Ep 13. Research and Destroy
- TV-14
- January 8, 1990
- 46 min
-
7.2 (106)
In 21 Jump Street season 4 episode 13 titled "Research and Destroy," the Jump Street team goes undercover at a high school to investigate a new designer drug that has cropped up on the campus. The episode begins with Officer Hanson (played by Johnny Depp) and Officer Penhall (played by Peter DeLuise) discussing the new drug, which is causing a lot of concern among the school administration and parents. The drug is called "Gelato," and it's being sold by a student named Eddie.
Hanson and Penhall decide to go undercover at the high school as students. Hanson uses the name "Dennis," and Penhall goes by the name "Howie." They then befriend Eddie in order to get closer to the source of the drug. Eddie is initially hesitant to sell to them, but he eventually agrees after they prove their loyalty to him.
Meanwhile, Officer Ioki (played by Dustin Nguyen) and Officer Booker (played by Richard Grieco) are investigating a group of students who have been stealing from the school. They suspect that the group is also involved with the drug trade, and they begin to gather evidence against them.
As the investigation progresses, Hanson and Penhall become more deeply involved with the drug scene at the school. They witness firsthand the destructive effects of Gelato on their peers, and they begin to see just how pervasive the drug culture is at the school. They also come to understand the complex social dynamics that underpin the drug trade and the ways in which students are recruited into it.
In the end, the Jump Street team is successful in busting the drug operation at the school. Eddie and his associates are arrested, and the stolen goods are recovered. The episode ends with a sobering message about the dangers of drug use and the need for adults to be vigilant in protecting children and teenagers from harmful substances.
Overall, "Research and Destroy" is a compelling episode that deals with important social issues in a nuanced and thoughtful way. It shows the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat drug use in schools, while also highlighting the complex social and psychological factors that contribute to the problem. With strong performances from the ensemble cast and a compelling storyline, this is a standout episode of 21 Jump Street.