Marvelous Geeks

Type: Romantic Show: NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine Featured Characters: Amy Santiago and Jake Peralta

The best relationships are the ones you can sniff out from miles away (or when the characters cannot stand each other at first). A good old-fashioned “enemies to friends to lovers” with an added bonus of a “workplace romance.” I watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine from the Pilot and apart from showcasing the remarkable trajectory this team would embark on, the episode made it clear that Jake Peralta and Amy Santiago were meant for each other. (Or maybe it didn’t and I know my type so I jumped headfirst and never looked back.)

Who are we kidding? Meant to be. From the moment it was made clear the two are in constant competition with another, their dynamic started to showcase that the two could challenge each other in ways no one else could. And thus, their story began. One perp after another, one sex tape joke to countless. The brilliantly slow burn and “will they, won’t they” started to shine through most effectively at the end of season one and resulted in one of the best episodes.

When it comes to Jake and Amy, their relationship has been strengthened by their means of challenging one another and intensely believing in each other through everything. And when done right, that is why “enemies to lovers” reigns as a trope because the two people who are often at each other’s throats, challenge one another to be the very best version of themselves possible.

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Type: Platonic Show: NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine Featured Characters: Amy Santiago, Charles Boyle, Gina Linetti, Jake Peralta, Michael Hitchcock, Norm Scully, Terry Jeffords, and Raymond Holt

Eight years, 153 episodes, one astounding team. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a series that’s hard to part from because the relationships established during its run have been so rewarding to watch as a TV viewer. Where there are far too many great moments to excavate and episodes to highlight just what the series has accomplished, it’s ultimately a sign of the series’ strength in fortifying something memorable.

The 99th Precinct weren’t always a family, and the fact that we were given the chance to see their progression from the Pilot is what says a lot about the show. From the moment Raymond Holt steps in and states that he wants them to wear a tie, it becomes clear that the series’ heart is always going to be the friendships.

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Portrayed by: Melissa Fumero Show: NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Amelia “Amy” Santiago isn’t the kind of character you root for at first. If anything, Amy Santiago is the kind of character you need to get to know to truly love. And yet, once you get to know Amy, once you understand her, once you accept the parts of yourself that are Amy, and how those parts make you better, then you might find that she is really and truly the kind of character you aren’t just happy to root for, but the kind you would be happy to become.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a special series for many reasons, and though they should be commended for the kind of humor that was always grounded on basic humanity and for the diversity of an ensemble that was always played off as normal, the best thing about the series was always the characters, and the journeys those characters took to get to the end point. To that happily ever after that’s truly just a new beginning.

The Amy Santiago we meet in season one cares deeply about her job, and about doing good – same as the Amy Santiago we say goodbye to in season eight. But that later Amy Santiago also understands that, sometimes, the most important person you must be happy with, the one you really and truly must satisfy is …yourself. And that might be the best lesson from a character that brought us so many laughs, and so much love during a remarkable run on a remarkable show.

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When we are first introduced to Jake Peralta in Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Pilot, he’s got a lot of quirks to show us, but the emotional beats come later, and throughout the eight years, no male character in comedy has the kind of development that Jake does. It’s largely due to the growth from immaturity, without ever losing his means of comedic deflections or what sets him apart from others.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a special series for a number of reasons, and at the top of the list is how the stories were always driven by the character journeys. It was easy to be intrigued by Jake Peralta’s character from the beginning because one thing the Pilot does in admirable fashion is showcases the road this series is headed on. It’s about teamwork above all things, and the most competitive, hotheaded character is going to learn exactly what that means.

Throughout the trajectory of eight seasons, Jake Peralta shows us that more than anything, his innate human desire for a family proves to be his strongest asset—he’s an excellent detective, sure, but he is a better person because of how deeply he cares about those he is surrounded by.

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In a myriad of ways, Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s “The Last Day” is a love letter to the friendships that were established in this series. It is a love letter to every memory, every heist, every laugh, every tear, every failed attempt, and every single person that has ever made an impact, Gina Linetti and Michael Hitchcock, included.

One final heist to mark Jake Peralta’s goodbye would not have been complete without the two surprises, and one final heist would not have been as chaotic as it was if it weren’t for the team ultimately showing each other just how much they care through the ridiculous “betrayals.” Because that’s what the heists always came down to, glory for one, but a promise to all. Win or lose, that was never the sole purpose. It was instead a showcase of the fact that the bonds solidified between the 99th Precinct are forever.

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I don’t know who’s waited for this emotional exchange between Holt and Jake in “The Last Day” more, us, Jake Peralta or Amy Santiago. A scene that ended up being so much more than what I could have ever imagined too.

In the end, they rubbed off on each other quite a bit—title of their sex movie. No words. None. When were introduced to Holt and Jake’s dynamic in the Pilot, it became perfectly clear then that they’d both have monumental impact on one another. And what Brooklyn Nine-Nine has done best is developed this so brilliantly, the beauty is found in the subtlety. Jake’s issues with his own father was a catalyst he needed to work with throughout his journey, but his relationship with Holt was paved through mutual respect and understanding.

In trying to gain Holt’s respect, Jake Peralta grew as a stronger character and an even better person. And it all happened without him ever knowing they’d come to this place.

It’s why this moment between Holt and Jake in “The Last Day” works so well because Jake wasn’t looking to hear this right now. This decision to leave the police force was the one thing he needed to do not for accolades or praise, but because he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, it’s what he wanted for his own son. His own life. And coming to this understanding with Amy is what makes Holt’s words feel that much more achingly cathartic because when Jake says, “I wasn’t expect to get so emotional,” he means it with utmost sincerity.

He means it because both Jake and Amy have grown significantly as people because of the respect they’ve seen in Holt.

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Cool cool cool cool, it’s the 99 day. September 9 will forever be remembered as so. Brooklyn Nine-Nine might be ending soon, but it’s the show that deserves celebrations yearly and that will likely be the case as its one of the most bingeable shows to exist. When a show has too many amazing episodes to choose from, it’s the ultimate showcase of excellence, and that is most certainly the case with Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Season 5, Episode 9: “99”

While season five has a number of fantastic episodes like “Jake and Amy”, and “The Box”, the reality is, I don’t think I can write about their friendships enough. I’m not strong enough. And “99” beautifully encapsulates what makes the series so unique, and it does with raw, human moments that I firmly believe could melt even Scrooge’s heart.

When the team learns that Holt’s been the one sabotaging his own interview for commissioner, he finally reveals the deal he made to get Jake and Rosa out of prison, essentially solidifying that he is “Daptain.” In every sense of the word, “99” showcases that the precinct is home. It gives Amy the platform to show off her organizational skills fiercely under “The Final Countdown,” it gives Jake the platform to not only geek over Die Hard sets, but to learn how loved he truly is, it gives Rosa the platform to come out and feel good about it, it gives Terry mints, and it gives Holt hope in the fact that he wouldn’t deal with the aftermath of the deal alone. It reminds Holt that this is his family, his lifelong team. It’s a long, beautiful way from the Pilot. It does all this in an episode that had me laughing out loud from beginning to end. Jake’s “take my picture with it” is a mood. I think we’d all definitely do the same if someone ever let us near the Brooklyn Nine-Nine set.

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August 29-September 4 “Renewal” | Brooklyn Nine-Nine

TV is fully back in action and that’s always a treat. Only Murders in the Building premiered on Hulu, What We Do in the Shadows returned on FX, What If…? gave us an achingly heartbreaking episode, Ted Lasso touched on the importance of self-care, and more. But after we watched the brand new episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the choice was an easy one to make.

I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but I suppose I’m glad Brooklyn Nine-Nine had decided to put a rift between Kevin and Holt because if it weren’t for this break, we wouldn’t have gotten an exquisite reunion in the rain, and a celebration with their loved ones. I hate that it happened, but I’m grateful we got to see them reaffirm just how deeply they care about each other—the lengths they’re willing to go through for one another, and the detail that this is the forever kind of love.

This isn’t the story of a couple wanting one party to sacrifice for another, it’s a partnership with equality at the forefront of everything they do, and though they had to come to the realization during this separation, it makes them that much stronger as a duo.

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine has always been the show to take stands because it mattered, and never because it was performative. This show didn’t choose diversity to check off boxes and get brownie points, but because celebrating humanity in a way that was authentic was always its priority.

And thereby, Brooklyn Nine-Nine couldn’t ignore the atrocities against Black men and women in 2020 (along with the systemic racism long before that). It couldn’t ignore the fact that as police officers, they are part of the problem and needed to make their understanding clear. While there is very little I can speak on as a white woman,“The Good Ones” does an incredible job of revealing that the show cares about getting this right.

Sure, not at all police officers are part of the problem, but the corruption within the institution is everyone’s problem. The systemic racism in this country is on all of us. It starts from the ground up and it starts with having difficult conversations. It starts by looking within and that’s precisely what “The Good Ones” and “The Lake House” does.

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Brooklyn Nine Nine’s final season trailer is here and we’re very much crying all the tears. Jake Peralta included, he isn’t ready to say goodbye either. I recently finished my rewatch of the entire series to prepare for the final season, and in an unsurprising turn of events, I’m even more emotional than when we learned the eighth season would be the last.

Procedurals are no longer genres I could sit through, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine was always different, it was the paradigm of what these shows should be and how they should reflect the real world. Will the final season address the horrific police brutality from the past few years? The trailer doesn’t show us any of that, but then again, they shouldn’t be revealing too much anyway. Personally, I’m hoping they do because if there is any show I trust to do the significance justice, it’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

The final season trailer is ultimately an homage to one last ride à la Marvel Cinematic Universe style. In its seven season run, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has effortlessly been one of the smartest, funniest, and most celebratory pieces of fiction to grace our screens, and I don’t doubt for a second that its final ride will be just as extraordinary, if not better.

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine at its core has always been about the friendships—you could spend pages just listing every incredible thing they’ve each done for each other, and the ways they’ve been there for one another. (And yes, someday I actually will.) But in “Show Me Going,” it’s not just about the lengths they’re willing to go forward each other, it’s about how they’re going to help themselves in the process too.

After learning that there’s an active shooter situation that Rosa is on call during, the squad panics at the thought of their losing their friend, and the helplessness the situation has ultimately put them in. And when Jake decides he can no longer standby doing nothing physically, Holt tells him to help his team emotionally, implying that it’s not something that comes easy to him otherwise he’d be the one to do so. But Jake initially refuses and states that he’s going in to physically help Rosa instead, only to show up with pizza later asking the team to share their emotions.

On any other show (except Ted Lasso), a moment like this might not have worked as well because it wouldn’t match the series’ tone. Except from day one Brooklyn Nine-Nine has made it clear that emotions matter and they matter tremendously.

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine always gets the Halloween Heist specials right, but in its third season, it’s when it really becomes something that’s cemented into the show’s spirit perfectly. And that’s the case because this is a series that not only takes their women seriously, but it lets them shine.

Amy Santiago is such a strong, layered character that the hope is to never lose those parts of her when she finds love. (Because you know, TV shows seldom know how to write women.) And on any other show, that could have been the case after the two leads get together—the female could have been sidelined, but Brooklyn Nine-Nine decided to not only show but prove that it will be doing the exact opposite.

Sure, Amy always wants to do right by the Captain, but she is so much more than Holt’s lackey. And she is most definitely more than just Jake’s girlfriend. She is the winner of this year’s Halloween Heist. She is an amazing detective/genius. She is a queen. And the execution of her win was flawless in every way. She not only defeated the men fair and square, but she did so in a way that revealed just how wrong they were in undermining and boxing her personality.

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Jake Peralta’s toast surely wasn’t on the Boyle bingo card. In Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Pilot episode, Jake understands the importance of wearing a tie in order to be a part of Holt’s work family at the precinct, but in the first season’s “Thanksgiving” episode, he’s still hesitant and extremely whiny about having to celebrate. And it makes sense because Rome wasn’t built a day, and character development, along with conquering one’s own demons takes time.

“I’m happy to be here with my family. My super weird family with two Black dads, and two Latina daughters, and two white sons, and Gina, and (to Scully) I don’t know what you are, some strange giant baby? To the Nine-Nine!”

There isn’t much we know about Jake Peralta’s family yet; however, “Thanksgiving” is the episode where it becomes clear that Jake has never known what a true family is like, and though the Nine-Nine feels like one, stemmed from his very real fears of abandonment, he ultimately refuses to accept it easily.

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How are you all dealing with the fact that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is coming to an end this year? Me? Well, I’m completely in denial and pretending like it isn’t happening by doing a rewatch of the entire series to keep it with me for as long as possible.

Because this is one of the few comedy series where it didn’t take me awhile to get into, I remember liking the Pilot, but I had actually forgotten how genius and heartwarming it is until I started my rewatch. Therefore, I’m here to scream about it with all of you with a scene breakdown that leads to: “that’s how we do it in the nine-nine, sir: catch bad guys and look good doing it.“

It’s easy for the team to respect Holt from day one even while they know he isn’t like their old captain and won’t let them get away things. Why? Because Holt commands a type of respect that they all cannot help but grant, even while they grumble through it like Jake does. No, he’s not going to wear a tie right away, and he’s going to say a stupid thing or two, but while catching the bad guy, he is going to understand the importance of teamwork and it works perfectly to establish the show’s tone evocatively.

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Happy International Women’s Day! In the voice of Jo March–women!

As you all know, we’ve got posts all throughout the month to celebrate some of the incredible fictional women that grace our screens. Today, there’s a variety. These are the women that stand out beautifully in their respective series and the women whose eyes the story is often told through. They’re complicated, they’re messy, and they’re damn right worth celebrating in every way.

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I’ve written and deleted this too many times because it never felts right. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is set to end after its eight season and I have way too many feelings about this.

This show is more than just a procedural comedy—it’s a celebration of humanity and inclusivity. For eight years, it has constantly gotten better. (Don’t even at me because we all know the last season is going to be downright perfect, too. Especially since writers have scrapped the material they previously had written in order to bring to light the police brutality against Black lives today.) This show has always gotten everything right, so we are trusting them in this, too.

Still, it’s never easy saying goodbye. And it’s especially never easy saying goodbye to shows that are as inclusive and as perfect as Brooklyn Nine-Nine. (I keep using the word perfect in this, and it’s not just an adjective. This show has reached a level no other comedy has, and we’ll keep saying it.) The series represented so many different people and it did so with incomparably memorable characters we’ll always carry with us. Holt, a gay Black man is Captain of the entire precinct. Rosa, a Latina woman is one of the toughest, most nuanced characters to ever grace our screens and canonically bisexual. Amy, another Latina woman represents so many nerds beautifully and with immeasurable kindness. Charles Boyle is our favorite meme-able (Is this a word? It should be.) shipper. Jake Peralta continues to learn and be so utterly relatable in his moods. Terry and his yogurt will always work. Hitchcock and Scully … well.

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In the words of perpetual queen Leslie Knope–“it’s only the best day of the year!” And we are here to celebrate it with some of our favorite female friendships on screen right now. Women supporting women is everything we love and stand by. It’s everything we want to see in any film or TV show we’re watching. It’s everything we want to read about it. Women leaning on each other, women caring about each other, and women fighting for each other is something that always deserves to be celebrated, and something we’ll scream about yearly. Grab your drink of choice then reach out to your best girls and scream about your favorite fictional friendships with them. It’s time well spent, we promise.

Flynn and Julie Molina Julie and the Phantoms

At its core, Julie and The Phantoms is a series about friendships. It’s a series about loss and grief, and it’s a series finding the people who’ll know you better than you know yourself. Flynn and Julie know each other so well, there is no one without the other. There are often a lot of female friendships on TV that could cater to younger audiences, but nothing has been like what we’ve seen with Julie and Flynn because no two characters have had to experience what they do. Losing a parent is hard, and having to watch your best friend lose a parent and not know what to do about it is also something that we don’t talk about. How do you comfort that person? How do you stand beside them and help them through the darkness they’re facing. You listen. It’s that simple; the steadfast loyalty between Julie and Flynn—the understanding that the other will always be there speaks so much louder than anything else. There’s a reason Flynn has poems written about her because no one has stood by Julie’s side the way Flynn has, and no one has believed in Julie the way Flynn always will. To watch these two go through life together, be there for one another and support one another has been one of the main reasons why the series is so special. And to know that this is just the beginning is a gift on its own.

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