21 Jump Street: S3E8: "The Blu Flu"

Written by Clifton Campbell

Directed by Bill Corcoran

Airdate: January 29, 1989

Guest Stars: Art Metrano (Larry Stubbs); Robert Romanus (Gary); Kevin Dunn (Reed)

More division hits the Jump Street Unit after the police union rejects the new contract. Hanson observes negotiations, while the others consider their options. Hoffs and Booker join the picket line, Penhall is under pressure from Dorothy to find a new job, while Ioki resents the work stoppage. Captain Fuller, being part of management, must keep working. The 1980s was a shaky era for labor unions, and the script deserves credit for not going corporate.

Penhall attends to household chores.

Booker bonds with veteran Officer Stubbs over baseball and even stepped in to deescalate a tense confrontation during the episode's climax, and even takes the blame for a tire slashing incident to prevent Stubbs from losing his job. Hanson is mostly absent this week, while Penhall deals with Dorothy being the only breadwinner. Ioki views the strike as more of a hinderance to his stock portfolio, he clashes with Booker. Eventually, both sides agree to a contract. 

Booker holds the line during the strike

If there's an all-star for this episode it would be Fuller, he keeps working and stays calm in a stressful situation, including being partnered with an incompetent rookie. As usual, Fuller exudes balanced leadership during a crisis. While Depp was the "star" of the series, Steven Williams was the glue that always held things together. I would point to this episode as a prime example. 

Final Report: Williams and Greico hold morally complicated positions in the episode, lifting the material.