Summary: The Nine-Nine is in danger when the NYPD decides to shut down one precinct. Terry works to fix a copier than CJ impulse bought for the precinct. Rosa and Charles deal with a rat infestation. Jake and Amy work a case together to impress their auditor, Teddy.
The Good: The story here is fun. This season is much more interested in multi-episode storylines and I definitely approve of that. I just hope that these storylines utilize their potential better than the night shift storyline. So far, the precinct closing down business has worked well. There is a focus to the story and it gives a good reason to include new characters into the precinct like Teddy and now Veronica to make things more interesting. Some of the jokes here were quite good. Jake and Amy putting up with Teddy was a delight and their fake acting was hilarious. I also enjoyed Holt's desperation to fix the precinct, Charles getting stuck in the vents and Terry's attempts to fix the copier. The Bad: Even with all that I enjoyed, there was a lot that I didn't like about this. The whole episode delved too far into absurdity. The character of Teddy was utterly destroyed when they turned him into somebody with an inexplicable love for Amy and his constant proposals, while funny, were completely ridiculous and sacrificed the credibility of the character for laughs. Furthermore, it's ridiculous that Teddy would be allowed to audit the Nine-Nine when he used to date one of the detectives there. Is conflict of interest not acknowledged in this universe? Gina getting hit by a bus proved to be pointless since she is back now anyways and the extent of her role is just predictable and unoriginal physical comedy, the type that the show has already done far too many times. The threat of closing down a precinct never quite feels real. It's obvious that the Nine-Nine won't be shut down. Best Moment: Jake and Amy's staged fight at the jazz brunch was really well done. Character of the Episode: Jake. Conclusion: This episode fits perfectly in season 4. Lots of good laughs and a promising storyline marred by questionable writing and poor handling of the characters. I still liked this episode for its entertainment value, but I'm waiting for "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" to find some consistency in how it tells stories. At the moment the show is proving that it has nothing more to offer than dumb fun. With a show that has as strong of a cast and premise as this one, I expect more. Score: 58
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Summary: Jake goes to Doug to help take down the final convict who is his brother. Holt tags along since he doesn't trust Doug. Amy and Gina let Charles into the office text chain but have to teach him how to behave. Terry is concerned that he is getting old.
The Good: Jake and Doug's interactions remain and highlight and it's always worth getting excited for the Pontiac bandit episodes each year because they are a blast. This year, Holt gets added into the dynamic and it is tremendously fun to see him interact with Doug and put up with Jake's childishness. The funniest bits of this two-parter came from the Jake/Holt/Doug dynamic and it's not even close. The story has some fun twists and turns and it's nice to see Doug honestly help out Jake and Holt this time. Plus it allows for the nice story of Holt admitting that he should have trusted Jake's instincts. The Bad: Unfortunately everything else didn't really work for me. Terry's story felt like pure filler and didn't offer much of anything aside from some okay laughs. The Charles storyline also didn't work for me as Charles was far too over the top throughout to be particularly funny. The ending with Gina being hit by a bus ended up being telegraphed too hard to be surprising, and it did not work at all. It seems very unlikely that Gina would be killed off in a sitcom and being hit by the bus is such a serious incident that it doesn't fit well with the lighthearted tone that the series maintains. It was a poor cliffhanger that confused me more than making me concerned for Gina. Furthermore, if this was played for laughs then that makes it even worse. Best Moment: Not too much stands out. I'll go with Holt's anger while Gertie is being taken apart in front of him and the great lines that followed. Character of the Episode: Doug. Conclusion: The second part ended up feeling very similar to the first part despite having wildly different plots. It was all about the main story while everything else was pretty poor. The episode gains points for the Jake/Holt/Doug dynamic, but loses just as many for that woeful ending. As a result, this is another middling episode. In the end, the two parter didn't deliver anything special at all. Score: 59 Summary: After several convicts escape from a prison van, the Nine-Nine starts a manhunt to find them. Jake and Amy make a bet over who can catch the most convicts with the loser having to move in with the winner.
The Good: This episode feels like a throwback to older days with Jake and Amy engaging in a competitive bet. It was a lot of fun going back to this dynamic, with the addition of them resolving some minor relationship conflict. I enjoyed them outwitting each other by bringing in more and more gadgets, and the final moment of Jake deciding to move in with Amy was really sweet. Their dynamic was highlighted perfectly in this episode. I also liked the plot quite a bit. It's refreshing when this show remembers that it takes place in a police precinct and that these characters have a job they are supposed to be doing. Overall, the plot worked and this was an effective first part with an enticing cliffhanger at the end. The Bad: The side stories weren't very good here. Sure, there were decent jokes but it's hard to believe that the foreign woman wouldn't have a translator to get her point across. That entire storyline didn't work for me. Worse was Marshawn Lynch getting so much time despite him not being funny at all. Furthermore, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" ran the whole meeting your heroes storyline AGAIN and it is beyond played out by now. The story was also extremely rushed and had nothing to it. The Jake and Amy storyline is hurt by their problem really not feeling like a problem at all. We aren't given a single good reason why Jake would want Amy to move in with him, so shouldn't moving in with Amy or getting a new place be the obvious option? Best Moment: Amy trying to burn the towel that never fully dries. Character of the Episode: Amy. Conclusion: This was your usual season "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" episode. A strong main story with weaker side stories and decent laughs all around. It's fine television that sets up for the next episode but fails to be anything special. Score: 59 Summary: Rachel goes on a date with an actor that Joey works with which makes Ross uncomfortable. Chandler tries to avoid working with a guy named Bob who thinks Chandler's name is Toby. Phoebe starts dating a sweet guy from Monica's work but they have a conflict when Monica wants to fire him and Phoebe wants to break up with him.
The Good: Ross' story is very well done. I thought that the show nailed his characterization and he comes off as both likeable and understandable in his plight. Having him lay out his dream to Joey was a really nice moment and it allows us to really get into his head. I also liked how Rachel realized by the end of the episode that being pregnant makes it harder for her to get in a relationship again. Both characters arcs developed nicely until the end of the episode. The Bad: But then it becomes another situation of will they, won't they with the ending. We've seen it so many times that it no longer feels original. Chandler's storyline has a great concept and a great conclusion but everything in between doesn't work. Chandler looks like a total prick for sabotaging somebody's career because it would be awkward to work with him, and I think having a lower stakes plot about this concept would have worked far better. Phoebe and Monica's storyline is outright terrible. There aren't any good laughs here and the character of Phoebe is once again treated so poorly. It's hard to imagine that a show called "Friends" would see Phoebe so childishly try to have her way over Monica by unreasonably dumping the guy without talking it through with Monica. The story is stupid and both characters don't come off well. Best Moment: Ross realizing that Chandler's middle name is Muriel. It's a perfect "Friends" moment and I wish that it had been utilized more in the episode. Character of the Episode: Ross. Conclusion: This episode handled Ross and Rachel really well but the other storylines weren't great and the laughs overall weren't as strong as they were in the other episodes this season. A much weaker episode overall. Score: 51 Summary: Charles and Jake go on a quest to find the Captain Latvia doll that Charles promised to get for Nikolaj. The Nine-Nine tries to find a way to win a caroling competition against the MTA.
The Good: This is the Joe Lo Truglio show all the way through. Charles is the absolute standout here and he is tremendously fun to watch as his creepy/weird/hilariously quirky self. The mission to get back the Captain Latvia doll was a fun storyline that had some really nice moments throughout. Jake's role as the voice of reason was also excellent, and his interactions with Charles were as enjoyable as ever. The Bad: The show still isn't quite clicking this season. The cold open with the inflatable tree was a perfect example of the silliness that has taken over the show. It's silliness without reason and it just doesn't work. The caroling storyline was pretty weak. There weren't many laughs and the characters felt like silly caricatures of who they should have been. I also wasn't happy with the introduction of yet another group of people for the Nine-Nine to be rivals with (the MTA). Things were much simpler when the fire people were the only rivals since they were a familiar face and allowed the show a chance to further the relationship between the two factions. Now, the show likes to introduce rival group after rival group with no character growth whatsoever, and it becomes impossible to care about these storylines, or even remember them. Best Moment: Charles beating down the Latvian guy while saying ridiculous things in Latvian. Character of the Episode: Charles for sure. Conclusion: This episode was a showcase for Charles and it excelled in that regard. Unfortunately, nothing else really worked and even with Joe Lo Truglio's performance, the episode still wasn't very good. Score: 53 Summary: Jake tries to get C.J. fired to get the Nine-Nine back on the day shift. Terry tries to get Gina to conform to the rules he is laying down. Charles takes Rosa to get a foot massage.
The Good: This was a nice resolution to the night shift storyline. CJ was very funny throughout this episode and thankfully the show isn't going to keep him around and make him overstay his welcome. The way the show handled his departure was clever and engaging, and I enjoyed Jake and Holt's interactions with CJ a lot, and I especially loved the sequence when CJ would not stop talking on the mic. Charles and Rosa's storyline was the perfect C-story that neatly showcased both of their characters without ignoring the show's premise as a cop show and also incorporating the night shift into the story. I really enjoyed it. The Bad: One more this felt too silly. I enjoyed CJ for the most part but there were definitely parts of the episode that were too much. I didn't like the way that Holt and Jake interacted with each other. The :ya boring" running joke didn't really work and it felt tacked on to this episode as more of a gimmick than something Jake would actually say to Holt. I also found it ridiculous that Holt would think that Jake was inspired by his speech. Holt has known Jake for long enough to know that this would not be the case. The Terry/Gina/Amy storyline was pretty poor. Gina "helping" Terry was risky and could easily have backfired so it didn't really work. The show tries too hard to make Gina seem smart, and it often makes her completely unlikable like she was here. Even worse was when she locked Amy in the supply closet. The night shift storyline overall ended with a whimper. The show really did not use the idea of the night shift well at all as nothing felt different from being moved to the night shift. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgot this storyline even happened after the show is finished. Best Moment: The best part of this episode though was unquestionably the cold open. It's nice to see "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" dedicate time to a joke instead of quickly rushing through it. The Diane Wiest infection was a dumb joke made hilarious by the editing and the characters. Character of the Episode: CJ. It was his episode overall. Conclusion: There was a lot of good stuff here, especially from CJ, but the show once again got too silly in its attempts to be funny. The show's inability to have compelling overarching storylines is badly hurting it right now, and the general improvement in joke quality this season isn't enough to make the show stand out above its lackluster writing. Score: 60 Summary: Terry gets to meet his favourite author when Jake brings his case to the precinct. Gina and Charles fight over where the Boyles should go for a vacation. Holt has fights with Kevin over a math problem.
The Good: This was another funny episode with funny jokes. Terry was a standout here and the main story was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed the running gag of Jake pantsing his idols, which concluded the episode perfectly. The Gina/Charles storyline was pretty fun and had its moments. It's nice to see Gina develop to become more involved with the Boyles. Holt had some good lines as always and I enjoyed his brief role in this episode. The Bad: This is one of the most unoriginal episodes of the show. The main point of the main story is that Terry gets to learn that meeting your hero is disappointing. This is not new ground to cover, since the show covered this topic way back in season 1 when Jake got to meet his favourite author who influenced his life (yes the exact same storyline). Incredibly, the show refused to even acknowledge that which made absolutely no sense and ruined the continuity of the show. It was odd and the story did nothing for me. The jokes also weren't as good as they should have been as a lot of them were repeats of better jokes in the past, though there were some good exceptions. The side stories didn't entirely work for me either. Holt continues to be completely cartoonish this season, and while it's funny, I maintain that the character is being badly damaged by this silliness. The cold open isn't as funny as it should be because there is no reason to believe that Holt would be legitimately upset at Jake because of how silly he has been this season. It's exemplary of how poor the show has handled Holt that the brilliant concept of the cold open didn't work. The Charles/Gina story is another repetitive one. We have already seen Gina use her "alpha" nature to do what she wants only for it to unexpectedly work in Charles' favour in the end (the Pimento storyline last season), and it isn't fun to see it again. Lastly, the cold open was strange to me because I realized that I completely forgot that the Nine-Nine were on the night shift. Despite it being such a big deal, literally nothing has been done to explore what the precinct is like at night outside of a single episode. That's very poor continuity and it shows how little the show cares about its premise. Best Moment: Again, it's the best Holt line of the episode. This time it's "BOOOOOOOOONE" Character of the Episode: Terry. Conclusion: This episode had fun moments but was overall repetitive, unoriginal and once again, far too silly to really work. In "Halloween IV" I praised the show for its silliness. Here, like in the past few episodes, it doesn't work because we are given no reason for the characters to behave this way. The Halloween episode gives us a reason (the heist) so it works fine, but these past few episodes have been silly without reason. Is it funny? Yeah. But the storylines aren't always effective, and when that's the case (like in this episode), it results in a very poor episode. Hopefully the show can rectify this issue soon. Score: 52 Summary: Amy hosts Thanksgiving and Jake gets to meet her father. Charles brings a live turkey to kill for the feast with mixed results. Pimento places a bet with Holt's money.
The Good: The laughs here were all very strong. The show is getting better at producing laughs with each episode and I'm pleased that a lot of the early stumbles with the jokes aren't as present anymore. This is certainly the funniest that the show has ever been. I also like that the show is being a little sillier with its jokes. It works very well with producing laughs and it finally feels like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" has grasped its characters well enough to throw them into any situation and make it funny. That's exactly what happens here. This episode is your normal Thanksgiving episode but it's made funny because the characters are utilized smartly. I really appreciated Amy's father being so smart. It makes perfect sense that he saw through Jake's plan and it makes perfect sense that he did his own research on him beforehand. That was very smartly written and it made the character much more real and enjoyable to me. Pimento was used very well in this episode and his story with Holt was tremendous fun and was very funny. Pimento works as a side character that makes the occasional appearance. The Bad: A lot of this didn't quite work though. The idea of Jake researching to impress somebody is reused from season 1 and it has been reused since then so it's nothing new, and the show feels repetitive by having Jake attempt this again. This show needs to show continuity more often because character developments often feel inconsequential since past events are very rarely brought up. I also found a lot of this episode to be too silly. The turkey being so vicious is funny but almost entirely implausible. Charles has apparently killed several turkeys before yet he struggles so much with this one. Additionally, why wouldn't Gina stop Charles from bringing the live turkey earlier instead of waiting until he decided to kill it to make a scene? Holt continues to be transformed into far too silly of a character. The cold open was funny but utterly absurd. As was the idea of him going along with Pimento and doing things like breaking the beer bottle. It's funny but it's sacrificing the credibility of the character for laughs. Best Moment: This is quickly becoming the section for the funniest Holt line for the week. This week? "A bold personality, we know what that's code for. She's a bitch." Character of the Episode: Mr. Santiago. I really liked the character. Conclusion: This is a fun episode with a lot to laugh at and enjoy, yet the episode goes too far in a lot of places and things don't entirely fall into place. Still, I had a good time watching it, and the episode gets points for that. Score: 68 Summary: Pimento returns and he and Rosa decide to get married in one day. Amy plans the wedding with the help of Charles, Terry, Hotl, Hitchcock and Scully. Jake and Gina go with Pimento to get his grandmother's earrings that Pimento can use for the wedding.
The Good: This was a consistently funny episode. There were tons of wonderful setpieces for comedy like Holt's obsession with his balloon arch, Pimento's ill-fated break-in attempt and the titular monster in the closet scene. All of these things made me laugh really hard and were a joy to watch. I also liked the focus of the episode which hinged entirely around the build to Pimento and Rosa's wedding with a nice character reveal at the end where they decide to not actually get married. It's very solid storytelling mixed in with some terrific jokes. The Bad: This episode is so silly that it feels like too much. Pimento is funny but he doesn't fit in very well and that remained consistent here. His presence leads to good jokes but the style that he brings to the table really escalates the show into territories that feel far too silly considering the fact that this episode is one that is based on reality. I thought Holt wasn't handled very well here. It's acceptable to have him unleash a sillier side in halloween episodes because those episodes are designed to bring out his more competitive aspect. I see no reason for Holt to behave like such a clown in this episode, and it feels dreadfully inconsistent with the character we know. In fact, much of this episode goes far too silly and loses its quality trying to go for laughs in some places. Some things are just ridiculous, like Gina somehow stealing the rainstick even though we saw her leave without it and Rosa ignoring Holt's balloon arch suggestion despite being right there when he suggested it. Hell the idea of Holt going for a balloon arch at all seems ridiculous. Best Moment: As much as I didn't like Holt's handling in this episode, there's no denying that he was funny. Andre Braugher's delivery of "VINDICATIOOOOON" at the end of the episode was quite possibly the best line Holt has ever said. Character of the Episode: Holt. Conclusion: This is a funny episode, and if you turn your brain off, you will enjoy it a lot. But there's too much silliness here and it doesn't work, considering that the plot is meant to be taken seriously. However, I still had a blast watching the episode, so it merits a good score, just not as good as it could have been. Score: 66 Summary: The precinct holds the fourth annual halloween heist to crown the ultimate detective/genius.
The Good: These halloween episodes are so much fun and are quickly becoming iconic for the series. Every one so far has delivered hugely and this is no exception. I have found that this show consistently struggles when it tries to take itself seriously as a reality based show in a police precinct. It struggles to mix its more goofy style of humour into the real world. But episodes like these and last season's "Yippie Kayak" allow the show to embrace its sillier side and it's in this environment that the show really flourishes. The heist this year was a ton of fun, especially now that everyone is competing to win. The overblown competitive interactions between the characters are a joy, and the competitive nature of the heist gives the perfect excuse to allow the characters to be funnier than usual. I really enjoyed things like Rosa tolerating Amy's nerdiness, Jake being disgusted by Bill, and Terry continually trying to stay out of the heist. It's dumb fun, but it's really engaging and has the show firing on all cylinders. The twists are pretty clever, and the idea of Gina winning was nice and it ends up feeling like a surprise. The logistics of her victory don't make the most sense but it doesn't really matter because this episode never attempts to take anything seriously. Of course a concept in a sitcom is only as good as the quality of jokes. Thankfully, the jokes here are outstanding and it's the funniest the show has ever been. The Bad: There is a small issue I have with this. Of course the idea of such a ridiculously large scale heist blatantly exposes the fact that all the characters are terrible at their jobs and ignore work far too much. This is made especially obvious since Terry chooses to work in this episode, bringing the fact that nobody here is working to the forefront of the episode. Best Moment: "No more alimony baby!" had superb comedic timing. Character of the Episode: Gina. Conclusion: This was a superb episode that allowed "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" to show its strengths. This is a silly episode, but it has enough charm and quality humour to work perfectly without the silliness being a crutch to overcome. After a rough start to the season, this halloween episode gets things back on track. Score: 81 Summary: Jake works with Charles on a case and gets used to the changes in the precinct. Holt tries to cheer up the squad when they are miserable from being on the night shift. Rosa feels sad because Pimento hasn't returned yet.
The Good: There were parts of this I really liked. I liked how there was an entire storyline dedicated to Jake coming to terms with how things have changed, particularly with Charles having a kid now. I would have preferred there to be other new aspects to be explored, but this one area was done well and I thought that the story was fairly well done for a sitcom. Plus there were some good jokes from the Jake/Charles interactions. This episode was a crossover episode with the show "New Girl" which I haven't seen. Thankfully, the crossover was limited to just one scene, which made the episode accessible to people who haven't watched both shows. I liked that decision. The Bad: Some things really bothered me. Is Holt back to being the captain now? What happened to CJ? Can't Holt just get the Nine-Nine off of the night shift? These are important questions, but the show has glossed over them. Rosa's story did nothing for me. Amy came off poorly throughout much of the episode, which I don't think was intentional, and it bothered me more than it made me laugh. Furthermore, I'm not liking how often the show is resorting to making Rosa be all emotional. The show keeps telling us that Rosa crying is a rare occurrence, but it feels like she has cried more than the rest of the cast combined by this point. I didn't like the Holt storyline in this episode. While he had some good lines, there wasn't much memorable about it and the rest of the squad really let this episode down. Instead of letting the characters be themselves, Gina and Terry were given gimmicks for this episode which I am sure will never come up again. It wasn't funny and it completely broke my immersion. Lastly, I wasn't a fan of Lohank getting such a significant role in this episode. He has appeared just 3 times in the series and is woefully underdeveloped, so it feels weird to have the entire cast joke about this character we hardly even know. Overall, the laughs in this episode were very disappointing, and it felt like there were more misses than hits. Best Moment: Probably the cold open. Thank god Jake lost the tips. Character of the Episode: Jake. Conclusion: This was a weak episode. Outside of a solid but unspectacular Jake/Charles story, the characters were not handled well and the laughs were much weaker than usual. The night shift saga has started off very poorly. I hope the storylines improve. Score: 48 Summary: Terry decides to drive the rest of the crew to Florida. Holt and Jake run from the cops and prepare a trap for Figgis.
The Good: The Holt and Gina interactions were fantastic in this episode and it makes me really wish that we got to see these two characters working together more often since their dynamic is always great. Their gossip was fantastic, as was the plot of them stealing the truck to go help out. I thought this episode had some of the best jokes of this three-parter overall. The Holt surgery scene was a lovely parody as Holt does surgery on himself while consoling Jake, which was pretty funny. The cliffhanger is interesting, and I'm curious to see how the night shift switches things up for the show. The Bad: A lot of this was disappointing to me. This episode, like the two before it, continued to view Florida in a simplistic light, poking fun at America's issues without addressing any of them, and making Florida feel like more of a caricature than an actual place. The conclusion to the Figgis storyline disappointed me. Figgis ended up being a really bland character and the sequence to take him down was one of the more serious parts of the show, yet it was completely bland and predictable from a dramatic point of view, which I had to adopt due to the lack of jokes in the entire sequence. Figgis' defeat was far too easy and didn't feel like a satisfying conclusion to this storyline. I had expected this, but unfortunately it seems like "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is returning to the status quo after only a few episodes once more despite teasing a major change for this season. Best Moment: Holt shouting "boost my bottom" was fantastic. Character of the Episode: Holt. Conclusion: While this was a really funny episode, the story overall had big problems which detracted from it. The Coral Palms story arc ended up being a mixed bag. It had some fun and unique things, but overall it felt rushed and simplistic, and I feel like more could have, and should have, been done with this storyline. The overarching stories in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" haven't ever impressed me and this was no exception. Score: 61 Summary: The Nine-Nine get a new captain, CJ, who is woefully inadequate and everyone except Amy take advantage of him. Holt and Jake buy guns and prepare to set a trap but they are imprisoned by a police sheriff.
The Good: I enjoyed most of this. The return to the Nine-Nine was a lot of fun and it was great to see CJ the utterly unqualified captain running the precinct. I liked the story that came up with Amy wanting to continue Holt's methods while everyone else immediately started to slack off under the watch of the new captain. It was a sensible story and led up to a wonderful conclusion as Amy's just actions had dire consequences as the Nine-Nine weren't allowed to go to Florida to help Jake and Holt. I was more mixed on aspects of the Jake/Holt storyline but it was pretty fun for the most part. The prison break was really fun and I enjoyed how Jake and Holt used the sheriff's homophobia against him. The Bad: Having this episode push the broken morals of America felt like a bit much. It was funny to be sure, but it also felt strange for a comedy show to poke fun at these legitimate issues without properly addressing them. CJ is of course a ridiculous character and it's difficult to buy into his existence in this world. I also wish that the show spent more time building parallels to how the Nine-Nine was seemingly regressing to the state it was in before Holt got there to turn it around. Amy briefly touched on it, but I feel like more could have been done with this story. Furthermore, I feel like this could have been a good idea for a multi-episode storyline at the Nine-Nine since this would be an effective way to show us more of the kind of lifestyle that the detectives were living before Holt got there. It feels like missed potential to end this storyline so quickly. Best Moment: Terry breaking when he reveals to Amy that he was bested by the promise of a yogurt fridge. Character of the Episode: Terry. Conclusion: This was another really funny episode that served as the middle part of this Coral Palms storyline. It had its flaws, but I enjoyed it. Score: 65 Summary: Holt and Jake adjust to their new lives as Greg and Larry. Holt notices that Jake is working on the Figgis case in secret and forces him to stop by stealing all of his work. Jake refuses to simply give up and harasses Holt to give him his work back.
The Good: I really like the decision to focus this whole episode on Jake and Holt. They have a really fun story here and a lot of the jokes were quite funny, especially in the second half of the episode. Holt's line delivery remains masterful and I especially loved the bond he developed with his walking group. Jake on the other hand is understandably unhappy to be stuck in Florida and him working on the case in secret makes perfect sense. The sequence of Jake ruining Holt's life at work was a lot of fun, and the complete inadequacy of the Fun Zone management was very entertaining. I like the stories for each character in this episode. It's really great how the characters switch roles through the episode where Jake starts as the one wanting to investigate Figgis, and it then switches to Holt by the episode's end. Both characters go through a nice story that naturally leads to the fun conclusion of the two of them deciding to team up. The Bad: This episode does take a while to get going. A lot of the early jokes in the episode fall completely flat (outside of the Jake burrito scene) and they are much lower in quality than what I've come to expect from this show. I was disappointed by how little I laughed in the first several minutes of this episode. I didn't end up enjoying myself until Holt confronted Jake about his secret project which is where the episode really started to feel fun. But everything before that was missing something. All of the jokes felt too familiar and it didn't feel like the show was doing anything compelling with the characters until close to the end of the episode. I also still have problems with the serialization of the show. The Marshal was so unexpectedly silly and it's hard to buy into this being a serious situation when the professional is a joke of a character. Her insistence that Jake's favourite movie is "Failure to Launch" is further proof of this ridiculous and the joke didn't work for me. Furthermore, I struggle to believe that Jake and Holt wouldn't just tell the Marshal that the viral video is being released so they can be relocated. Surely it's not such a big deal that they have to pull off this crazy heist to delete the video. Best Moment: Holt: "ATVs? The only thing you're selling is a huge pile of bunk!" This one line finally got the jokes going in this episode, plus Andre Braugher's delivery was outstanding. Character of the Episode: Holt. Conclusion: This episode ended up being simply decent. On paper I really enjoyed it, but the flatness of the first half of the episode made it a chore to watch this at times. The second half was a significant step up though and it ensured the episode was entertaining, even if the story didn't make a lot of sense. Score: 56 Summary: Jake, Rosa, Terry, Gina Hitchcock and Scully rush to the hospital to save Holt from Bob. Charles tries to calm Amy's nerves while they head back to New York on a plane.
The Good: This was a fun conclusion to the season. The Bob story was very dramatic and the writers came up with a genuinely cool plan for the crew to enact with some lovely twists and turns throughout. In ways this reminded me of the brilliant "Charges and Specs" with how this episode used its characters perfectly to effectively sum up what they have been through this season. It didn't do it to the same level naturally, but I still appreciated how climactic this episode felt. The show doubled down on the drama in this episode, and thankfully it didn't leave comedy behind. There are plenty of funny lines and jokes in this episode which made the episode really work. Things like Holt and Bob's continually amazing interactions, Hitchcock and Scully's antics and Rosa's house were all terrific jokes. The ending was interesting. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it just yet, but we'll see next season. At the moment I'm very intrigued. The Bad: Amy's prison story didn't get the ending it deserved. In the end it was a complete waste of time that didn't accomplish much at all and that was disappointing. The Amy and Charles story was very dull to me and it made Amy and Charles seem like dreadfully unfunny characters with the stale jokes that story had. Furthermore, their inclusion in the main story was tough to buy into since I can't figure out how everyone else was able to coordinate a plan with them. Best Moment: Holt and Bob's hospital conversation in the cold open. These two are absolute gold and I'm sad that Bob's story is seemingly finished. Hopefully he can return in a later episode. Character of the Episode: Holt. Conclusion: This was a really good season finale. It was funny, exciting, and it closed out season 3 in a memorable way. The season as a whole was a real mixed bag. I enjoyed it overall but the consistency that was there in the show before is completely gone. This is easily the most ambitious season and it took a lot of risks with the way it told its stories. Sometimes it worked wonderfully, like with the fantastic "Yippie Kayak", but other times it led to fairly uninspired episodes. Sometimes it was a mix of both. It's nice to see the show taking risks though and hopefully season 4 can learn from what worked this season and what didn't. I found that the overarching storylines that took up much of the start and finish of the season were surprisingly weak. The start of the season was particularly rough and almost every storytelling decision disappointed me. The end of the season was much more consistent, but it never threatened to be anything particularly special and felt very ordinary. The best content of the season came in the middle which saw the writers experimenting with storylines, which led to several hilarious concepts and episodes that I enjoyed very much. As a whole, this season was the weakest of the 3 so far, but it was still a good time. Hopefully the show can continue to be a good time in future seasons. Score: 70 Summary: With the help of Holt's FBI friend Bob, Jake, Holt and Rosa break into the FBI to get convincing proof to arrest Jimmy Figgis' agent in the FBI. Terry realizes there is a leak in the Nine-Nine and gets Gina's help finding the source. Maura flirts with an uncomfortable Charles, giving Amy the idea of an alternative approach.
The Good: This episode committed to the overarching story in its main storyline and it ended up working wonders. The heist on the FBI was fun, and even though it does feel implausible (see: The Bad), it's a fun storyline to watch unfold. Plus it has the additional bonus of emotional engagement since the story feel important. The best aspect of it by far is Bob. Having a Holt doppelganger is a tremendous idea and watching Holt and Bob interact is nothing short of gold. The two of them easily steal the episode, and Jake's reactions to everything they say were spot-on with what we would expect from the character. The twist that Bob is working for Figgis is very easy to see coming, but it works really well because it's obvious why nobody would suspect him for anything - after all he's just another Holt. The two side stories have some fun moments as well. The Bad: The idea that the FBI could be infiltrated so easily is just silly and is the one black mark on an otherwise excellent main storyline. The biggest problem with this episode is the side stories which are completely flat and uninteresting. You get the sense that the Maura storyline should be furthering in a big episode like this, but nothing of substance happens there. Charles' attempted connection with her feels like filler since it doesn't go anywhere. Also, Amy returns to her normal self in this episode after perfectly assuming a prison personality in the previous episode. It's a jarring change, and it makes it difficult to believe that Maura hasn't realized that there's something up with her. The Terry/Gina story is pure filler and doesn't have very much for laughs either. The side stories really let down a superb A story, and I wish that the entire episode had been centered around the main storyline. Best Moment: Holt and Bob repeating "let's break into the FBI" was such a joy to watch. Every scene between them was outstanding but this was certainly the best. Character of the Episode: Holt/Bob. They're practically the same anyways. Conclusion: The main storyline of this episode was so much fun and the inclusion of Bob as a Holt clone was fantastic. It's the show at its very best. Which is why it's so disappointing that the other stories fell flat for me. Had this whole episode been about the FBI break-in, it could have easily been the show's best episode. Instead, the episode ends up being a mixed bag. Score: 67 Summary: Amy goes undercover in a prison to connect with Jimmy Figgis' sister and Jake becomes overprotective. Holt and Gina organize a fake funeral for Pimento.
The Good: I liked parts of this. There were good lines throughout the episode as per usual. Holt had some brilliant dialogue to say, and Charles was a fantastic source of levity for the prison storyline. I also really liked the misdirection with Rosa to start the episode. Having her get made the moment she set foot in the prison was great. Some of Jake's interventions when Amy made contact were pretty funny. The fake funeral storyline was also pretty good, and utilized the characters well. Stephanie Beatriz in particular was wonderful and she portrayed Rosa's emotions in a perfectly subtle way, which was certainly the right call here. The Bad: Some things didn't work about this episode. I wish the fake funeral went a little further in being weird. Pimento is a strange and unstable character, so it would have been fitting for the show to get a little bit weirder at the funeral to have better laughs. I'm also sick of the chase sequences the show does literally every time a criminal is encountered. Not every criminal tries to run away like that! The main story fell into the trappings of season 1 of the show. Jake felt far too cartoonish as he constantly got in Amy's way, and the rushed way he learned from his mistakes felt so sloppy and prevented the storyline from connecting with me at all. I thought that "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" had learned from its lack of subtlety in season 1, but apparently not. Best Moment: Rosa being speechless after immediately getting busted in prison was hilarious. Character of the Episode: Rosa. Conclusion: This was a fine episode, but one that should have been better than it was. Lots of smaller things bothered me and prevented me from enjoying this as much as I should have. Score: 60 Summary: Ross and Rachel offer conflicting stories about who initiated the night of passion that got Rachel pregnant. Ross reveals he accidentally filmed that night. Monica and Chandler get excited after meeting a wonderful couple while on their honeymoon.
The Good: This was absolutely peak "Friends". After having some pretty forgettable seasons, it's a wonderful surprise to get an episode as good as this one. The characters all returned to their roots for this episode and they were handled superbly. The interactions between everyone were hilarious and every character got moments to shine. Rather than going overboard and being silly, the show offered up more realistic comedy which allowed the episode to really shine. The concept of the videotape was fantastic and it made for an engaging and interesting plot with the mystery of who actually initiated things. I really liked the flashback scenes and I thought that the backpacking in Europe story was a brilliant piece of comedy that managed to be absurdly funny, yet barely realistic enough to be believable. I thought the climax of the episode was outstanding (see: Best Moment), and the conclusion with Rachel and Ross watching their own sex was a perfect way to end one of the show's best episodes. The Bad: A few small things didn't work for me. Chandler and Monica's arguments were lighthearted and funny but it still seems odd that they argue so much. Their whole storyline did feel out of place in the episode despite having some funny moments. Best Moment: Specifically, I'll go with the immense satisfaction that came with the reveal that Rachel used the backpacking in Europe story to come onto Ross, but the entire sequence of watching the videotape was masterful. It was an enthralling sequence that wonderfully weaved together a lot of jokes from earlier in the episode, complimented by the fact that all 6 of the main cast were present and able to add on to the scene with their personalities. Simply brilliant. Character of the Episode: Also difficult to choose. I'll have to go with Joey. Conclusion: A stellar episode of comedy. The episode has an inventive and engaging plot with tons of laughs throughout the episode. I didn't think that "Friends" would hit this kind of quality again, but this episode was really impressively done. Certainly the best episode of the series since season 5. Score: 84 Summary: Rosa and Pimento get engaged and have parties before the wedding. Jake tries to get Terry to know Pimento better during their party. Charles, Gina and Amy compete to throw the best party for Rosa.
The Good: This was a really fun and focused episode. Rosa and Pimento's relationship was short-lived but it has far more depth to it than Rosa and Marcus' and I found myself to be invested in them because their interactions have felt unique, funny and understandable. I really liked the farewell between Rosa and Pimento. I enjoyed their storyline. The parties thrown in this episode were a ton of fun and really worked for the show. Even though it's a familiar sitcom concept, it was executed well enough that I wasn't bothered by it. Charles, Gina and Amy competing worked out surprisingly well and I was impressed that the writers handled each character so well without ever stepping into silly territory, making ti feel like these were four friends partying together with a fun contest going on. Their scenes were consistent fun. The story of Jake trying to get Terry to like Pimento was a lot of fun, and Pimento's wacky antics were extremely enjoyable. I was also pleased with the new overarching plot that has arisen from Pimento's arrival to the show. With somebody out to kill Pimento, this episode had some urgency and importance that recent episodes have lacked, and the reveal of somebody in the FBI working for Jimmy Figgis gives the end of the season an interesting story to explore. This may not have been the funniest episode ever, but it's one that did a lot of good for the show overall and I'm excited to see where things go from here. The Bad: Tonally, something about this episode feels off from the rest of the season, and the series as a whole. As much as I've enjoyed Pimento, he doesn't fit in quite right with the show. He's a funny character and a breath of fresh air, but the kind of erratic and over-the-top danger he brings to the table makes the show feel almost entirely different. His insertion in the back half of this season has changed things in a way that doesn't fit what the show was like before. While I'm happy to see an overarching storyline finally being added into this season, it has changed the show in a way that feels jarring and makes me unsure whether I'm supposed to be taking the show seriously or if I'm supposed to just laugh and be along for the ride. This tonal dissonance hurt this episode and it makes me really question the structure of this season. As a final note, Holt was hardly in this episode. That's always a bad thing. Best Moment: I really liked Jake taking Terry and then Pimento outside the van for a talk in quick succession. The comedic timing was excellent, and the final joke of Scully wanting to talk to Jake too because he felt left out was hilarious. Character of the Episode: Pimento. Even if he doesn't properly gel with the show, he's very entertaining. Conclusion: This episode was very focused and told a fun story that took a surprisingly serious turn. However, the poor handling of the tone did make me have some reservations towards this episode. I do think that this is an overall positive episode for the show, but I'm hoping that in seasons 4 and beyond, there can be more consistency to the tone that "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" is trying to hit. Score: 68 |
Aaron DhillonJust a university student who loves to watch TV. And analyze it way too much. Archives
February 2024
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