FOX's Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Episode 1.22 Charges and Specs
Jake's investigation of philanthropic civic leader Lucas Wint (Ian Roberts) is shut down by Commissioner Podalski (James M. Connor). Still determined to crack the case, Jake enlists Amy and a reluctant Captain Holt to help him uncover more evidence, even if it means facing suspension. Meanwhile, Charles is devastated over pre-marital problems with Vivian, and Gina knows just how to cheer him up.
It's the end of March and Brooklyn Nine-Nine is coming to a close for its first season. Don't worry, FOX has already picked up the comedy for a second season. But for scheduling reasons, this show had to end earlier so the network could plug in Glee and The Mindy Project on the same night."Charges and Specs" is just a really great episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It gives every single person of the cast something to do while also being faithful to the journey they all want on in this first season. It's always a pleasure to see this collection of characters doing actual police work through the context of a comedy. And yet, it's surprisingly serious too. This new investigation for Jake could have some big consequences for him. That in media res opening proves it by making us believe that it gets him fired from the job. However, because we know how TV works, we all knew that wouldn't be the case in the end. If that's how the show was planning to end this season, it would have saved the moment until the end to really surprise us. Instead we get Jake, Holt and Amy all banding together to find the necessary evidence to safe his job. I love the running joke that the detectives are so perplexed by Holt's charm's effectiveness on others. He's a man of many talents and will always surprise you. That's a great character.
But the episode ultimately is building to Jake completely trusting Holt and getting himself fired. Those two have come a long way since the beginning of the season where Holt scuffed at all of Jake's childish behavior. Jake is still childish at times but the two have reached a certain level of trust and respect. Holt is looking out for Jake and manages to get this amazing opportunity for undercover work for him. It seems like the perfect job for him. I may not want to see the undercover arc stretched out over multiple episodes at the start of next season. But it's definitely an aspect of this line of work I'm intrigued by what the show can do with when given a much fuller and meaningful context.
The show also briefly talks about the Jake-Amy sexual tension. It's obviously something that Jake wants to have happen and something the show wants us to root for. And yet, I really appreciate the show taking the slow build approach. Jake admitting his feelings for her and his desire for something to happen is as much as I need to happen right now. So many interesting things are happening to them professionally and that should and is the main focus of the finale. But after a season of buildup, it's also nice to see something happen. We don't get her full reaction but I don't think fans will mind that much.
Elsewhere, Charles and Vivian broke up before their big day. I can't say that I'm too surprised by that. It was just such a fast development to happen over the final few episodes of the season. It did make the Charles-Rosa friendship so much better. But I also never believed for a second that the two of them would actually go through with the wedding. They were never given time to fight and learn the intimate details of each other and their future plans. That's ultimately what unravels them. And then, Boyle spends the entire finale trying to react to it. That's the much better road to take in the finale instead of showing everyone getting ready for the wedding only for one of them to back out at the last minute. This way it allows Charles to be sad and mopey - which is always an interesting dynamic to have with that character. Sure, the finale does do a lot of jokes at his expense - the coffee, the plate not breaking, etc. But nothing compares to the unexpectedness of that final twist where he rolls over in bed not to see Rosa or Vivian but Gina! She was saying all along that he needed meaningless sex to get over the breakup. Well, he got that even though it freaked out everyone!
Some more thoughts:
- "Charges and Specs" was written by Gabe Liedman & Gil Ozeri and directed by Akiva Schaffer.
- That was Joe Mande, actor and writer from Parks and Recreation as Isaac, Jake's CI. Hope we get to see him again.
- Holt: "New plan. I'm gonna charm her."
- Holt: "Jake, the overwhelming time pressure." Jake: "Yep."
- Jake in reference to Holt: "Who is he?"
- Jake: "Eyes closed, head first, can't lose." Holt: "I don't think that's the expression."
- Boyle: "Oh my god, my heart just threw up."
