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. 

21 Jump Street: S5E4: "Poison"

Written by Ann Donahue

Directed by Don McBearty

Airdate: November 3, 1990

Guest Star: Perrey Reeves (Tracy Hill); Richard Leacock (Jam)

Undercover Officer Tracy Hill from narcotics is temporarily assigned to Jump Street to help take down High School drug dealer "Jam." Penhall becomes smitten with Tracy, but soon discovers her risky methods hide a deeper problem.

DeLuise does a good job in the episode, still raising Clavo, he decides to take a chance on Tracy. But as we find out, she became a user at some point in her undercover work. The plot never rises above typical TV cop show tropes, but the acting was above average.

Perrey Reeves still works today, and she brought a lot to her role as Tracy, her charisma and edge would've made her an excellent member of the cast. Penhall even says at the end, "I hope she comes back."

21 Jump Street: S5E3: "Buddy System"

Written by Jonathan Glassner & David Levinson

Directed by Jorge Montesi

Airdate: October 27, 1990

New Cast member: Michael Bendetti (Officer McCann); Guest Star: Scott Grimes (Christopher)

New Jump Street recruit Officer McCann is assigned by Fuller to investigate the murder of a High School student. The school in question employs a buddy system to pair mentally challenged students with underprivileged students.

The focus of the episode is on McCann learning to work with Hoffs and Penhall. At first, he's secretive and not too friendly. Later it's revealed McCann once worked in Newark and got entangled with a corrupt unit. Apparently, the Chapel is back to the clubhouse concept of the first season, as no one seems to be around (budget reasons?).

Michael Bendetti, the actor playing McCann, seemed like an attempt to replace Hanson, he even vaguely resembles Depp. He gets in a good jab at Penhall about being too old to work High Schools. The story focuses on McCann trying to bond with a student who witnessed the murder, played by future ER cast member Scott Grimes. 

I can see how fans of 21 Jump Street were frustrated and confused when these shows aired. Two new cast members were quickly discarded. Stories are already being recycled. The novelty of the concept was part of what made the early seasons work, along the cast chemistry and smart writing. Other TV series, ER being the best example, successfully balanced legacy characters with new cast members. But the brief syndication era of Jump Street is like trying to enjoy your favorite band after the core members had left.