Ep 12. Fear and Loathing with Russell Buckins

The show 21 Jump Street follows a group of young-looking police officers who go undercover in high schools to solve crimes. Season 2 episode 12, titled "Fear and Loathing with Russell Buckins," begins with Officer Tom Hanson (played by Johnny Depp) undercover as "Tommy West," a high school student. However, instead of a typical case, this episode focuses on the personal struggles of one of the students at the school, Russell Buckins.

Russell is a talented, yet troubled student who has been struggling with drugs and alcohol. He is constantly fighting with his parents and is at risk of failing his classes. To try and help Russell, Hanson sets up a meeting between him and Officer Penhall (played by Peter DeLuise), who is also a recovering alcoholic. Penhall tries to connect with Russell and convince him to seek help for his addiction.

Meanwhile, Officer Ioki (played by Dustin Nguyen) follows Russell's drug dealer, trying to find out who he is and where he gets his supply from. He ends up infiltrating a drug party, where he sees firsthand the dangerous and reckless behavior that drugs can lead to.

As Russell's addiction worsens, he becomes increasingly desperate and begins to spiral out of control. Hanson and Penhall organize an intervention and bring in Russell's parents, but it doesn't go as smoothly as they hoped. Russell is resistant to their efforts and storms out of the room, only to end up in a life-threatening situation.

Without giving away any spoilers, the episode ultimately highlights the devastating effects of addiction and the importance of seeking help. It also touches on the difficulties of addressing addiction with a loved one and how it can be a challenging and emotional process.

Overall, "Fear and Loathing with Russell Buckins" is a powerful and impactful episode that addresses a serious issue. The actors deliver powerful performances, and the storyline is both compelling and emotional. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of addiction and the importance of supporting those who are struggling with it.