Summary

• JAG Season 1 showcased Navy legal proceedings and explored military ethics with devoted characters, forming a cornerstone for the series.
• JAG Season 2 introduced Catherine Bell as Mac, establishing an iconic dynamic partnership and delving into political and controversial cases.
• JAG Season 7 thrived after 9/11, capturing the positive and negative facets of military life and featuring compelling story arcs.

While JAG is celebrated for its distinctive narrative and compelling characters, the quality of its seasons varies noticeably. Some stand out for their intricate storytelling, character development, and gripping legal cases. Others fell short due to changes in the cast, shifts in focus, or weak storytelling. That said, the show's ability to maintain its unique identity while navigating these fluctuations in quality is a testament to its enduring appeal.

Despite a shaky start following its first season, JAG displayed remarkable resilience, enduring for an additional nine seasons, and later kickstarting the NCIS franchise. Overcoming initial challenges, the series evolved and found its stride, successfully capturing its mix of legal drama, military intrigue, and character dynamics. The decision to continue the show for such an extended run indicates not only its popularity but also the ability of the creators to address early shortcomings. This sustained success speaks to the show's ability to adapt, and now JAG is celebrated as one of the best military TV shows of all time.

10 JAG Season 10

JAG Season 10 Concluded The Series

JAG Season 10 provided a bittersweet send-off for the military-legal drama, and although it included a few noteworthy episodes, it remains JAG’s weakest season due to cost-cutting efforts that left the show’s conclusion feeling distinctly unsatisfying (via Chicago Tribune). While the season benefited from the introduction of a few new officers, multiple emotional moments–such as Mac’s personal loss, and several intriguing cases, the show struggled to retain enough interest after David James Elliott announced his departure following season 10. Despite the potential for an eleventh season with Catherine Bell and Chris Beetem, the cancelation in 2005 is attributed to demographic reasons, resulting in a finale that failed to tie up enough loose ends.

9 JAG Season 8

JAG Season 8 Introduced The NCIS Franchise

JAG’s season 8 set the stage for the successful NCIS spin-off by introducing several staple characters from the franchise’s flagship series, but the season’s high notes pretty much ended there. While Lieutenant Singer was often portrayed as a pain to the show’s lead characters, her murder added an element of darkness to the show that was further exacerbated by Bud Roberts getting injured and Clayton Webb going missing. While JAG took a stab at comic relief with a subplot involving iral Chegwidden, it presented as a cheap laugh against the backdrop of a deeply depressing season. Sadly, the best thing about JAG’s season 8 was an entirely different show.

8 JAG Season 6

JAG Season 6 Sees Mac Engaged To Mic

JAG Season 6 experimented with its narrative approach by introducing more character subplots to counterbalance its formulaic courtroom drama, and the result left the season feeling less touched up and more watered down. The season is noteworthy for utilizing authentic military settings like Camp Pendleton, and while the character arcs remain some of the better elements of this season, JAG’s overemphasis on its subplots resulted in military cases that were equal parts dull and predictable. Although JAG should be acknowledged for attempting to enhance its appeal, season 6 veered too far from its emphasis on courtrooms and leaned excessively towards its focus on drama.

7 JAG Season 3

JAG Season 3 Sees Mac Leaving The Team Temporarily

JAG Season 3 featured several exciting cases but proved how much the military legal drama depended on the dynamic between its main characters, Harm and Mac. Early in the season, Mac departs temporarily while grappling with her past, and the series has difficulties filling the gap during her absence. Throughout most of its run, the series thrives, largely due to the compelling dynamics between its relatable duo. Their distinct approaches to each case allow for controversial issues to safely package differing viewpoints. Although the series should incorporate separation arcs between the two characters, Season 3's inability to compensate results in several episodes feeling decidedly one-sided.

6 JAG Season 9

JAG Season 9 Introduces Major General Gordon Cresswell

Although JAG Season 9 benefits from a number of intriguing cases, plot twists, and its mature storytelling, it ultimately struggles thanks to multiple cast changes that occurred along the way. With iral Chegwidden’s departure and the introduction of Major General Gordon Cresswell to name just a couple, the season suffered from a disruption in the character chemistry that had long held the TV show together. Moreover, the impending uncertainties surrounding Harm and Mac's future added a palpable tension as the series approached its conclusion. Despite Season 9 featuring compelling storylines and character development, it grappled with notable cast departures and noticeable changes to character dynamics.

5 JAG Season 5

JAG Season 5 Was Partly Filmed In Sydney, Australia

By the time Season 5 rolled around, JAG had hit its stride, and that quality shows in the season’s fantastic storytelling, provocative cases, and thrilling backdrops. Season 5 includes several of the series’ stronger plotlines, such as Lieutenant Commander Harm Rabb Jr’s return as an F-14 Tomcat pilot, as well as legal cases like defending a lieutenant who mistakenly fired upon Russian vehicles. Around this time, the series also reached global syndication in over 90 countries and was filmed in Sydney, Australia after reaching 100 episodes. The inclusion of real-life Navy footage aboard the USS John C. Stennis added tangible authenticity, adding up to a season with plenty to recommend it.

4 JAG Season 4

JAG Season 4 Introduces Mic Brumby

JAG Season 4 is noteworthy for including some of the series’ best storylines. At one point, Harm and Mac are assumed dead after an altercation with a Russian fighter pilot, leading to revelations about Harm’s father. The season also features many engaging investigations, such as an undercover operation at an embassy and the suspected rape of a Japanese national. In addition to introducing new characters to the series, such as Mic Brumby, and the promotion of existing ones like Bud and Harriet, the season filled out nicely with development arcs for all of its characters. While not the best, Season 4 could easily carry the series on its own.

3 JAG Season 7

JAG Season 7 Was Heavily Influenced By 9/11

JAG Season 7 experienced an unexpected surge in popularity, securing the second-highest ratings in the series' history, largely due to the nationwide wave of patriotism following 9/11 (via Entertainment Weekly). Equally significant, the season presents numerous compelling story arcs, including the team's role in prosecuting a prominent Al-Qaeda terrorist. The season thrived due to its favorable depiction of the military, showcasing both its strengths and challenges. The showrunners approached the subject matter with the utmost care during Season 7, effectively capturing the positive and negative facets of military life. This is vividly portrayed when Bud Roberts loses his leg on a landmine in Afghanistan.

2 JAG Season 1

JAG Season 1 Featured Tracey Needham As Meg Austin

Although JAG encountered challenges in its initial season, it excelled in depicting Navy legal proceedings while exploring military ethics with characters devoted to the principles of God, duty, honor, and country. After NBC chose not to greenlight a second season, series creator Donald P. Bellisario made a few adjustments before presenting the show to CBS. The series' diverse legal cases, coupled with robust storytelling and a compelling lead, convinced CBS to give the show another chance. Despite this setback, JAG Season 1 remains one of its most pivotal, forming a cornerstone alongside Season 2 that establishes the lifeblood of the entire series.

1 JAG Season 2

JAG Season 2 Introduced Catherine Bell As Sarah “Mac” MacKenzie

Catherine Bell's introduction as Mac in JAG Season 2, following Tracy Needham's departure, marked a positive shift for the series. Her inclusion significantly contributed to CBS's successful turnaround, while also establishing the series' iconic dynamic partnership. Mac serves as a vital counterbalance to Harm's usual approach, occasionally causing friction but allowing them to approach cases differently and address more complex issues together. Supplemented by her presence, Season 2 fearlessly delves into political and controversial cases, made more manageable by her unique perspective. Bell's portrayal not only enhances the show's appeal but also brings a fresh dimension to the exploration of intricate legal and ethical challenges in JAG.