Andre Braugher (left), Andy Samberg (right). Photo Credit: NBC
There is never a correct way to end a series, especially not one that has been on the air for close to a decade. If too many changes take place, the tonal whiplash may have longtime fans upset at the developments. If too little occurs, the closer will be seen as both anti-climatic and unsatisfying. As it often does, Brooklyn Nine-Nine finds itself in the middle of these two extremes, giving just enough of a meaningful sendoff to feel like a proper ending but steering clear of changing the status quo too drastically.
The plot of the final episode is as simple as it is convoluted. Jake reveals to Amy that he is leaving the force to become a full-time father to Mac and plans a final heist to serve as his goodbye to the precinct. The convoluted portion comes from the actual heist itself, with the series treating viewers to a familiar mix of rapid twists and stunning betrayals. As the pairings race to retrieve the golden vessel that holds the medal, we are met with a who's who of Nine-Nine cameos from past seasons. Everyone from Adrian Pimento to Caleb the cannibal gets their brief moment to shine in a Seinfeld-style reunion of recurring characters. Gina also reemerges for the first time since season six, proving that her character has not matured or changed in the slightest. Nonetheless, it felt oddly nostalgic to see Peretti back to blurting out callous insults and committing petty theft.
Amidst the chaos, Jake's decision to leave the Nine-Nine feels like a disheartening way to close out his arc. Though his departure from detective work has been foreshadowed throughout the season, it's upsetting that he decides to give up his passion so early in life. While it's admirable that he wants to be a devoted dad to Mac, Terry and Boyle also have children and that has never stopped them from being great parents and phenomenal detectives. With Amy, Holt, and Terry all rising through the ranks, it feels off for Jake to have no upward trajectory. Despite that gripe, the events of the heist remain as exciting as they have been in previous installments. From magnet suits to mind games, there's no shortage of that playful Nine-Nine energy. Highlights include Rosa locking Amy in a car, Holt trapping Boyle and Jake in the armored truck, and Amy tricking Jake into believing he's been in a coma for seven years.
As the competition winds down and the squad returns from the storage facility where they first worked on a case with Holt, Hitchock reappears in the precinct and is crowned the winner of the heist. After spending several episodes on FaceTime, it's completely satisfying to see Dirk Blocker back in-person. Though the squad is disgusted by Hitchcock's win, it ultimately felt like a perfect way to close out the last heist, especially considering Hitchcock does have more arrests than anyone else in the precinct. Once the comedy subsides, a touching talk between Rosa & Amy takes place where Diaz tells Santiago that she does not need marriage and kids to be content with her life. This is a scene that neatly wraps up the relationship between the two and beautifully showcases how not every character needs to settle down to have a happy ending. The closed-off Rosa and sociable Amy have clashed on many occasions but they have always had a mutual respect for each other, with this chat only reaffirming their close bond.
The most meaningful part of this episode, season, and possibly the series as a whole comes when Jake Peralta and Raymond Holt have one, final talk. The tender feeling of euphoria that comes from Holt describing how they've rubbed off on each other through the years simply cannot be placed into words. The callbacks to the first episode during their chat gives this moment such a "full circle" atmosphere. Jake has finally solved the puzzle of growing up that Terry described in the pilot and Holt sees him as a worthy son. Above everything else, the chemistry between Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher gave this series the soul that it needed to resonate with audiences. To have them fully embrace their father-son dynamic is an outstanding way to cap off their storied relationship.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine could have ended with the team taking on a grueling case or with a sappy round of tired platitudes but it instead chose to maintain the delicate balance of witty charm and genuine heart it has cultivated for over 150 episodes. The heartfelt moments pack as much of a punch as they do because the writers have done an immaculate job at refining these character dynamics for so long. Although it would have been more satisfying to see Jake remain a detective, it's comforting to know that Terry, Boyle, Hitchcock, and Scully still work in the 99th precinct, giving viewers a small sense of normalcy amidst the changes. 'The Last Day' gives this series the final hurrah it deserves by sticking to the show's trusted, concrete formula. There's little more one could ask for from the last Nine-Nine, with the episode offering fans both a trip down memory lane and a pleasant glimpse into the future.
Stray Thoughts
Even though Rosa is right to not want her life be defined by settling down with someone, I still miss the Rosa-Pimento pairing.
When Jake woke up from the fake coma and was told he had been in it for seven years, I thought Amy meant that everything outside of the first season had been in his imagination.
It appears that Boyle found his own Boyle in the flash-forward sequence. I would have preferred it to end with the elevator scene but it was still an interesting look into the future.
I can't believe the scene in the opening sequence is actually cannon and that they were just going to get falafel.
Jake really tried to replicate "I Want It That Way" with "Car Wash".
It has been an honor to have been a fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine since 2014 and a reviewer since 2016. Farewell to one of the best sitcoms of the modern era and a big thank you to everyone who has ever worked on the series. Thanks for the memories and good times.
Grade: A-
What did you think of this episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
What grade would you assign the 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' series finale?
(L-R): Terry Crews, Andy Samberg, Joe Lo Truglio. Photo Credit: NBC
Game of Boyles
Though he always seems like the most awkward of the core group of characters, Charles appears to be the least dysfunctional member of the Boyle clan. While this might have more to do with him creating a strong bond with the 99 crew than being an outright family outcast, it demonstrates that Charles may not be as in-tune with his family's quirks as he'd like to think. 'Game of Boyles' tackles this concept through a mildly-enticing, murder-mystery plotline and treats viewers with a thoroughly engaging narrative, even if it does fall short of matching the excitement that comes with standard Brooklyn cases.
After Boyle's great uncle passes away at the ripe old age of 93, he is summoned to the Boyle Family Farm to attend the funeral and give the eulogy. Jake and Terry tag along as well, with Peralta still feeling the brunt of his suspension. The situation soon becomes heated when Jake suspects that cousin Lyndon may have murdered his great uncle to get the full inheritance, resulting in some humorous, Knives Out-style interrogation sequences that reveal Lyndon did have bad blood with the deceased Boyle. Unfortunately for Jake's murder-mystery appetite, the DNA test informs them that Lyndon was not the killer and instead gives them the knowledge that Charles is not actually a real Boyle.
Though this revelation is handled more like a comedic afterthought than a late-season bombshell, it clearly takes a toll on Charles in a way that little else would. While he does redeem himself in the eyes of his family by opening up the Grandmother Dough, Brooklyn deserves credit for not copping out here. It would have been easy for the writers to backtrack by having cousin Sam tamper with the DNA results out of jealously, but Charles ultimately has to live with his newfound identity crisis. This is a rather mature way for Nine-Nine to handle the storyline and illustrates that the series will continue to not shy away from troubling subject matters.
Amy and Rosa introduce Captain Holt to the online-dating scene in the B-plot, as the two attempt to get Holt to realize that Kevin is the only man right for him. Though Holt does see through their scheme and metaphorically checkmates them, he soon realizes that he does miss the company of Kevin and runs off to reunite with his husband. While the kiss in the rain comes off as a little too cheesy, it does feel like a proper way to wrap up the Holt-Kevin divorce arc. Nonetheless, this scene would have been far more satisfying if the episodes had not been pumped out two at a time and would have made this reunion feel a lot more meaningful.
Though it does not rock the boat as much as you'd expect for an episode so late in a sitcom's run, 'Game of Boyles' is a fairly harmless outing that provides fans with two conclusions that are sure to have a significant impact on the installments to come. Seeing Jake and Terry cringe and groan at the traditions of the Boyle family remains as amusing as ever, and Holt's dating escapade places the character in an position not previously explored. It may not make any 'best episode' lists but it definitely won't make any worst lists either.
Stray Thoughts
Alternative episode titles include "One True Boyle" and "Grandmother Dough".
A scene where Jake mentions Nikolaj was seemingly removed from the NBC broadcast but is available on Hulu and other streaming services.
Holt didn't have to be so rude to Todd, he seemed like a nice guy.
The chess metaphors were amusing but Holt should have expanded on them.
Terry's TikTok reference makes you realize how long this show's been on.
Grade: B
Andy Samberg (left), Andre Braugher (right). Photo Credit: NBC
Renewal
Ever since season 2's Boyle-Linetti Wedding explored the possibility of a Holt-Kevin vow renewal ceremony, fans of the couple have been eager to see the event actually take place. Though it easily could have slipped through the cracks or been brushed aside, the Brooklyn writers felt the need to have it take place before the series reaches the end of the road. It would have been understandable if 'Renewal' solely focused on the wedding ceremony at hand, but the writers add an espionage element that enhances the quality of the episode overall.
'Renewal' starts out with the shocking reveal that Captain Holt will be retiring so that his relationship with Kevin can become his #1 priority, a decision that is thankfully withdrawn by the installment's end. The main plot begins forming when Holt and Jake find out that O'Sullivan is trying to mess up the CompStat numbers to sabotage their police reform program. As a result, the two are forced to leave the wedding venue to retrieve O'Sullivan's laptop. First and foremost, it's a complete blast to witness Peralta and Holt break into O'Sullivan's house with cheap disguises and comical aliases, harkening back to a much simpler time in the show's run. Furthermore, the fact that Holt would actually follow Peralta's advice and seduce O'Sullivan's mom elevates the plotline to extravagant heights in the comedy department and blesses us with a side of Holt that has not appeared in many moons.
Once the humor subsides and the two are locked in the basement, a more vulnerable Holt returns to tell Peralta that he does not feel like retiring just yet. The despair the two feel resonates deeply in this scene, with Samberg and Braugher both delivering a serious, heartfelt performance as they discuss their respective spouses. Although they are able to make it back in time for the wedding thanks to Kevin and Rosa, it felt refreshingly genuine to hear Holt air out his raw thoughts to the man he once considered childish and incompetent. If the final episodes end up not focusing on some sort of police work, it's reassuring to know that 'Renewal' gives us a solid fix of classic Brooklyn shenanigans.
As Holt and Jake deal with breaking into O'Sullivan's house, Amy and Terry try to get his fingerprint in order to open the laptop. While Terry poses as a memorabilia-selling Billy Joel fan to lure in Sullivan, Amy becomes completely distraught with the idea of Holt retiring from the force. This culminates with a brilliant moment where Terry simultaneously chews out O'Sullivan and Amy with a fiery speech about not basing your entire life and identity around one person. Crews truly sells his frustration here and this serves as the perfect payoff to the storyline. In a smaller C-plot, Rosa ends up getting into a feud with Cheddar at the wedding venue. As the Boyle-Diaz friendship is placed in the spotlight for the first time in a while, Scully steals the show with his failed attempts at making sure Kevin isn't aware that Holt is working on a case.
The final moments of the episode reveal that Holt will now be the deputy commissioner of police reform and Santiago will work by his side as chief. Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been subtly alluding to Jake quitting the force throughout the season and it seems very likely that it will soon happen. With Amy now taking on more hours, it wouldn't be out of the question to imagine Peralta giving up his badge to become a stay-at-home dad. While that's not exactly the desirable outcome, it would signify that Jake has clearly matured since the early days of Nine-Nine. 'Renewal' rewards Nine-Nine aficionados with one last Jake & Holt case and lays out the groundwork for a finale that is sure to shake up the status quo.
Stray Thoughts
I'm surprised they flew past Jake's suspension so quickly. If the season had been longer, they might have explored it a bit more.
Seems like there won't be a Halloween Heist this season, unless that's what the series finale is.
Holt seducing the old lady is Emmy-worthy material.
The series finale could have aired on 9/9 but it will instead air on 9/16, one day before the series debuted in 2013.
Craig Robinson (left), Andy Samberg (right). Photo Credit: NBC
PB&J
Outside of a scene that never made it into the actual episode, Doug Judy and Charles Boyle have never properly interacted with each other in the first seven seasons. It has always seemed like a missed opportunity to not have the two fighting for Jake's attention since the insecure Boyle clearly feels threatened by anyone who becomes close with Peralta. Though 'PB&J' does finally give us that Boyle-Judy banter that fans have been waiting for, it ultimately gets lost in the shuffle in an episode that has more twists and turns than any previous installment featuring Craig Robinson's iconic character.
After Trudy Judy reveals that Doug is headed to prison once again, Jake decides to take his old friend on one last ride before sending him off to jail. The first act of the installment sticks to the contagious chemistry between Samberg's Peralta and Robinson's Judy that viewers have long been accustomed to, with the pair participating in everything from outfit changes to freestyle rapping. That joyful vibe is slowly stripped away when Boyle enters the scene and interferes with the duo's fun, causing Judy to reveal that he is actually planning to escape. Boyle does little to enhance the episode, but his appearance is brief and he leaves before the bulk of the conflict arrives.
As tensions rise, it becomes quite difficult to figure out who to root for in this scenario. Doug Judy certainly does not deserve to go back to prison for stealing a car five years ago, but Jake should not have to put his job on the line to keep Judy out of jail. Nonetheless, the way Judy weaponizes his mind games against Peralta makes the following events a blast to witness. From changing the contacts in his phone to making him paranoid about the backup officer's motives, Judy puts Peralta through the wringer in a way that he has never done before. And yet, Judy still saves Peralta's life at the end of the day, proving that their bond remains as strong as it has always been. Though some may find it off-putting that Peralta would subtly break the law to help Judy escape, it only seems fitting given what Judy ended up doing for him.
'PB&J' serves as an adequate sendoff for the Pontiac Bandit, with a story that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. What pushes this outing to the next level is the fact that there is just one story that fills up the entire episode. Fans are able to immerse themselves in the exciting narrative at hand without the antics of Jake and Judy being interrupted by underdeveloped, middling side-plots. This structure is sorely missing from most Brooklyn outings and truly helps capture the mood that the writers are trying to establish. Though it is disheartening that Doug Judy is once more evading the police instead of living his life as a free man, it was pleasant seeing Jake and Judy have one final, heartfelt goodbye before Judy fled to Amsterdam. As an Instagram ad for a travel bidet once said, focus on the journey, not the destination. Brooklyn Nine-Nine has blessed viewers with eight chapters of the Pontiac Bandit arc and 'PB&J' is a worthy epilogue to complete the series.
Stray Thoughts
Rosa rooting for Judy seemed completely off. Even though she's no longer a cop, it makes little sense why she'd suddenly side with him.
Alternative titles for this episode include "Tigers and Toucans" and "One Last Ride".
Would have been nice if we got to see Doug Judy's wedding.
Moral of the Episode: Never hire goons off of Craigslist
Grade: A
Andre Braugher (left), Andy Samberg (right). Photo Credit: NBC
The Set Up
Since its debut back in 2013, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has always portrayed Jake Peralta as a cop who does everything in his power to combat crime and keep the streets of New York safe. Even when he broke the law in past episodes, it was seen as a necessary evil because Peralta had the right intentions. In Season 1's '48 Hours', Peralta went as far as to arrest his nemesis Dustin Whitman (played by Kid Cudi) without any evidence to prove his guilt. This type of reckless behavior may have worked out for Jake before but 'The Set Up' showcases Peralta's policing through a much more critical lens. Though he is not viewed as an outright villain, this installment makes it clear that Jake's rule-breaking does not always end with a positive outcome.
After the FBI takes a bomb case away from Peralta, Jake finds himself bypassing their orders and working on it anyways. Unfortunately, Jake finds himself in serious trouble when he chases after an alleged suspect at the crime scene and places them in holding for ten hours. Once the suspect is fired from his job because of the incident, he sues Peralta and the department for wrongful arrest. In a standard Brooklyn outing, Jake would eventually find out that the suspect is guilty and be branded as the hero of the story. His hunches and gut instincts have always helped him crack the case until this episode. Here, we are met with a more sobering take on how baseless assumptions can backfire dramatically.
As Peralta digs himself into an even bigger hole, Rosa and Amy attempt to get O'Sullivan drunk so that he'll admit that he set up the whole situation as payback for their police reform program. Their scheme ends up failing in comical fashion, with the two getting hammered despite O'Sullivan barely catching a buzz. Though their attempts are unsuccessful and it turns out O'Sullivan did not plant the guy at the crime scene, there are still some hilarious tidbits peppered throughout this story thread, especially as Amy and Rosa keep switching places between recording the conversation and talking to Sullivan. In another subplot, Charles and Terry find themselves competing over candy selling. With Scully deciding to buy from Boyle's supply of treats instead of Terry's, the two erupt into an all-out war. What gives more depth to this story is the fact that it is actually O'Sullivan that is sabotaging Jeffords and Boyle, adding a legitimately surprising twist to what could have been a fairly run-of-the-mill plotline.
'The Set Up' is certainly an unorthodox episode with an ending that may very well leave a bad taste in your mouth. No matter how the writers attempt to lighten the mood, Jake being suspended from the NYPD for five months is no laughing matter. Peralta's passion has always been in police work, so it is crushing to see his duties stripped away from him. Despite that, this episode does a fantastic job at illustrating how Peralta's haphazard methods of solving crime can lead to disastrous consequences. On top of that, the secondary plotlines connect to the main story in a way that does not often occur in Brooklyn, giving 'Set Up' an extra layer of consistency. It will be quite interesting to see how all this conflict is resolved with just four episodes remaining, but the B99 team is sure to handle matters in a way that stays true to the core of the series.
Stray Thoughts
Hitchcock seeing himself as the "wise old sage" of the precinct was undoubtedly the funniest moment here.
O'Sullivan is clearly suffering from a case of Oedipus Complex.
It seems as if there has been much foreshadowing to a finale where Jake quits the force entirely.
I wonder if the next episode will return after Jake's suspension has ended.
Grade: B+
What did you think of these episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine? As always, leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Andy Samberg (left), Joe Lo Truglio (right). Photo Credit: NBC
Blue Flu
Although he's more known for blurting out unintentional sexual innuendos and obsessing over gross food items, Charles Boyle has always been the most well-meaning member of the Brooklyn Nine-Nine squad. No matter how much ridicule he faces for his persona, Boyle stays true to himself while also taking his detective job as seriously as he can. This all makes his health scare in 'Blue Flu' significantly more gutting than it could have been, with Truglio's character facing his mortality head-on. In the midst, the writers are able to strike that perfect balance of addressing social issues while keeping the infectious character relationships intact.
After union rep Frank O'Sullivan (played by John C. McGinley) uses an incident where a dead mouse was found in an officer's burrito to push his narrative that cops are under attack, all the officers go on strike while simultaneously using the excuse that they're sick with mono (i.e. Blue flu). Captain Holt concocts 'Operation Trident' to quell the "mouse in burrito" hysteria and prove that the officers are faking their sickness, with Jake and Boyle on-deck to find out if the doctor was handing out illegitimate diagnoses. Where this episode takes a sharp left turn is when an undercover Boyle is told by the doctor that one of his testicles is much larger than the other, causing Charles to believe he may be dying.
Though the trope of a character facing a potential health issue is quite common in the sitcom world, the Brooklyn writers have created such sound character dynamics that the revelation is sure to elicit a very strong reaction from longtime viewers. In particular, Boyle's speech about facing death and not being able to work with Jake into his 90s is enough to make devoted fans teary-eyed. The bleak tone is exacerbated by the fact that the series will be coming to an end soon and we really will never be able to see the friendship between Peralta and Boyle grow past that point. Though Boyle ends up not having cancer, the raw emotion felt during his monologue (and when Peralta shows how well he knows him while planning for his final days) makes this plotline a complete home run. Joe Lo Truglio is masterful in this more somber role and Samberg's loyalty to his friend continues to be one of his best attributes.
The B-plot features Amy dealing with the many "Hitchcock and Scullys" that were sent by the other precincts after they requested for more detectives. If nothing else, it was thoroughly amusing to see Scully feel at home with the replicas of himself, especially since Hitchcock can only be accessed remotely. Santiago's exasperation with the situation adds to the hilarity as Scully helps her learn the sluggish ways of these older detectives. Terry and Rosa also join in on Operation Trident, with the former dealing with stomach issues and the latter being enlisted to find footage of the burrito incident being staged. It's definitely a relief that Rosa remains an integral part of the series despite no longer working in the 99th precinct, and the writers create a clever way to weave her into the story here. The only issue that can be found is that there was a lost opportunity to show Terry's meeting with the disgruntled officers. Although the pandemic may have stopped larger crowd scenes from being filmed, it definitely had the makings of a hilarious scene.
With an engaging mixture of witty banter, solemn moments, and tense exchanges, 'Blue Flu' is an episode that seems to check off all the right boxes. The writers find a way to include a message about how police feign persecution in a system that enables their bad behavior while not sacrificing comedy and character-driven stories. All this culminates with Holt out-smarting O'Sullivan and putting an end to the flu, while also planting the seeds for future police reform. There are few faults to be found with 'Blue Flu' and it ultimately shows that Brooklyn is racing to the finish line instead of limping.
Stray Thoughts
It looks like we'll never truly know what Holt's tattoo is.
Boyle's mention of Trident gum in the briefing room scene deserves a mention.
While I'm not holding out, it would be nice if Hitchock could return in-person for the finale.
He hasn't reached Wuntch levels but O'Sullivan is turning into a pretty fun antagonist.
Grade: A-
Andre Braugher (left), Stephanie Beatriz (right). Photo Credit: NBC
Balancing
In the universe of situational comedy, the introduction of a baby is perceived as a moment where a series "jumps the shark" and becomes a shadow of its former self. Many comedies have a hard time dealing with this new inclusion, with some even ignoring their existence when it's inconvenient to bring them into the plot. Since Brooklyn Nine-Nine only has a few installments left and has been building up to Jake and Amy having a child for a while, it's hard to imagine these sort of accusations will be levied against it. 'Balancing' provides a very accurate depiction of how difficult it is to be a parent while maintaining a career, even if it comes at the expense of what could have been an exciting, case-based episode.
The installment starts with Jake finding out that his arch-nemesis Johnny Franzia is back to committing crimes, causing Jake and Charles to go and investigate the crime scene. Meanwhile, Terry is getting Amy ready for her reform proposal speech that she'll be giving in an attempt to secure funding. Both plots are disrupted after Jake and Amy realize that they've let their son Mac unattended, forcing them to try and find a babysitter for their child. When all their attempts lead nowhere, they decide they'll have to bring Mac to work. This outing may do a phenomenal job at displaying the uncomfortable balancing act of parenting and policing but it leaves viewers hungry for some classic Brooklyn crime-solving without nourishment.
Only bits and pieces of the Franzia case are seen, with most of them interrupted by Jake having to take care of his son. Even though this story-telling style fits well with the narrative, it does not make Peralta's exclusion from the case any better. Considering Franzia is a character mentioned before and not just a random criminal of the week, it would have been a blast to see Jake and Boyle team up to figure out his clues and take him down. Nonetheless, the fact that Jake takes care of Mac instead of arresting his arch-nemesis shows legitimate growth when it comes to Samberg's character. The Franzia case meant a lot to Peralta, but he still stayed behind so that Amy could give her speech and further their cause of police reform. There's still an empty, anti-climactic feel to 'Balancing' but it does reveal that Jake Peralta has matured greatly since day one.
With Holt still separated from his husband Kevin, the captain moves in with Rosa for the subplot of this episode. Though it may appear a little off-putting to see Holt so talkative, it is very entertaining to witness Braugher's character continue to cope with the separation. This storyline reaches new heights when Rosa gets Holt drunk, causing Holt to send a picture of his dick to Kevin. Hilarity ensues as the two rush to Kevin's place to delete the picture off his computer before he can check his email. In turn, we are met with a touching moment when it is yet again confirmed that Kevin misses Holt's company. This story ends up being the better of the two and finds itself with a perfect blend of heart and humor.
'Balancing' is a bit of an uneven episode that will leave some viewers missing the greater focus on police work but satisfy those who enjoy seeing the relationship between Jake and Amy progress. The B-plot focusing on Holt and Rosa does a fantastic job at slowly repairing the Holt and Kevin marriage and packs in enough gags to please all. Brooklyn Nine-Nine reaffirms that it is still an ambitious series that intends to elevate and evolve.
Stray Thoughts
Johnny Franzia was first mentioned in Season 5's 'White Whale'.
"Digital Phallus Portrait"
The following episodes will feature the return (and potential final appearance?) of Doug Judy!
