A routine flight from the Patrick Henry results in Commander Phil Zuzello being left in a coma after being deprived of oxygen for four minutes with Commander Zuzello later dying, prompting JAG to take control of the case with Harm defending Petty Officer Moritz with Mac prosecuting. However, the case is complicated by Harm's refusal to defend Mortiz due to Harm's anger over Commander Zuzello's death as well as his belief that Mortiz is clearly guilty which later forces Admiral Chegwidden to step in with Chegwidden removing Harm from the case and replacing him with Turner with the case growing intense when Mac discovers some new evidence that could change everything while Bud wants to get back to work but Harriet is looking to slow things down for Bud, purely out of concern for Bud's health