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.  

2 Jump Street: S5E10: "Number One with a Bullett"

Written by Ann Donahue

Directed by Peter DeLuise

Airdate: December 22, 1990

Guest Star: Ken Tremblett (Barry Wells)

The episode begins with Penhall finding himself in purgatory after getting shot in the line of duty. While there he meets his parents and his deceased wife Marta. It was a mob hit connected with a payola scheme with college radio. I always thought college radio was pure, left of the dial and all that, but I guess not.

It was a long time TV trope to put a beloved character in mortal danger as they enter a netherworld, this was oddly similar to the time Tony Soprano was shot. 

McCann and Hoffs easily uncover the payola scheme, while Joey must take care of Clavo. Penhall wakes from his coma and decides to resign from the force.

The goodbye scene was understated and well done. Fuller says, "I never say goodbye" and shakes Penhall's hand. Hoffs looks shaken and holds back tears, as Penhall says, they went through a lot together.

The episode marked the end of an era for Jump Street. If the new cast had caught on, there was a chance of continuing as syndicated series. Unfortunately, the one-time juggernaut of the Fox Network would limp to the finish line. 

Peter DeLuise was an essential part of 21 Jump Street. While Depp was the breakout star, DeLuise always matched him in every scene. He carried stories on his own and seamlessly provided comic relief. 

21 Jump Street: S5E9: "Diplomas for Sale"

Written by Thomas Perry & Joe Perry

Directed by Randy Bradshaw

Airdate: December 8, 1990

Guest Star: Leslie Carlson (Professor Gray)

The Jump Street unit takes on college "essay mills" in 'Diplomas for Sale." The Penhall brothers pose as college students to investigate the murder of a student. They discover plagiarism is rampant at the school and the outfit providing the service is resorting to intimidation. These days it's so much easier for students, but in the early 1990s it was still a major transgression. 

A nice change of pace from previous episodes of this season, there's some humor and even some Rockford Files vibes. There's a slight absurdity to the low stake topic. Peter and Mike DeLuise were starting to develop chemistry in the series, but Peter has only one more episode to go. 

21 Jump Street: S5E8: "The Girl Next Door"

Written by Jonathan Glassner

Directed by Brenton Spencer

Airdate: December 1, 1990

Guest Star: Ocean Hellman (Suzanne)

A high school hit and run is the inciting event in "The Girl Next Door." McCann and J. Penhall are sent in to investigate. Mac develops a crush on Suzanne, one his informants at the school, they make a point of saying she's 18. Suzanne confesses to Mac she contracted AIDS by a needle.

Mac suspects her father of getting revenge on a football player who distributed the needle that gave his daughter the disease. But on further investigation we learn someone else was responsible. 

The episode builds some dramatic tension but never quite hits like the previous episode on AIDS "A Big Disease with a Little Name." The story expresses concern about the spread of AIDS among teens at the time, but the convoluted murder plot takes away from the story. Nice guest star performance by Ocean Hellman. 

21 Jump Street: S5E7: "This Ain't No Summer Camp"

Written by Morgan Gendel

Directed by Peter D. Marshall

Airdate: November 24, 1990

Guest Star: Leon Russom (Ohanion)

"Survival Search" is a program designed to help juvenile delinquents learn about the outdoors. When a young man dies on a hike, suspicion turns to Mr. Ohanion who runs the program.

Doug and Joey Penhall are sent in to investigate. Doug uses the "McQuaid" alias, while Mike poses as a student. While Mr. Ohanion is tough on the students, they see no evidence of violence. The story turns on a rivalry between old students that led to murder. Mr. Ohanion turns out to be a sympathetic figure. 

There's just not much to say about this episode. The after-school movie vibes are heavy.  At least the Penhall brothers are getting along. 

21 Jump Street: S5E6: "Brothers"

Written by Jonathan Glassner

Directed by Don McBrearty

Airdate: November 17, 1990

Guest Star: Michael DeLuise (Joey Penhall)

Doug Penhall's estranged younger brother Joey shows and is now part of the Jump Street Unit. Doug still holds a grudge against Mike for leaving the family, but now they are co-workers! 

When a distraught father visits the Chapel explaining how his daughter joined a cult that he believes is also involved in the drug trade. Fuller asks for volunteers, and Joey agrees to infiltrate "Heaven's Family." Once there he finds a peaceful community practicing communal living - and completely buys into the program! The Jump Street Unit needs to deprogram one its own members. The drug accusations were false.

McCann and Hoffs help Penhall literally kidnap Joey, and Doug manages to talk him down. Questions about the ethics of kidnapping one of their own get sidetracked, but, hey, it's television!

A compelling episode for the most part. The series is clearly winding down - and "trapped in cult" stories were a staple of the era. Michael DeLuise shows some potential, but one wonders how the character was kept on the force after joining a cult! 

21 Jump Street: S5E5: "Just Say No! High"

Written by Sharon E. Doyle

Directed by Randy Bradshaw

Airdate: November 10, 1990

Guest Stars: Peter Outerbridge (Jeff); Garry Chalk (Coach Brandon)

A group of students are determined to remove drugs from their high school, supporting an extreme measure offering free drug tests so students to prove they are drug-free (they wear red bands around their arms). The measures are in response to an ecstasy epidemic that led to the death of a student.

Hoffs and Penhall are assigned to find out who's manufacturing the ecstasy. Things are complicated when Hoffs tests positive for speed, forcing Fuller to take away her badge. Internal Affairs also investigates Hoffs, putting her through borderline harassment. 

Penhall and McCann suspect Jeff, leader of the anti-drug cause and chemistry whiz, might be the culprit. As it turns out, it's the basketball coach! He gets arrested in his Winnebago (very Breaking Bad prescient). Hoffs also gets absolved when it's revealed her original test was a false reading, so all is well. She even takes revenge on the IA guy.

The episode does a suitable job of illustrating the anti-drug hysteria of the era, when schools began to implement things like the DARE program or the punk inspired straight edge movement. Slightly more adventurous than previous offerings from Season 5, the episode feels a bit passe but engaging.