Original subtitles

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Look, ma 'am.

Pardon me, sir.

Excuse me.

Major! There you are. I have an urgent phone call.

Who is it? I'm late for a client meeting.

Father Gennaro.

I don't know who that is.

He's a Catholic priest from Fresno. Okay, take a message.

Ma 'am, I really think you should take this call.

This is Major McKenzie.

Sarah McKenzie?

That's right.

I'm Father Gennaro.

I'm a Franciscan priest and the administrator at the Hospice of the

in Fresno, California.

I've been talking to a man I don't think will last the week.

He's been asking for you, so I looked you up.

I'm sorry, I think you have the wrong McKenzie.

Really? May I ask you, is your father's name Joseph?

Your father came in last week.

The cancer, it seems, has traveled to the liver, which was apparently not in

very good shape to begin with.

Father, do you need money?

Oh, no, no, no. We don't charge. We're set up principally for those who can't

pay.

Joseph and I talked.

He's accepted his fate.

But there seems to be a great deal of psychic pain.

I guess he wanted to. Father Gennaro, I haven't seen my father since I was 17.

We're estranged. Yes, that's been confirmed by him. But I would... What do

call you, Miss... Mrs... Major is fine.

Major.

Major, I think that's the point of my call.

I believe it would be of great comfort to your father if you and other members

of your family were present.

In fact, I've been trying to reach your mother. Do you know...

No.

Oh, I, um... I believe he would want the both of you here.

You know, to settle things.

Major?

153 for a straight -in approach on runway 24.

Blacksburg Unicom.

No other traffic in the pattern.

Roger, Blacksburg Unicom.

153, a key on 135 .0.

Click twice for runway light.

You know, the sun was setting, and I hadn't checked my night vision in a

I drive at night. I can find the light switch in the dark.

Maybe it's okay now. It's not okay.

You have scars on both retinas.

Yeah, they're from about a toxoplasmosis I contracted about ten years ago. And

what made you think they would have gone away? And don't tell me the Navy

doctors told you to eat carrots and drink cod liver oil.

If you're serious about improving your condition, you're going to have to face

surgery. Well, Doc, according to my research, night blindness is not

treatable. You don't have night blindness. You were misdiagnosed.

You have blurred vision as a result of the scarring.

During daylight hours, it's inconsequential. It's evident at night.

You can make this go away? Through a process called laser ablation.

I've done six of these procedures, one on a commercial pilot.

Is he flying?

What are the risks?

Well, there's a chance you could experience a further reduction of your

vision. Meaning? Meaning you might never step into the cockpit of another

airplane.

Hey.

This is not a good time, huh?

Okay. No problem.

How about now?

Talk to your friends.

My father's dying.

I'm sorry.

I'm a little confused.

Your father drank, right?

Often. I think you told me that he abused your mother.

Yeah, just as often.

I guess I was under the impression you didn't care about him.

I don't.

He asked for me. He's in a hospice in Central California.

You still angry at him?

No, I'm over that.

So go.

Well, the reason I'm over it is because I stopped making him a part of my life.

I don't think about him. I mean, I don't even acknowledge his existence.

So what are you upset about?

I don't know.

Well, maybe you should find out.

What would I say?

Go with an open mind. It might turn out better than you think.

Maybe he wants to bequeath you a hundred -acre ranch in Texas.

Introduce you to a twin sister you never knew you had.

No more death, but fear.

It's not worth the anguish.

Let me tell you something I've been thinking about lately.

Unfinished business.

Don't make this about your father harm. It's not the same.

It's something altogether different, Mac.

Why is it that we think it's a good idea to bury things, you know? To pretend

that they don't matter.

So you don't realize what kind of an influence your father's been on you,

Think about it. You joined the Marine Corps.

You're an alcoholic. My father had nothing to do with my becoming a Marine,

I'll take the responsibility for my drinking problem. Thank you.

Your relationship's with men.

Okay, you need to go now.

You're angry, Mac.

Harm. You just don't know it. You're badgering me.

Look, you need to go down there, look him in the eye, and tell him how you

And if I don't?

Carry him with you the rest of your life. Every time you put on that

he'll be there. Every tray of martinis that passes will smell like him.

Every time a man tells you you wore something, you push him away.

The way I see it, you have two choices. You can choose to ignore it or you can

move past it.

At the moment, sir, they're concentrating on transmission problems

phone lines, a faulty codec board, or a corrupted computer.

And that's the progress that we have made in three days.

I'm afraid so, sir.

Well, Tyler, that's an option today.

We do have the video cameras working, sir.

Uh -huh.

Well, I have a very simple question for you.

Will Commander Rav and I be able to videoconference with the CNO tomorrow as

scheduled? That's the plan, sir. Because if we can't, Tyre, if we can't, we'll

have to fly to the USS Corregidor, where he's presently visiting, and discuss

the horse slaughter trial aboard ship.

Yes, sir. I'm aware of the inconvenience factor, sir. And as manager of this

project,

I assume that you're also aware...

of how I might react if that becomes a reality.

Thank you, sir.

Where the hell is Rab?

I believe you gave him the morning off, sir.

Why?

He asked for it, sir.

Do you consider me soft?

Hardly, sir.

Thank you.

Don't kid me like that. I'm not. Where's the beer?

We're out.

There was a six -pack in here this morning.

You drank it.

No, Joe.

Well, you hit it, brother. Sarah,

get your ass down here and take my shoes off now.

No, Sarah, you stay in bed. Damn it.

Please, no, Joe.

I'm sorry.

What did I do? Amy, are you alright?

I'm okay, Joe.

God,

I love you. I know.

Oh my God, you're smiling.

It's okay, Joe.

What's on your mind, Commander?

I was wondering if I could have the afternoon off.

This afternoon?

Admiral, I haven't forgotten that you and I are to be video conferencing with

Admiral Drake. I've talked to Lieutenant Roberts.

As co -counsel, he's agreed to take my place here.

Lieutenant is new to the case.

I realize that, sir, but I can assure you he's on top of it.

Didn't I give you yesterday morning off?

Yes, sir, you did, and I appreciate it.

This is the follow -up, sir. To what?

To a medical procedure, sir. Minor surgery. I need the remainder of the day

recover. I've asked the lieutenant to place a copy of the notes from the

on my desk. I'll come in later and catch up.

Oh, so you spoke to him before you spoke to me.

Sir, it's just that the doctor has an opening later today, and if I don't take

this now, I'll have to wait six weeks.

Permission denied.

But, sir, we're short staffed, Commander.

Major McKenzie, Commander Brumby are on leave.

Apple. Why can't this wait?

Well, I guess I'm just eager to have it done, sir. Is your health in risk?

I'd have to say no to that, sir.

Good God, it's not plastic surgery, is it?

No, Admiral.

It's my eyes, sir.

Does this have career implications?

Oh, well, sir, it gives me options.

Are you unhappy here, Commander?

I can assure you, Admiral, this has nothing to do with JAG.

Go ahead.

Thank you, sir.

Major, Father Gennaro, welcome.

Was your flight all right?

It was fine.

About your father.

I noticed he's asleep. Well, actually, he's... Yeah, I should probably check

into the hotel first anyway. Maybe you can call me when he wakes up.

Sure.

Are there visiting hours? No, you're allowed to be here at any time.

Okay, then.

Your father slipped into a coma just under an hour ago.

Will he come out of it?

No, I don't think so.

I'm deeply sorry.

He would have wanted to see you.

I hope you can take comfort in the fact that you were here while he was still

alive.

St. Peter tells us, all flesh is as the grass, and all the glory of man

as the flower of grass.

The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of

Lord endureth forever.

Major, are you all right?

You can't do this to me! You can't do this!

Do you hear me? You can't do this! Nurse, nurse.

Do you hear me? Nurse, patient, please.

The satellite transmission's coming through, sir.

Good afternoon, Admiral. How are things aboard ship?

Good afternoon, Admiral, Lieutenant.

Things are stretched to the limit by Kosovo. But that's my headache. Let's

discuss yours.

Where's Rab?

The commander was unable to attend. Lieutenant Roberts is co -counsel. He's

taking his place.

You're familiar with the case, Lieutenant?

Yes, sir. Two SEALs and a Marine are charged with slaughtering 24 wild horses

Wyoming. All three are pleading not guilty.

Commander and I are representing the two SEALs. The Marine's family has retained

a civilian attorney, sir. Due to the particularly heinous nature of this

I wanted to brainstorm ways of avoiding a sensational trial.

Any suggestions?

Yes, sir. Actually, I... What the hell?

We lost transmission, sir.

But you know that.

Get him back, Tyner.

Yes, sir.

But they fixed this damn thing.

They did, sir.

They finally located the problem at the inverse mux. The what?

The inverse multiplexing box that terminates the phone line.

That's where the ISDN pry line enters the system, sir.

Okay, sir.

My suspicions were correct.

Things here are fine.

It must be the main fuse box.

You want some help?

Please, sir.

Is there a problem, Major?

I put in my money, I pushed the button, and nothing came out.

What did you want?

Root beer.

Would cola suffice?

No. Why don't I send one of the nurses to a convenience store?

What brand of root beer do you prefer?

Don't send anyone.

How about a nice glass of iced tea?

Drink it.

Lemonade. Father.

I think we have one of those punch mixes in the kitchen. I'll just go get it.

It's not about the drink.

I don't care about the drink.

Is that not clear to you?

It is.

Then why are you asking?

I'll give you anything if it gets you to stop kicking this machine.

People are dying here.

I'm sorry.

Would you like to talk about it?

No.

Okay.

Well, I'm hearing about if you change your mind and you can't...

Find me, just holler.

No, don't do that.

Come find me, please.

I'll most likely be in my office at the end of the hall.

You know, Father, you don't have to worry about me.

I can control myself.

Good.

I'm glad you said that.

Not just for the patients, but for yourself as well.

I believe the time spent here can be useful.

Useful? In helping you accept certain things, many visitors and family members

find they have issues that need resolving.

Certain feelings come up.

They find themselves frightened, confused.

Angry? Certainly.

I'm not angry.

You're not? I'm furious.

My father was a first -class, drunken son of a bitch.

They drove my mother away, and he made my teenage years hell on earth.

Hell is only in the afterlife.

He had a rotten soul. He didn't deserve to live as long as he did.

He hasn't passed yet.

Jesus said, let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

That may work for you, Father.

Not for me.

Yes, I'd like to book a flight tonight to D .C.

Where does it stop over?

Orlando, are you kidding?

How long to wait for a connecting flight?

Oh, forget it. I could walk there faster. Is there anything else?

Okay, fine.

Three tomorrow.

I don't care. Just get me out of here.

fuse is blown sir do you have another no sir the nearest electronic

store is in crystal city if i don't get this happening soon the old man will

kick my butt back to norfolk well what are the alternatives i say we bypass the

fuse and tap into the emergency power supply the generator won't last long but

it shouldn't compromise anything that's running and you know how to do this yes

sir when i was in junior college i borrowed juice from the stadium's

unit

You stole it? I had an uncompromising budget, sir.

Will we have enough time to complete the meeting?

How fast do you talk, sir?

I don't get it, Father.

I can think of more productive things to do than try to save Joe McKenzie's

soul. He's a child of God. His soul belongs in heaven.

Will never happen.

Jesus forgives all who accept his love.

My father did that?

Yes, just last week.

He was scared.

He was looking for a last -minute reprieve.

No, I believe it was genuine.

He was gripped by the Holy Spirit to the point of tears.

He could have done that when he was born.

Well, then we'd have something.

If you don't mind me asking, if you hate him this much, why did you come here? I

do mind you asking.

I mind everything about you.

Your wimpiness, your naivete, your sanctimony, your presumptions. What

think that you can walk into the middle of a family and heal all wounds?

There are scars there, Father.

What's left of my soul is covered in them.

Are you done yet? No.

Then go ahead. I'm listening.

Don't turn the other cheek. It just makes me want to smack it.

You're right about your first observation.

I am a wimp.

That said, I am less naive than I appear to be.

Sometimes I use that quality to get what I need.

You're wrong about the third point. I don't presume anything.

Your father accepted our charity in the conditions upon which it is given.

Anyone coming in here should know that or they're naive.

And that's for being sanctimonious.

I prefer the term sanctified.

I trust in the love of Jesus to guide me.

If you don't, that's your problem.

You came here to find answers, right?

I guess.

I know it may be hard for you to believe, but your father loved you very,

much.

I guess that's why he used to refer to me as his stupid tramp daughter.

He obviously didn't know how to express it.

The hostility came from a feeling of inadequacy.

He hated your boyfriends because they had your respect.

That sent him into a downward spiral as drinking got worse.

Much.

How long did you stay with him after your mother left?

Two years.

My junior year in high school, I ran away.

Abandonment is a continuing theme in his life.

What do you know about the rest of it?

Well, after his discharge from the Corps, he played drums with a roadhouse

traveled around a lot, was employed mostly as a security guard, tried

frozen yogurt shop in Laughlin, Nevada.

It went under.

Spent two years in prison for tax evasion.

Had girlfriends on and off.

Most of them left at some point, except one, and she killed herself.

Oh, little St. Peter takes a look at that resume.

Well, that's why he wanted you and your mother here, to acknowledge the presence

of God.

To apologize for his misspent life.

And to ask for your forgiveness.

You know what?

I'm sick of hearing about his pain and his suffering.

What about my mother? What about what she went through? Where was God when he

was smacking her across the room?

Yeah, Father.

I would like to hear your answer.

Okay, sir, allow me to synopsize. No leaks, no press briefings. All comments

shall be restricted to the legal aspects of the case. Anything resembling a

moral tone shall be safe for the courtroom. The state investigators

encouraged to do the same.

Correct. Anything else, sir?

No, that's fine.

Now what?

We appear to have a power outage, sir.

Tighter.

My poor feet will bite us.

Thank God for disability.

You're beautiful, even in that uniform.

I didn't join because of him.

Uncle Matt inspired me.

How is he?

In Leavenworth for stealing the Declaration of Independence.

Oh.

You know, I stayed with him for a while.

I don't know anything, honey.

The first I heard about you was when I got a message from this priest.

He said you'd be here, which is why I came.

Certainly wasn't because of Joe McKenzie.

I don't look too good, do I?

No, just different.

I've only been heavy for the last few years.

I'm an embarrassment. Please.

You must hate me.

The night I left was your 15th birthday.

You were to sleep over at Cheryl's house, remember?

Your father came home from the NCO club, puked on the kitchen table and

accused me of having an affair.

I tried to calm him down like usual.

This time he put a paring knife to my throat.

He drew some blood and then told me he was going to cut me up into little

and use me for rabbit food.

I took the threat seriously.

Where did you go?

Portland.

I didn't plan it.

I just got on a bus and got off when it stopped.

What?

You left me with him.

Did he hurt you?

Not physically.

I know he picked on you and gave you a hard time, but I also knew he never

have hurt you.

And that's what let me sleep at night.

Why didn't you try to contact me?

I did.

On and off for the first month, but he always picked up the phone.

And a letter would have never gotten by him.

Yeah, but I left him after two years.

I was afraid that you'd be so angry.

But you wouldn't believe me.

And I was too fragile to handle the rejection.

And this time?

This time, I said to hell with it.

I'm going to see my daughter.

How's it feeling?

Everything's fuzzy.

Well, as it should be.

Now, what I'm going to do is hold this retinal lens over your eyeball.

It provides magnification so that I can see the blood vessels under the retina.

Okay. And then we'll use the argon laser to destroy the mutants.

You won't feel anything, but you will see tiny pulses of light.

That's the laser firing at tenth of a second intervals.

Nervous? No.

Then would you mind not tapping your foot?

Oh, sorry.

It's disconcerting.

Uh, what about music?

You're going to sing now?

No, I brought a tape. It's on the table.

Sure.

All right, hold steady.

Here we go.

Did your mother leave?

She's in the bathroom.

Maybe you better get her.

Major, I don't know much, but I know it's all in torment when I see it.

He's not even conscious.

I'm not talking about him.

If you're looking for closure, forgiveness is the only way to shut down

pain.

Not for you.

I'm okay now. The hell you are!

I don't know where that came from.

Father, you have other patients to care for.

Why is this one so important to you?

Because he's not important to you.

It's his wallet.

Look at it, please.

He's been following your career with pride, I should add.

But you know what impressed him the most?

That you were able to rise above his failure as a father.

What, darling?

It's time.

Would you come in with me?

Honey, I can't.

I know how you feel.

You go in.

I'll wait.

Are you sure?

Do you have any hand cream or anything like that?

Well, that's a bad, huh?

How did it go?

Went fine.

Now, look, you're going to experience some blurring.

Don't worry.

It won't last.

Are there more procedures?

Don't anticipate it.

We'll see.

If there's improvement, you should be good for at least a year.

Wait a minute. This isn't permanent, Doc? It can be.

Relax. You're getting ahead of yourself.

Well, when will we know?

Aside from the scarring, you have a healthy ocular environment.

You should start seeing improvement within the next 12 hours.

Oh, I'm going to have to ask you to control your enthusiasm.

There's something I never told you, Doc. It's...

As a result of this eye problem, I crashed a $55 million aircraft onto the

of a carrier.

My radar intercept officer died in the accident.

Why do I need to know this?

Because I'm beginning to think this whole thing was a fool's errand.

How am I kidding?

I think that I could ever have a shot at getting back up there.

Look, you're just suffering from...

post -op anxiety.

You felt compelled to do this out of a desire to return to a skill that you

had mastered.

No one can fault you for trying to complete your dream.

His hand tightened before he went.

It was a squeeze. He was thankful for your forgiveness.

Probably a muscle spasm.

Beyond this shore.

And the farther shore.

Beyond the beyond, where there is no beginning and no end.

Without fear, go.

Is that a Catholic verse?

Tell them I've seen you.

I've never seen a priest cry.

I do it all the time.

Are you all right?

I don't think so.

This is a really good thing you're doing here.

Oh,

baby. Come here.

Oh. It's okay, baby.

It's okay.

How I just had deja vu.

I was upset.

And you were holding me.

I was crying over losing that big white mutt.

What was his name, Ruggles?

Ruggles.

That's right, he ran away.

It was... It was Dad who was holding me.

ran away and you took the dog with you, didn't you?

He followed me, darling.

He was running alongside the bus. I had to beg the driver to let him in.

I mean, I couldn't have taken him back.

No.

So I kept him.

He liked you.

Yeah.

He used to come to you with that rope in his teeth and you would swing him

around all night.

What happened to him? What?

The ruggles.

Did he die?

Oh, I'm sure.

It's been some 17 -odd years.

You don't know?

Oh, honey.

I traveled around so much.

And, uh... I don't even know how it happened, really.

I was halfway to Utah.

When I realized I'd left him at a boarding house.

He was so big and so hard to travel with. I didn't have a car.

They loved him there. I'm sure they took very good care of him.

What are you talking about?

The dog.

He was left... Abandoned.

Honey.

You know, I've been thinking.

Joe McKenzie was a confused...

And miserable drunk.

But I left him.

He paid the bills. And he tried to cook.

And he looked at my homework.

Got to even clean the house.

He made a home for me in his own pathetic way.

What I'm saying is that that almost means more to me than you coming back

all these years.

Why should I care if you were frightened that I might reject you?

You rejected me.

You abandoned me.

And I did the same thing to my father.

It's for the best, I guess.

If I'd been with you, I probably would have woken up one morning to find you

gone again.

You're right.

I'm sorry.

I've never been much good to anybody, not even myself.

Stop it.

I forgive you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Where are you going?

To bury my father.

Lieutenant! What's the word?

Apparently the main and the auxiliary switch boxes are fried, sir.

There's wax all over my desk.

I'll help you clean that up. I don't want you to clean it up. I want

incandescent illumination.

I wish I could help you with that, sir.

Is Tyner with him?

When last I looked, yes, sir.

Give me an ATR.

Right away, sir.