Season: 5 Show: 2
Episode Title: "Rules of Engagement"
Original Air Date: 9/28/99

CBS Site:
      Unexpectedly, the wily Buxton demands that Harm and Brumby be his lawyers, thereby preventing Harm from testifying against him and forcing the two adversarial lawyers to work together. The contentious trial continues with Mac and Roberts prosecuting, and the pressure is enormous as the U.S. Navy and the Russian government vigilantly follow the trial to ensure that its own agendas are met. Meanwhile, the Navy has its own special plans for the troublesome Buxton.

Don't Scroll Down If You Don't Want to Know what Happens.

    The SecNav is talking to the Admiral about what happened. The Russians are very angry with Buxton.
    Mac arrives on the carrier and Harm is there to greet her. He finds out that she is a lt. Colonel and keeps calling her ma'am as a joke and acts serious. Mac then interviews the squadron leader. He says that Buxton was informed that Serbs were killing people. Mac wants everything Buxton saw when he flew that day.
    Buxton is talking to Harm about how Mac is asking questions. Buxton wants to stop her but Harm says he shouldn't.
    Mac is talking to the Admiral and the SecNav on the phone. She says that they can prosecute. Bud comes in with pictures of the tanks and they say K4 on them, which is the peace keeping force ensignia.
    When Mac walks into the officers' mess everyone is looking at her. The Russia general comes and thanks her for her help. She goes to eat with Harm. They talk about JAG and the case. Buxton comes and talks to Mac because he is mad that he got a manslaughter charge. He says that he told Harm everything and Mac says that Harm is now on her witness list. Buxton also says that Harm will be his lawyer. Harm says he wont do it but he has to because he gave Buxton legal advise already.
    The Admiral tells Brumby that he will help Harm and Bud will help Mac. Mac greets them both on the carrier. Bud is watching planes take off and he is mesmerized by it. At a conference Brumby and Harm already start disagreeing with each other.
    Mac is talking to Bud and he keeps daydreaming because he envies the pilots.
    Mac questions the man who gave the rules of engagement in the trial. He says that everyone was told not to fire and when in question radio someone on the carrier and ask. She then questions the pilot who was flying the refueling plane when Harms plane sucked in a bird. She tries to show that Buxton was reckless before this incident. When Harm questions him he says that Buxton saved Harms life.
    At night Brumby and Bud are on "Vultures row", a place on the island where you can watch the whole flight deck, watching planes take-off and land. Bud is really envious and says that they call JAG officer's legal weenies.
    Mac questions the flight leader and she asks him about the rules of engagement. Harm asks if there were refugees in the area and he says yes. He also said that 10 refuges were shot a week before and Buxton was aware of this. Brumby then questions the flight leader. He asks if he punished Buxton for almost crashing because he ran out of fuel. He says no. Harm asks for a short recess. Brumby tells Harm that he is trying to shift the blame of the death of the Russians to Cpt. Pike, the flight leader, because he knew Buxton was reckless but didn’t do anything. Harm says no to this strategy.
    Harm questioned the Russian general. She shows the flag of Yugoslavia and the flag of Russia and they look similar. Then he shows a picture of the tank that was destroyed and it is a Russian tank but Yugoslavia was also using it. Then he questioned Buxton and he didn't see the insignia or the flag.
    The next day Harm puts Buxton back on the stand. Harm brings up article 99, which says a soldier must incunter and destroy an enemy and if not he will be punished. Harm says Buxton took the shot because he didn’t want to be punished. The judge overrules this line of questioning.
    That night Bud and Mac are talking. He isn't really paying attention. She asks what's wrong and he says he's seeing all these combat people on the carrier and he feels weird being a lawyer. Mac says he is a great officer and father. Bud says Harriet is very… tired because of the baby. Bud leaves and Mac calls the US.
    Mac gives her final arguments. Harm gives his and he says he flew low and say a threat and he acted. He says don't punish battle ground decision. The jury finds Buxton not guilty. Buxton is celebrating and the flight leader comes and tells him he will be reassigned to shore duty. He says he was hoping that Buxtons' brain would catch up to his talent but he cant fool himself any longer. He asks Harm for help but Harm says that he will be testifying against Buscton.
Harm, Bud, and Mac are talking. Mac says that there is a phone call for Bud. Bud answers it and its Harriet. She tells him that her aunt can take AJ for the weekend and they can be alone. When he is talking to her Harm tell him that he can give Bud a ride in an F-14, maybe letting him shoot the guns. Bud tells him politely to go away.