Bud Sr. and Mike (Bud's father and younger brother) travel to Washington for Bud and Harriet's wedding. Bud Sr. leaves insults, injuries, and hurt feelings in his wake; Harriet's mother also causes much discomfort and embarrassment. Bud passes a big career milestone with grace and empathy. A dry cleaner loses Harm's dress whites, but Harm finds them in an unusual place. The girls go to Harriet's party, then Mac bails Harm, Bud, and the admiral out of a DC jail after Bud's party. Bud Sr. skips the beautiful wedding, and Mike arrives late. Harm takes charge of a detail of eight officers who form an arch of swords for the new couple; he also shows up with an unusual and unexpected date.

After being promoted, Bud's first case as an attorney is defending his father "Big Bud" Roberts (Jeff MacKay) from charges of fraud and larceny, with Harm as the prosecutor.

Again at The Wall at Christmas, Harm meets Jenny Lake, a singer who, as a member of a USO troupe, entertained aboard Harm's father's carrier. She tells about their brief friendship. The JAG characters play other roles during flashbacks.

In Mazatlan, Mexico, Mike, Bud's brother, becomes involved in a barroom fight with a local, who later dies. Harm and Bud, with help from Bud Sr., eventually discover the cause. Mac successfully defends a Marine bulldog in a paternity suit.

Sarah dreams about an actual conspiracy to commit a mutiny in 1842 at sea aboard a brig of war, a sailing vessel, of the US Navy.

Amid much activity at Christmas, a woman petty officer in disguise runs afoul of the law, Harm takes her into custody and to a party, and she stays with Mac. Harm's rebuilt Corvette briefly disappears, and Webb gives him a surprise.

A US Marine deserts his unit and joins the Israeli Army, then faces a trial in the USA. Bud returns from overseas, gets a Purple Heart and a warm welcome (from everyone except his father), then starts his rehab. Loren gets transfer orders.

A Marine stands accused of fatally shooting his wife. Mac prosecutes, and Harm defends. Bud and his father have trouble with Bud's condition, but each starts to cope. Nearly everyone gives Loren a happy farewell; Sergei returns to Russia.

Bud and Harriet hold a party on Christmas Eve in their new house for the JAG gang. Everyone runs into difficulties en route, but everything finally works out. Bud invokes, "God bless us everyone"; all agree and exchange, "Merry Christmas".

Harm, with a former client, flies for the CIA; they fix a problem in the Philippines, and they escape. Harriet has given birth to another son, and she and Bud hold a christening party. Midn. Mike Roberts helps a friend at the Naval Academy.

Three MPs at Gitmo go on trial for injuring a detainee; the prisoner is a member of the US Army in disguise; Mac prosecutes, and Harm and an Army lawyer defend. Bud slugs a mouthy civilian and goes on trial; Sturgis defends him.

A Marine captain has deserted and has become a freelance warlord in Afghanistan, seeking Osama bin Laden; the Afghan government places him on trial; Harm and Mac defend him; Islamic justice follows. The Navy recalls Bud Sr. to active duty.