JAG quotes

You could've told me.

There was no time.

You've been running this case without me from the get-go.

I know you're emotionally involved.

When have emotions ever stopped me from doing my job?

Well, they certainly didn't stop you today. Nice save on that sidebar.

Thank you.

Maybe I didn't give you benefit of the doubt.

No, you didn't.

Well, I know one thing. I'd rather have you on my team than oppose me.

Is that an apology?

Consider it more an acknowledgment.

Acknowledgment accepted.

First year law student mistake. Never ask a witness a question you don't know the answer to.

He knew, Sir. He knew.

He told me he wouldn't say anything unless I was screwing up, right? Ten minutes into the flight I haven't heard anything. I figure I'm acing it, right? Suddenly he clobbers me on the back of the helmet with his flight stick. He'd unscrewed it, put a note through it that said: "Plug in your headset."

How you feeling, Major?

Lighter. I apologize for all the flying jokes I ever made.How many G's was that? Twelve million?

Seven G's.

Ted Lanier deserves to know the truth about the death of his family. I owe him that as a human being, as a representative of my country, and as a man who hopes to one day have a wife and child of his own.

Bud, did you get the lab report on the Jelke court martial?

Bud

Yes, ma’am. It’s on your desk.

Oh, bad idea, Bud.

Bud

Why, ma’am?

Don’t put things on my desk. I’ll never find them.

Bud

Where should I put them?

Not on my desk!

There was a prisoner-of-war camp there in '70.

Willie

Now, how would you know that, commander? You'd be barely old enough to tie your shoes.

My father's MIA. I've been looking for him since I was old enough to tie my shoes.

(about his Dad) He was a strong man. Once on a fishing trip, he accidentally fell on a scaling knife. We were miles from any hospital. I watched him sew the wound up with a bass hook. He didn't wanna frighten me, so he told me shaggy dog stories while he was doing it.

Willie

You and your father must have had some relationship.

I didn't know him that long.

Willie

Well, he sure had a major influence on you.

Most parents influence their children. Your father, I take it, was a liar.

Willie

I grew up in foster homes.

Well, that would give you a reason to resent those who came from stable ones.

You didn't murder those men, Roscoe. You need to let go of it.

Willie

I'll tell you what, commander,you stop looking for your father and I'll let go of it. You see, we're the same, both obsessed in different ways. You keep searching for a place that I can never leave. It's supposed to be about starting over, beginning a new circle. Can you do that?

You have your closure, Roscoe. I need to find mine.

(speaking to Bud while he is eating a doughnut) Doughnut?

Bud

Power-nut.

Excuse me?

Bud

Not you, sir. The doughnut.

Bud

The earliest recorded disappearance of a United States vessel inside the Bermuda Triangle goes way back to March, 1918. The USS Cyclops vanished without a trace.

Same thing's been known to happen to superstitious lieutenants.

He may still be out there somewhere, Mac.

Commander Douglas or your father?

Commander Douglas. You think I'm obsessing about my dad since I found that list, don't you?

No. You were obsessing before you found the list. And you have every right, Harm. Learning the North Vietnamese sent him to Russia only intensified it. I just hope you realize that if we find Commander Douglas, it isn't gonna give you closure with your father.

Only finding my dad will do that.

Well, you're not alone, Harm. In one way or another, we're all searching for something.

What every woman wants. A great career, a good man, and comfortable shoes, lots and lots of them.

Is that where Dalton Lowne comes in?

Are you kidding? His shoes are way too big. I mean, have you see the size of that man's feet?

I just hope you're not gonna do something stupid, Mac.

Why, Harm, are you afraid you're gonna lose me?

I just...hate having to break in new partners, you know?

You know, for a second there, I thought we were gonna have a Hallmark moment.

You know when the Admiral first told me he was partnering me with a Marine major I had these visions of a tattooed, jarhead, challenging me to arm wrestling at lunch hour.

Well, I do have a tattoo, I'm a pretty good arm wrestler, and although I don't like the term, I am technically a jarhead.

[back pedaling fast] I'm afraid that's classified information, Commander.

Bud

Even when they tell you something, they reserve the right to change their mind at any time. It's that woman's prerogative thing. I mean, what's up with that?

I hate that. God, I hate that.

Bud

Yeah, it's like, I asked Major MacKenzie if she was gonna be leaving JAG, you know, because I've seen the way she looks at Dalton Lowne. And she said no. But she could change her mind at the drop of a hat.

She's not going anywhere, Bud.

Bud

You know, I'm sure Lieutenant Pike and Lieutenant Austin told you the exact same thing before they transferred. I mean, let's face it, commander, you've had lousy luck with women. [Realises he's put his foot in his mouth.] Partners. The female JAG officers you've been with... in... the workplace... sir.

Never underestimate the integrity of a Naval aviator.