21 Jump Street: S2E9: "You Oughta Be in Prison"

Written by Bill Nuss

Directed by Kim Manners

Airdate: November 15, 1987

Guest Stars: Reginald T. Dorsey (Waxer); Tony Todd (Aaron); Tom Bresnahan (Jeremy) 

Hanson and Penhall go undercover as bodyguards to protect a young movie star (Jeremy Stone) who is filming a movie in the city. Meanwhile, 'Waxer" Thompson, the drug dealer Hanson put away in the Pilot episode, escapes from prison and seeks revenge. 

There's a heavy "meta" element to this episode with characters goofing on the movie business. Both Hanson and Penhall resent playing babysitter for an egotistical star who's been getting death threats and getting into scraps with the Paparazzi . Penhall observes, "all people do is stand around and do nothing" on movie sets, but he changes his tune when he gets his test his own acting chops - and nails it!

Tyrone "Waxer" is back in town

Meanwhile, "Waxer" has quite a journey. In Juvenile Prison he gets into a fight and kills another inmate, his warden played by Tony Todd, sends him to an adult prison. But the bus crashes Fugitive style on the transfer and he escapes. At his safehouse he happens to see Hanson on a news report and decides to pursue revenge. He manages to kidnap Hanson and Stone, but then Hanson manages to distract and arrest Waxer.

Hanson's evolving persona

There's a wackiness to the episode with its showbiz satire and the random callback to the first season. Peter DeLuise is especially comical here with his line deliveries, while Depp's cool detachment may signal his boredom with the character. Hanson's no longer the erstwhile rookie of the Pilot episode but now affecting a surly and jaded persona. The writing and direction are also much tighter and punchier than the first season. 

Final Report: B+