Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Payback & The Defense Rests - Review

“Payback” is a low-key, filled-type episode, but still pretty funny. Jake, unsurprisingly owes everyone in the Nine-Nine a ton of money, but finally decides to get proactive about paying some back when he deduces that Sarge and his wife are having another baby. Naturally, everyone gets jealous when Sarge gets his money back but they don’t, so Jake has to do them all favors so that he won’t give away Sarge’s secret. And he does pretty well until he accidentally hits Reply All on an email (classic) with a baby name suggestion. It’s kind of amazing that with Jake’s lack of focus and organizational skills, he still manages to be a successful detective. It’s a cute story between Sarge and Jake, who rarely team up one-on-one like that. Although simple, the story showcases both Jake’s general childishness and lack of care, as well as his attempt at maturity and responsibility. Yes, he sells his car in order to pay back a debt, showing his generally bad money-management, but on the other hand he sells his car to pay back a debt, because it’s important to him that his friend and co-worker be repaid in full before his new baby arrives.

Meanwhile Amy gets what she always wanted -- to be Holt’s partner. After her discovery while scrapbooking his police career for her “not-a-gift” Christmas gift, Holt brings her on board to help him solve the open case. Except he actually already solved it and he just needs to go and pick up the octogenarian criminal, but Amy can come for some crappy coffee. While trying to make the stakeout a little more interesting, Amy suggests they go get some street meat. It works out fine until the Captain gets some intense diarrhea that sends them back to the precinct, sans culprit (since he died). Amy thinks that things went horribly, but the Captain reassures her that moments of ridiculousness such as that one are good for future laughs and bonding. Oh Amy, I think this is as close as you will ever get to the Captain -- I mean, he shared “uproarious” laughter with you! You can go and die in peace now.

In “The Defense Rests,” everyone’s dealing with a conflict: Sophia suggests that her and Jake take a break to avoid cramping her work style, Holt has to decide whether to take the high road or that of revenge when it comes to Wuntch, and Boyle wants Gina to give his father her blessing so their parents can get married.

After Sophia’s suggestion of hitting the pause button, Jake decides he’ll just win over her boss and eliminate the one thing in their way. But after his attempts to bond with her crazy boss (played perfectly insanely by Chris Parnell), and arresting him for coke, it turns out there may be a few more obstacles than just her super-high superior. While Jake understands that their relationship will take extra work, he’s totally on board with putting in the effort. I mean, he already accidentally said “I love you,” like four times! Sophia’s not as invested though, and trying to keep up a positive relationship while directly opposed at work is too much for her. Although the pair was clearly mismatched from the start, in job as well as financial bracket, and general intelligence, they seemed pretty sweet together, and it was nice to see Jake in an adult relationship. He committed even though it was tricky, and they didn’t just fall apart through a misunderstanding or rash decision. It was nice to see them work on the issues they had during their relationship (like job opposition and the Amy situation), and to end it with a discussion about how they’re not equally committed enough to make it work. I applaud Sophia for breaking it off instead of waiting for the two of them to inevitably fall out, and for giving the relationship as much as one can with only a guest-arc amount of time. And I’ve got the feeling Jake might find someone else eventually…

Holt tries to figure out the best way to deal with Wuntch, who’s up for a promotion in Boston. If he sabotages her, then she stays, but in order for her to go, he’s got to sing her blessings. In a move classic of someone who’s made up his mind, Holt asks for Rosa’s advice on the situation, hoping to hear “revenge.” Though due to her experience with the was revenge can backfire, and make your elementary-high school years miserable, she advises turning the other cheek. The Captain reluctantly listens, though he gets burned by a mischievous Wutch, who only uses the promotion to leverage a better job in NY! At least he gets the last word by changing her AutoCorrect so “Wuntch” becomes “butt.” Good one, Captain, you really got her there.

Echoing a memorable episode of The Office, Amy drags out a large Conflict Resolution binder in order to help Boyle and Gina see eye to eye on their parents’ relationship. Although she doesn’t do much but brandish the 12 lb thing, Gina admits that the reason she’s holding out is that she doesn’t want her mom to get hurt again. She covers up the rare admission of feelings with a diss that takes down both Boyle and Amy, but now we all know her secret -- she (probably) is a human. Though most definitely a sociopathic one.

I know I always mention this, but I got to give some love to the cold open of “The Defense Rests”! The precinct tries to get rid of an ant infestation, first through Gina’s stinkbomb of Boyle’s Penn Station cologne, then through the Captain’s suggestion to freeze them out. The detectives think they “won” (although freezing and bundled to the hilt), until they realize the ants are hiding from the cold in the same way they are -- in their jackets! Ah, chaos -- nothing funnier.

What did you think of the episodes? Are you glad that the Sophia/Jake relationship is over so that he can move on, or are you sad to see her go? Are you looking forward to the presumably insane wedding that Gina and Boyle are going to plan for their parents? Will Sarge’s new baby be named Hurricane? Let us know below!

About the Author - Kimberly

Kimberly is a big TV nerd - willing to talk any show, any time. Her tastes are various and sundry, but she’s got a soft spot for comedy. She currently writes the SpoilerTV reviews for Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and About a Boy.

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