Written by Bill Nuss
Directed by Jonathan Wacks
Airdate: December 18, 1988
Guest Star: Gary Hershberger (Michael); Doug McKeon (Todd)
In "Hell Week" the Jump Street unit goes undercover inside a college fraternity to investigate a campus rape. Hanson and Ioki are assigned to the elite fraternity and must endure "hell week" to get initiated. Booker gets the "academic" frat to follow a lead, while Penhall and Hoffs provide backup.
This is Jump Street at its best. The entire cast is involved, and script is a compelling expose on the dark aspects of Greek life. Michael and Todd run the elite fraternity; they use a racial slur when they see Ioki but recruit him because they believe his father runs a Japanese conglomerate. During their trials, Hanson and Ioki have to eat disgusting food and engage in dangerous drinking challenges. At one point, they save a pledge who almost drowns.
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| Ioki and Hanson save the life of a recruit. |
Booker balks at having to hang out with nerds, but Hanson tells him he can be the "Fonz." And that's exactly what happens! Booker acts as an ally to the well-meaning geeks, dishing out advice and stepping in to stop a bully (see above).
Eventually the bad guys are caught through their own stupidity. They videotaped the crime. Their exploitation of female students is a point of pride, even a recruitment selling point. I'm sure this was common - then and now.
"Hell Week" is similar to a first season episode "My Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades" which dealt with Prep School privilege. The emphasis here is on hazing, toxic masculinity, and misogyny, rare for a Prime Time show during the 1980s.
Final Report: Once again, season three continues to explore hot button issues, excavating the moral erosion of institutions as the Reagan era ended.
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