#7 "Gotta Finish The Riff"

#7 "Gotta Finish The Riff" (Season 1 #7)

Photo Gallery 1 (scroll to find correct episode once you get there)

Original Air Date: May 17, 1987

Writer: Patrick Hasburgh and Bill Nuss

Director: Kim Manners

Production Code: 16112

Things To Note: This is Steven Williams’ (Capt. Fuller) first episode.

Opening Theme:

Closing Theme:

LOD:

Regulars:

Friends, Family & Guests: Frank McCarthy [ Principal Madigan ], Richard McKenzie [ Unknown ], Blair Underwood [ Reggie Brooks ]

Episode Summary from The 21 Jump Street Episode Guide:

NOTE: Stop with this one if you don’t want spoilers.

Jenko is killed by a drunk driver and is replaced by Captain Fuller who has his hands full dealing with a vengeful gang leader whom has taken his principal and several others hostage, including an undercover Hanson.

Detailed Episode Review (contains spoilers!):

(NOTE: I am doing these from the FX repeats. Email me with missing scenes & I’ll add them).

Commentary:

Cyndi Glass: Having begun to watch 21JS during Season 3’s episodes and watching Season 4 and 5 and only then starting over with Season 1, it’s been rather enlightening - and not always as fulfilling as I’m used to. With this episode, however, I can see things starting to fall into place and get into the groove. The characters seem to have an ease with each other, trust each other, and most of all share a familiarity that is always the hallmark of a great ensemble cast. I could really feel their emotion at Jenko’s graveside, and from there to go straight into what seemed to be the most dangerous case they had worked on yet - it’s probably my favorite Season 1 episode. So much happens here, and the characters start to gain some depth.

John DeCarli: This is really the pivotal episode for Season 1, and not just because Jenko is replaced by Fuller. Fuller's arrival seems to precipitate some shifting of the characters. Hoffs becomes less flirty and more professional. Ioki seems relegated to office work, somewhat. And now that Fuller is the "by the book" cop, Hanson becomes much less uptight and progressively more idealistic. In the pilot, Hoffs says to Hanson, "you never stop being a cop, do you?" At the end of this episode, it's Hanson who says to Fuller, "cops like you are always in uniform."

I like the way the opening scenes show how each of the officers handle the death of Jenko. I think this is the only time that the episode title is shown before the opening credits. I also like the distrust shown by everyone, especially Hanson, on Fuller's arrival. Then it's on to the case, which is very well done. It's a good ensemble story. I always like it when the officers have to play a specific undercover character, not just a generic school kid. Hanson plays a nerd, complete with pocket protector. Penhall plays the not-too-bright pizza delivery man. And Hoffs plays a bad girl with an attitude - I really like that scene where she talks back to the French teacher (Holly Robinson) spent some time in college in France). Plus, Fuller gets to show that he can take charge of the case.

Ultimately, it's Hoffs who makes the arrest, and this is really the only thing that bothers me a little. Why does Hanson feel the need to give her a hug and a kiss after the bust? She's a professional after all, and just finished proving it. Seems strange. BTW, I'm not bothered by a similar occurrence earlier - that seems appropriate.

Overall, I think this is one of the best from the first season.

Footnote: I don't have any real idea why TPTB replaced Jenko with Fuller although I think I remember someone being quoted as saying that the Jenko character was "going to seed" and there was a desire to have a stronger command presence. But I'm not sure.

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