21 Jump Street - Season 5

©1997+ Cyndi Glass

Photo: Michael DeLuise, Peter DeLuise, Steven Williams, Holly Robinson & Michael Bendetti

Season 5 Commentary

© 1997 Cyndi Glass & John DeCarli

Cyndi Glass: Season 5 probably almost didn't happen, as Fox had cancelled the show after Season 4, but it did, moving into syndication. The opening theme had to be updated with every change, so there were several different ones. Still, this season is well worth seeing, as they tackle issues of rape, AIDS, hazardous waste disposal, crack babies, drug use by narcotics officers, elder abuse, and many more. Seeing Doug and Joey Penhall take steps toward rebuilding their relationship, as well as seeing Doug take care of little Clavo, make this season indispensable to any Penhall/DeLuise fan. The characters of Capt. Fuller, Doug Penhall, and Judy Hoffs take on new depth as they participate in cases and lead Dean, Kati, Mac and Joey toward better undercover work. Additionally, it's nice to see Fuller becoming more of a close friend to his officers, dating and getting a life of his own. The Tony "Mac" McCann/Joey Penhall partnership is full of comedy and great friendship. All in all, especially for those of you who never got to see this season the first time around in 1990/91, it's a real treat.

Hanson and Ioki are gone with no explanation whatsoever, but Penhall and Hoffs are still there. Doug Penhall and Hoffs are now too old to be students, so they are usually teacher aides or coaches, on the infrequent occasion that the assignments are in high schools. New officer Dean Garrett, along with Hoffs, recruits Officer Kati Rocky, and after two episodes, they're gone and we have another new officer, Tony "Mac" McCann. Mac's a cocky guy at first, but he'll grow on you! Next to join is Joey Penhall, Doug's younger brother. After a few more episodes, Doug Penhall quits the force after almost getting killed, and the team becomes a trio: Hoffs, Mac and the new Penhall, Joey. Joey's Doug's little brother, and their interaction is some compelling television. He's street smart instead of book smart, and there are times when his ideas and his hunches prove correct over Doug's experience. I can overlook his faults because somehow I "get" him - I think he hides a lot while seeming very open, and he's a very deep guy while seeming very blunt and shallow as a front. After a few more episodes, Joey goes on vacation and doesn't come back, and it's Hoffs & Mac, with more involvement from Fuller. By the end of the season, with the pared down cast of three, you'll feel you know them very well. Both the last episode ever filmed (#99 "Crossfire) and the last episode ever broadcast (#103 "Second Chances") focus on Hoffs. Peter DeLuise got to direct two episodes, and Steven Williams got to direct one.

 

John DeCarli:

FOX announced the cancellation of 21 Jump Street at the end of May, 1990. Although no specific reason was given, the network was expanding to more nights of programming and there was a desire to develop "fresh programming." However, a deal was struck to produce and distribute shows in syndication. This would bring the total number of episodes produced to about 100-- the "magic number" usually needed to sell a show in reruns. A new team of producers was brought in. Holly Robinson and Steven Williams signed on, but Dustin Nguyen decided not to continue with the new production team. Peter DeLuise made a series of "special appearances" (maybe in exchange for the opportunity to direct?). Johnny Depp had secured his contract release early in 1990.

Filming began in August 1990 with the addition of Tony "Mac" McCann. I believe McCann was meant to be the Hanson replacement; the very first thing we see him do is move his desk into Hanson's old spot. McCann starts out as independent and obnoxious but becomes progressively more idealistic as the season progresses (in contrast to Hanson who became less idealistic). I think it's under-appreciated just how far Michael Bendetti had developed Mac beyond just being a Hanson clone by the end of the season.

Doug Penhall had his family history rewritten (and not for the first time) to accommodate a younger brother, Joey. Joey comes across as a little tentative initially, but progressively gains confidence. Many of the highlights of this season feature Joey and Doug working on cases together. Once Doug leaves, Joey and Mac seem to form the replacement Hanson/Penhall team. Doug and Judy Hoffs have acquired a further degree of maturity. They're playing adult roles undercover and giving advice to the younger officers. We also begin to see some aspects of Fuller's personal life this season.

I've always thought of this season as a sort of "appendix"; it's really not fair to compare it to the other seasons with their established production teams and bigger budgets. But it is noticeable that extras are used much less frequently here, stock shots from earlier episodes are dropped in, and continuity errors pop up much more often. It's annoying that that Mac is driving Hanson's Mustang in the opening credits (without any explanation whatsoever), and that no reason was ever given for the disappearance of Ioki and Hanson. And I wish whoever was in charge of lighting the chapel scenes had used some extra bulbs--I have real trouble seeing the characters and the action amongst all the shadows.

But overall, not a bad effort and worth watching.

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