Written by E. Paul Edwards
Directed by Bill Corcoran
Airdate: November 8, 1987
"Honor Bound" has the Jump Street crew investigating a roving gang terrorizing and beating up gay men. Most of the attacks occur around a military school, where Hanson and Penhall are sent to investigate. They also must live there 24/7 since it's a boarding school.
Ioki is sent undercover to the gay club where the attacks are taking place, cluelessly asking Fuller what he should wear. Unfortunately, Ioki is targeted by the cadets on his way out and ends up in the hospital.
At the military school Hanson ensconces himself with the gang responsible for the violence, he ingratiates himself by being macho and using homophobic slurs. He even sucker punches Penhall during gym class, who seemed pissed. Hanson learns some cadets like to go out on "search and destroy" missions targeting men leaving the club. That's extremely messed up, but I don't doubt such behavior happened then - even now.
"Honor Bound" is critical of the homophobic attitudes among young men during the 1980s, in one scene a cadet faces his gay older brother whom he despises, and they argue it our but nothing much is resolved. When the patrons at the club unite and defend themselves it's an empowering moment.
Comic relief scenes feature Penhall trying to avoid getting a haircut seem unnecessary. The script seemed to need more seriousness considering the subject matter, and I wonder how much the network censored due to the controversial subject matter for the 1980s. especially during a time when gay characters were often absent or stereotyped on network TV.
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