Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s “Blue Flu” and “Balancing” are proof that this show knows what it’s about and isn’t afraid to talk about it. Considering everything that’s happened in this world since George Floyd’s death, things have been tense, scary, and very eye-opening for all those involved. And in real life, the main people involved are the police officers and those they ignore, persecute, and are sworn to protect.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s “Blue Flu” saw someone taking advantage of how the world has changed and how we’re holding police officers accountable for their mess and atrocities. That person is Frank O’Sullivan. He was legit the worst and made us want to jump through the screen and knock some sense into him. The problem is that he thrives in things not making sense and confusing those who have anything to say about the police as police hating individuals that aren’t worth the time to listen to.
Jokes on you O’Sullivan because you met your match in the form of Captain Raymond Holt. And unlike anything we expected, Holt didn’t teach O’Sullivan a lesson on how to be better. That’s O’Sullivan’s journey to go on. Instead, Holt met him at every turn with a tenacity that proved to be the right move because it left O’Sullivan frustrated in a way that we’ve only seen when standing in the shoes of someone like Captain Holt.
That’s not to say that “Blue Flu” was perfect. No episode is and it can’t be waved away with the discovery of a mouse being brought at a store. Which, we’re not going to talk about how he was carrying a dead mouse around, waiting for the perfect opportunity to whip it out. Yes, we pulled a Boyle and talked about whipping it out. But back to the story, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is trying at every turn to not ignore the real problems of this world. And that’s something to pay attention to when holding shows like this accountable.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s “Balancing” focused a lot on how Jake and Amy’s lives have changed since they’ve had a kid. They struggled to find a babysitter, when to allow their son to watch TV on the big and small screen, and how they continue being who they are while also being part of a unit with a plus one. Honestly, it’s pretty standard challenges that Brooklyn Nine-Nine managed to make real and then some.
We’re proud of Jake and Amy and how far they’ve come. They are still learning. That’s true from top to bottom. But the fact that they’re trying so hard makes them amazing parents. Mac truly is lucky to have them in his life. And with the love from them, Boyle, and the rest of the Nine-Nine, that kid is going to grow up loved and cherished by so many. You really can’t ask for more when it comes to stories like this because Jake and Amy are killing it, day by day.
Do you know who else we’re proud of? Captain Holt. Even though we don’t like the fact that he and Kevin are having marital problems, it felt real. Sometimes the world turns topsy turvy on us and we neglect certain parts of our lives. For Raymond and Kevin, their marriage suffered and pulled them away from each other. But “Balancing” continued the hard work that started in “The Lake House.”
This second episode of the night showed us that their journey is far from over and that you can come back from the brink because love is worth it. Love is strong. Love is compassionate. Love gives second chances. And we think that Raymond and Kevin know that now; even though it was all started with a dick pic as a conversation starter. But these two, being the way they are, worked for them.
As Brooklyn Nine-Nine continues to start wrapping things up for the show as a whole, we hope that Raymond and Kevin renew their vows. Because yes, having things be realistic works. But we want a happy ending for all, and yes, that even includes Hitchcock and Scull and their weird back massage circle and that barge. It’s the best way to round off things and complete a journey 8 seasons in the making.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs Thursdays at 8/7c on NBC.
