Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 22 Review ’Jake & Amy’ [Season Finale]

***Spoilers Ahead***

Jake & Amy

Photo: Gina Rodriguez. Credit: John P. Fleenor/FOX

For the past two years, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has capped off its season with a captivating cliffhanger. Even if the first two seasons ended without any form of closure, the finales of season three and four upped the ante. In short, they were game-changing and paved the way for unique, engaging arcs. Unfortunately, the actual cliffhanger ended up being more pleasing than how the storylines ended. The Figgis and prison arcs both closed in anti-climatic fashion as the writers rushed to return to the familiar case-of-the-week structure. While that's not a bad thing, it did defeat the purpose of introducing a new setting or serious challenge. Because of that, it's both satisfying and admirable that 'Jake & Amy' abandons the typical approach of venturing into new territory. Instead, the season five finale provides laughs and suspense while also neatly wrapping things up before the clock runs out.

The main story focuses on Jake, Amy, and Boyle tracking down the criminal who planted the bomb at their wedding venue. As the bomb squad arrives, the character of Teddy makes a shocking return. It has been nothing short of ridiculous witnessing how Teddy has devolved from a mature love interest to a one-note character throughout the series. Nonetheless, his pathetic attempts to woo over Amy are hilarious enough to forgive the writers for making his character one-dimensional. His advances are just far too absurd to not be humorous, especially since Santiago is getting married. While being a caricature works for a recurring character like Teddy, that look does not fit well on Charles Boyle. Throughout the episode, Boyle constantly blames himself for ruining the wedding of Jake & Amy while exclaiming that he'll kill himself over it. Boyle's preoccupation with the duo has always been a tedious and generally annoying trope. The character of Charles has made significant progress throughout five seasons. But, whenever the topic of those two come up, he immediately reverts into a cartoonish comic relief. Given the two have married, I do hope this is the last of this running gag. If nothing else, Brooklyn Nine-Nine should definitely dial back on the insanity of Boyle. Outside of that quibble, the rest of the storyline moves smoothly. The constant setbacks are reminiscent of season 1's 'Thanksgiving'. Even when everything else fails, the squad will always have the precinct to fall back on. The fact that Peralta and Santiago hold their wedding in a place full of sentimental value is simply poetic. Additionally, Holt's speech during the ceremony helps the viewer understand how far the series has come. Complaints aside, it's tough to find a better way to have handled their wedding

In the B-plot, Rosa and Terry take Amy's veil to the dry cleaner and Terry attempts to set Rosa up with Alicia the uber drive (Gina Rodriguez). This story puts Terry in a Boyle-like position since he feverishly tries to get Rosa to fall in love with Alicia. Since she came out, the writers have glossed over Diaz's love life and rarely focused on her bisexuality. Because of that, it's legitimately fulfilling that this crucial component of Rosa's character is being pushed into the spotlight once more. Terry's enthusiasm and Rosa's initial reluctance perfectly matched their character traits and produced some amusing moments. At the same time, it's relatively heartwarming to see Terry possess so much passion for finding love for Rosa. Unlike Boyle's creepy obsession with Jake and Amy, Jefford's interest in Rosa comes off as genuinely sincere. Ultimately, the sweet relationship between Rosa and Terry helps this plot shine through. Hopefully, Rodriguez's character returns as a potential love interest and isn't neglected to a one-off cameo appearance.

The C-plot closes out the arc of Holt running to become commissioner with the captain receiving an email that determines his fate. Andre Braugher's portrayal of a worried Holt comes off as poignant and relatable. The relaxed persona of Gina balances out the gravity of the situation and provides a bit of much-needed comedy to a tense situation. In the end, Holt's fate remains up in the air. This minor cliffhanger is enough to make viewers want more but it doesn't put the characters in dire situations like past finales.

'Jake & Amy' serves as a refreshing finale after many years of cliffhangers and unsatisfying closers. Although whether Holt is a commissioner or not remains a mystery, the episode still provides with enough closure to tide viewers over before the sixth season. Sure, it's not as exciting and suspenseful as the likes of 'Greg and Larry' or 'The Bank Job'. With that said, that's not the purpose of this season five finale. 'Jake & Amy' does its job of skillfully tying things together and keeping a relatively relaxed, leisurely tone. In all, it's commendable that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine writers took the more calm route to cap off a strong fifth season.


Stray Thoughts

• Bringing Mlepnos back was a wonderful surprise.
• If Holt had gotten the job, this could've served as a nice series finale. Nevertheless, I'm happy there is more to come.
• Thanks to everyone who has read my reviews, commented, and voted in the polls. 
• Season Grade: B+

Grade: A-

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 21 Review ’White Whale’

***Spoilers Ahead***

White Whale 

L-to-R: Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero. Photo: John P. Fleenor/FOX

The reappearance of a cold case happens to be a mainstay in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine universe. Whether it be Jake (Unsolvable) or Terry's (Terry Kitties) case, it's clear that the trope has worn out its welcome a bit. Fortunately, 'White Whale' breathes new life into a routine storyline by providing Rosa and Amy with the opportunity to headline the A-plot. Had this story been handed to Jake and Terry, it would've felt tired and lackluster. But, the dynamic between the intimidating Rosa and cheerful Amy elevates the storyline and makes it fresh and enjoyable. 

The main plot begins with Rosa informing Amy that Sergio Mindar, a vicious murderer, has resurfaced after nearly a decade. The remainder of the story focuses on their attempt to catch the crook. First and foremost, the chemistry between Santiago and Diaz is nothing short of infectious. We've gotten brief glimpses of their dynamic throughout the years, but the writers have never awarded the two with a full-fledged plotline. In a similar fashion to Jake and Holt, Diaz's stone-cold demeanor and the buoyant, bubbly behavior of Santiago balance each other out. It's a shame the writers have rarely mined for comedy gold in their area. The contrast between Amy's positive outlook on the elderly and Rosa's indifferent attitude toward old people perfectly captures the disparity between the two and how incredible it is that their friendship remains intact despite it. This story also opens up an avenue for Rosa to express her emotions. Since she's genuinely hurt that Amy lied to her about the way Sergio got away, we get to see a side of Beatriz's character that's usually neglected. Brooklyn Nine-Nine's fifth season has legitimately helped Diaz open up and steer further away from caricature territory. This plot is merely a testament to that. Moreover, the reckless side of Santiago gets to shine when she jumps off the building in order to catch Sergio. It's always nice to see Amy valuing friendship and going with her instincts. This deviates from her lawful and strictly organized personality and reveals a generally hidden character trait  Although this plotline follows a strikingly similar structure to Season 1's Unsolvable, the bond between Rosa and Amy saves it from being a knockoff. Instead, it simply follows in the footsteps of the past episode. Ultimately, this wonderful plot gave a chance for the writers to show aspects of these characters that would otherwise not be explored. My only complaint is that it took so long for this pairing to take center stage for an episode.

In the B-plot, Jake and Terry plan for Amy's wedding and face many challenges. From the moment the story starts, the end game is exceptionally predictable. It's rather obvious that Jake will fail at these tasks and be assured that the thought is what really counts. Despite being run-of-the-mill, there were some stand-out scenes sprinkled in the midst. Jake breaking the windows of Terry's car was somewhat unexpected and served as a polished sight gag. Furthermore, Hitchcock and Scully's primitive nature always guarantees hilarity. Nonetheless, the story doesn't do much outside of reminding viewers that Jake and Amy's wedding is coming up. 

Oliva Crawford returns to the series in the C-plot to inform Holt that one of them must step down in the race for Commissioner. As a whole, Crawford fails to fill the void that Wunch left. Given that she's supposed to function as Holt's rival, she comes off as too friendly and lenient towards him. Because of this, their banter doesn't hold a candle to the rapid-fire insults that Madeline Wunch and Holt would hurl at each other during the show's early years. The best thing this subplot does is confirm that Crawford won't be in the race anymore. Now, it's up to Holt to win the position. Since this ongoing arc has been relatively mediocre, it's nice to know that it led to an outcome that benefited the captain.

'White Whale' manages to add a twist to a generic and overused storyline. The bond between Amy and Rosa lifts this installment to new heights and makes it stand out from the rest of season five. While the other plots may be forgettable, it doesn't take away from the writers' successful experiment in the A-plot. Hopefully, this means we'll be seeing more storylines centered on Santiago and Diaz in the future. 

Miscellaneous 

• The cold opening was pure genius. Only Hitchcock could get into a situation like that. 
• NBC should be a better home for the series. I'm glad Brooklyn Nine-Nine will end on its own terms. 
• The writers should do an episode that takes place in the past.

Grade: B+

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 20 Review ’Show Me Going’

***Spoilers Ahead***

Show Me Going

Photo: Stephanie Beatriz. Credit: John P Fleenor/FOX

As light-hearted as it may be, Brooklyn Nine-Nine generally isn't afraid of diving into subjects like discrimination, police brutality, and the public's disdain for officers. But, the series only tackles these issues in a sporadic fashion. By doing so, the impact that the special episodes have are much stronger than if Brooklyn constantly addressed these topics. That stands true for 'Show Me Going' which handles the heavy topic of a shooting and looks into how an event like this impacts the squad. Although there are slivers of comedy, the episode is more focused on the dramatic tension of the situation.

'Show Me Going' starts out as a familiar episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jake and Boyle join a task force to take down some street racers. When they're kicked out, the two decide to solve the case themselves. This plot follows the same formula that the series has used multiple times, but it still looked like we were in for an entertaining plot. For better or worse, that storyline is derailed in favor of one that focuses on the squad's reaction to Rosa being in an active shooter situation. In the history of the series, Nine-Nine has never abandoned a storyline in favor of another. For the most part, the writers pick a story and go with it. The transition between the goofy story and the grounded Rosa plot is definitely clumsy. Additionally, the fact that Rosa initially appears in the episode makes the storyline even more bizarre. The start of the installment shows her talking to Amy about the broken toilet. Once again, this seems like an atypical plot for the series. But, Diaz mysteriously disappears with no explanation and somehow finds herself in Brooklyn Heights. It almost feels like the beginning of this outing was meant as a separate episode or that the rest of it was erased to make room for this somber story. Although the structure is shaky, the events of 'Show Me Going' are relatively heart-warming. Even if the shift between the two plots comes off as sloppy, the writers and actors understand how to create a realistically grave atmosphere. Witnessing Jake feeling helpless and seeing Terry go through an existential crisis are common occurrences during a morbid event. The relationship between Peralta and Holt also takes the spotlight as the two bicker and Jake attempts to leave to help Rosa. The main difference between this argument and others is that Holt decides not to order Peralta to stay at the precinct. The captain essentially gives Jake the option to go to the shooting and try to straighten things out. This shows how easily the captain can read Peralta now. He knew that Jake would never actually leave and Holt only needs his words to stop him from going. This exchange only strengthens their rock-solid bond.

In the B-plot, Gina and Amy aimlessly attempt to fix the toilet in the precinct before Rosa comes back. If it weren't for Diaz's life being on the line, this subplot might've felt dull and forgettable. But, adding Rosa's predicament to the equation made it more engaging. The uncertainty of her fate gave the plot a magnificently dire tone. Since there is a chance she may never return, the two feel obligated to carry out this one last task. Furthermore, I was relieved that Gina did not save the day like she usually does. Sometimes, it's just best to leave things unresolved. Neither could fix the toilet and everything still worked out in the end. Moreover, the writers sprinkle in enough amusing tidbits to make this story a bit more memorable. Gina's pop culture references and Amy's search engine mishap were both scenes that admirably lightened the mood. Overall, this dynamic duo gave a rather dark episode a pop of color.

Ultimately, the fact that 'Show Me Going' doesn't actually show the shooting hinders a bit of the suspense. Since we don't witness the events, it's tough to visualize what actually went down. By the end of the installment, Rosa returns in perfect shape. Although it's a heartfelt and reassuring moment, I felt that the elements of the incident should have impacted her in some way. It would've been more practical to have had Rosa injured in some form or fashion. Given that Charles was shot in the first season, it wouldn't have felt out of place to have Rosa go through a similar ordeal and eventually recover. If not that, this plot could've been stretched out and turned into an arc about the shooting she was in and the aftermath of the event. Since the writers just cap the story in this episode, it cheapens the emotional moments to an extent. With that said 'Show Me Going' still handles the tough topic in an elegant manner. While there are some noticeable problems with the structure of the episode, it still functions as a thrilling ride. Even if the message isn't as straight-forward as season four's 'Moo Moo', it still packs a punch with a story that's a bit emotional and very tense.

Miscellaneous

• The fight between Hitchcock and Scully had me in tears. 
• Boyle's comment about the Zika virus was very accurate.
• I hope Holt sports that red hat more often.
• It's really a shame that there are only two episodes left. 

Grade: B

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 19 Review ’Bachelor/ette Party’

***Spoilers Ahead***

Bachelor/ette Party

L-R: Andre Braugher, Andy Samberg, Terry Crews, Joe Lo Truglio. Credit: FOX

One of the most polished episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is season 3's 'Paranoia'. That outing created two entertaining bachelor and bachelorette parties that highlighted the amazing relationships that these characters share. Even though it ended in tragedy and the wedding of Pimento and Rosa was eventually called off, it still goes down as one of my favorite installments of the series. Two years later, the writers attempt to mimic their past success with 'Bachelor/ette Party'. Shockingly, the prelude to the wedding of Jake and Amy does not compare to that of Rosa and Pimento. In fact, it doesn't even hold a candle to its predecessor. 

The bachelor party consists of Jake, Holt, and Terry going on a scavenger hunt that Boyle planned. After struggling to figure things out, they decide to bail on Charles and go to a restaurant. The major issue with this story is that it lacks a joyful atmosphere. Although the episode is meant to be celebratory, it manages to morph into a middling, generic plot about the trio letting down Boyle. Having the three not partake in the scavenger hunt robs the viewer of what would have been an exciting ride full of different surprises. Instead, we're met with a story that strips away the purpose of the scenario. Moreover, 'Bachelor/ette Party' wears out the trope of Boyle idolizing Peralta. While Boyle's severe admiration of Jake is always played for laughs, it feels incompatible with a milestone episode that's meant to usher in a new chapter for the squad. Additionally, Charles has shown in the past that Jake's not always his main priority. Season 4's 'The Night Shift' demonstrated how he has to put his son Nickolaj before Peralta. Because of this, Boyle's cartoonish worship feels downright stale in this outing. It regresses his character and puts him near caricature territory. Amidst the bad, Holt's drunken behavior acts as the saving grace of a rather weak plotline. Although it's nothing new to have the captain leave his expressionless comfort zone, Raymond's outbursts are still wildly amusing and entertaining. Other than that, the laughs are dispensed at a minimum. I felt just as irritated as Boyle that the writers threw out a perfectly good scavenger hunt plot and turned it into a significantly less engaging ordeal.

Amy's bachelorette party doesn't help the episode's case in any way. Her story focuses on embracing her wild side and yet doesn't even involve her signature stages of drinking. Once more, the actual party doesn't occur and the story shifts to a tedious quest to get Amy's ex-boyfriend to not perform at Amy and Jake's wedding. Aside from Hitchcock and Scully's Empire-influenced distraction and Santiago burning the document, nothing playful or interesting occurs. Also, Kylie serves no purpose here and is essentially reduced to Gina's punching bag. Kylie could have been an interesting character, but she was never properly developed and has rarely appeared throughout the series. The writers certainly should have taken a page from 'Paranoia' and had the ladies tear down an abandoned restaurant or play a game of paintball. To add insult to injury, this story doesn't even feel like it's meant for the occasion. This plot could have functioned without the bachelorette party backdrop. Ultimately, this story just feels like a huge missed opportunity.  

'Bachelor/ette Party' had a lot to live up to and did not come within striking distance of doing so. Given the setting, neither story felt appropriate and both were poorly executed. Hopefully, the actual wedding episode ends up being significantly more entertaining. It may not be the worst episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but it betrays its setup and ends up being more of a filler episode than a landmark one. 

Miscellaneous 

• Last time, Boyle was at the bachelorette party. This time, it was Hitchcock and Scully. 
• 'Name of your sextant tape.'
• Last week, Adrian Pimento complained about how Jake has shut him out of his life. This week, he's not invited to Jake's bachelor party.
• I like how Terry knew Reginald VelJohnson from Family Matters instead of Die Hard. 

Grade: C+

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 18 Review ’Gray Star Mutual’

***Spoilers Ahead***

Gray Star Mutual 

L-R: Jason Mantzoukas, Andy Samberg, Joe Lo Truglio. Credit: FOX

February 23, 2016, marks the date that Adrian Pimento graced onto our television screens with his self-titled inaugural episode. He stole every scene he was in with his madcap method of comedy and absurd outbursts. Mantzoukas's character continued to appear sporadically throughout Brooklyn's fourth season. While Pimento held the recipe for comedic delight, there was never any deviation in his schtick. This essentially made Adrian a caricature since the writers never properly explored who he really was. 'Gray Star Mutual' provides the solution to this predicament by shedding light on Adrian's true feelings and concerns. Amidst that, the series surprisingly builds on two recurring story arcs in solid fashion.

Peralta and Boyle helm the main plot that centers on Boyle's food truck being mysteriously burned down. Through the help of Pimento the insurance investigator, the trio must catch the criminal and save Boyle from being framed. The development of Mantzouka's character serves as the most meaningful part of a pleasant storyline. Although he continues his gimmick of acting out in an eccentric manner, there's an ulterior motive that comes with it this time. The fact that Pimento is angry about being left out of the loop establishes a softer, more human side to his persona. This new angle was necessary for Adrian to become a full-fledged character. It's commendable that the writers took a one-dimensional character and added a second side to them this late in the game. Moreover, due to his infectious feeling of dismay, it's almost upsetting to hear about the milestones that Pimento missed during his absence. In past seasons, this type of emotional connection could never have been made with Adrian. While overshadowed by Pimento, the duo of Boyle and Peralta still pack a punch. The dominance and confidence that comes with Boyle's stress is a trait that's always welcome. If Brooklyn Nine-Nine only highlighted Charle's beta qualities, things would get somewhat tedious. All things considered, this story acted as an ideal reintroduction to the crazy personality of Pimento.

The B-plot centers on the firm friendship of Amy and Rosa. Since this dynamic has been severely underused, their chemistry felt stronger than ever. The added factor of Santiago being a sergeant modified their relationship in a positive way. Since Amy is in a higher position of power, one would think that Rosa would be less blunt with her. But, this storyline emphasizes that nothing has changed between the two. Rosa can still call Amy weird and Amy can still take her advice on matters like picking out a wedding dress. The crowning moment here comes with Santiago's fierce takedown of the perpetrator. It's a scene that is effortlessly coordinated and stunning to watch. This subplot does a perfect job of capturing the magnificent bond that the ladies share.

In the weaker C-plot, Gina and Terry attempt to modernize Holt by getting him on social media. The writers essentially build upon the theme that had already been set in 'The Puzzle Master'. It's a touch bothersome to see Holt being portrayed as out-of-touch. Braugher's character usually has all the answers and it's a shame that something as trivial as Twitter could prevent him from his dream job. Criticism aside, this story still paved the way for some entertaining moments. Holt being labeled as a bot and his general resistance to the practice felt true to his character. Nevertheless, the trope of an old person being unfamiliar with social media comes off as a bit stale and overused. While it had its funny moments, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is capable of being substantially more original.

'Gray Star Mutual' brings back a phenomenal character and portrays them in a new light. That alone makes it an outstanding outing of the cop comedy. If that weren't enough, the B-plot showcased a pairing that doesn't often get the attention it deserves. And, while the C-story may have fallen a bit on the lackluster side, it still delivered in some ways. Overall, this installment did not disappoint and only makes me eager to see more of Adrian Pimento.

Miscellaneous

• I appreciated the allusion to the Ted Cruz porn incident. 
• The cold opening race was intense. But, Jake's screaming got a bit annoying.
• I hope Andre Braugher is inspired by this subplot and makes a Twitter account.
• It's quite interesting that Peralta and Boyle didn't bother to mention to Pimento that Rosa was dating again. 
• This season is almost over and neither Genieve nor Nikolaj have made an appearance. 
• A future side plot could focus on Hitchcock and Scully attempting to take off safe-search from their computers. 

Grade: A-

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