Sunday, February 8, 2026

21 Jump Street: S3E15: "Fathers and Sons"


Written by John Truby

Directed by Jefferson Kibbee

Airdate: April 9, 1989

Guest Stars: Michael Laskin (Mayor Michael Davis); Ricky Paull Goldin (Tad Davis)

Hanson and Penhall are investigating yet another drug ring at a High School and discover the mayor's son is involved and also a coke junkie. 

"Fathers and Sons" is filled with bizarre moments and then takes a jarring moralistic towards the end. The Unit is all abuzz over Ioki's beautiful new girlfriend, but the plot thread never goes anywhere. Penhall still stays with Ioki but is told to leave - and ends up passed out at his old house where he has a surreal conversation with a coded gay man who now resides there. Can Penhall not afford a new place?

Meanwhile, the mayor calls of the Jump Street investigation to avoid scandal, but Hanson and Penhall continue anyway, then Captain Fuller gets suspended for letting it continue. Hanson's main squeeze Jackie takes a heel turn, informing the mayor Fuller disobeyed his order. 

Then the mayor's son Tad dies of an overdose, so Fuller is reinstated to track down the dealers responsible. You with me? Hanson drops Jackie cold even after she apologizes, proving his loyalty is first and foremost with the unit.

The "let's get these awful drug dealers" climax felt out of synch with the series, which always worked best when walking a fine line on moral issues. There's a bit of everything in the episode, both compelling and oddly off tone. 


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