#15 "Besieged" (part 1) (Season 2 #2)

Original Air Date: Sept. 27, 1987

Writer: Jonathan Lemkin

Director: Bill Corcoran

Production Code: 16213

Things To Note:

Opening Theme:

Closing Theme:

LOD:

Regulars:

Episode Summary from The 21 Jump Street Episode Guide:

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

Hanson and Hoffs go undercover in order to put a crack ring out of business. Penhall, working on the same case, returns to squad car and becomes convinced that his new partner killed a drug pusher.

Detailed Episode Review (contains spoilers!):

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

Commentary:

 John DeCarli: "Besieged" probably started out a single episode which was expanded into a two-parter when it became apparent that the story could not be told in a single hour. Both parts share the same writer and director. It starts out as a fairly typical second season entry. It is distinguished, however, by the personal connections that Hanson, Penhall, and Hoffs have with Ronnie Siebok, Addabbo, and Darlene. It's clear that Penhall initially looks up to Addabbo; he tells Fuller at one point that this is the kind of officer he always wanted to be. Hanson sees some of himself in Ronnie; he thinks that given the right circumstances, Ronnie can reform and escape the Piedmont. And Hoffs feels quite guilty that she cannot help Darlene escape from prostitution and her crack habit. All three of the officers shed tears over the fate of their counterparts (although Hanson does not do this until Ronnie is executed in season four's "2245").

Nothing is wasted here. Ioki's dilemma, which could be just a throwaway comedic subplot, instead sets the stage for his problems in #24 "Christmas in Saigon." And Fuller gets to show his loyalty and dedication to his officers-in this case, Penhall. Overall, a very good episode.

This page ©1998 by Cyndi Glass, constructed with Microsoft Office/Word 97