Thomas "Tom" Hanson Jr. is one of the main protagonists of 21 Jump Street (TV) and is a police officer working in the Jump Street Program, a program that aims to send youthful undercover cops into youth spaces, often to tackle drug-related problems. He is portrayed by Johnny Depp and Luke Edwards (young). He also made an uncredited cameo in the 21 Jump Street (film).
History
Early Life
It is revealed that Tom received boxing lessons from his father when he was in the 4th grade due to being bullied. He notes that his father mistakenly assumed that his bully was a boy, when it was, in fact, his female classmate, Maureen Maroney, who had been tormenting him. In the same year, his mother sent him to take dancing lessons.[1]
When he was sixteen, he went on a Valentine's Day dance with his classmate, Diane Thompson. During the dance, his father, Thomas Hanson Sr., was shot and killed while on the job, resulting in Tom's dislike for Valentines Day, which he expresses numerous times in "Chapel of Love".[2] The death of his father resulted in Tom carrying the weight of his family's responsibilities: taking care of his mother, and simultaneously losing the opportunity to act "like a teenager"[3].
In his senior year of high school, Tom had a short relationship with Debbie Eaton, whose wedding he attended in the end of "Fear and Loathing with Russel Buckins".[3]
Becoming a Police Officer
After graduating high school, Tom immediately joined the police academy[4], where he graduated at the top of his class. [5]However, despite his efficiency, his tendency for anger and recklessness resulted in an ultimatum from his then-Captain: join the Jump Street program or be demoted until he appeared older[5]. He chose the former and was quickly transferred to Jump Street Chapel, which was under Captain Richard Jenko at the time.
Joining the Jump Street Program
Although Tom struggled with his first undercover job, he eventually became efficient in playing the part that was needed.
During Tom's span at Jump Street he considered quitting since he clearly did not have the temperament needed to be a Police Officer. His time at Jump Street was supposed to last at least 10 years. By Season 4, he appeared in fewer Assignments and by Season 5, zero Assignments. Like many Characters, Tom was not written out of the series.
Amy's Death
Murder Trial and Aftermath
Tragedy in El Salvador
Assignment with the Biker Gang
Blackout
Movie Return
Tom Hanson and Doug Penhall appointed DEA’s were assigned to a case they worked for five years undercover when the One-Percenters biker gang was involved in a drug sting operation and they pretend to fit in and even forgot they were uncovered but then they meet with new police officers Greg Jenko and Schmidt the newbie’s at the 21 Jump Street police program who also worked uncovered and when Hanson pulled a gun on them he feels guilty that he blows his cover and Penhall they pulled a gun the biker gang and they find out Jenko and Schmidt was part of the same uncovered program they were decades ago and they laugh about it until Hanson and Penhall were shot explaining why they went uncovered to the biker gang and fell to the floor bleeding they bring up their time on Jump Street together but then forgave each other for all the stuff they did and they passed out seemingly like they died on the floor (deleted scene shows them faking their deaths from the biker gang and even the newbies Jenko and Schmidt).
Future
50 years later Hanson is no longer a DEA and he along with Penhall retired from the force and they lived their lives to the fullest and Tom still owned the bowling alley he owns in Pennsylvania and Penhall became a priest and changed his ways and they both still remain close as best friends it unknown if Tom had children or married.
Personality
Tom Hanson can be both ruthless and efficient, and soft and empathetic when needed; traits that often coincide and appear one after another. In earlier episodes, his no-nonsense style of working often conflicts with the nature of the Jump Street Program, and he struggles to assimilate with the group he's assigned to, such as his bewilderment with the teenagers in "Mean Streets and Pastel Houses".[7]
As the show progresses, Tom shows versatility in the parts he plays, seamlessly playing the part as a delinquent drug dealer[8], a faith-driven teenage boy[9], and even a hispanic affiliated gang-member[10]. However, it's revealed that his no-nonsense style is a result of the various responsibilities he took up after the death of his father, and after his brief rebellion with the system[11], he becomes much more laid back and less insistent on strictly adhering to the rules.
When provoked, Tom can be quick to anger, often snapping or even demonstrating aggression toward the people around him. However, anger is not necessarily required for him to exhibit hostility, such as the instance with Matty, the "Hammer", when he attacked him with a sock filled with rocks[12]. These tendencies can often be a hinderance for Tom, who struggles to maintain romantic relationships with women due to constant arguments. However, it is also said that while Tom can be quick to anger, he is not as easily riled up, as noted by Captain Fuller.[13]
Despite becoming more laid back in later episodes, Tom still values efficiency and effectiveness in his job, once complaining about having to stay in school for seemingly no reason at all.[8] He's also intuitive and has sharp instincts, able to time his attacks well for the most effect, such as his attack on Matty[12] and his precision when timing arrests[14]. However, because of his desire to be efficient and effective, his reckless nature often comes into play and he puts himself in harm's way to get things done, such as going undercover in a potentially abusive patient-adolescent center[15] and standing in front of a speeding car with a rifle to stop it.[16]
Tom is not without ignorance and prejudices, often a result of the society he lives in. However, despite these flaws, his openness to change and his desire to do good often plays a role in various episodes, such as when he hugs Harley Poolish, despite his earlier fear of AIDS.[17] He can be incredibly empathetic and sensitive to those around him, although he doesn't show it very often. His understanding of why a guilt-ridden teenager pushed his paralyzed friend over the bridge[18]; the sympathy he demonstrates to kids in the juvenile detention facility[12]; and his attendance of Ronnie Seebok's execution[19] are just some instances.
However, just as beneficial these traits could be, they are also just as much of a hinderance in some occasions. When his girlfriend was shot and killed[20], the extreme guilt he felt led to a downward spiral of depression and trauma. Alternatively, his sense of empathy often has him questioning the justice system and showing discontent with it, later fueled by his wrongful imprisonment after being falsely indicted of murder[21]. These various events had him questioning whether he wanted to continue being a police officer and if he wanted to quit. [22]
Appearance
Tom Hanson is a young man of average height (for an adult) with a slightly slim build, oftentimes making him less suitable for sports-heavy jobs, which are often given to Doug Penhall instead. He has brown hair, occasionally dyed black for certain undercover jobs[24], and a pale complexion. He also has a tattoo of a bear on his arm[25], which is a real tattoo.
In Season 1, Tom's former partner describes him as "baby-faced" and it is emphasized by various other adults that he looks like an adolescent, rather than a 21-year-old man[26]. He is also described with various adjectives of 'pretty' and 'handsome' by various people; Tom, however, notes that he wasn't very popular in high-school and on the contrary, wishes to never go through high-school again[26]. It is also implied that he can decently pass as a woman, as when he crossdressed to pretend to be Brian Sheffield's mother[23], a homicide officer allegedly gave him a dozen roses[27].
Relationships
Friendships
Hanson took the advice and became the Mentor for somebody that was released from State School.
- Captain Richard Jenko was his former 21 Jump Street captain who was killed in a accident he taught Hanson how to work undercover before he died.
- Doug Penhall is Tom best friend and they were most notably by the alias’s the McQuaid brothers and they were always loyal to each other like brothers and stood by each other when things got rough.
- Harry Truman (H.T.) Ioki was Tom best friend and they were always loyal to each other even once Harry was shot and Tom was framed for murder and that bonded them when Tom almost got run over by a rollercoaster.
- Judy Hoffs was Tom best friend she the only girl who kept his loyalty and stood by side him when times got rough and there was time they had feelings for each other but they remain friends.
- Captain Adam Fuller was Tom former 21 Jump Street captain he was always pushing Tom forward with the 21 Jump Street program and he even gave a letter of recommendation for the “Big Brothers”program run by Amy and stay true to his loyalty.
- Dennis Booker was Tom former friend/enemy and They always didn’t get along but then Booker helped Hanson get out of prison because of his corrupted partner it cost his job at Jump Street and was let go but he was friend to Tom no matter what.
- Russell Buckins was Tom former college best friend and he came back to town to take Tom to stop Debbie Eaton wedding but it failed when Tom found out Russell affair with Debbie in college that when they stopped being friends to point he faked engagement with Louise a woman Russell loved out of revenge for trying to expose Jump Street program.
Romantic
- Maureen Maroney was Tom’s former elementary school fling when they were enemies and then started flirting with each other at the dance.
- Diane Thompson was Tom’s former high school girlfriend they met when they were just 16 years old and went to the Valentine’s Day dance together and started dating but shortly broke up.
- Debbie Eaton was Tom’s former college girlfriend they fall in love with each other when they were in college and almost got serious to point they almost got engaged but then she had affair with Russell and broke it off with Tom.
- Linda McHugh was Tom’s former girlfriend they met when they both were 19 years old and it got serious to point they almost became engaged but then Tom left to the police academy and Linda wanted him to be there for her so they ended the relationship but years later rekindle their relationship only for it to be short lived because they loved their lives the way they were.
- Wendy was Tom former fling and they met when Tom had his first undercover mission and they kissed each other as distraction from the student he investigation from knowing he was there and she was flirtatious towards him but stopped it from becoming serious.
- Susan Chadwick was Tom former girlfriend they met when Tom was work his first undercover police mission and he pretended to be her student so he catch a student giving her flowers and he ended catching the guy and they forgave each other but the relationship ended when they couldn’t work out there differences.
- Jane Kinney was Tom former flirtation and they dated when he was undercover but the two didn't have feelings for each other at first it was very awkward between and they didn't dance at the prom together and just stood there and watched others dance and then there was fired started by one the girl students that left them to leave the school prom and Tom suggested bowling and the two had fun and enjoyed but remains friends afterwards.
- Diane Nelson was Tom former flirtation and they dated while he was undercover but thing turned worse when Diane wanted to hire Tom to kill her father because he sexually assaulted her multiple times and he was a cop and then Tom accidentally shot her father when Tom was trying to get her escape the house with her sister and yet her father survived and was arrested and Tom remained friends with Diane.
- Amy Pearson was Tom former girlfriend they met when he enrolled in the “big brothers”program and they started dating but they got into a lot of fights and to the point Tom wanted to break up with Amy but before he can she is killed by a burglar at the gas station and Tom suffered PTSD and claims he loved her and not hate her and he finally visited her grave once her killer was arrested.
- Jackie Garrett was Tom former girlfriend she was DA when they met and they started dating but then got into fights a lot and it became a on/off again relationship and the two broke up when he was defend his friends more then her opinions.
- Louise was Tom’s fake Fiancée she and Tom met when she was getting married to George Woodhouse and then she called off the wedding to him and made out with Tom infront of Russell and then they became engaged to get married and her highly approved of the engagement but then it turn out to be a faked when she left for Russell and he went back to Jackie.
- Judy Hoffs was Tom co-work at the 21 jump Street police program where they actually met and Tom was jealous of Judy past relationships and even comfort her during her rape case and they even kissed once and danced once they acted as couple once in undercover police mission they caused controversy among the students but in the end Tom had feelings for her and when Tom left Judy was heartbroken.
- Frances Van Every was Tom former flirtation and they dated when she was raising her baby sister who was later taken away by her parents as a return for not facing kidnapping charges and her and Tom remained friends.
- Ashley was Tom’s crush and they met when Tom was on uncover misson and he liked her and they dated one time.
- Kathryn Morehead was Tom’s crush and they met when she was interviewing him for a statement on saving the senator and Tom fantasy sequence they dance and had a romantic moment.
- Domingo sister was Tom former ONS when he met her during the undercover biker gang mission in the 21 Jump Street movie which was stated in the film he got close to her and even played saxophone at her wedding and had ONS with her because he trying to catch her brother and his goons.
Professional
Familial
- Tom Hanson Sr. Is Tom Hanson Jr. father and he was a police officer who was killed in the line of duty after an altercation that turned into a shootout when Tom was sixteen years old.
- Margaret Hanson is Tom mother and she became a single mother when her husband the late Tom Hanson Sr. Was killed and she took care of Tom by herself and she was always by Tom side meeting girlfriends, his court case when he was framed for murder and she also dated a guy named Bob who was married three times and divorced and Tom was always protective of her no matter what.
Notes and Trivia
- In 21 Jump Street (episode), Hanson was said to be top of his class at the academy.
- In 21 Jump Street (episode), Hanson mentions to his first captain (unnamed) that he was 21 years old. In the same episode, Hanson mentions to Captain Richard Jenko that he was 5 years old the year Woodstock occurred. If he was 21 years old in 1987, he would have been born in 1966 (at the very earliest 1965, if he were turning 22 that year), which would have made him 3 (or 4) years old in 1969 when Woodstock was put on.
- In 21 Jump Street (episode), Hanson reveals that he is a Republican.
- Johnny Depp received $45,000 per episode to portray Tom Hanson.
- In Chapel of Love, Hanson shares his story on how his father was killed in the line of duty during prom night.
- Tom Hanson is the first person in the series to lose a lover interest , his ex-girlfriend Amy in season 2 episode 16 next to Doug Penhall who became a husband and widow to Marta in season 4
Gallery
Notable Episodes
These episodes are Hanson-centric or are otherwise very informative about his life.
- ↑ Woolly Bullies (Season 3; Episode 11)
- ↑ Chapel of Love (Season 2; Episode 14)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fear and Loathing with Russel Buckins (Season 2; Episode 12)
- ↑ Fear and Loathing with Russel Buckins (Season 2; Episode 12)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Pilot: Part 1 (Season 1; Episode 1)
- ↑ Champagne High (Season 2; Episode 17)
- ↑ Mean Streets and Pastel Houses (Season 1; Episode 13)
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Blindsided (Season 1; Episode 9)
- ↑ Brother Hanson... (Season 2; Episode 18)
- ↑ Loc'd Out (Season 3; Episode 19)
- ↑ Fear and Loathing with Russel Buckins (Season 2; Episode 12)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Swallowed Alive (Season 3; Episode 9)
- ↑ Fun With Animals (Season 3; Episode 1)
- ↑ Blinded By The Thousand Lights (Season 3; Episode 17)
- ↑ I'm Okay, You Need Work (Season 2; Episode 15)
- ↑ Low and Away (Season 1; Episode 11)
- ↑ A Big Disease With A Little Name (Season 2; Episode 13)
- ↑ Two For The Road (Season 2; Episode 4)
- ↑ 2245 (Season 4; Episode 16)
- ↑ Orpheus 3.3 (Season 2; Episode 16)
- ↑ Draw The Line (Season 4; Episode 1)
- ↑ Say It Ain't So, Pete (Season 4; Episode 2)
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 In the Custody of a Clown (Season 2; Episode 1)
- ↑ Mean Streets and Pastel Houses (Season 1; Episode 13)
- ↑ Fear and Loathing with Russel Buckins (Season 2; Episode 12)
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Pilot: Part 1 (Season 1; Episode 1)
- ↑ A Big Disease With A Little Name (Season 2; Episode 13)