21 Jump Street: S5E22: "Second Chances"

Written by Jim Brown

Directed by Steven Williams

Airdate: April 27, 1991

Guest Star: Martin Cummins (Nick)

"Second Chances" was the final episode of 21 Jump Street. 

Hoffs volunteers for the "Second Chances" program which helps rehabilitate students with a record. When Nick, one of her former students, is suspected of leading a car theft ring, she takes a renewed interest in the case. She finds Nick's shop class is indeed involved in car theft (recalling a first season episode) but his involvement is peripheral. 

Hoffs begins to mentor Nick again, offering advice on school and jobs - he's unhappy working at the fast-food joint. Eventually, a scheme is hatched to break up the ring that's led by the "Auto Class" teacher. There's some decent action for the climax and Nick even saves Hoffs from a crowbar attack! Mac provided backup throughout the case, according to IMDB his brown jacket was worn by Hanson for an earlier episode.

Steven Williams directed the episode, providing a neo-noir flavor to the visual style. 

While the final season of the series lacked the ambition of previous ones, all the episodes were decent. Rehabilitation as a theme for the final episode seemed appropriate, ending the series on an understated, but graceful note. 

Thanks for reading these! I plan to keep making the occasional post that will reflect on 21 Jump Street and its place in television history. And I want to write the obligatory "Top Ten Episode" listicle. And, who knows, I might be reviewing the Booker episodes. 

21 Jump Street: S5E21: "Homegirls"

Written by Jeff Myrow

Directed by Brad Turner

Airdate: April 20, 1991

Guest Star: Jada Pinkett (Nicole)

Hoffs infiltrates a gang to investigate a drive-by shooting and to break up a gun running ring. There's almost a Hollywood vibe to the episode as Hoffs must convince the other girls in the gang she can handle the hard life. 

Jada Pinkett appears as one of the gang members in an early role. Some twists and turns punctuate the episode, and the dialogue is snappier than usual. The story's almost a retro throwback to the 1970s with its blaxploitation edge. It was a good script for Holly Robinson that provided Hoffs a compelling story for the penultimate entry in the series. 

21 Jump Street: S5E20: "Bad Day at Blackburn"

Written by Thomas Perry and Joe Perry

Directed by Brenton Spencer

Airdate: April 13, 1991

Guest Star: Michael Cudlitz (Dennis Richards)

"Bad Day at Blackburn" channeled some energy from earlier seasons of 21 Jump Street. Fuller, Hoffs, and Mac must stop a group of students from terrorizing a High School, extorting students through physical intimidation.

The episode begins with Fuller witnessing his old friend having a heart attack as they talking about the old days. In full mid-life crisis mode, he begins working out and decides to take on the school bullies single handedly. Suddenly were in one of those school vigilante films from the 1980s! There's a boxing scene where Fuller actually loses control. 

More stylistic than previous episodes of the fifth season and Williams bring more intensity than usual, proving the series still had some edge it its final few installments. 

21 Jump Street: S5E19: "Wasted"

Written by Sharon E. Doyle

Directed by Brenton Spencer

Airdate: April 6, 1991

Guest Star: Dale Wilson (Tommy Boylan)

According to IMDB, "Wasted" is the lowest rated episode of 21 Jump Street. To be fair, during this era of television, shows often ended on anti-climactic notes, it was the nature of the medium in those days. 

Mac is assigned to investigate the death of a High School football player, believing it was steroid abuse. However, clues lead to a toxic waste dump near the school that's making students sick. Of course there's a cover-up involving a local business owner. Much of the episode's drama deals with Mac fearing he's been poisoned, while Fuller fights off a cold through various methods - total sitcom antics. 

One can feel the desperate need to fill airtime in this episode; one starts to think the Jump Street Unit is down to a meager few. Episodes like this just make you long for the older ones, it's like the series has become a ghost of its former self. 

21 Jump Street: S5E18: "Crossfire"

Written by Ann Donahue

Directed by Jorge Montesi

Airdate: March 30, 1991

Guest Star: Geoffery Thorne (Joshua Dorsett); Renee Jones (Yvonne Andrews); William B. David (Judge Harrison)

Only three principal members of the cast remain as 21 Jump Street enters its final stretch. "Crossfire" should be titled "Hoffs in Turmoil."

Hoffs and Mac are working the vice squad, setting up solicitors of sex workers. When a man propositions Hoffs and gets arrested - he later sues for entrapment. Meanwhile, Hoffs is dating Joshua, a shady businessman in the middle of a custody battle. 

More ambitious than previous episodes, and also more plot heavy. Hoffs discovers the prosecuting attorney in her entrapment case is the ex-wife of her new boyfriend. Mac and Fuller work behind the scenes to help Hoffs, including some questionable use of informants. 

Despite all the character machinations, this episode dragged a bit. But it did end on a humorous note. 

21 Jump Street: S5E17: "Under the Influence"

Directed by Jorge Montesi

Written by Sharon E. Doyle

Airdate: March 23, 1991

Guest Star: Leslie Bega (Stevie)

Attacks on homeless people are traced back to a circle of High School students engaged in 'Satanic rituals." Fuller works undercover at a shelter, while Mac tries to infiltrate the students involved in the rituals. 

They are led by "Stevie" who is really involved in the dark arts - for unspecified reasons. They enact blood oath rituals and are behind the attacks, so it goes beyond cosplay. In an uncomfortable scene, she attempts to seduce Mac. Eventually Mac lures them into attacking the shelter again and they are arrested.

By 1991, the Satanic Panic was on the wane, but this episode plays on the outrageous stories circulating at the time. It comes at the subject not from a religious but a law enforcement perspective. 

On a lighter note, Fuller and Mac decide to attend a Nightmare on Elm Street marathon at the end of the episode - reference to Depp's absence? 

21 Jump Street: S5E16: "Coppin' Out & Cop Love"

Directed by Brad Turner

Written by Simon Ayer

Airdate: February 23, 1991

Guest Star: Fay Hauser (Adrienne Wallace); Markus Redmond (Charles Wallace)

As the Jump Street unit investigates a rash of break-ins aimed at senior citizens, Fuller dates the mother of one of the suspects.

Fuller meets Adrienne in line at the grocery store and they begin seeing each other. Adrienne's teenage son Charles is good natured, but a little suspicious of Fuller dating his mom. 

Meanwhile, circumstantial evidence points to Charles as a suspect in the robberies. Charles is arrested and brought in for questioning, but Joey finds another lead in the robberies, proving Charles was innocent. Despite their connection, Adrienne breaks it off with Fuller - understandable. 

Well written as a quiet drama, returning to themes of ethics and police work. As per usual Steven Williams does a nice job of carrying the episode. This was also the final appearance of Michael DeLuise as Joey Penhall in the series. You're almost looking for crews to start tearing down the sets at this point.