Greetings, reader!
I can't believe that after one and a half years of writing this blog of mine, I'm just one week away from my one hundredth post. While post #100 will be quite a spectacle, I'm beginning the festivities early: my 99th post is quite special as well. I'm ranking the ninety-nine best episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-Present). Since my blog generally follows the rule of "the longer a list is, the shorter my descriptions have to be", and this is by far the longest list I've posted to date, I'm limiting each description to just one sentence. Let's go!
SPOILER ALERT: spoilers for seasons 1-6 (I haven't seen 7 and 8 yet, as they're not on the Finnish Netflix) will ensue, as the list is written chiefly for people who have watched the series.
99. Your Honor (Season 4, Episode 19)
Captain Holt referring to his mother as "Your Honor" is pretty hilarious.
98. Kicks (Season 5, Episode 3)
The first episode after Jake and Rosa got out of prison is a nice pivot back to the show's usual routine.
97. Jake and Sophia (Season 2, Episode 6)
Before finding everlasting love with Amy Santiago, Jake had a nice (if short-lived) romance with an attorney named Sophia.
96. Return to Skyfire (Season 5, Episode 8)
In this sequel to season 4's Skyfire Cycle episode, guest character D.C. Parlov returns as members of the 99th precinct go undercover at a fantasy convention.
95. Into the Woods (Season 3, Episode 6)
Jake, Boyle and Terry getting stuck in a giant hole while camping is quite a memorable set-piece.
94. Boyle-Linetti Wedding (Season 2, Episode 17)
Family ties are complicated and amusing as the parents of ex-lovers Boyle and Gina tie the knot.
93. Cop-Con (Season 4, Episode 17)
The subplot where Scully finds his soulmate is silly and heartwarming.
92. Return of the King (Season 6, Episode 15)
After Gina Linetti had left the show, she returned for this bizarre episode that feels like a fitting testament to her character.
91. Serve & Protect (Season 4, Episode 14)
Hijinks ensue as Jake and Rosa work a case on the set of a police TV show they follow.
90. The Favor (Season 5, Episode 11)
Not any particularly memorable laughs, but very solid storytelling as the multi-episode arch involving mob boss Seamus Murphy's threat to Captain Holt continues to escalate.
89. The Puzzle Master (Season 5, Episode 15)
The show goes back to its roots as Jake and Amy try to track down a criminal who communicates in puzzles, while their relationship faces a tough test of jealousy.
88. Det. Dave Majors (Season 2, Episode 21)
Just a few episodes before the show's best couple Jake and Amy would finally end up together, the romantic tension in this instalment could be cut with a knife as their destiny starts to feel more and more inevitable.
87. Paranoia (Season 3, Episode 20)
What begins as a straight-forward bachelor party episode ends up being quite a thriller, as the build-up towards season 3's endgame begins with the reveal of a threat on recurring character Adrian Pimento's life.
86. Sal's Pizza (Season 1, Episode 9)
A simple but sweet season 1 adventure, with the highlight being Jake Peralta's incredible amount of blind love for his local pizzeria.
85. Lockdown (Season 2, Episode 7)
The precinct going into lockdown on Thanksgiving is the recipe for multiple laughs and lots of shenanigans.
84. The Slump (Season 1, Episode 3)
While the early episodes of the first season definitely have some growing pains, Andy Samberg's immense comedy chops and a delightful guest appearance from a young Pete Davidson help this episode stand out.
83. The Mattress (Season 3, Episode 7)
Jake and Amy have some great moments reminding the viewer of just how well-written their love story is, while Boyle has a funny b-story that keeps the episode balanced.
82. The Apartment (Season 1, Episode 18)
While I never really warmed up to Gina Linetti as a character, my favorite part about her is her genuine friendship with Jake, which is on full display in this feel-good episode.
81. Adrian Pimento (Season 3, Episode 17)
While the debut episode of Jason Mantzoukas's recurring character loses points for its PTSD jokes being in poor taste, it's an otherwise solid episode that introduces us to an important character who would get a lot better in the seasons to come.
80. USPIS (Season 2, Episode 8)
This episode is best remembered for Ed Helms's laugh-inducing guest appearance as USPIS agent Jack Danger.
79. Ava (Season 3, Episode 8)
Terry's wife Sharon gives birth to their third child - naturally, at the precinct, with all the main characters present for the surprising occasion.
78. Mr. Santiago (Season 4, Episode 7)
Jimmy Smits was a fantastic casting choice for the role of Amy's dad, and his uncomfortable chemistry with Andy Samberg is comedy gold.
77. Pilot (Season 1, Episode 1)
Far from perfect and not even half of how great the series would grow to be, the first-ever episode is nonetheless massively important (and it does have its share of legitimately funny moments).
76. Gray Star Mutual (Season 5, Episode 18)
After being M.I.A. for a long time, Adrian Pimento returns as much-improved character, with his new job as an insurance agent fitting him like a glove.
75. Casecation (Season 6, Episode 12)
An entertaining Jake&Amy adventure, with the trademark quality writing and consistent dialogue of the sixth season coloring an otherwise semi-forgettable plot.
74. White Whale (Season 5, Episode 21)
Amy and Rosa team up on a case, leading to sweet moments of friendship and some seriously badass sequences.
73. NutriBoom (Season 5, Episode 16)
Jake and Boyle stumble upon a pyramid scheme, and the show's satirical humor is at its peak.
72. Maximum Security (Season 3, Episode 21)
The multi-episode endgame of the third season continues to unravel, with twists and turns including a memorable villain and a fake funeral.
71. Stakeout (Season 2, Episode 11)
Jake and Boyle's friendship is put to a test when they have to spend a crazy amount of time together - hilarity ensues.
70. The Bimbo (Season 6, Episode 13)
The dynamic between Holt and his husband Kevin is funnier than ever, in this episode that proves once again that Kevin is an underrated character who desperately needs more screentime.
69. The Slaughterhouse (Season 4, Episode 20)
Season 4's plot thickens towards the end, as Jake and Rosa stumble upon a mysterious case that will take many episodes to solve.
68. The Wednesday Incident (Season 2, Episode 16)
While the main storyline is a bit forgettable, the subplot where Boyle arrests an innocent-seeming old man and no one else believes that he's guilty is absolutely hysterical.
67. Tactical Village (Season 1, Episode 19)
An above-average season 1 episode, due to its memorable setting and many hilarious Jake moments.
66. Windbreaker City (Season 2, Episode 15)
Similar to the previously mentioned episode, but slightly better because of comedy maestro Nick Kroll's guest appearance as a cocky Homeland Security agent.
65. Skyfire Cycle (Season 4, Episode 8)
The bulk of the episode is below average for the series, but Skyfire Cycle earns its ranking here due to the "Full bullpen" cold open, which is one of the show's funniest scenes.
64. 48 Hours (Season 1, Episode 7)
The origin of the "Jake screws up and spends the rest of the episode fixing his mistake" formula, this episode is a real trailblazer for the show's conventions.
63. Bachelor/ette Party (Season 5, Episode 19)
Amusing character interactions and heartfelt moments ensue as Jake and Amy celebrate their bachelor/bachelorette parties simultaneously.
62. The Tattler (Season 6, Episode 3)
Jake and Gina visit their high school reunion, and the stage is set for Gina's imminent departure from the show as she finds her way onto a new path in life.
61. The 9-8 (Season 3, Episode 15)
Damon Wayans Jr. guest stars in this episode about precinct rivalry, with the episode's highlight being the scene where Jake and his old partner rap together but are cut short when they realize they forgot Boyle back at the precinct.
60. Chasing Amy (Season 4, Episode 18)
Amy disappears right before her sergeant's exam, and Jake using his immense knowledge of her to track her down is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming.
59. The Swedes (Season 3, Episode 9)
Jake and Rosa's deep and well-written friendship faces a test, and the titular Swedish detectives are very funny with their over-the-top antics.
58. The Road Trip (Season 2, Episode 9)
Classic sitcom awkwardness ensues as Jake organizes a surprise double date for himself, Sophia, Amy and Teddy, not knowing that Amy is planning to break up with Teddy.
57. Beach House (Season 2, Episode 12)
The dynamic between the ever-serious Captain Holt and his never-serious employees is on full display, as the boss's presence at the 99's weekend getaway makes everyone uncomfortable.
56. House Mouses (Season 3, Episode 16)
A delightful episode focusing on Hitchcock and Scully, two hilarious supporting characters who are often on the sidelines and rarely in the spotlight.
55. Captain Peralta (Season 2, Episode 18)
We meet Jake's father for the first time, highlighting how the protagonist's heartbreaking and well-written father issues run deep and explain a lot about his behavior.
54. The Jimmy Jab Games (Season 2, Episode 3)
Classic Brooklyn Nine-Nine hijinks ensue in an episode that is exactly as goofy as the title suggests.
53. Unsolvable (Season 1, Episode 21)
Jake and Terry is an oddly uncommon team-up, so it's fascinating to follow this power duo working an "unsolvable" case.
52. The Therapist (Season 6, Episode 11)
An otherwise silly episode gets an emotional conclusion, when Jake confronts some of his psychological issues and Andy Samberg gets to showcase his more dramatic acting chops.
51. Christmas (Season 1, Episode 11)
A fun Christmas atmosphere, important character development for Terry, and a riveting final act that feels equal parts Lethal Weapon (1987) and Police Academy (1984).
50. The Vulture (Season 1, Episode 5)
A memorable introduction to recurring character The Vulture, who fans love to hate.
49. Four Movements (Season 6, Episode 4)
A fitting swan song for Gina - while I'm not a huge fan of the character, I do appreciate how her final episode captures her essence and gives her a very Gina-esque farewell.
48. DFW (Season 5, Episode 17)
Otherwise a very run-of-the-mill episode, but the "I want it that way" cold open is one of the funniest things I've seen on television.
47. The Last Ride (Season 4, Episode 15)
A sentimental testament to Jake and Boyle's friendship, and to their love for the Nine-Nine.
46. Old School (Season 1, Episode 8)
Jake punching the guy who used to be his hero, after he makes fun of Holt's homosexuality, is an amazing and fist-pump-worthy moment.
45. 9 Days (Season 3, Episode 12)
The best episode to re-watch during quarantine, 9 Days follows Jake and Holt as they come down with a bad case of the mumps, leading to all sorts of hilarity.
44. The Golden Child (Season 6, Episode 9)
Lin-Manuel Miranda guest stars as Amy's over-achieving brother, making for some hilariously intense sibling rivalry and some unforgettable moments.
43. Show Me Going (Season 5, Episode 20)
Rosa responds to an active shooter alert, and the rest of the squad's love for her is very moving as they spend much of the episode worrying about the situation and desperately hoping that nothing bad happens to their friend.
42. The Night Shift (Season 4, Episode 4)
A wonderfully fun crossover with New Girl (2011-2018), with amusing interactions between characters from both shows.
41. The Chopper (Season 2, Episode 22)
The second-last episode of season 2 does a great job setting up the finale, while also containing some laugh-out-loud moments from Jake and Holt.
40. The Party (Season 1, Episode 16)
Here we first meet Holt's husband Kevin, and the squad being horribly awkward at their fancy dinner party makes for cringe humor worthy of The Office (2005-2013).
39. New Captain (Season 3, Episode 1)
Season 3 begins on a strong note, with my favorite part undoubtedly being the guest appearance by my all-time favorite comedian Bill Hader in the (literally) short-lived role of Captain Seth Dozerman.
38. The Bet (Season 1, Episode 13)
This season 1 gem is the episode where the flirtatious chemistry and genuine caring between Jake and Amy truly reared its head, making every viewer invested in their eventual romance.
37. Undercover (Season 2, Episode 1)
The second season starts with an adrenaline-filled follow-up to season 1's cliffhanger ending.
36. The Negotiation (Season 5, Episode 13)
Even the least good Pontiac Bandit episode is quite excellent, as the character Doug Judy is simply so amazing and his enemy/friendship with Jake never gets old.
35. Honeymoon (Season 6, Episode 1)
The best season of the series begins with a memorable episode, filled with zany character interactions and hysterically funny moments.
34. A Tale of Two Bandits (Season 6, Episode 5)
The Pontiac Bandit's sixth appearance puts yet another twist on the character and his ever-changing morals, while broadening the Judy family tree.
33. The Honeypot (Season 6, Episode 7)
One of those instalments where the setting itself isn't all that memorable, but the episode is absolutely filled with above-average humor and a crazy amount of quality jokes.
32. The Bank Job (Season 4, Episode 21)
The penultimate chapter of season 4 is full of twists and turns, ending on a major cliffhanger for the finale to unravel.
31. Pontiac Bandit (Season 1, Episode 12)
The first appearance of one of television's finest recurring characters is a delicious debut, especially memorable for its twist ending.
30. Cinco de Mayo (Season 6, Episode 16)
While I greatly appreciate the writers' attempt to keep the Heist tradition fresh with a new twist, there's no escaping the fact that the Cinco de Mayo heist isn't quite as epic as the original Halloween Heists (while still being spectacular).
29. The Big House, Parts 1&2 (Season 5, Episodes 1-2)
Jake and Rosa in prison makes for decent storytelling, a memorable setting and a great opening for season five!
28. Sicko (Season 6, Episode 17)
The cliffhanger where Jake assembles a "Suicide squad" of old enemies in order to defeat a larger threat is a marvelous cliffhanger that leaves one drooling for the subsequent season finale.
27. Bureau (Season 3, Episode 22)
24 alumnus Dennis Haysbert guest stars as Holt's old boss in season 3's thrilling penultimate episode, which ends on a massive plot twist / cliffhanger as Haysbert's character turns out to be a bad guy.
26. The Pontiac Bandit Returns (Season 2, Episode 10)
The Pontiac Bandit's second outing is hilarious and well-written, as his moral spectrum and his dynamic with Jake continue to grow.
25. Suicide Squad (Season 6, Episode 18)
The season 6 finale is a chaotic, high-tempo climax that once again ends the season on quite a cliffhanger, as Holt is demoted all the way to traffic duty.
24. The Crime Scene (Season 6, Episode 6)
Jake obsesses over a case while Rosa undergoes about a million different hairdos, making for a wonderful balance between psychology and silliness.
23. Ticking Clocks (Season 6, Episode 14)
Sean Astin of Lord of the Rings fame guest stars in this intense concept episode where events occur in real time!
22. The Cruise (Season 3, Episode 13)
At this point, the Pontiac Bandit was such a beloved and much-hyped character that the writers really knew how to make the most of his dramatic return, dialogue with Jake, and eventual getaway.
21. Greg and Larry (Season 3, Episode 23)
The season 3 finale is one of the best episodes for B99 as a crime/police show, as the race against the clock feels real and suspenseful despite the plentiful moments of goofy comedy in between.
20. Halloween IV (Season 4, Episode 5)
Even the least good Halloween Heist is packed with fantastic moments of over-the-top antics, making for a great addition to the annual tradition.
19. Yippie Kayak (Season 3, Episode 10)
Jake gets to live his own version of Die Hard (1988) in this yuletide tribute to everyone's favorite Christmas film.
18. Halloween (Season 1, Episode 6)
The original Halloween heist isn't important just because it started the tradition that would make for the highlight of multiple seasons, but also because it proved early on just how great the series could be despite its shaky start.
17. Charges and Specs (Season 1, Episode 22)
The season 1 finale starts with an eyebrow-raising flashforward, and ends with the same scene (but with context this time), making for a nice full-circle effect and the first of many season-ending cliffhangers.
16. Safe House (Season 5, Episode 12)
The only thing funnier than Jake and Kevin's dynamic throughout this hysterical episode is the running gag where Holt sends text messages with correct grammar and "Sincerely, Raymond Holt" at the end.
15. The Oolong Slayer (Season 3, Episode 4)
Holt making his grand return as Captain of the Nine-Nine, after being away for what felt like a very long time, is an extremely smile-worthy payoff.
14. Crime & Punishment (Season 4, Episode 22)
Every season has ended on a cliffhanger, but none of them quite as brutal as season 4's ultimate shocker, as Jake and Rosa are framed for bank robbery and sentenced to prison.
13. Coral Palms, Parts 1-3 (Season 4, Episodes 1-3)
Season four opens with an absolutely delightful three-parter, packed with sharp social commentary, memorable guest appearances, and about a thousand jokes about Florida (each more savage than the last).
12. Johnny and Dora (Season 2, Episode 23)
The second season's finale is an emotional one, as Jake and Amy finally end up together, while Holt is forced out of the Nine-Nine by his arch enemy Madeleine Wuntch.
11. Halloween II (Season 2, Episode 4)
The second-ever Halloween Heist ups the ante, with even more twists and turns and hijinks than the original, proving that this was going to be a tradition that just keeps on giving.
10. The Fugitive, Parts 1&2 (Season 4, Episodes 11-12)
The hands-down best Pontiac Bandit episode, as the character's flair for dramatics and his dynamic with Jake are at their absolute peak.
9. Hitchcock & Scully (Season 6, Episode 2)
From the surprising cold open to the explanatory ending, everything in this episode about a young Hitchcock and Scully cracking a case in the 1980's is quite golden.
8. Jake & Amy (Season 5, Episode 22)
Jake and Amy's wedding episode is filled with hilarity, familiar faces and touching feel-good moments (including a speech by Captain Holt that is equal parts tear-jerking and laugh-worthy).
7. Halloween III (Season 3, Episode 5)
Upping the ante even further in the realm of Halloween Heists, the third instalment of the once-per-season tradition is an extravaganza of the highest order.
6. Game Night (Season 5, Episode 10)
The show's 100th episode is a great one, and will be discussed further in next week's post.
5. He Said, She Said (Season 6, Episode 8)
A gripping look at sexual harassment in the workplace, proving how capable the series is at dealing with serious issues despite its tendency for goofiness and shenanigans.
4. The Box (Season 5, Episode 14)
The dynamic between Jake and Holt, as well as the show's 'crime drama' element, are at their absolute best in this thrilling and unforgettable interrogation episode.
3. 99 (Season 5, Episode 9)
The show's 99th episode is a fitting tribute to the show and its characters, with everyone having some amazing moments and Amy Santiago saving the day in what is undoubtedly the greatest-ever moment for her as a character.
2. Moo Moo (Season 4, Episode 16)
The show's first and best 'serious episode' deals with racism within the police in a heartbreaking and sobering manner, bound to leave one speechless.
1. HalloVeen (Season 5, Episode 4)
Not only is this the most thrilling, most over-the-top and best-written Halloween Heist based on its heist merits alone, but the climactic twist (Jake's epic proposal to Amy) makes it into one of the greatest sitcom episodes of all time.
Thank you for reading! Tune in next week for my one hundredth post: a list of the greatest 100th episodes of long-running television shows!
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