All language subtitles for JAG.S07E15.Head.to.Toe.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-BurCyg_track4_[eng]

[motor scooter passing]

I think I know this woman.

Lieutenant Donato?
Major Winters,

-Air Force Security Police.
-You know me, sir?

I checked you in the day
you arrived from Masirah.

Oh, right. Nice shirt, sir.

Thank you.
May I join you?

You hungry, sir?
I can order for two.

You're not ordering, Lieutenant.

You're going to quietly
follow me to your car

get in the back seat,
and allow me to drive you back

to the base where you can change
into appropriate attire.

This is appropriate
in Brooklyn, sir.

We could send you back there.

Be smart about this,
Lieutenant.

There's a Muslim cleric
watching your every move.

That's because
he can see me, sir.

I'm ordering you
to do as instructed,

Lieutenant,
or face punitive action.

Your answer?

How are the salads here, sir?

[opening theme music playing]

[knocking]

Come in, Congresswoman.

How did you know it w...?

"Congresswoman Latham,
a long-time advocate

of women's rights
in the armed forces

believes that
Navy Lieutenant

Stephanie Donato's defiance
of female dress codes

driving regulations
and mandatory male accompaniment

illustrates the need
to establish increased

constitutional protection

for female members
of the military."

Have you gotten to the part
where I talk about banging down

the doors of people
in the position

to effect a change?

Well, not in time
to reinforce my hinges.

[chuckles]
I'm not here
to lobby you, Admiral.

Simply on a
fact-finding mission.

Okay. Here are the facts:
Commander Rabb
and Colonel MacKenzie

are defending the lieutenant.

Now we're on the same page.

Their initial assessment?

Not in yet.

And when they know something?

I'll give you a call.

Thank you.

And remind you
that this office serves

a judicial,
not a legislative, function.

[knocking]

Enter.

Excuse me, sir, I'm sorry.

Commander.

Congresswoman.

Well, I was just leaving.

Thank you very much
for your time, Admiral.

You mind walking me out?

Not at all.

-If I remember,
you're a former submariner.
-That is correct.

Well, then that explains why
you haven't surfaced till now.

[chuckles]

I-- I've been busy.

Well, when you feel
you have some time

why don't you come over
and see me?

I'll show you around.

Well, one just doesn't
drop by the Capitol

these days,
Congresswoman.

I'm friendly
with the doorman.

[Rabb]
Why did you ignore
the regulations, Lieutenant?

Because they're
ridiculous, sir.

Was it worth
the trouble you're in?

Think about it, sir.
I'm on trial
for eating lunch.

You can't remove
the argument

from the context,
Lieutenant.
This is Saudi Arabia.

But, ma'am, I'm a citizen
of the United States.

Under orders prescribed
by the DOD, Lieutenant.

"While traveling off base
unless serving an active
military function

female personnel
must wear an abaya

or Muslim robe
and head scarf.

They must be accompanied
by a male at all times.

They may not drive.

They must ride in the rear seat
of the vehicle."

Congratulations, Lieutenant.
You went four-for-four,
not even a sacrifice fly.

Five-for-five, sir.

The base commander
requires us

to wear veils as well.

You think that this is funny,
Lieutenant?

No, sir.

I'm just trying to make clear
what it's like for us out here.

The restrictions
aren't even confined

to off base, sir.

We have to keep
our sleeves rolled down

so we won't offend
any Saudi males

who might be around.

It just got to be too much.

Frustration is a lousy reason
for disobeying
standing orders, Lieutenant.

History informs me it's
one of the best ones, ma'am.

Look, I understand
that absolute
constitutional rights

do not apply
in the armed forces

but these circumstances
are just so intolerable...

Lieutenant, we're not here
to debate policy.

You're facing
an Article 32 hearing.

We should be spending this time

coming up
with a game plan.

Now, why don't you
give us something

we can work with?

Sir, I realize
I flouted regulations

and disobeyed a service officer,
but these rules aren't fair

and that's what
you have to argue.

In my opinion.

[Rabb] You know, these policies
have been in place

since 1995, Lieutenant.

If you didn't feel
you could tolerate them

why didn't you protest
your assignment

to the Air Force
in the first place?

You could have stayed
on with the Navy in Masirah.

Ma'am, the Air Force base
commander told me

the policy was under review.

[man]
That was my impression
at the time.

[Rabb]
What changed, General?

The world.
As a result of September 11

we've been in negotiations
with the Saudis

about expanding our use
of their bases.

American women in uniform
is a sensitive issue.

Couldn't you appreciate
the lieutenant's distress, sir,

when she discovered that
nothing was going to change?

I assumed that
she would exhibit

the flexibility
I've come to expect

from my own officers, Commander.

Sir, Lieutenant Donato claims
she also protested

through other channels.
Is that correct?

She wrote eight letters
to her congressman, Colonel.

Openly petitioned
the Secretary of Defense.

For all I know, she tried to get
an audience with the pope.

Did she ever request a transfer
back to the naval base, sir?

No, Commander.

But it makes me wonder
if flying or griping

is her first priority.

Lieutenant.
Your squadron commander told me
I could find you out here.

-Commander.
-Can we talk?

I'm going up, sir.

Relief drop to Afghanistan.

I'm afraid it's going
to have to wait.

Unless you're interested
in giving those wings
a morning stretch.

Find me some flight gear.

Yes, sir.

[Rabb]
You ever think about flying
something smaller, Lieutenant?

And trade my condor
for a wasp?

No, thank you, sir.

Tell me something.
If you're so constrained
by the policies in this region

why are you still here?

[man] I've been asking
the lieutenant the same question
for months.

I mean,
I'm of Lebanese descent

and Idon't even like it here.

So, what's your
answer, Lieutenant?

One moment, sir.

Clambake, this is Streetcar 3-5,
inbound.

Thirty seconds to drop. Over.

[man over radio]
Streetcar 3-5,
this is Clambake.

D.Z. Green, wind calm,
clear to drop.

Roger that, 2-5-3.

Speed, 160 knots.

Holding at altitude steady.

Release point in ten seconds.

Ready.
Ready...

-[beep]
-Green light.

We just dropped two tons
of food packets, blankets,
and medicine.

That'swhy I stay, sir.

-Enjoy your flight?
-Yeah, the lieutenant
is quite a pilot.

Lieutenant, uh,
Stephanie Donato

this is Lieutenant
Colonel Sara Coffey

base staff Judge Advocate.

Ma'am.

[Sara] Been familiarizing myself
with your file, Lieutenant.

You have two allies here.

You should be very grateful.

Thanks to some
back-channel negotiating

we've come up with a proposal.

Yes, ma'am?

All charges will be dropped

if you agree to stop pushing
the dress-code issue.

Understood, ma'am.

[Sara] No letters
no petitions, no complaints.

Agreed, ma'am.

There's a Saudi Muslim cleric

who saw you drive yourself
to the cafe.

And he wants her to apologize?

General Sawyer believes
it'll put the matter to rest.

What would I say, ma'am?

"In regard to the incident
of last week...

[Donato]
...I would like to tender

my deepest
and most sincere apology.

My actions showed a disrespect

for the cultural customs

and religious tenets
of your faith

and my behavior was unacceptable
for an officer

in the United States Navy.

I in no way meant
to cause any pain

or discomfort for you

or the people
of Saudi Arabia.

And if I have done so...

I am truly sorry.

Your apology is accepted.

And may I say,
it is refreshing to see

a young American woman
showing proper deference

and speaking with a mature mind

instead of
an unrestrained tongue.

Excuse me, sir,
but are you saying that
American women are not mature?

By ourstandards.

[scoffing]
12th-century ones.

Pardon me?

Lieutenant...

I would like to know
what the young lady said.

I am implied that
these standards are old, sir.

Ancient, like your Bible.

My Bible doesn't tell me
to oppress women, sir.

What may seem to you
as oppression

is regarded in this country
as exalted respect.

[Donato] So, if I were
to prevent you

from participating
in your world

you would feel respected?

Let's call it a cultural gulf

and put it aside, shall we?

Call it what it is, sir.

All right.

I'll call it impertinence.

A woman who has been given
the privilege of controlling men

should at leastbe capable
of controlling her tongue.

And a man
who doesn't treat women

any better than the camels

in his garage doesn't deserve
to be in their company.

That's enough, Lieutenant.

Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.

[door closes]

See you in court, Lieutenant.

Sir, ma'am, I apologize.
I don't even know
is he hasa garage.

[Donato]
Does anyone plan to say
anything, other than me?

I'll start.
What were you thinking?

My father calls it
the bigger-trigger, sir.

I can't back down
in front of somebody

-who thinks they're
bigger than me.
-Oh, good.

We'll present that
as our defense.

I hear your frustration, ma'am,
but my career is not worth

rolling over for that
sanctimonious polyp.

I can't blame you if
you want to walk away.

Look, nobody is walking away,
Lieutenant.

Our job is to defend you

and that is what
we're going to do.

You have a strategy, sir?

Well, I'm considering
duct tape.

Maybe we should take advantage
of my big mouth

and put me up
on the stand, sir.

Lieutenant, why don't
you go back to duty.

We'll, uh, we'll come up
with something.

That'll be all.

Aye, aye, sir.

You're giving her
false hope, Harm.

I support her
on the issues, Mac.

The lieutenant has no
sense of propriety, Harm.

She's the worst possible
spokesperson for the issues.

And even if I agreed with you
I wouldn't know
where to start.

I mean, how would
you get past
the orders violation?

Well, we have to prove
that the orders are unlawful

by holding them up to the light
of the Constitution.

You expecting
the Chief Justice to be
in attendance?

I agree with you, Mac.

We can't win this case
on the facts.

We have to put
the policies on trial.

This is an aviator thing,
isn't it?

Pilot bonding?
She's a misguided firebrand

until you go up with her
and then when you come down,
you're on her side.

Oh, no, no, no, no.
This is about your tendency
to overcompensate

when faced with a female client.

Here is a woman
who broke the rules

for perfectly valid reasons

but you insist on holding
her legal fee to the fire.

Because she didn't protest
lawfully.

Neither did
the suffragettes, Mac.

They went to jail, Harm.

Hope you don't plan on basing
our defense on their example.

[Turner]
Move this paragraph to begin

the second subheading,
and that should be it.

-[Sims] Yes, sir.
-You two still here?

Uh, we'll be leaving
shortly, sir.

-Plans for the weekend?
-[Sims] Yes, sir.

Bud and I are going
out this Saturday

for the first time in months.

We have a baby-sitter

dinner reservations
and everything.

And you, Commander?

Looking forward
to kicking back, sir.

Mm... alone?

That was the plan, sir.

Walk me out.

Yes, sir.

Have a good weekend, sir.

Lieutenant.

Called
Congresswoman Latham yet?

Sir?

Just curious.

Well, I've considered it, sir

but to be honest with you

the idea of dating
a politician...

Afraid she wants your vote?

No, sir, but, uh...

Look, this is probably none
of my business, but...

you spend a lot of time here.

Might not be a bad thing
to go out and have some fun.

Just a suggestion.

Do you generally take
this kind of interest

in the personal lives
of your staff, sir?

At my peril.

Well, I'll
consider it.

Thank you, Admiral.

Good night, Commander.

Captain Tobak, you were
assigned to the same squadron
as Lieutenant Donato?

Yes, ma'am.
We've flown
missions together.

How do you feel about DOD policy
regarding off-base behavior
for women?

The regs are inconvenient,
ma'am, but I follow them.

-Why?
-Standing orders.

-Is that the only reason?
-No, ma'am.

I'm a guest here.
I don't feel I have
the right to impose

my country's tastes
on the people
of the host nation.

So, you don't consider
not being able to drive

or having to wear an abaya
to be a violation
of your rights?

It doesn't bother me,
ma'am.

In fact, without an abaya,
I'd stand out in a crowd

get looks from people
on the street.

Thank you, Captain.

Captain, are
you Christian?

-Yes, ma'am, Catholic.
-Like Lieutenant Donato?

That's right, ma'am.

The wearing of an abaya by women

is a tenet of the Islamic faith,
is it not?

-It is, ma'am.
-Are we to believe
that you don't consider

having to wear one

an infringement of your
First Amendment right

to practice religion freely

without the imposition
of another faith?

The way I look at it, ma'am,
it's like when my husband
and I go to my friend's house

for Passover,
and he puts on a yarmulke.

[MacKenzie]
Does your friend make
your husband wear the yarmulke?

[woman] No.

She does make us eat

that fish stuff
with the horseradish, though.

But the point is
that your husband chooses
to wear it, correct?

Yes, ma'am.
But I think he'd be
okay with it

even it if it was a requirement.

It's not like we're going
to stop believing

in the Holy Trinity
by the end of the seder.

General Sawyer,
what is the purpose

of current regulations regarding
female personnel?

They're designed to avoid
cultural conflict.

We also want to protect
our women

from harassment by the mutawa,
the religious police,

and attacks from
terrorist cells.

Sir, has Lieutenant
Donato expressed

her displeasure with
these regulations?

Yes.

What were her
exact words, General?

That they were ludicrous
and fraught with hypocrisy.

So, when Lieutenant Donato,
alone, and in civilian dress

drove herself to a cafe,
sir, do you believe
that she was acting

in defiance of set policies?

Calls for speculation,
Your Honor.

Sustained.

[Sara] No further questions.

General, when the Air Force
speaks of cultural
sensitivity, sir

aren't we pandering
to the Saudis?

-You Honor...
-I'll rephrase,
You Honor.

Sir, is it not true
that this policy has

a political component?

Politics are
inextricably linked

to military objectives
these days, Commander.

We need to keep
the Saudis on our side.

Even if that means, sir,
degrading our woman

by subjecting them
to policies that back home

would be deemed
unconstitutional?

We aren't back home.

No, sir, but we are defending
our constitution

as well as our country,
are we not?

[Sawyer] At the moment,
Commander

we're defending our citizens.

Including those under
my command.

Safety is the primary rationale.

General, there is an editorial

by former
Secretary of Defense Daniels

in which he states,
"The policy serves

no legitimate military
purpose or end."

Would you
agree with that, sir?

By strict definition, yes.

Thank you, sir,
that will be all.

But when
Osama Bin Laden

summoned the fundamentalist
Islamic world to join him,

he cited the presence
of American military personnel

on sacred Saudi soil
as cause for jihad.

Our intention is not
to repress our women.

It's to repress
the terrorist propaganda

that was created
by their presence.

[sighs]
The constitutional arguments
aren't working.

Well, we've
got to rethink.

You say it like we haven't
done that already.

[phone rings]

Rabb.

Colonel Coffey...

Oh, is that right?

Where are you now?

Is that off base?

What's the address?

All right, well, we'll,
uh, see you in an hour.

Okay.

Got to love this job.

Just when you're about to
plummet to the earth

your opponent throws
you a parachute.

What do you think
the colonel will want?

To turn our client
into a civilian.

That will save her from losing
her benefits.

Probably our best option.

You really want
to do that to her, Mac?

-She's doing it
to herself, Harm.
-Mac...

She came here to serve
her country
not express her opinions.

Mac...

It's not ours
to choose

-which orders to obey.
-Mac.

What?

I have to drive,
we're going off base.

[sighs]

Do you see her?

You're kidding, right?

[Islamic prayer]

[grunts]

Commander.
Colonel.

Colonel.

Sorry you had to come to me.

I'm involved in the current
Status of Forces discussions

with the Saudis,
but I wanted

to put this on the table

before the hearing
resumes tomorrow.

What is your role
in these discussions, may I ask?

I'm assisting
the lead negotiator.

They let you talk?

Can we stay on point, please?

[sighs]

Your move.

One offer, nonnegotiable.

Well, so far,
it doesn't sound

too attractive, Colonel.

It's generous under
the circumstances.

Dismissal as adjudged,
no forfeitures or confinement.

We'll plead to the charge

and we'll accept a non-punitive
letter of reprimand.

You're negotiating, Commander.

Well, I guess
I can't help myself.

Dismissal is the cornerstone
of our position.

Lieutenant Donato
is a disruptive presence.

She has to go.

We'll discuss it
with our client.

No.

I'm sorry, no deal, Colonel.

We're recommending
to the lieutenant

that the matter be decided
in court.

[MacKenzie]
Can we stop talking about this?

Yeah, as soon as you give me
an answer I can accept.

I was beginning to lean
towards your deal:

dismissal without
punishment.

I mean, you're the one
who was so convinced
we couldn't defeat

-the prosecution's case
in the first place.
-I changed my mind.

-Without informing me.
-I'm sorry.

It was an impulse.
You heard it when I felt it.

-Felt what?
-The sense of
isolation you get...

when you wear one
of these things!

You cease to exist.

I know
you were there.

Yeah, but you didn't know
what I was feeling.

Come on. You've worn
one of these things before.

Hell, your grandmother's
Iranian.

She probably never went
anywhere without one.

She never wore
a veil, Harm.

It changes everything.

You speak, but you're not heard.

Well, I heard Lieutenant
Colonel Coffey.

Yeah, because she had
information for us.

But if you weren't interested
in what she had to say

she would have been less present
than the plant next to her.

What does this all have to do
with Lieutenant Donato's case?

Everything.
The regulations force
the lieutenant

to separate herself from men,
which weakens her authority

diminishes her ability
to be taken seriously.

That's her issue: the policy
makes women ineffective.

All right, so how do we make
this point?

We let the lieutenant make it
herself.

No.

Just hear me out.

After you've had a cold shower.

This entire case
is about free expression.

How do we stand
for those principles

and deny our client
the right to defend herself?

When you turn...

The only way we're going
to sway the hearing officer

at this point,
is to let the lieutenant

take the stand
and tell her story.

Oh, you mean the one
about how she violated orders.

Yes. She can argue
her emotional reasons
behind the decision.

If the lieutenant has anything
going for her, Harm

it's the depth of her feelings.

[Latham]
So, what made you decide
on an Afghan restaurant?

[Turner]
I like the food.

I thought it might be
because we're allies now.

-No.
-Good evening.

You know, we're having
a hell of a time

with the transitional
government in Kabul.

It's feudal
and faction-rich.

I mean, I think
we're not going to
approach stability...

Boy, this is low.

Let me take your coat.

-Thank you.
-You're welcome.

Let me help you there.

I think I'm
going to need it.

Okay.

Just... Why don't I...
like that?

-All right.
All right.

Whoo!

I am so sorry.

No, I'm fine. Just...

Here we go. Here we go.

Can you give me
a little boost?

Okay.

Oh! Thank you.

Just... Try to get my...

into a more
comfortable...

Okay.

Oh!
Gosh, I'm sorry.
Are you all right?

I'm okay. I'm all right.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry about it.

Just let me get
a little closer.

[grunts]

[sighs]

Okay.

This is probably not
what you had in mind.

Oh, falling, no,
eating, yes.

Okay.

[sighs]

Hmm... Ooh.

Bulani Katchalu...

flat-bread stuffed
with stewed leeks.

Hmm...

You know
we can always go somewhere else.

There's a...

No, no, I really want
to try this.

Well, maybe afterwards
we can do something else,
and your choice.

All right.
Um, do you like salsa music?

Okay.

Lieutenant,
prior to your arrival

from Masirah, were you aware
of regulations

concerning female behavior
off base?

Yes, sir, but I was under
the impression

those regulations were being
rethought.

When you discovered,
Lieutenant, that they weren't

why didn't you transfer back
to the naval base?

Because once inside, sir

I realized I might be
in a position

where I can do something
about them.

Why bother? None of the other

female personnel seemed to mind.

They do mind, sir

but most feel they don't have
a voice in the matter.

Based on what I've seen, sir,

it's pretty much that way
for all women in this region.

What have you seen,
Lieutenant?

A lot of sick mothers,

children, and elderly, sir.

See, the trick
about dropping supplies, sir,
is to get them to the neediest.

Does that happen?

If they aren't hoarded or seized
by troops

on the ground first.

That happens more
often than it should,
in my opinion.

[Rabb] Does that bother you,
Lieutenant?

[Donato] Yes, sir.

The reason why I wanted
to be a part of this

was so I can help people
in need.

Is that because
of your upbringing?

Yes, sir, it is.

I grew up
in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, sir.

The only girl in five.

All of us were taught
to serve.

One of my brothers
is a cop.

The other's in the Coast Guard,
and two are firemen.

Do you regret, Lieutenant,
having defied base regulations?

I regret the controversy,
the bad press and the conflicts

with my superiors, sir.

But I'm not sorry for fighting
a policy that disrespects women.

Thank you, Lieutenant.
Nothing further.

Lieutenant, you claim
to be concerned for refugees

but you came here to fly,
did you not?

Yes, that's what I do, ma'am.

According to your
base commander in Masirah

that is the one and only reason
you jumped at this assignment.

Objection. Hearsay and facts
not in evidence.

Sustained.
You needn't respond, Lieutenant.

[Sara] Lieutenant,
did you write letters

or file protests regarding
Saudi off-base regulations

prior to coming here?

-No, ma'am.
-Isn't that because

they were of absolutely
no concern to you

until they directly affected
your life?

And the lives of every woman
I've met on and off base.

That would include you, ma'am.

[Latham]
So, you would think
given the state

of their military readiness

they'd be more likely to agree.

I don't mean
to change the subject

but I don't think
you ever told me
where you're from.

Detroit, the district
I represent.

Have you always lived there,
or did you return?

No. I returned to help my mother

with some local
civil rights initiatives.

This will interest you.

The state legislature
at the time...

Are you close with your mother?

Yeah, we talk often.

It's important
to have that touchstone.

I think so.

In fact, um, I was having
a conversation with her

this morning
about Lieutenant Donato

the Navy lieutenant
in Saudi Arabia

who's fighting
the off-base
codes of behavior.

Are you familiar
with that?

Yes, I am.

Do you have any interest
in politics, Commander?

Uh, yes, I do.

But you just don't seem
to want to go there.

I'm sorry, but I just don't know
very much about you.

I assumed I was telling you.

You're telling me what you do

which I agree is an insight
into how you think

but I'm also curious
into how you feel

and to be honest

I don't usually talk shop
outside the office.

That's all I do.

You know what they say
if there'd been no cloakroom,
there'd be no Constitution.

I wonder what they say
about relationships.

-Commander?
-It ishim.

-Well, hello.
-Hey, we saw you
through the window.

It's great to see you,
Congresswoman.

Hi. I'd stand, but
I don't think I can.

How are you guys?

We're good now.

The baby-sitter was late

we got stuck
in a traffic jam.

We lost our reservations.

Sorry to hear that.

What are you going to do?

I don't know.
We were just looking
for a restaurant.

This place looks
really interesting.
Have you guys eaten?

Yes, but we'd love to stay

and have coffee and dessert
with you.

-Well, that would be great.
-Please, join us.

You know,
you look very nice.

Well, thank you very much.

So...

We had no idea.

About what, Lieutenant?

Uh, that you two...

First date.

Oh, well, are you sure you two
don't want to be alone?

-Yes.
-We're sure.

[Sara] Colonel, Commander.

Hello, Colonel.

We were just considering
going to dinner.

Care to put on
a shapeless black dress
and join us?

Emotional arguments aside

this case will go
to court-martial

and your tactics
will just prolong
the agony

for all involved.

What do you have
for us, Colonel?

Clambake, Streetcar 3-5.
Job completed.

Heading home, over.

[man over radio]
Roger that, Streetcar 3-5.
Clambake out.

Whoa!

Fire warning light on two.

[Donato]
Condition lever two, feather.

-Two feather.
-Fire handle, pull.
Fire handle, pull.

Fire agent, discharge.

Roger that, Lieutenant.

Max power on one,
three and four.

One, three, four max.

She's not behaving, Lieutenant.

Gear down. Back me up
on the rudders and aileron.

-Utility boost pump off.
-Off.

-One and two engine
hydraulic pumps off.
-One and two off.

Pull circuit breaker
on utility suction pump.

-Sarge.
-Done, Lieutenant.

Where's the nearest field,
Alex?

There's a dirt strip
a mile south of us.

Emergency landing, boys!
Lock yourselves in!

Final offer:
base commander will agree

to a non-punitive letter
of caution

and a transfer back to Masirah.

The Lieutenant goes quietly

into the night
and all is forgotten.

If it doesn't involve flying

the lieutenant won't be going
quietly anywhere.

[Rabb] The lieutenant
keeps flying

and she stays in Saudi Arabia

Why are you taking
such a hard line on this?

Because we can, Colonel.

Know any prayers, Alex?

I'm already on it, Lieutenant.
I'm already on it.

Beautiful, Brooklyn,
beautiful.

She can fly
but her Air Force fit-rep
reflects her conduct

and she gets a non-punitive
letter of caution.

Well, we'll discuss it with her.

The lieutenant is shy,
but I'm sure

we can coax an answer
out of her.

I just hope she realizes
how fortunate she is.

She may be strong-willed,
Colonel

but she's not stupid.

Check the landing gear, Sergeant
and number three and
number four engines.

Right away, Lieutenant.

[Donato]
We've got company. Lieutenant.

[man speaking Arabic]

[in English]
It's okay, Lieutenant.
They're local boys.

We'll need your Arabic, Alex.

[in Arabic]

[in English]
He wants you to wear an abaya.

[scoffs]
We don't have one with us.

[in Arabic]

[in English]
This is his solution.

Tell him regulations say
I don't have to cover up

while operating
military equipment.

[in Arabic]

-[grunts]
-[groans]

[speaks Arabic]

[in English]
Easy, boys. Easy.

-Translate that, Lieutenant.
-Whoa, whoa.

You really did it this time,
Lieutenant.
You were free and clear.

We negotiated
your punishment down

to a paragraph
in your service record.

-And now?
-Now prosecution
will argue effectively,

that you can
no longer be trusted

by the Air Force and Navy
to represent their interests

in this part of the world.

[sighs]

Commander, Colonel, I'm sorry.

If you want to bail out
on this one...

We're not bailing

but that doesn't mean
the boat isn't sinking.

We're going to have
to come up

with a new game plan.

Sir, ma'am, Lieutenant Donato
saved our lives

and a $40-million aircraft.

Instead of offering help

the Saudis tried
to humiliate her.

Can't that be your argument?

The hearing officer
will only buy

so many excuses, Lieutenant.

Well, you can
still claim

that the regulations were
unfair.

We've done that ad nauseum.

From the woman's perspective
only, sir.

You see, Lieutenant Donato
was the kind of person

who refuses to drag people
into her own affairs

so I'm sure she hasn't told
you everything.

Alex, what are you doing?

These regs are inconsistent
with the principles

of good order and discipline,
sir, ma'am

and I'm not the only man
on base who thinks this way.

Hey, Bud,
I was balancing
our checkbook

and I came across this.

For the baby-sitter.

What's $55, though?

Yeah, $10 an hour.

She was the only one
available.

We spent most of that time
sitting in traffic.

Not to mention having
to sit with two people

who didn't talk to each other
for an hour and a half.

Really, sir?

We didn't notice.

No, sir. It was fine.

And the meal was interesting.

I'm sorry, sir.
What was the problem?

Still working on that,
Lieutenant.

With all
due respect, sir,

it was the first date.

Maybe you should try it again.

Lieutenant Kragen,
you're a pilot

-in Lieutenant Donato's
squadron, is that right?
-Yes, ma'am.

Do you and the others
have a good relationship
with the lieutenant?

We do, ma'am. Lieutenant
Donato's popular.

Do you all hang out?

On base, ma'am.

[MacKenzie] Not off?

[Kragen] The lieutenant chooses
not to join us, ma'am.

Is that because she has to wear
an abaya and a veil?

That's right, ma'am.
Still, we always ask.

Did you ask her to join you
on January ninth?

Yes, ma'am.

A bunch of us thought
it'd be funny

if we showed up at her quarters
wearing abayas and veils

so we bummed some off
some female personnel

knocked on her door,
and when she answered it

we were standing there

looking like something
from the Osama Experience.

Was the lieutenant amused?

No, ma'am.

The joke backfired.

She was very upset,
and we apologized.

Explained to her this was
just our adolescent way
of showing solidarity.

So, what time was this?

About 12:30, ma'am.

An hour prior
to the incident at the cafe.

Yes, ma'am.

Did you feel in some way
responsible

for what the lieutenant did?

I believe in taking
full responsibility

for one's actions, ma'am

but I regret we weren't
more sensitive

as to how she felt
about things.

Lieutenant Zahar,
you're Lieutenant Donato's
copilot, correct?

-Yes, sir.
-Please tell the court
what happened the first week

that Lieutenant Donato arrived
on the base.

We were pre-flighting, sir.

It was about 110 on the asphalt.

The crew chief and I tied

our flight suits
around our waist

but when Lieutenant Donato tried
to do the same

a group of Saudi workman

who we're on a lunch break,
began protesting.

What was their problem?

Disrespect of Islamic law, sir.

How did
the lieutenant react?

She was cool about it, sir.

Asked, through me

if she could at least
unzip her collar.

[Rabb] Was this acceptable
to them?

[Alex] No, sir.

One of them threw
a piece of fruit at her.

Did you stand up to them,
Lieutenant?

We started to, sir

but the lieutenant
ordered us off.

Why?

She didn't want to create
an incident, sir.

And although she
didn't say as much

I think she was trying
to protect us

from getting into any trouble.

This doesn't sound like a woman

who openly flouted
off-base regulations.

Five months of being zipped up
will do that to you, sir.

It's got
to wear you down.

How do you feel
about all this, Lieutenant?

Confused, sir.

In the air, Lieutenant Donato
is an officer

and an exceptional pilot.

And on the ground,
she's faceless
and dependent.

After months of watching
women being subjugated

you almost start to buy into it.

For example, you realize
that you don't have

to salute a woman
wearing an abaya

if you don't know
what rank she is.

In my opinion, sir

the regs erode unit cohesion.

[indistinct chatter over TV]

[phone rings]

-Yes.
-Hi, Bobby. It's Sturgis.

It's a little late, isn't it?

I know. I-- I apologize.

I just had to take a break
from this brief

and I've been thinking
about our evening together.

And what have you concluded?

That I'm still attracted to you.

Why? We have absolutely nothing
in common.

I don't think that's true.

You'd probably be surprised

to learn we agree
on most women's issues.

Like the Donato case?

I support what she did.

As an attorney?

As a member
of a perceived underclass.

I assume you're not talking
about submariners.

[chuckles]

[chuckles]

Uh, look, Sturgis,

this is probably more my problem
than yours

so why don't we just
write it off

as the right people
at the wrong moment?

I don't think I want to do that.

I'd, I'd like
to give it another shot.

How do you even know
we can agree on an activity?

How about this?

How does a quiet evening

in a cozy, neutral environment
sound to you?

Acceptable.

Is that a yes?

Okay.

One more thing.

Do you like kids?

Your Honor, in past wars,
field officers were told
to remove their bars

because their superiors
were more interested

in protecting them
from sniper bullets

than in hurting
their feelings.

By disobeying a standing order

Lieutenant Donato offended
our hosts

and made herself a target
for terrorists.

In doing so, she lost sight
of the bigger picture

and seriously damaged

the maintenance of good order
and discipline

that is so vital in wartime.

Your Honor, good order
and discipline have

no productive application
without unit cohesion.

You heard men
from Lieutenant Donato's
squadron

express their frustration
over a policy
that weakens the bond

between our brothers-
and sisters-in-arms.

The defense asks, sir,
that you simply acknowledge

what the men of Prince Sultan
Airbase already understand:

that asking anyone, sir ,

to withhold their identity
and reduce their stature

in the eyes of others
is inconsistent

with the very values
our fighting men and women

have been sent here to defend.

Now if he wants
something to drink...

Half juice, half water
in a sippy cup. I'm on it.

-Have a good time.
-And you have
our cell number.

Memorized.
You're going to lose
your reservation.

-Bye, sweetheart.
-[boy] Bye-bye.

-Thanks.
-Good night.

Okay.

Where are we?

Olive Owl is lost.

Oh. Well,
let's get her home.

"'Where is my Mommy?'
asked Olive.

The tree turned its leaves up
facing the moon above.

'Have you asked Mr. Moon?'"

-Yeah.
-[chuckles]

[judge] Will Lieutenant
Stephanie Donato
and counsel please rise?

After reviewing the evidence,
I've determined

that although a clear violation
of orders occurred

circumstances mitigate against
recommending this matter

to court-martial.

I don't want to see you
back here, Lieutenant.

-This hearing is adjourned.
-[pounds gavel]

Sir.

Ma'am, thank you.

You realize, Lieutenant,
that this probably won't
change anything.

-I know, sir.
-If you'd told us

about the tarmac
incident earlier...

You would have thought me
a wuss, ma'am.

Lieutenant, congratulations.

Thank you, ma'am.
Maybe you can take comfort

in the fact Air Force beat Navy
in the big game this year.

You underestimate me,
Lieutenant.

I just spoke to General Sawyer,
and he asked me to inform you

that if you persist
in speaking in opposition
to standing policy

you will be grounded.

I think I see
your first challenge,
Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Donato,
Joshua Sparks,
Navy Today.

-A few questions?
-Direct them to me, Mr. Sparks.

Okay. What's her reaction
to the verdict?

The lieutenant regrets
her actions

and accepts the obligation
to her oath.

She now realizes that
military

personnel must sometimes
sacrifice certain freedoms

so that others might
one day enjoy them.

That sounds like a
contradiction, Colonel.

And it will remain so

until the Department
of Defense realizes

that short-term solutions
cause long-term problems.

Lieutenant Donato
looks forward to the day

that not one member
of the armed forces

will be forced
to suffer disrespect

as a price for victory.

You did prosecute this case,
didn't you?

As ordered, Mr. Sparks.

[closing theme music playing]