Episode 154: Port Chicago

Aired April 9, 2002

By Rising Sun

 

Whoa!!! Let me start by saying that this is a five out of five smile episode.

 

Port Chicago featured Mac and Sturgis this time on opposing sides.  Although Mac didn’t want the assignment i.e. second chair to Singer.

 

 Mac: I'd prefer the electric chair, Sir.

 

There was the side story of Harriett buying a house.  Another war front as she goes about buying the house without telling her husband.  It will be interesting to see how (if at all) the writers tackle the Bud vs Harriett event.

 

Back to the main story: Singer having pushed and pushed and then pushed is finally given a meaty case. High profile no less.  Where in 1944, during World War II, an explosion at the U.S. Navy's Port Chicago near San Francisco killed about three and fifty hundred men most of whom where African-Americans. A group of fifty sailors refused to return to work until changes were made to assure their safety. They were charged with mutiny and court martial, but later their convictions were reversed. A surviving sailor wants his record and those of all the other "mutineers" cleared.

 

No sooner had the Admiral assigned the case than he regretted the decision and turned to Mac for help.

 

AJ:  Help me out here, Colonel.  She's going off the deep end.
Mac: You want me to take over, Sir?
AJ: I want you to sit second chair.
Mac: I'd prefer the electric chair, Sir.

 

Mac’s patience is tested as revealed by two conversations…

 

Mac:  I wanted to ask a question.  If you murder co-council in the
courtroom, can you cop an insanity plea?
Harm/Harriet:  Yes / Absolutely Ma'am.

 

and

 

Harm: I haven't seen you with this much head of steam since the JAGATHON.
Mac: Don't ask.

Harm: Look, keep your head down, Mac.
Mac: I'm trying.  It's hard to sit and watch while Singer presides over a
train wreck in the courtroom.

 

I was only watch in and was willing to provide the gun for the kill.  By the time the verdict was in you were rallying for a win for Sturgis.

 

She lost.

 

Singer is getting more and more out of control and needs to be death with.

 

As promised five out of five smiles.

 

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