Big Storm Episode: The rehearsal dinner and Harm’s ejection into the ocean occur during a particularly bad storm.
- Cliffhanger: Episode ends with Harm seemingly drowning after ejecting into a stormy ocean.
- Coming in Hot: Just as Harm is flaring to trap, the 3 wire note malfunctions and the LSO waves him off just a little too late. Harm instead lands and bolters - takes off again.
- Eject... Eject... Eject...: Harm screams this before Skates ejects. However, he is forced to eject later.
- Hostile Weather: A really bad storm prevents Harm from landing at NAS Oceana or NAS Patuxent River due to zero visibility, while his fighter is having flight control issues. Harm is forced to go through the storm to try to get to Andrew’s AFB, which causes more systems to fail on his aircraft. After he ejects, the low visibility makes it hard for Search and Rescue to find him.
- Landing Gear Shot: Shown as Harm makes the approach for the first trap of the day.
- Skewed Priorities: Mac thinks Harm has his priorities skewed, when he chooses to go and complete his carrier qualification rather than attend her rehearsal dinner. She is in actuality venting her frustration at him not acting on their mutual attraction.
- Foreshadowing: Harm putting his desire to fly off a carrier before Mac will ultimately prove to be the factor that ends their relationship as shown in Season 11 of NCIS: Los Angeles
