Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 2 Episode 22 Review: The Chopper

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Bing-pot!!

On Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 2 Episode 22, Jake, Charles and Captain Holt are caught in the middle of a high-profile case and office politics, and they come out swinging.

This was one of Andre Braugher's most spectacular episodes. For goodness' sake, somebody give that man an Emmy already.

Andre Braugher was on fire in this episode.  The disdain that dripped from his voice every time he spoke of – or spoke to – Chief Madeline Wuntch was absolutely inspiring. His delivery of one-liners was incredible, and that Velvet Thunder line? Absolute gold. I was in awe of the man during the entire episode.

I also loved the running theme of elevation. Wuntch's picture was framed high above everyone's heads in the 99's meeting room, so that she was always looking down. Same thing with her office being on the 20th floor.

However, when it came down to it, the people highest in that episode were the ones riding the chopper. Jake, Charles and Captain Holt were literally sky-high as they rode to solve their case. Wuntch may look down on them, but they can – and will – rise above her.

THE CASE

One of the things I love most about Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the utter pride and glee they show in lampshading and playing with clichés and tropes. This week's trope-tastic episode found Jake in the middle of a high profile case, as the homicides of a 4-man robbery crew spur the search for the $21 million they stole 25 years before.

This episode made fun of as many heist and action-movie clichés they could possibly do in a half-hour sitcom. The helicopter showing up through the trees, the intimidating code names, the barn showdown. My goodness, they even did the "disturbed doves" trope!

Among the fun of playing with clichés was a fantastic story. With a case this high-profile, Chief Wuntch gave the 99 free rein to use as many resources as they could. Captain Holt, worried that they were being set up to fail and be humiliated, came on the case to keep an eye and rein on Jake.

At first, it really did seem that Jake was just having a little too much fun with the case. However, when he explained his side of the case, I had to admit, along with Captain Holt, that he had every right to be excited about a case that allowed him to be a cop to the nth degree.

Holt, on the other hand, was so absorbed in the politics that he couldn't enjoy the work that he was doing. More often than not these days, Jake has become Holt's voice of reason, and the one that grounds him in the job instead of the politics.

Chief Wuntch's diabolical plan was actually to set Holt up to succeed at a high profile case, so she could make him suffer by promoting him to a desk job he hates.  I'm not sure I buy the conflict here; can't he just turn down the promotion? It'll be interesting to see what happens next week.

THE PRECINCT

While Captain Holt, Jake and Charles were off working the case, Terry and the rest of the precinct were hosting a Magnet School field trip to the 99. This part of the episode was much too predictable, and thus not as enjoyable.

We could see it coming from a mile away that the kids were going to be bored when Terry decided the precinct had to be "kid-friendly," and we all knew that someone would have eventually given those kids some blood and gore to enjoy.

We also knew that the teacher would initially have a conniption over the kids being exposed to that side of the precinct, and that she would eventually see the value of the learning experience and that Terry's twins would get into the school because of it.

This wasn't unlike Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 1 Episode 3, "The Slump," where Holt placed Amy in charge of a visit by a group of at-risk youth. Gina has already been established as the youth whisperer, and Amy was, as expected, terrible with connecting with youth.

That said, it was still fun seeing Gina interact with the young girls, and hearing Rosa remind everyone that she's always right.

OTHER NOTES:

  • Yet another genius cold open, with the detectives all trying to get Gina to look away from her phone. Poor Charles didn't have a chance.
  • Bingpot needs to be a thing. As does Velvet Thunder.
  • Today in Hitchcock and Scully: I honestly don't even want to know what was on that photograph.
  • I would absolutely read Jake's memoir: "Go Ahead, Jake My Day."

What did you all think?  What was your favorite moment of Holt snark? You can always check out the Brooklyn Nine-Nine quotes to see some of our favorites, and you can also watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine online to relive the best ones.

The Chopper Review

Editor Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
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Rating: 4.8 / 5.0 (43 Votes)
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Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 2 Episode 22 Quotes

She's the devil, and you don't dance with the devil because you get burned. Also, because in Madeline's case she has no rhythm, and her hands are like little rat claws.

Holt

Holt: Why would you jump out of a helicopter with a knife in your mouth?
Jake: It's called a "chopper", and the knife is in my mouth because both of my hands are holding giant machine-guns.