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. 

21 Jump Street: S5E15: "In the Name of Love"

Written by Jonathan Glassner

Directed by Zale Dalen

Airdate: February 16, 1991

Guest Star: Beth Toussaint (Samantha); Kelli Fox (Lisa)

The FBI recruits Mac to date the daughter of a local drug lord so they can make an arrest. The assignment tests Mac's ethics to the limit, the idea of using an innocent teenage girl just to get her father is rather unseemly. Throughout the Jump Street series, whenever the FBI gets involved, they are often the villains. 

Meanwhile Mac tries to reconnect with his ex-girlfriend Samantha who happens to be in town. He's able to charm Lisa but finds that she's ignorant of her father's activities. Meanwhile, his undercover activity quickly alienates Samantha. 

As far as the fifth season goes, "In the Name of Love" is a strong episode. Bendetti carried the episode along well enough and it revisits the theme of ethics and undercover work. But there's hardly any action, episodes at this point are mostly just people in rooms talking.  

21 Jump Street: S5E14: "Film at Eleven"

Written by David Levinson

Directed by Peter DeLuise

Airdate: February 9, 1991

Guest Star: Don S. Davis (Lt. Donnely)

"Film at Eleven" is told with style but the story's convoluted. The script deals with a TV reporter's missing daughter and an unsolved murder. 

Mac gets involved in the case, and in the words of "the dude," finds there's a lot of ins and outs. Other than a cool chase scene with a handheld camera, rare for the stagey final season, there's just not much else to say. Don S. Davis appeared many times in different roles through the series run. 

21 Jump Street: S5E13: "Baby Blues"

Written by Deborah Starr Seibel

Directed by Zale Dalen

Airdate: January 21, 1991

Guest Star: Karin Konoval (Nurse Sylvia Harris)

The episode opens with Officer Joey Penhall having to kill someone in the line of duty. Fuller orders him to counseling and for some time off. Initially resistant, Joey finds meaning in volunteering at a maternity ward for babies born who are addicted to drugs. 

Joey becomes attached to one of the babies whose mother remains living a criminal life. Like his brother Doug, he wants to adopt the child but eventually decides he would be wrong for it.

More of a melodramatic episode, I suppose it was written as an acting showcase for the Joey Penhall character. Alas, Michael DeLuise would not be sticking around for the entire season. 

21 Jump Street: S5E12: "The Education of Terry Carver"

Written by Thomas Perry & Jo Perry

Directed by Randy Bradshaw

Airdate: January 14, 1991

Guest Star: Christianne Hirt (Terry); Jonathan Crombie (Bill)

The Jump Street unit investigates sexual assault involving members of a college fraternity, striking a personal resonance for Hoffs. The previous season in "Stand By Your Man", Hoffs was assaulted while working undercover, and now volunteers at a crisis center. 

Hoffs becomes an advocate for Terry even when the investigation fails to back up her claims being assaulted. Things eventually lead to a cover-up involving the college administration.

Another decently well executed episode that continues a part of Hoffs story from the previous season. Privilige and cover ups at elite colleges also remain relevant decades later. 

21 Jump Street: S5E11: "Equal Protection"

Written by Jeff Myrow

Directed by Brad Turner

Airdate: January 5, 1991

Guest Star: Todd Postlewaite (Officer Traynor)

In "Equal Protection," Hoffs discovers racism in the department after she witnesses officers brutalizing her nephew. When Fuller is informed, they decide to pursue an investigation and discover rampant bigotry in the gang unit.

Hoffs and Fuller have an honest discussion about being navigating racism as law enforcement officers. The episode was also timely considering the assault of Rodney King by the L.A. P.D. would become national news after it was captured on video in the spring of 1991. 

A tightly written and well-acted episode, the new cast was starting show some chemistry. As of this episode Holly Robinson was the last remaining cast member from the series debut.