TV Recap: Brooklyn Nine-Nine - "Full Boyle"

Andy Samberg
Welcome to a weekly recap of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which is one of the funniest and freshest new comedies currently airing on TV. Follow us every Thursday as we break down the episode into all of the important beats from the plot to character moments that are worth giving another shout-out. With an all-star comedy cast, this recap series will hopefully give you the information you need as well as reason to watch Fox on Tuesdays.

Nate Torrence

Crime of the Week: Neighborhood superhero and dweeb Super Dan (Nate Torrence) attempts to get the precincts help over a case despite not being taken seriously.


Left to right: Marilu Henner and Joe Lo Truglio
Peralta Problem: With Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) falling in love with Vivian (Marilu Henner), Peralta (Andy Samberg) must do everything in his power to keep him from ruining it.

Marque Richardson
Subplot of the Week: Holt (Andre Braugher) is feeling threatened when Brian Jensen (Marque Richardson) is threatening to take away his position as leader of an African American gay group.

Chelsea Peretti

Best Joke: While helping Holt figure out how to win his campaign, Gina (Chelsea Peretti) decides to finally introduce her dance team Floorgasm with a performance that she believes will help him win over voters. It is ridiculous, but continues to show that Gina's best moments are when she's doing strange choreography.


Left to right: Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero
Culprit: The entire precinct feels guilt for not noticing Super Dan, specifically Santiago (Melissa Fumero) and Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz).

Left to right: Samberg and Truglio
Resolution: Boyle still manages to go overboard, but not without getting maced in the face. Diaz helps Super Dan with his police report while Jeffords (Terry Crews) teaches Santiago about trusting civilians, no matter how geeky they look. Holt eventually sees the errors of his ways and decides to step down as president of the club on the basis that he is mistreating Jensen just like everyone treated him when he started off.

Andre Braugher
Verdict: Another really solid episode as it continues to explore the dynamics in interesting ways. I especially enjoy the decision to make for three separate plots this week that allows each character to develop in their own ways. Boyle continues to be this strange ball of affection, but it does feel like closure on an unnecessary arc that was developing earlier on: his love for Diaz. I don't know yet how the Vivian/Boyle relationship will work as it does feel a little heavy on gimmicks, but it does work for the time being. Seeing Peralta struggle with his date's obsession with Die Hard was also excellent and added uncomfortable awkwardness to the whole event. However, of everything that happened, it still feels like Holt is the show's most progressive character. There wasn't any indication early on whether his sexuality would affect the long term goals of his character. In the past two episodes, it has been a central element and almost feels like a subliminal message by the show to respect gays. Here, it almost feels like it is closure on the issue, as it sees Holt respecting a fellow gay officer. It may be implicit, but it is one of the great ways that this show has layers. Also, having Floorgasm make their first appearance only shows how deep the show's continuity goes, as it hasn't been referenced often and only mentioned in background shots at best since.


Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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