Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Season 2 Episode 1: “Undercover”
Directed by Dean Holland
Created by Daniel J. Goor and Michael Schur
Written by Prentice Penny
Starring Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Stephanie Beatriz, Melissa Fumero, Joe Lo Truglio, Chelsea Peretti, Dirk Blocker, Joel McKinnon Miller, and Terry Crews
FOX
Air Date: Sunday, September 28, 2014, 8:30pm

Here is the extended spoiler alert for Brooklyn Nine-Nine 2.1 “Undercover”: Call in sick, tell your significant other you need some space, send your kids to school even though it’s Sunday, get lots of take-out, order Season 1 on Amazon Instant Video, and binge the entire season before 8:30pm tonight. Not because it’s critically acclaimed and garnered awards and nominations, but because… It’s. That. Good.

Skeptical at first because while I liked some of Andy Samberg‘s SNL stuff (especially with him and JT), I wasn’t sure if he could be the star of his own show. I was a fan of Andre Braugher‘s, and 20-25 minutes of show would not hurt, so I decided to try it out.

Sandberg, as Jake Peralta, can pull off his own show. But he is also surrounded by ensemble cast jewels. Braugher plays Captain Holt as a deadpan hyperbole. Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) is as serious as Captain Holt, making them two of the funniest characters on the show, without hardly ever cracking a smile. Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) is neurotic and high-strung and so funny. Charles (Joe Lo Truglio) is Jake’s best weird friend. Look out for the maggot drawer in the season opener. Santiago (Melissa Fumero) is Jake’s crush, and while not terribly funny, brown noses Captain Holt with dramatic exaggeration. Gina (Chelsea Peretti), my favorite, just works in the precinct office, but gets the best lines of the whole cast, such as, “I was born for politics. I have great hair and I love lying.” She has a drawling delivery that really makes everything sound funny, on top of the fact that her lines are zinging gems. It is a comedic cop show, but it does not focus on the cases, but with the neuroses of these characters and their relationships with each other. And somehow hilarity ensues.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine 2.1 “Undercover” review: I hate the expression “LOL” but that is what I did for approximately 25 minutes. Jake goes undercover on an FBI case to bring down the mafia, and much like all his antics, throws himself right in there, kissing old men on the lips, wearing velour track suits, and slicking his hair back. Gina is frantic about Charles blabbing about their indiscretion, so she proactively lowers her social status, and Captain Holt is forcing the precinct to do drills, which results in Terry acting like a seven-year-old boy, an elderly woman, and an unattended backpack. I’m not sure how they squeeze so much laughter in so little time, but I’m thankful. Season 2 starts out as strong as any Season 1 episode. This crew is here to stay.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine 2.1 “Undercover” trailer:

Brooklyn Nine-Nine 2.1 “Undercover” First Look: