TV & Streaming Reviews

Be a REVIEWER

Show TV series titles index… Bud, Harm, Chegwidden, and Mac. Copyright CBS.

JAG1995-2005 (227 episodes)

Moral Rating: usually OK
Primary Audience: Teen to Adult
Genre: Drama
Length: 1 hr.
Starring: David James Elliott, Catherine Bell, John M. Jackson, Patrick Labyorteaux, Karri Turner | Produced by: Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Television Network

American legal drama series with a U.S. Navy theme, created by Donald P. Bellisario / The series follows the exploits of the Washington metropolitan area–based “judge advocates” (i.e. uniformed lawyers) in the Department of the Navy's Office of the Judge Advocate General, who in the line of duty can prosecute and defend criminal cases under the jurisdiction of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (arising from the global presence of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps), conduct informal and formal investigations, and advise on military operational law.

Akin to the series “Law & Order,” the plots from many episodes were often “ripped from the headlines” with portions of the plot either resembling or referencing recognizable aspects of actual cases or incidents.

Show Synopsis: (from the producer) JAG (military-speak for Judge Advocate General) is an adventure drama about an elite legal wing of officers trained as lawyers who investigate, prosecute, and defend those accused of crimes in the military, including murder, treason, and terrorism. Navy Cmdr. Harmon “Harm” Rabb, Jr. (David James Elliott), an ace pilot turned lawyer, and Marine Lt. Col. Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie (Catherine Bell), a beautiful by-the-book officer, are colleagues who hold the same high standards but find themselves clashing when they choose different routes to get to the same place. The unmistakable chemistry between them must be held at bay for professional reasons as they traverse the globe together with a single mission: to search for and discover the truth. Helping them with their mission is Navy Lt. Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux), a young lawyer who often surprises his superiors with the breadth of his knowledge. Running the show is their boss, no-nonsense Admiral A.J. Chegwidden (John M. Jackson), a former Navy Seal who has the utmost confidence in Harm, Mac, and Bud.

viewer comments…
Usually Okay—This show is more then usually ok, its GREAT! We love it as a whole family. My dad got us all hooked on it. We talk on three way calling during the commercial about the previous scenes.
JAG Family, age 33
Usually Okay—Every once in a while they get new age, but most of the time it is the best show on TV.
James Gentry, age 42
Usually Okay—This is my absolute favorite show on tv now, especially since 9/11, and especially this time in season 7 where they are dealing with the terrorist issue. The are able to deal with the anger and frustration in a professional (for military officers) manner. There is very little foul language and the pre-marital relationships issue is at a stand-still for now anyway. The good part with what has happened on that front is it opens the door for discussion that pre-marital sex isn't a great option and can even use the heartache that the characters face to back it up. I'm on several JAG lists on the internet and most of its fans are wonderful! Overall, its a show I'm not afraid to watch in front of my 3 year old who repeats everything and notices everything. The only thing he's said about it was when a character shot the bad guy, my son said that they shouldn't be playing with guns.
wizkid, age 27
Usually Okay—This is one show that my family always sits down to watch together, we watch the ones that are in syndication also. I have never been offended by any of the storylines, I just wish Harm and Mac would finally get together…
K Draughn, age 38
Usually Okay—I have been watching JAG since the beginning. There has never been an episode that I would say that I was ashamed to have watched. Each week this show portrays life in the military (albeit fictionalized as this military brat knows). It idealizes respect for authority, the search for truth, and right over winning. I wouldn't hesitate to let my 5-year-old niece watch with me, or my elderly grandmother. In this era, post-9/11, it's refreshing to have a show that portrays the heroes who put their lives on the line for our country.
Erin, age 28
Usually Okay—This program's main characters (men and women) display high ethics and don't sway under pressure. It shows respect for superiors and authority and portrays the military as an attractive, highly intelligent organization. The female main character is respected by her peers, and could be an excellent role model, if there weren't the premarital sex issues and her inability to talk about her feelings. I like watching the show with my teenage son and daughter because it gives them clean "career information" without the usual foul language, drugs and sex. The lack of overt Christian habits doesn't bother me; I can “insert” those parts during the commercials.
Susan, age 40
Usually Okay—This program has great writing and generally morally sound themes. It recognizes the hard work and dedication of those who serve to protect the U.S.A. and that the truly 'bad guy' will always lose. Occasionally there is some fighting and some shooting, but this program doesn't usually show it in graphic detail. The characters do have relationships involving pre-marital sex - but these “scenes” are rare and are usually eluded to rather than explicitly depicted - as in, you might see the 'couple' having breakfast together, making the assumption… rather than seeing it happen. Any violence in this program is far less than what may be found in Walker, Texas Ranger, or Vengeance Unlimited (which I would not recommend at all).
Evelyn, age 32
Comments from young people
Usually Okay—JAG is cool! I love to watch the show with my mom and sisters. I love watching the airplanes and them talk about the ships. I like the main character Harm.
Allen, age 9
Usually Okay—I have watched JAG for the last 4 yrs. and I love it. I think that it is much better than any of those teen-dramas which seem like they are more for adults! My favorite thing about JAG is the relationship between Harm and Mac.
Ashley, age 16
Usually Okay—I love this show, would recommend it for family viewing any day! Some swearing, but never very much. If you like military or lawyers this is the show for you.
Jenna, age 15
Usually Okay—I'm a girl from the Netherlands and I've watched JAG as many as possible… I like it because my brother is doing the 'officieropleiding', Kind of officers school (I don't know the ranks are the same in de US as here in the Netherlands)…
Lizan van Dijk, age 16, non-Christian
Usually Okay—I really enjoy watching this show, but I must admit it would be much better if all the language, alcohol use, and unnecessary topics were left out. I really enjoy the court scenes where the main characters fight for what they believe in, and as far as moral values this show really lacks. I would recommend it for ages 10 and up.
Erin, age 13