Grade: B
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” is back with a new schedule slot but the same arsenal of characters that brought us in for the first season.
This opening episode, “Undercover,” might not be an incredible episode, but it has me excited for this season.
Michael Schur has had a major role in crafting “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation” and now “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” When looking at all three shows I notice there is a crucial blueprint for these comedies.
Yes, they are all workplace comedies. The blueprint, though, is that early in these shows the dedication was to developing a large field of characters we can understand and enjoy spending our evenings with.
Not all of these characters will be used right away, but the flexibility is there so that down the road the show can become an actually great series week to week.
There are a lot of shows out there that are very funny and well-written, but there are not many places to go with them and not enough characters to stay interesting for a long period of time.
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has accomplished the blueprint and that is what I take away from “Undercover.”
This episode had its moments, but the story of Peralta trying to track down one last mob guy was not exactly pulling me in.
What matters is how happy I was to be back in Brooklyn’s 99th precinct.
I could not be more excited to see Terry pretending to be an unattended ticking backpack for one of Holt’s scenarios or Santiago and Boyle coming to work wearing the same outfit. Although, Boyle wore it better.
It appears the Santiago and Peralta love story will still be patiently waiting in the bullpen as it continues to be developed. It is always interesting seeing shows try to procrastinate developing the clear-cut love story.
“The Office” and “New Girl” were two of the better examples of making the entire process feel natural. “Parks and Recreation” tried one story out, it clearly didn’t add up and then they substituted the Paul Schneider love angle for Adam Scott and it worked out all the better.
I am also interested in seeing what happens with the Gina/Boyle storyline.
They clearly had a fun chemistry in the first season but I have no idea where this will go, especially considering Gina only goes for men whose status is “bike messenger ... or higher.”
There was a lot of fun had in “Undercover” and I have faith in the future of this show for sure.
I will admit the writers have my full permission to work in as many flashbacks of Peralta undercover as possible. Once you Joel together, you bond together.
