Original subtitles

[woman] TACCO, give me a six-buoy bear trap pattern. Three-second intervals.

[man over radio] Confirmed. Six, uh, buoy trap.

[woman] Coming back. Don't initiate till I get there.

-Roger that. -You got it, Nick.

[Nick] All right, ma'am, I've got it.

[typing]

You check the depth at each station?

Station One, ma'am.

Check them all.

Thirty seconds and counting, Lieutenant.

[computer blipping]

[blipping]

What's the conversion lair?

It should be on the tip of your tongue, Lieutenant.

It usually is, ma'am.

190 feet. We're ready.

Let's hope.

[man] Station One's out.

Two.

First three out, ma'am.

Okay.

It would've been easier without you hanging on my ear, Commander.

Just making sure, Lieutenant.

I don't think so, ma'am.

This is payback.

What?

You know what I'm talking about, ma'am.

No, I don't, Lieutenant, but maybe you'd like

to repeat that to the Wing Commander.

Yes, ma'am along with a charge of sexual harassment.

[theme music playing]

[Tiner] Attention on deck.

As you were, people.

Good morning, sir. The florist wanted

to double-check the message on the roses

you're sending, Admiral. He was unsure

if you said "soft breath"

or "soft breast."

-The number, please. -Yes, sir.

They're also out of white, Admiral.

[exhales] What are my choices?

Yellow, pink or red, sir.

Um, yellow.

Assuming these flowers are for Professor Cavanaugh,

sir, don't you think that...

pink would be a more appropriate color, sir?

Fine. Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

[door closes]

[Chegwidden] At ease.

I assume you're aware of the charges?

-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.

Commander Beth O'Neil is one of only two women

to command a P3 squadron.

She's one of the Navy's shining female stars and needless to say,

the charges of sexual harassment by a junior male officer is,

um, disturbing and alarming.

Uh, Commander Manetti, you'll assist Commander Rabb with the defense.

-Yes, sir. -Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Turner,

one and two for the government.

You're to fly to Point Mugu, California for the Article 32

that's been convened by PATWING's pack.

[MacKenzie] Yes, sir.

[Chegwidden] Well, let's try to avoid

putting policy on trial.

That'll be all.

-Aye, aye, sir. -[Tiner] Aye, aye, sir.

Um... [clears throat]

-[door closes] -Admiral.

Um, I-I'm glad to hear that you and Meredith are, uh, are doing well, sir

and I actually think pink is a good color for her.

It-it'll go with her eyes.

She's not a rabbit.

No. Uh, well, uh, sir, to the point,

um, Meredith has been leaving me messages.

I know. She, um,

she wants you to take her up on your plane again.

Yes, I-I gathered that, sir.

Uh, and that-that's why I haven't returned her calls.

Well, you better do that.

Well, I-I don't know what to say to her, sir. What do I say?

Well, um...

You'll think of something.

[Cursey] The last thing I expected from her was sexual pressure.

[Turner] How'd this play out, Lieutenant?

She gave me low marks on my last fitness report, sir.

Put my naval career in jeopardy.

And?

It was the last chapter in a story that's been building for a while, ma'am.

I mean, at first, it was just, you know, subtle flirting

but then she's bending over me at my console to demonstrate procedure.

And finally, while I'm standing in front of her,

she asked me if I have a girlfriend back home.

I tell her I did.

And she wondered if I had ever cheated on her.

I said no. She then laughs at me and says,

"Well, you mean not yet."

How do you know she was referring to herself?

'Cause, ma'am, at the time

she was filling out my fitness report.

She's staring at me, holding the pen over the signature line

waiting for my response.

In other words,

she wouldn't sign it if I accommodated her.

Did you?

I just stood there, Colonel,

and then, after a few moments,

she nodded her head and made it official.

Is that when you decided to come forward, Lieutenant?

No, sir. No, I was willing to let it slide if she'd just back off.

But she didn't. It only got worse.

I mean, after that, I couldn't do anything right.

When I realized she was punishing me

for not taking the bait,

that's when I had to step up and fight back.

Were there any witnesses to the fitness rep incident?

None, sir.

We were in here BOQ.

She called you to her quarters, not her office?

At night, ma'am.

Did the Commander ever proposition you directly, Lieutenant?

No, sir.

So you could be misinterpreting.

Um...

I don't know how to say this without sounding vain, sir,

but... I've been approached by women before,

A lot, actually.

And the signals were unmistakable.

Did you warn the Commander? Let her know her actions were inappropriate.

Well, I was afraid that if I antagonized her, ma'am,

I'd just be making things worse for myself.

After all, it was her word against mine.

It still is, Lieutenant.

[O'Neil] The charges are baseless.

Lieutenant Cursey completely misunderstood my intentions.

What were your intentions?

To make it clear that he was underperforming

and that his future was dependent

on how he responded to my displeasure.

Well, I hope that's not how you put it, Commander.

Of course not. I tried to keep the conversation friendly, even personal,

so he wouldn't think I had it in for him.

Maybe you were too friendly.

And from that he perceived sexual harassment?

I'm being held to a ridiculous standard here.

You know, when I crashed through the brass ceiling

I didn't expect to have to bleed for the privilege.

Have you had trouble with men accepting a woman in your position?

My ex-husband, for one.

Is that why your marriage ended?

It was a contributing factor.

You-you are the defense counsel, correct?

I believe the Commander's just trying to anticipate

where the prosecution might be going, ma'am.

Nothing personal.

Let's hope not.

Why did you give Lieutenant Cursey low marks, Commander?

As a Tactical Air Controller Communications Officer,

he failed to insure proper sonobuoy deployment

which resulted in the loss of an active prosecution. In this case,

a North Korean submarine.

Fourteen hours of wasted flight time.

Why did you choose to confront him in your quarters and not your office?

I was his mentor. I had a closer relationship with him

than I had with others in my command.

I was working late at the time. I knew he was nearby.

When I reached his fit rep in the pile

I chose to address it while it was on my mind.

Do you find Lieutenant Cursey attractive?

Everyone does. He has a rather large following.

My question was to you.

Yes.

Anything else?

What?

I was thinking about the good

that can come from tragedy.

Like?

Well, you and I spending time together

-away from the office. -[chuckling]

Oh, hey, look where we are.

Remember, there's a little dirt road behind the movie theater there?

We were pulling out late one night we decided to check it out?

Yeah. There's a reservoir at the end of that.

Right.

A big grassy area, completely isolated.

Yeah, we took a blanket out of the trunk

laid it out...

I, uh... need to, uh, stop by the drugstore when we head home.

Okay.

Were you under the impression I needed an apologist, Commander?

Just trying to allay our client's fears, sir.

Our client's fears are what interest me.

They're a window into the veracity of her remarks.

-You don't believe her? -She was defensive.

Typical behavior of someone who's suppressing something.

It's also behavior I'd expect from someone

who's used to having to defend her every move.

You mean against men?

Well, she's obviously touchy

about how she's been treated, Commander.

Why would she then turn around and subject a male officer

-to equally insensitive behavior? -You know, I think

Commander O'Neil's been treated extremely well

considering she's one of the Navy's top female aviators.

Then what would she have to gain from pursuing Lieutenant Cursey?

Have you ever known logic to be overturned by desire, Commander?

I think she's innocent of the charges.

-Well, then I'll count on you to keep me on track. -Yes, sir.

There's, uh, no return address on the tape, either?

No, sir.

Play it.

[soft, romantic music playing]

Mine eyes have drawn thy shape.

And thine for me are windows to my breast.

Where through the sun delights to peep.

To gaze therein on thee.

Translation: My house, six o'clock.

And how did you know pink was my favorite color?

I trust you will keep this to yourself, Tiner?

What would that be, sir?

Exactly. That'll be all.

Aye, sir.

Admiral?

We nailed those flowers, though, didn't we, sir?

Close the hatch, Tiner.

[door closes]

-You're still on this spy kick? -You know, I'd actually gotten off.

Manetti and I worked so well together on the last case

and then she started questioning my position on women's issues.

Well, what do you care what she thinks?

I care about being misrepresented

especially if she has the SECNAV's ear.

-I'm not a chauvinist. -No, you're not.

-No. Thank you. -You're arrogant

which can be misinterpreted as chauvinism.

Here, come in for a second.

Mac, good, I-I want you to hear this.

Harm, you may as well join in.

This is Lieutenant Murtaugh.

Lieutenant, would you tell the Colonel and the Commander

what you just told me?

Ma'am. Sir.

I believe Lieutenant Cursey

is telling the truth.

Based on what?

Commander O'Neil has come on to other men, ma'am.

That's hearsay, Lieutenant.

Somebody needs to be willing to step forward.

That would be me, Commander.

[Murtaugh] We were in San Diego.

We had just returned from deployment.

So we were partying a bit.

Bar-hopping the Gas Lamp District.

We got to this one place and the first person I see is Commander O'Neil

looking ready for action.

[Turner] Specifics, Lieutenant.

She was dressed to catch something, sir.

It's the only way I can describe it.

-Did you talk to her? -She spoke to me.

She came over as soon as she spotted us.

Told me I was her next dance.

I said I'd disappoint her

but she said, uh...

she never considered me the type.

What did you think she meant?

Well, I assumed it was a sexual reference, ma'am.

So did my buddies. They all had a big laugh about it.

Did you, uh, did you dance with her?

I was uncomfortable, given she was a senior officer

but I said I'd do what I could.

She then asked me if I could move my hips.

I answered, "Yes." She said, "That's all that counts"

and led me onto the floor.

And after the dance?

I got out of there, sir.

We all did. It felt like nothing but trouble.

[clears throat] Well, thank you, Lieutenant.

But I don't think anyone's been court-martialed for dancing in a while

even if it was a ladies' choice.

Thanks for the file.

Mm-hmm.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh!

Keep that gait.

Whoo! Looking good!

[chuckles]

You go, Roberts.

Bring her home.

Wow!

First time away from the rails?

I'd say I'm impressed. Any pain?

-Less and less. Okay. -Let me look.

Just want to make sure there's even distribution of weight.

-How is the fit? -Pretty good.

Yeah, this new socket technology is fabulous.

And these dynamic ankles...

How about my vibrant knees?

They're the best.

So, how long until I can, uh, trash the crutches?

As long as it takes.

Yeah, but I'm doing great, right?

-Yeah, yeah, just don't push it. -Okay.

Blood supply to your residual limb is still insufficient.

You lost your spleen, remember?

That's why you can't take your prosthesis home yet.

No, I know. I'm just feeling so good.

Give yourself time. Allow yourself to adjust fully to the changes

or you'll be setting yourself up for failure.

[O'Neil] Lieutenant Murtaugh is a very good officer.

He would be even better if he didn't take himself so seriously.

I just wanted to loosen him up a little bit.

What better place than a bar?

A little unorthodox, wouldn't you say?

I don't play authority games with my people.

[Manetti] Sir, a number of officers and enlisted personnel

have already come forward in support of Commander O'Neil's leadership style.

She's very popular.

Apparently not with everyone.

They're not used to being under the command of a female.

It changes the dynamic.

Why play into it?

Is there a point where we're going to start discussing

what actually works about my case?

Look, we need something to discredit Lieutenant Cursey's story.

[sighs]

My word.

Well, unfortunately, Commander, that may not be good enough.

It should be. My record speaks for itself.

[Manetti] Unfortunately, ma'am, in this man's Navy,

a woman needs to be twice as competent and twice as virtuous.

You will get no argument from me there, Commander.

[Rabb] Well, you will from me

but it won't be about the struggles of women in the military,

which I agree exist.

However, in a court of law,

the only thing of consequence

is an individual's integrity

regardless of gender.

I think we concur there, yes?

[woman] Are you serious?!

[Stiles] She's single, right? So she's fair game.

[woman] I don't know. I'll ask her.

Hey, hey, enjoy your run?

One and a half mile, sir.

Won't be long before we're both kicking up the dirt, sir.

Ah, it feels like it's going to take forever.

Lieutenant Carpenter has me on such a short leash.

Stick with the Lieutenant.

Remember what happened when I moved too fast?

Have a seat, sir.

Oh, thanks.

So, what do they got on tap here?

We'll get to that in a second but right now we have something of a higher priority.

Would you mind taking a look over my shoulder, sir?

[indistinct chatter]

She's a dime piece, huh?

Yeah, very pretty.

You can tell she works out.

Hey, barkeep would you mind sending a glass of house champagne

to the lady at my six o'clock?

The one with the exceptional torpedoes.

What are you doing?

Making contact before she leaves.

Looking like this?

This is how I look, Lieutenant.

Oh, man, give me five minutes.

I'm going in.

I appreciate it.

The government will be starting with Lieutenant Cursey, sir.

That's what I'd do.

Establish the incidents

in support of circumstantial testimony.

You mean, prior advances from Commander O'Neil?

If there were any.

The Lieutenant's pretty hard to ignore, sir.

You think he's good-looking, too.

Me and just about every female on this base.

If there's one thing that keeps coming up in my interviews...

You know, I don't get it.

I mean, he's okay, but...

Sir, you can't look at him

and objectively say, "He's a handsome man"?

You know, I could ask you the same question.

Do you think, uh, Uma Thurman is beautiful?

Yes.

All right, so's the Lieutenant.

I mean, he's not beautiful, you know.

He's fine. I mean, he's okay.

He's a good-looking guy.

You can leave it at that, sir.

Thanks.

Lieutenant Cursey, what reason did Commander O'Neil give

for the adverse marks on your last fitness report?

Incorrect placement of my sonobuoys, ma'am.

The equipment had been adjusted without my knowledge

but it is my station and I took full responsibility.

Prior to the night in Commander O'Neil's quarters

did she ever express dissatisfaction with your work?

The Commander has high standards, ma'am,

felt that I could improve

but she was always encouraging.

Was she friendly?

I got used to her smiles, ma'am.

[MacKenzie] Were you surprised by the low grades?

Well, considering that she's my mentor

and how well she knew me...

I expected the benefit of the doubt, yes, ma'am.

But instead, in the privacy of her quarters, she marked you down

-in a way that jeopardized future promotions. -Yes, ma'am.

After commenting that you were likely to cheat on your girlfriend?

Yes, ma'am.

And then waited for your response

before signing the document.

That's correct, ma'am.

No further questions.

Lieutenant, did Commander O'Neil ever directly proposition you?

No, sir, not directly.

That's what you interpreted from prior encounters

where she smiled at you.

It was the way she smiled at me, sir.

[Rabb] If it was a problem, why didn't you go to your wing commander earlier?

It wasn't a problem earlier, sir.

Right, it became a problem

when she gave you a low grade

on your fit rep.

It wasn't the grade, sir.

It was the deal she was offering me to erase the grade.

The deal that was never articulated.

No, sir, not in words.

Articulated in her hesitation before signing your report.

And she looked me directly in the eye, sir.

[Rabb] Isn't it possible, Lieutenant,

she was trying to communicate something else to you?

Something like her desire for you to step up

and do a better job?

No, sir.

Not given the expression on her face at the time.

Would you state your name and rank for the record, please?

[Yorkin] Lieutenant Commander Nancy Yorkin.

What is your current assignment, Commander?

I'm a Signals Intelligence Officer.

Any contact with Commander O'Neil?

We assess data together, sir.

Do you ever socialize together?

I've made attempts to get to know her.

For example?

We've chatted on the way to department head meetings.

I've asked to join her at mess.

Did she ever talk in a flattering way

about male personnel?

Yes, sir.

She said things like, "That one's cute.

I wonder if he has a girlfriend."

That sort of thing.

[Turner] Your reaction to these remarks?

A little surprised, sir.

I guess I expected more propriety

from someone who'd accomplished so much.

Did Lieutenant Cursey's name ever come up?

I approached the Commander at the "O" club,

was asking her about her interests

but they seemed to only be about the Lieutenant

who was across the room at the time.

What did she say about him?

[Yorkin] She told me she thought he was hot, sir.

I agreed he was good-looking

and then she asked if I'd ever fantasized

about sleeping with him.

What did you say?

Nothing, sir.

I was speechless.

[Manetti] Commander Yorkin, you say that Commander O'Neil had asked you

if you ever fantasized about sleeping with Lieutenant Cursey.

[Yorkin] That's correct.

Did the Commander tell you that she herself had done this?

No, I assumed it from her comment about the Lieutenant being hot.

And this comment bothered you?

Lieutenant Cursey is in Commander O'Neil's chain of command.

[Manetti] Did you ever answer her?

I changed the subject.

-What would have been your answer? -Excuse me?

Did you ever fantasize about sleeping with Lieutenant Cursey?

Your Honor, Lieutenant Commander Yorkin is not the one charged here.

The Commander is basing her testimony on Commander O'Neil's

state of mind at the time, your Honor.

I simply exploring her own.

Relevant for an investigative hearing, Colonel.

Overruled.

Your answer?

If I had, I certainly wouldn't have advertised it.

Can I assume that to be a yes?

You can.

[Manetti] And did you ever act

upon those fantasies?

-No, of course not. -Why not?

Lieutenant Cursey is a junior officer.

It's inappropriate.

Then, as a fellow female officer,

with a clear understanding of military culture

and with ambitions of your own,

would you have expected the Commander to act any differently?

No. Not when you put it like that.

No further questions.

[Sims] So how was rehab?

You haven't said much.

Oh, I, uh, walked with my prosthesis without the aid of the rails.

That's great!

How'd it feel?

Good.

At the time.

I met up with Stiles at a bar afterward.

He did something that I would never be able to do.

He hit on somebody with his prosthetic fully visible.

He wasn't even self-conscious about it.

Well, did you say something to him about it?

What am I supposed to say? "Hey, listen, Corporal,

I'm sorry I'm walking out on you

because I'm feeling sorry for you"?

"You're overcoming by overcompensating"?

"Because you're an amputee, you're special

and the world can't say no to you"?

Isn't it better to be overconfident, though, than fearful?

You didn't see the look on that woman's face

when he walked over to her.

Captain Statlin, how long have you been Commander O'Neil's

Air Wing Commander, sir?

-[Statlin] Six months. -In that time,

how would you grade her performance?

She's first-rate.

Strong, focused, involved.

Knows how to keep her personnel feeling good about themselves.

-Never had any problems with her, sir? -None.

Never witnessed inappropriate behavior on her part?

-Lewd remarks, suggestive comments? -Not a one.

In your opinion, sir, is she fair in her assessment of others?

The Commander is trained to deal with incoming data.

To be objective and unemotional.

She's not the sort to allow her personal feelings

to interfere with her objectivity.

Do you concur with her assessment

of Lieutenant Cursey's performance

in his last fitness report?

-Yes. -Thank you, Captain.

Your witness.

Have you observed Lieutenant Cursey in action, sir?

I'm familiar with the Lieutenant, yes.

That wasn't my question, sir.

I haven't flown with him, if that's what you're asking.

I'm generally in the control center during missions.

So you haven't been in a position

to evaluate his day-to-day performance?

I rely on Commander O'Neil

for full evaluation of her personnel.

And when you just testified

regarding Lieutenant Cursey's fitness rep

were you agreeing with her assessment of him

or confirming the opinion of someone you trusted?

I'll admit, I have little firsthand knowledge

of the Lieutenant's general performance.

-However, my confidence in Commander O'Neil-- -Thank you, Captain.

You've made your confidence in her very clear.

Nothing further.

You sure you don't want seconds?

No. No, thank you.

I'm sorry about the fish bones.

How's your throat?

Well, it's a little sore.

Do you have any ginger ale?

You don't need ginger ale.

Yeah, no. I think I do.

I have something better. Turn around.

Meredith, look, I think that, uh, the first Heimlich, it did it.

No, this is something else.

You've been tense the whole evening.

I'm going to give you a massage.

No, really, I'm fine.

You're the one that needs to relax.

You've done all the work.

I mean, you cooked the meal,

you put out the fire.

You're in the hands of a professional.

-Lie down. -[heavy sigh]

Up we go.

[grunts]

There we are.

Okay.

Relax.

Now, how does that feel?

[chuckling]

That, that feels pretty good.

Mm-hmm.

Mm, what's this?

Oh, a knot.

Tough little bugger.

[chuckles]

[loud crack]

Gotcha!

[gasping]

Did you hear a popping sound?

[Rabb] Commander O'Neil, did you offer

to change Lieutenant Cursey's fitness report grade

in exchange for sexual favors?

No.

What did you discuss when you summoned him to your quarters, Commander?

The mistake he made on our last mission

and how costly it was.

Do you like the Lieutenant?

I think he has character and the potential to be a fine officer

which is why I couldn't let this one go.

It was my way of lighting a fire under his six.

So you strongly counseled him?

No, I tried to keep it relaxed and informal.

Did you imply he was capable of cheating on his girlfriend?

[sighs] That was a compliment that came out wrong.

What I was trying to say was that, because of his looks,

he would always be pressured by other women.

It was ill-advised and I regret saying it

but it had nothing to do with me.

And when you paused prior to signing your report, Commander?

I wanted to see if I'd made my point about his performance.

And how did the Lieutenant respond?

He glared back at me.

Thank you, Commander.

That'll be all.

Commander, do you agree with Lieutenant Cursey

that his error was due to his equipment being reset?

A scheduled maintenance had inadvertently altered

some of the Lieutenant's settings

but he was aware of the procedure

and should have checked his equipment

-prior to the mission. -Given the mitigating circumstances

many would consider a bag fit rep unduly harsh.

Not if they understood the consequences of the mistake.

[MacKenzie] But all your other reports on the Lieutenant were positive.

-Yes, because they reflected my belief in his-- -Potential, yes.

But on that night, you wrote him up in a way

that adversely affects his chances of promotion.

Not if he chooses to turn it around.

You're divorced, is that correct?

Objection. Your Honor, the Commander's divorce

has no bearing on this case.

Your Honor, another officer has testified

to the Commander's desire

for male companionship. I'm simply establishing

the relationship between her divorce and that fact.

The defense fails to see the connection, Your Honor.

Well, I'm certain the government will provide it.

Overruled.

Tread lightly, counselor.

Answer the question, Commander.

It will be three years in January.

And how many men have you been with in that time?

[Rabb] Your Honor...

Overruled, Commander.

None.

You haven't had one sexual encounter in three years?

Do you expect us to accept that

given your stated interest in men?

Yes.

You're under oath, Commander.

Objection. Argumentative.

Sustained.

Back off, Colonel.

The witness hasn't satisfactorily...

Asked and answered. You're badgering the witness. I warned you about this.

Your Honor, I'm just trying to explore

what's already been established in testimony.

-Do it another way. -But, Your Honor--

Either move on or sit down.

Nothing further.

Thank you for that.

You're welcome.

What has she got against me?

I don't think it's personal, Commander.

I... I just think the Colonel doesn't believe you.

Well, then she was projecting.

Was she?

Well, it doesn't add up, Commander.

You're an attractive woman. You're powerful, successful.

I don't believe this.

Ma'am, I have to agree with the Commander on this one.

It's a bit of a left turn.

I was telling the truth.

You haven't had one sexual encounter

in the three years since your divorce?

[sighs]

I have had sexual encounters

but not with men.

Commander, you had attorney-client privilege.

Anything you tell us is confidential.

"Don't ask, don't tell" didn't apply here.

Ma'am, you could have told us you were gay at the outset.

I don't tell anyone I'm gay.

In any case, it wouldn't have done you any good. You couldn't use it.

As soon as you bring it out, I'm out.

[Rabb] Well, let's talk about that.

Why don't you resign,

clear your name, live openly?

Because I like what I do as much as who I am.

Would you ask that of yourself?

I don't know, Commander.

But are the alternatives any less palatable?

I've been dealing with it.

How long did you know before you told your husband?

[rain pattering]

-[sighs] -[thunder rumbling]

I've always known.

You have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in your marriage agreement?

It's not easy revealing that kind of thing

to someone you care about.

Well, you can't even reveal it to people you don't care about.

Commander, I spent the better half of this hearing disbelieving you

and not knowing why.

We wasted time.

Ma'am, just so I understand,

your attraction to Lieutenant Cursey

that was all just a smoke screen?

Yes. I admit I overcompensated,

especially around female personnel.

Look, if this is a problem, I could request new counsel.

Commander, you're innocent of the charges.

Why would we bail?

[Rabb] We wouldn't.

We won't.

Doesn't mean we can win.

[thunder rumbling]

[rain pattering]

[sighs]

Is everything all right, sir?

Uh, just an old injury.

Did you get it from combat, sir?

Hand-to-hand, Lieutenant.

[Tiner] Excuse me, Admiral.

Is there something amusing, Tiner?

No, sir. Oh, Admiral, uh, Miss Cavanaugh called, sir.

She says she hopes you're feeling better.

Good.

And that you should continue to ice it, sir.

It's not what you're thinking, Tiner.

I'm not thinking anything, sir.

I always liked you best that way.

[rain pattering]

[MacKenzie] You caught a break this morning.

[Rabb chuckles]

That's why it hurts so much.

Dismissal. No confinement.

Commander O'Neil's innocent, Mac.

Have to play this one out.

Suddenly you believe her?

What makes you think I didn't?

You were considering a last deal.

Maybe for a second.

Well enough to let me know you had doubts.

Not anymore.

She's clearly covering, Harm.

Think what you will.

I think you're in denial.

[thunder rumbling]

Have you ever considered a career in psychiatry?

-No. -Well...

that's good. I'd follow that instinct.

Maybe you're the one who's in denial.

I don't ogle junior officers

and advertise my interest in having sex with them.

Are you interested in sex with junior officers?

The woman's got a serious problem, Harm.

Don't I know it.

Female officer role models

don't act like 14-year-olds at the mall.

She may be tops in performance

but she is at the bottom in behavior.

Oh, that's rather insensitive coming from someone

who got a law school recommendation

from a senior officer with whom she was having a torrid affair.

Or maybe it's just arrogance.

[thunder rumbling]

That was a mistake.

I was young and, at the time, no one was looking to me

as an example of leadership.

Because of her status, the Commander's actions have damaged the integrity

of female officers everywhere,

pure and simple.

The truth is rarely pure and never simple, Mac.

What's wrong, Roberts?

The, uh, shrapnel wound in my good leg is hurting.

It's always hurting, and you always get past it.

Not today.

What happened to my early achiever?

I came in his place.

Roberts, you're confusing me.

[Stiles] That makes two of us.

Stiles.

What happened to you the other day, sir?

I went home. I-I wasn't feeling good.

Well, I thought you might be mad at me or something, sir.

I wanted to make sure America's number one sack-racing team

is still on the hunt for a medal?

We're good.

'Cause, uh, my feelings were hurt, sir.

I'm sorry, Corporal.

I wasn't even going to come today

but Melissa talked me into it.

Who's Melissa?

Where'd you go, girl?

I was putting money in the meter.

[quietly] Close your mouth, dog.

Melissa, this is Lieutenant Roberts

-and Lieutenant Carpenter. -Hello.

-Hi. -Hello.

-Nice to meet you. -It's nice to meet you, too.

His is different than yours.

Oh, it's a different injury.

Does it work the same way?

What, can he take it off

and play it like a saxophone?

Yeah.

[Melissa] And Shawn says you're doing great.

Well, I've got a long way to go.

Ah, he's actually ahead of schedule.

Well, you know, I think you guys are an inspiration.

My ex started losing his hair.

Ruined his mood for six months and couldn't take it so

I needed to find someone who wakes up smiling.

[Stiles chuckling sheepishly] Anyway,

I just wanted to reconnect with you, sir.

I'm glad that you did.

I'll call you tonight.

Excellent. Lieutenant. Ma'am.

[Melissa] Keep up the good work.

[Stiles] Okay.

[Manetti] I have something for you, Commander.

What is it?

[Manetti] Old tradition, sir.

When I was young

I'd take the paper rings off my daddy's cigars

and give them to my friends.

You consider me your friend?

I will when you learn to trust me.

Well, the feeling's mutual, Commander.

That's why I have two.

Hmm. Does this mean we're engaged?

Only in a struggle of wills, sir.

So you thought Commander O'Neil was covering.

I thought she was innocent. We were both right.

Oh, well, none of it's going to matter

if we don't come up with a workable strategy.

I'm looking to you, sir.

[sighs]

Commander, so far, we've been focusing

on trying to disprove the allegations.

I think we need to take the offensive

and start trying to prove something

like Commander O'Neil had every right

to give Lieutenant Cursey a bad fit rep, regardless of what he perceived.

The only error of the plane's aircrew or cause

was the one that the Lieutenant has already acknowledged.

We'd need to establish a pattern of errors to make that fly

and Commander O'Neil's after-action reports are clean.

Well, I'm thinking this has more to do with Commander O'Neil

and less with Lieutenant Cursey's performance.

I'm not sure what you mean, sir.

When the Commander testified,

she said, "I couldn't let this one go."

It got by me at the time.

You're saying there were maybe other incidents?

Undocumented ones.

Well, if Commander O'Neil didn't feel they were important enough to report

then they're probably not important enough to count.

Let's find out.

Lieutenant, these are after-action reports from missions

from which you've recently served.

This first is dated last Tuesday.

It's from Lieutenant Commander Michael Dross, your current aircraft commander.

He noted you failed to update the plane's position

relative to a sonar buoy field.

I'm aware of the mistake, sir.

Commander Dross pointed it out.

And this is from this past Monday.

He says you gave him a dead channel

and he had to find the correct frequency

in the cockpit and switch it on.

-Yes, sir. -Twice.

I know, sir.

Suddenly making a lot of mistakes, Lieutenant.

I've been tense, sir.

Or maybe you've been making them all along

and Commander O'Neil is aware that you get tense...

let them slide.

The minor ones, at least.

But, sir, if that's true

couldn't that mean she's currying favor?

[Rabb] If she'd made you aware of them at the time

but she didn't, did she? No.

Because these are the type of mistakes, Lieutenant,

that are easily covered up and ignored.

Did you ever consider that given the Commander's leadership style

that she didn't want to undermine your confidence

by continually harping on the small mistakes,

mistakes she knew you were aware of.

Until you made a mistake that couldn't be overlooked.

Maybe you got it all wrong, Lieutenant.

Maybe you're so used to being defined by your looks

that a whole host of scenarios

has failed to occur to you.

Must be overwhelming to feel

that everybody wants a piece of Jack Cursey.

-Your Honor... -[judge] Sustained.

Ask questions, Commander.

[Rabb] I only have one, Your Honor.

Is it possible, Lieutenant,

that you failed to give back the one thing

you felt you deserved from your mentor?

That night in her quarters,

the benefit of the doubt.

Do you think, Lieutenant, that maybe you misinterpreted Commander O'Neil's intentions?

It's...

it's possible,

sir.

Thank you.

[judge] Would the defense please rise?

Commander O'Neil,

based on Lieutenant Cursey's lack of faith in his own allegations

I have determined the evidence insufficient to support the charges

and recommend against court-martial.

However, I would take a good long look

at what you project to those with whom you serve.

-This hearing's adjourned. -[pounds gavel]

Thank you, both.

Well, you have yourself to thank, Commander.

Lieutenant Cursey finally displayed the character

you always believed he had.

If only I were as noble. Is that what you want to say?

Those are your words.

[Manetti] I've been thinking about your situation, Commander,

and regardless of policy,

we do owe it to ourselves to live our lives truthfully.

Think about that, Commander.

Female role models are hard to find.

You two confuse the hell out of me.

Sturgis and I need some mediation.

I stand convinced Lieutenant Cursey was mistaken.

I think you snowed him into believing he was.

[chuckles]

What was she hiding, Harm?

What is it that we don't know?

-Don't ask. -Don't ask.

[closing theme music playing]