Tuesday, March 24, 2026

21 Jump Street: S4E19: "La Bizca"


Written
 by Lary Barber & Paul Barber

Directed by David Nutter

Airdate: February 26, 1990

Guest Star: Richard Roundtree (Ben Halley)

El Salvadore was going through a bitter civil war (1980-1992), with the Reagan-Bush administration supporting the anti-communist forces often through illegal means - look up the Iran-Contra Scandal.

The civil war was a plot point in an earlier episode from season 4 "Come from the Shadows" when Penhall married Marta to prevent her deportment, which failed to work. Penhall decided to travel with Hanson to El Salvadore to find her. 

They arrive and immediately witness atrocities and eventually get captured by government forces who believe they are communists from America. Freed by the rebels, Penhall learns that Marta was recently killed. In grief, Penhall decides to bring her young son Clavo back to the states.

A downer episode for sure, it feels like another TV show at times. A war themed travelogue and action oriented, "La Bizca" is a tough one to place in the series canon.  

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21 Jump Street: S4E19: "La Bizca"

Written   by Lary Barber & Paul Barber Directed by David Nutter Airdate: February 26, 1990 Guest Star: Richard Roundtree (Ben Halley) El...