Jem’s back…and rocking?
Jem is back, and the Holograms continue to rock! When Shana gets the opportunity to expand her fashion career, the Holograms look for a new member and find it in a drummer named Raya. Unfortunately for the Holograms, the Misfits are also recruiting and a British saxophone player named Jetta who could become a new thorn in the Holograms’ side. With danger, music, and intrigue, Jem and the Holograms rock on!
Jem—Season 2 aired from September 21, 1987 to January 12, 1988 in syndication. The series (also known as Jem and the Holograms) has gained a cult following over the years and lives on through comics and a 2015 movie.
Jem came up in a time when there were clearly shows aimed at boys and girls and all shows seemed to be based on toys. Despite this, shows like Jem and She-Ra had some bleed-over to guys and shows like Thundercats and He-Man also could be enjoyed by girls. Jem is a great example of a show trying to walk the line and win a complete audience.
The Misfits are America’s real treasure
While the show acts like “romance” is a big part of the show, Jem’s relationship with Rio isn’t discussed much this season. You have some of the supporting characters developing relationships (Kimber has a big wedding episode and Shana has a steady boyfriend), but largely the toned-down soap opera romance of this season feels like an attempt to market to a larger audience (though it would have been nice to have the flashback episode explaining the relationship between the Holograms earlier in the series).
The previous season also had some longer plotlines which are lacking this season though events in earlier episodes are mentioned on occasion. It feels like this season is set-up for the syndication aspect of the series where the shows sometimes become shuffled and out of order. The Misfits just become regular enemies and this season and almost all the episodes have them as foils (the first season mixed in a couple other enemies).
Lennon would either throw-up a little if he was alive or just assume it was natural progression of music
The Jem music is part of the series fun and demonstrates an ’80s music mentality ruled by Tiffany and Debbie Gibson. While the first season of Jem would feature about three songs a show then later turned to a two song (with often a replay of the new “hit”), this season returns to three songs but often features recycled songs with new animated videos for each song. Pre-DVD and streaming, this wasn’t an issue, but here it becomes obvious when songs pop-up within a few shows sometime.
Jem is pretty typical of shows of the 1980s. It is highly commercialized and the plots are formulaic. It is clearly meant for kids and not for adults (something forgotten in much of today’s animated series). That is ok and acceptable. I kind of didn’t want my parents to watch the same shows I did…even as a kid. While I can enjoy Jem in the sense of it is like opening a time capsule, I also think younger kids would enjoy the show (sometimes it isn’t always PC). This season isn’t as strong as the first season, but it is more of the same. The Jem cartoon ended with a twelve episode third season.
Jem—Season 2 Complete Episode Guide:
“The Talent Search—Part 1”
2.1 The Talent Search—Part 1 Airdate: 09/21/87
When Shayna gets a big opportunity in the fashion world, Jem and the Holograms encourage her to leave…which Shayna misinterprets. With the Holograms searching for a new drummer, the Misfits adopt a new saxophone player named Jetta…pitting her against Roxy. Aja finds a hopeful candidate in Craig Phillips who has his own secret. A girl named Raya considers testing her abilities in an audition…and learns Jem’s ultimate secret.
Songs: “I Like Your Style”—The Misfits, “Believe in Yourself”—Jem and the Holograms, “I’ve Got My Eye on You”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Talent Search—Part 2”
2.2 The Talent Search—Part 2 Airdate: 09/22/87
Shayna worries that she’s made a mistake leaving the Holograms as Raya debates telling Eric about Jem and Jerrica’s secret in exchange for a record contract. Stormer reveals that Craig’s her brother, and Eric tries to seduce Craig to his side.
Songs: “Show Me the Way”—Jem and the Holograms, “Beat This”—Jem and the Holograms, “All’s Right with the World”—Jem and the Holograms
“Scandal”
2.3 Scandal Airdate: 09/23/87
Raya adjusts to her life as a Hologram. Kimber finds she has problems when Jetta steals her diary…and Cool Trash Magazine publishes parts of it to threaten Kimber’s relationship with the band and heartthrob Sean Harrison.
Songs: “She Makes an Impression”—Jem and the Holograms, “I Love a Scandal”—The Misfits, “Dear Diary”—Jem and the Holograms
“One Jem Too Many”
2.4 One Jem Too Many Airdate: 09/24/87
Jerrica finds herself so busy and not getting to have free time. When Jem begins acting out in public, the Holograms question if Jem has had a mental break…but the Misfits might have their own knowledge of the situation.
Songs: “Image Me”—Jem and the Holograms, “Congratulations”—The Misfits, “The Real Me”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Bands Break-Up”
2.5 The Bands Break Up Airdate: 09/28/87
Kimber worries that no one on the band respects her and finds an ally in Kimber who is having a similar problem with the Misfits. When Stormer and Kimber sign a contract, she could lose Starlight Music to Eric.
Songs: “I’m Okay”—Kimber and Stormer, “Bad Influence”—Jem and the Holograms and the Misfits, “Getting Down to Business”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Fan”
2.6 The Fan Airdate: 09/29/87
An ultra-Jem fan recruits the Misfits to try to get Jem to expose her real identity…and a staged Starlight House could force Jem to expose the truth.
Songs: “Nightmare”—Jem and the Holograms, “Who Is She Anyway”—The Misfits, “I Believe in Happy Endings”—Jem and the Holograms
“Fathers’ Day”
2.7 Fathers’ Day Airdate: 10/01/87
Video is preparing a Fathers’ Day video for her dad, but it brings up memories of her father in Kimber. Video’s cousin Clash and the Misfits come to Mulberry and could cause problems for Jem. Pizzazz and her father find themselves having a falling out.
Songs: “Something Is Missing in My Life”—Jem and the Holograms, “Let’s Blow This Town”—The Misfits, “You’re Always in My Heart”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Treasure Hunt”
2.8 The Treasure Hunt Airdate: 10/05/87
Richard Xanthos is hosting his annual treasure hunt and the Starlight Girls and the (hired) Misfits Girls are competing against each other. With Techrat and Eric helping them, the Starlight Girls have a challenge.
Songs: “Take the Time”—Jem and the Holograms, “Ahead of the Game”—The Misfits, “Open a Book”—Jem and the Holograms
“Aztec Enchantment”
2.9 Aztec Enchantment Airdate: 10/07/87
Video and Jem are out to shoot an award winning video in the jungles of Mexico. When an orphan named Paco sneaks in with Jem’s crew, he’s able to get them to the remote Aztec ruins…but the Misfits and an archeologist have different plans for Jem.
Songs: “Aztec Enchantment”—Jem and the Holograms, “Welcome to the Jungle”—The Misfits, “Love Will Show the Way”—Jem and the Holograms
“Music Is Magic”
2.10 Music Is Magic Airdate: 10/14/87
Jem and the Holograms and the Misfits are tapped to play an international magic show. A magic act makes Jem disappear and the Holograms question who is responsible.
Songs: “Abracadabra”—The Misfits, “It Could Be You”—Jem and the Holograms, “Music Is Magic”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Jazz Player”
2.11 The Jazz Player Airdate: 10/15/87
When the Misfits disrespect Taps Tucker on air, Jem and the Holograms decide to try to bring Taps and the other jazz greats back together for a recording deal. Eric finds his jazz deal in competition with Jem and sets out to destroy the recording.
Songs: “Jack, Take a Hike”—The Misfits, “Trapped”—The Misfits, “Jazz Has”—Jem and the Holograms
“Danse Time”
2.12 Danse Time Airdate: 10/19/87
The Holograms and the Misfits compete in a music video for Richard Xanthos, and Jem hopes to give the winnings to Haven House. When Danse is injured during the shooting, she learns she may never dance again, but a blind man named Cisco might help her walk again.
Songs: “Free and Easy”—The Misfits, “Takes Work”—Jem and the Holograms, “People Who Care”—Jem and the Holograms
“Roxy Rumble”
2.13 Roxy Rumbles Airdate: 10/20/87
When Roxy’s illiteracy becomes a joke for the Misfits, Roxy quits the group…but a lucky lottery ticket could change everything for her. Roxy’s Rumble in her home town goes south when she cannot read the contracts she’s signing.
Songs: “I’m Gonna Change”—Roxy, “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme”—The Misfits, “Open a Book”—Jem and the Holograms
“Alone Again”
2.14 Alone Again Airdate: 10/23/87
When a girl name Laura comes to Haven House, she feels she doesn’t fit in. When she receives drugs from a boy at school, Laura finds herself in a dangerous situation.
Songs: “Alone Again”—Laura, “Nightmare”—Jem and the Holograms, “Look Inside Yourself”—Jem and the Holograms
“KJEM”
2.15 KJEM Airdate: 10/29/87
KMEL is going to go off the air if it doesn’t turn things around. When college kids try to save KMEL, Kimber’s former classmate named Switch tries to get Kimber to help save KMEL and stop KBST from taking it over. When KBST pirates the new KJEM station, Jem must stop the broadcast before it is too late.
Songs: “When It’s Only Me and the Music”—Jem and the Holograms, “Listen Up”—The Misfits, “KJEM”—Jem and the Holograms
“Trick or Techrat”
2.16 Trick or Techrat Airdate: 10/30/87
It’s Halloween, and Jem and the Holograms are putting on a charity concert to help save the local opera house. Jem discovers one of the Starlight Girls named Terri has a fear of the holiday, and the opera house could really be haunted.
Songs: “It’s Fun to Be Scared”—Jem and the Holograms, “Don’t Look Now”—The Misfits. “We Can Change It”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Presidential Dilemma”
2.17 The Presidential Dilemma Airdate: 11/02/87
The President invites Jem to perform at the Kennedy Center, but Jerrica discovers Synergy can’t penetrate the security. The Misfits decide they have to part of the performance, and when the Misfits report Synergy to the Pentagon, Jerrica finds she could lose Jem forever…but the Washington Marauder’s kidnapping of the President could rock the nation.
Songs: “Star Spangled Fantasy”—The Misfits, “Time Is Running Out”—Jem and the Holograms, “Freedom”—Jem and the Holograms
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Express”
2.18 Rock ‘n’ Roll Express Airdate: 11/03/87
Jem and the Holograms are on a charity train tour and the Misfits are going to compete against them. When a thief secretly infiltrates the tour, he intends to rob the proceeds of the tour.
Songs: “I’m Taking a Train”—Jem and the Holograms, “It Takes a Lot to Survive”—The Misfits, “All Across this Country”—Jem and the Holograms
“Mardi Gras”
2.19 Mardi Gras Airdate: 11/04/87
The Holograms have been invited to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Shayna learns she resembles the legendary Lilly LaRose…and it could mean danger for all the Holograms!
Songs: “Let Me Take You to the Mardi Gras”—Jem and the Holograms, “Surprise! Surprise!”—The Misfits, “Everybody Wears a Mask”—Jem and the Holograms
“The Middle of Nowhere”
2.20 The Middle of Nowhere Airdate: 11/05/87
Ba Nee learns her pen-pal and her pet seal are having the seals’ land threatened by Eric and Pizzazz’s attempt to buy the land for an oil refinery. When Jem, Ba Nee, and Uto are lost at sea, their only hopes could be the seals.
Songs: “In the Land of the Midnight Sun”—Jem and the Holograms, “Makin’ Mischief”—The Misfits, “Safe and Sound”—Jem and the Holograms
“Renaissance Woman”
2.21 Renaissance Woman Airdate: 11/16/87
Jem and the Holograms are invited to a Renaissance Festival which culminates with Reginald becoming Lord of Carfax county. When the thief Robin Goodfellow tries to help the people of Carfax, Danse finds herself as Robin’s Maid Marian…and the Jem must help liberate Carfax by stopping Reginald.
Songs: “Love’s Not Easy”—Jem and the Holograms, “To the Rescue”—Jem and the Holograms, “Flowers in My Hair”—Jem and the Holograms
“Journey to Shangri-La”
2.22 Journey to Shangri-La Airdate: 11/24/87
Jem and the Holograms are searching for new inspiration for their music and learn that the mythical city of Shangri-La could hold secrets. Pursued by the Misfits, the yeti could be the key to finding the path to Shangri-La, but when Roxy and Pizzazz are injured on the journey, Jem could be their only hope!
Songs: “Shangri-La”—Jem and the Holograms, “You Outta See the View from Here”—The Misfits, “Let the Music Play”—Jem and the Holograms
“Journey Through Time”
2.23 Journey Through Time Airdate: 01/06/88
Jem and the Holograms are selected to headline World History of Music Concert. When Techrat creates a device to send Jem back in time, the Holograms and Synergy find themselves trapped in the time of Mozart, World War II London, and Woodstock.
Songs: “Rock and Roll Is Forever”—Jem and the Holograms, “We’re Making It Happen”—Jem and the Holograms, “Rockin’ Down Through Time”—Jem and the Holograms
“Britrock”
2.24 Britrock Airdate: 01/07/88
The Misfits decide to call Jetta on her claims to be aristocratic upbringing, and Jetta’s parents convince the Earl of Wissex to use his estate. Jem and the Holograms are called to London for a benefit concert for the Lord of Wissex…and Aja is about to learn the secret relationship between Craig and Stormer.
Songs: “I’m Gonna Hunt You Down”—The Misfits, “Between Me and You”—Jem and the Holograms
“Out of the Past”
2.25 Out of the Past Airdate: 01/08/88
When Jerrica and Kimber find their father’s diary, they find themselves diving into their past and the past of the Holograms. Jerrica learns that her mother’s music master tapes exist, but Eric is holding them hostage.
Songs: “First Love”—Jem and the Holograms, “Starlight”—Jacqui Benton
“Hollywood Jem—Part 1: For Your Consideration…”
2.26 Hollywood Jem—Part 1: For Your Consideration Airdate: 01/11/88
Jem receives a surprise Oscar nomination but faces critics who accuse her of not being a real actress. Kimber finds herself torn between her love for Jeff and her love for Sean.
Songs: “Hollywood Jem”—Jem and the Holograms, “You Already Know”—Jem and the Holograms, “Too Close”—Jem and the Holograms
“Hollywood Jem—Part 2: And the Winner Is…”
2.27 Hollywood Jem—Part 2: And the Winner Is… Airdate: 01/12/88
Kimber is engaged to Jeff, but Sean takes a drastic step to impress her. As Kimber goes to the altar, Jem prepares for the Academy Awards and her big break.
Songs: “Tomorrow Is My Wedding Day”—Jem and the Holograms, “Happy Ever After”—Jem and the Holograms, “Hollywood Jem”—Jem and the Holograms
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