Boyle: “Did I ever tell you the story of my Jimmy Jab humiliation?”
Debbie: “No. You pretty much never talked to me ‘til today.”
Before this week’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode, the first and only onscreen edition of the Jimmy Jab Games appeared in the third episode of Season Two. That was all the way back in October of 2014, during my very first season reviewing this show for The A.V. Club. Madeline Wuntch was the new antagonist, Giggle Pig was all the rage, Gina Linetti was also there, and Jake Peralta was struggling with his feelings for the uninterested Amy Santiago. Now, while Wuntch (which rhymes with “lunch”) still manages to find new ways to be a thorn in Holt’s side, Giggle Pig is off the streets, Gina Linetti is no longer around, and Jake and Amy are now married and trying for a baby. The times, they are a-changin’, but what hasn’t changed since then is demand for the return of the Jimmy Jab Games. Unlike the Halloween Heist, the Jimmy Jab Games haven’t gotten a chance to return and evolve—until now, in what is arguably the most perfect way.
As Rosa explained to Holt in the original Jimmy Jab Games episode, “It’s stupid, but we like it.” (We’ve come a long way, considering how entwined they are in the sequel.) Unlike the Halloween Heist, the Jimmy Jab Games don’t require too much actual planning or know-how; it’s truly just a way for the squad to blow off some steam in a childish way. So what better way to note just how much Jake has grown as a character over the seasons than to bring back this particular gimmick? Knowing in advance that this episode would be “The Jimmy Jab Games II,” it’s easy to put the pieces together immediately that the return of the game is the result of Jake attempting to push back against the idea of being the mature one who Terry trusts to be in charge. (Though, his act of “rebellion” in announcing the Jimmy Jab Games involves him being flanked by both Terry and Amy.) It’s also something that might suggest that Jake possibly isn’t ready for the responsibilities of being a father, as he’s also goaded into doing the irresponsible thing of taking Hitchcock up on a bet and putting his and Amy’s new car on the line.
But then the episode eventually explains that Jake’s decision-making (in the case of the bet) is rooted in something other than an attempt to reclaim immaturity. In my review of the premiere, I noted my initial worries about Jake and Amy deciding to have a baby this early, considering their careen-driven personas, and “The Jimmy Jab Games II” actually addresses that point: Jake accepts Hitchcock’s bet simply because if he can get Hitchcock to do his paperwork for a year, he can focus more on taking care of the baby when the time comes. It is a reckless decision—and not as much of a sure thing as one would assume—but it’s a better version of a “very Jake” decision to come out of an episode where he could have easily regressed.
When Amy calls the Old Jake that Jake is trying to be in this episode is “when I found you obnoxious and difficult to be around,” I was once again reminded of how much anti-Andy Samberg rhetoric there was during early Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Jake has grown a lot over the years (which is even more obvious if you watch both Jimmy Jab Games back-to-back), but early on, there were plenty of people who saw his character as a hindrance to fully enjoying this show. The further away Brooklyn Nine-Nine gets from its early seasons—and Andy Samberg’s time on Saturday Night Live—the less this is a talking point and the more people don’t realize it even was one. So while Jake attempts to regress back to Old Jake in this episode, it really is just that: an “attempt.” And a literally painful one at that.
Old Jake, is of course, different from Old Man Jake, which brings up an interesting choice in Vanessa Ramos’ script—a script that gives director Neil Campbell a lot of fun stuff to play with—for this episode. While Jake is in his head about the fact that he’s a “boring adult” and “teacher” instead of “the class clown/bad boy with a heart of gold,” it’s a noteworthy choice to not have his body break down just because he is older than he was the last time we saw the Jimmy Jab Games. Instead, it’s the absurd combination of him putting himself in a dangerous scenario (in the ceiling) and then the ceiling going back for seconds that breaks him, not his actual age or his perception of his age. For it to then lead to him being on the same playing field as Hitchcock—again, not because of Hitchcock’s age but because he’s finally having an adverse reaction to all the drugs he took earlier—is a twist that makes the final (and saddest) obstacle course as funny as it is.
Actually, the twist of Amy hulking Jake up with Debbie’s EpiPen is the true twist that makes the final obstacle course as funny as it is.
Speaking of Debbie, Vanessa Bayer’s return post-”Manhunt” is somehow even more delightful than anyone would expect, and then it even ends with a twist of its own. Debbie being the single saddest human in the world probably shouldn’t be as funny as it is, but the upbeat way Bayer recites all of the character’s truly out there lines—“I can’t do competitions. I’m anti-dextrous. … It’s when neither hand is good at anything.”—makes every moment she has in this episode truly special. And while it looks like she may be down and out of the episode early—
Debbie: “Is this turkey?”
Boyle: “Yes.”
Debbie: “I’m very allergic to turkey.”
—the episode is actually improved by the ongoing plot of Boyle boosting her confidence, all leading to her somewhat loud closing ceremony song and, of course, the episode’s final twist. Boyle being the one to boost Debbie’s self-esteem and have her look up to him is another one of this episode’s particularly smart choices. I noticed it in last week’s episode and someone even mentioned it in the comments, but even the small act of Boyle taking down Jim Rash’s evil Dr. Jones was an unspoken reminder that Boyle is competent and has his own brand of confidence, even if it’s not the same as his “Chuck Boyle” confidence from “Captain Kim.” While there’s obvious humor in Debbie thinking Boyle is “so suave” and unable to lack confidence, the joke is never at the expense of Boyle, of all people, helping her at all. It’s not ridiculous that Boyle is the one giving her these pep talks, it’s only ridiculous that she’s allergic to turkey (and has a “purse full” of EpiPens) and that she trusts everyone.
Plus, it makes sense that Debbie would effectively believe that Boyle has Big Dick Energy, because as this episode confirms due to his costume changes, he literally does. (I’m sorry for writing that sentence.)
During this episode, I found myself equally torn between enjoying Boyle’s entire Greatest Showman schtick and finding it as exhausting as the the rest of the squad must have throughout the day… which is also what I assume watching The Greatest Showman must feel like. For as extra as Gina could be, in “The Jimmy Jab Games,” she was actually restrained, with her duties as host boiling down to her listing famous Marks (and then Seth Rogen) in her “on your mark, get set..” bit. So Boyle’s turn as host is even more dramatic than Gina’s could ever have been. He ends up being the Bearded Lady, P.T. Barnum, and the Greatest Showman, which I’m sure all makes perfect sense if you’ve seen The Greatest Showman. But I’m also sure that Joe Lo Truglio has never had a moment where he doesn’t commit to a bit or a character, and it’s for that very reason that I was even able to lose myself in Boyle’s hosting duties and consider how exhausting it must’ve been for the squad. Obviously, the episode went with everyone doing their own thing during Boyle’s various bits, but it was apparent even before the comedic cuts just how much he put into the whole hosting stint.
“The Jimmy Jab Games II” is chaotic energy from top to bottom in a way that’s similar to the Halloween Heist in a way but, again, without the actual strategy behind it. For that reason, it’s for the best that it hasn’t become a recurring component of the series. This episode is grounded by the Jake/Amy situation and even, to an extent, Boyle’s work to give Debbie a little self-esteem, but it’s especially grounded by the very simple Holt/Rosa plot. Unfortunately, Jocelyn wasn’t around enough to really mean all that much to the series as a whole, outside of what she meant to Rosa and her overall arc. But the moment when Holt apologizes to Rosa and they decide to forfeit together is surprisingly affecting, based solely on Andre Braugher and Stephanie Beatriz’s performances in such a relatively small moment. The spirit of competition is mostly present in this plot, with Competitive Holt’s appropriate brand of insults and Rosa’s genuinely good (well, better) insults. Holt is right: “Okay, we’re both great at insults. Let’s move on.”
The final twist, transitioning Debbie’s newfound confidence into her stealing a bunch of cocaine and guns from the evidence locker, is certainly not one anyone saw coming. It couldn’t have come from a more unassuming character, and even as she raids the evidence locker, she still does so with that established (in just two episodes) Debbie flair. Next week’s episode, “Debbie,” is set to follow up on this twist, and I’m hoping it’s all just some misunderstanding connected to her solving her sister’s murder.
Stray observations
- After last week’s episode had Jake and Amy decide to keep the pool of who knows they’re trying to have a baby small—which informed the Jake/Boyle plot—I guess now everyone knows what the deal is? At least, Terry does at the start of this episode. That it was apparently addressed offscreen (and Jake just openly talks about it out in the bullpen) is honestly a missed opportunity to kick this episode off with.
- Speaking of Terry and issues addressed offscreen, while it makes sense for him to be the interim Captain (as the senior official on the squad), after temporarily introducing a new Captain earlier, doesn’t it seem like the search for a replacement Captain or even the lack thereof should be mentioned? I ignored it last week because it was only the next episode after “Captain Kim,” but now this episode has Terry leaving Jake in charge when he’s not around. Considering Wuntch’s axe to grind and how that wasn’t in play with Captain Kim, I guess I don’t understand why she wouldn’t have a henchman puppet installed in the position by now. These first two points are specifically what I’m docking this episode for, as the simple choice of having Terry now occupy Holt’s old office leads us down a path that could’ve easily been ignored for at least another week.
- Boyle: “Oh, Debbie. I was once like you. A bashful beat cop with long curly hair and no confidence at all.” I’m so happy this episode includes a flashback just to confirm how true that is.
- Boyle: “Debbie, trust me.”
Debbie: “Okay. But only because I trust everyone.” - Debbie: “I didn’t even grab a meat. I’m not some expert cold cut thrower like all of you.” Whatever happens next with Debbie, I really hope she maintains this personality.
- Jake: “Amy, it’s like Torrance from Bring It On says: ‘You’ll never be the best until you win against the best.’”
Amy: “Didn’t they lose in the end?”
Jake: “Yeah, but this is different. Hitchcock isn’t nearly as good as the East Compton Clovers.” - Hitchcock: “Buckle up! The juice is loose!” Hitchcock’s doping with Scully’s pills in this episode does transform things into cartoon territory, but with something as cartoon-sounding as the “Jimmy Jab Games,” I’ll allow it. Again, that this is only the second time the show has done this—and that it does so for a smart reason—allows the chaotic energy that defines this episode to make it work as well as it does. It’s also always nice to see Hitchcock and/or Scully actually get something resembling a win.
- Jake: “You Armageddon’d me.”
Amy: “I don’t know what that means.” It means, “A lover sacrificed and another lover reborn.” - Debbie: “I’m sorry I messed everything up. I’m just not cut out for this high-stakes world of having fun with friends.” While another hilariously sad Debbie line, it also ends up being a somewhat meta line about what I always say Brooklyn Nine-Nine is: a bunch of friends just enjoying each other’s company. And we all know how high-stakes that can be.
- Holt: “I hacked it. I’m a hacker.”
- It’s amazing that Pimento somehow remains the best relationship Rosa’s ever had.
55 Comments
“The pegging worked!”
I knew there was one thing I really wanted to mention that I’d forgotten: THE PEGGING.
I love that Jake was horrified about what he took at Amy’s suggestion about pegging, but also possibly open to it
That B needs a C in his A.
This comment chain is a compelling argument for the AV Club to revive the weekly We See What You Did There feature.
Some fan fic writers day will have been made by that joke.
Good on Jake for being open minded! I mean, it’s not bag, but if my significant other looked like Melissa/Amy, nothing is off the table, really.
Amy is happy to hear it
There isn’t a non-disgusting way to say, “No orifice would be off limits with Melissa Fumero,” so I probably should have just said, “If she wanted it, she could get it.” That’s unfortunate.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine getting a pegging reference into a primetime NBC sitcom is a hell of a thing.
It was lightning fast, that’s why.
Favorite joke: Debbie being “anti-dexterous”Second favorite joke: Jake comparing himself to Seabuscuit because horses don’t have arms.
Boyle’s “hmmmm?” when she said “anti-dextrous” was my biggest laugh by far
-Ah, 2014. Wasn’t your first review for the AVC a review of Beta? -This episode was very funny, and good. The show is just aiming for being as brutally consistent as possible, and I think it’s succeeding. This is a very good Season 7 so far for such a traditional sitcom.
Yep, that was my first review. Ah, memories.
If Erik ever gives you the green-light to fill in the gaps in Season 1 coverage, I will read the hell out of those reviews. POI forever.
Genuinely emotional Rosa always works for me, especially after the earlier fakeouts.
I am sad that Rosa is sad about her breakup but maybe it opens up the door to her getting back together with Gina Rodriguez It was perfect that Holt realized that Rosa wasn’t bluffing about being heartbroken when she started crying but that happened off-camera, we should never see that
Wasn’t Gina Rodriguez too into soup? Seems like a dealbreaker to me. She should get back together with Pimento though; they were perfect for each other.
I agree, except for Pimento being a complete madman
I love that she’s made up with her mother and they’re going to drag brunch.
I hear “drag brunch” and think “steak, eggs, coffee, and mimosas while watching drag races at a drag strip.” Sounds to me like a very Rosa thing to do, especially with her Danny Trejo dad.
I remember Amy’s reaction to that in an earlier season: “uh-oh. Rosa sad. Pat, pat. This feels wrong.”
Slightly off-topic but not really, I’ve been listening to the official B99 podcast during my work hours and it’s been really fun listening to how certain things came to be.
“I’m hoping it’s all just some misunderstanding connected to her solving her sister’s murder.” That’s certainly what I’ll believe until proven otherwise. Excited to learn that we’ll be following up on it so soon. I assumed it would remain in the background until later in the season.
and someone even mentioned it in the comments, but even the small act of Boyle taking down Jim Rash’s evil Dr. Jones was an unspoken reminder that Boyle is competentMy first quasi-shoutout I’m verklempt over here!
So, also… Next week’s episode, “Debbie,” is set to follow up on this twist, and I’m hoping it’s all just some misunderstanding connected to her solving her sister’s murder.I instantly assumed it was with her murdered sibling (I thought brother, but I assume you are correct!), so there’s very little chance this isn’t it with Chekhov’s Dead Sibling in the season premiere…
I’m glad you guys had a more positive theory about Debbie’s drugs and guns trolley, because I thought they’d bust her walking out the front door, she’d go to jail and we’d never see her again. I want Debbie around permanently, or at least frequently.
It was you. I liked that comment.
Third episode of season 2? WTF, when I saw the title of this week’s episode I immediately thought the first one was in last season, because they couldn’t do a proper Halloween episode.
The fact that the police dog was named “Officer Frisbee,” presumably after the dog Andy Samberg hates most in the world, is enough to give this episode an A.Joe Lo Truglio has the early lead on season MVP. He has shone in every episode.I would complain, however, that when they showed the flashback to 2009, Jake didn’t have the hairstyle from when he met Amy that year.
When did Andy Samberg say hates a dog named Frisbee?
It’s a running joke on Late Night with Seth Meyers that Andy hates Seth’s dog, Frisbee.
IRL Andy Samberg always hates on Seth Meyer’s dog, Frisbee, when he is on Late Night.
His truly awful Season 1 haircut stands out every time the opening credits roll.
Man, this episode was a riot start to finish“Amy, the pegging worked!”“Turns out taking a bunch of random pills is REALLY bad for you”
Makes sense that Diaz likes Death Metal. Wonder what bands she likes. Probably Cattle Decapitation.
That new Cattle Decapitation leans a little too prog for my tastes. I really loved how they engaged their more 90s Death Metal influences on The Anthropocene Extinction. I can see why Rosa might like them. She does love animals and hates people.
Ah, I wouldn’t say the new CD was too prog… too formulaic, more like (and I say that as someone who actually likes the album, albeit not as much as …Extinction), as the whole “sung chorus on every track” (or almost) gets very predictable very quickly.Still, I definitely felt like I recognised whatever she and Holt were listening to.
What were they listening to anyway?
Yay! More Debbie. I smiled when she reappeared, and her first line – “Oh no. Am I in your seat? I’ll sit on the floor.” – was just perfect.
She’s kind of an adorable doormat. Adorematable? Ok maybe not that. Anyway, she was fantastic and I hope she’s on the show for a long ti… oh my God what is she doing with the drugs and the guns. Oh no. This… will end badly. Poor Debbie. 🙁
I am so happy that Debbie is back! And slightly terrified about why she just pulled off a highly felonious robbery of the evidence room. But looking forward to there hopefully being a good reason for that related to her sister’s unsolved murder that surely the Sleuth Sisters Rosa & Amy will understand & help her solve…
Ever since a preview showed Vanessa Bayer as a character in this season, I’ve been hoping for a scene of her Disney Channel Child Actor voice.And I got it!
Speaking of wins for H/S, I adore that Scully broke out his opera pipes and gear to start the games. Totally had a Fuddian “spear and magic helmet” vibe.
I was once again reminded of how much anti-Andy Samberg rhetoric there was during early Brooklyn Nine-Nine.I wasn’t following any reviews of the show at the time, what were people saying about him, in particular? Because I hated Samberg before this show and only watched it for Braugher, Beatriz, and The State connections, but Samberg won me over in like 1 or 2 episodes.
Mostly what you said but I think it took other people more time to warm up to him (if they did at all). I’ve been a fan of his and the Lonely Island for a while now so I was excited he was getting a show with other stars I already liked. A lot of people viewed it as “The Andy Samberg cop show” before it aired and not like an ensemble comedy. People who didn’t like his “schtick” on SNL and the digital shorts thought it would all just be dumb, immature humor on this show, too. Thankfully that’s just a small part and there’s a lot more heart and other types of humor thanks to the variety of cast members.
I love Vanessa Bayer, I didn’t think we’d see her again. I hope things work out with Debbie, I want her around more. I loved Boyle looking out for her.
Does epi-penning someone require you to hold them down as Jake told them to do?Love any storyline that involved Rosa/Holt bonding. I’ll admit after her and Gina Rodriguez’s relationship ended off scree between seasons and that’s now happened again with Jocelyn I’m kind of hoping they don’t do anything with her love life for a while unless they know the other person is definitely available. Also don’t wan her to unintentionally become a bisexual who only dates one gender. Part of me is hoping though that now Jane the Virgin is over maybe Gina’s character will show back up. One can dream…
Diaz + Pimento 4 life.
Wow, this one felt like an episode of The Community. And I don’t like The Community all that much. That manic energy, references that require you to have a near-encyclopedic knowledge of it’s past episodes, it’s affinity for high-concept episodes about silly competitions, and characters who, despite being in very different professions, sound like Hollywood writers (Boyle, this time).
Adrian and Rosa forever.
I’m fine with them not doing the new-captain-musical-chairs thing. They’ve done it before and there’s not much need to rehash it, especially with the current Vanessa Bayer arc still ongoing. I’d much prefer they settle that before jumping back into the captain sweepstakes.
I wish the Jimmy Jab Games *had* actually become an annual episode instead of the Halloween Heist. I can’t stand the Halloween Heist episodes: the only ones that are tolerable are the first one and the fifth one, and the fifth one is only tolerable because it has Jake’s unmissable proposal to Amy. The Jimmy Jab Games, on the other hand, only happen when the squad demonstrably have no other responsibilities they’re neglecting, and don’t require them to do anything morally questionable or mean-spirited.
Isn’t Vanessa Bayer well beyond her 15 minutes yet? Every character she played on SNL was a smiling nincompoop. In the past year she’s played the smiling nincompoop on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the smiling nincompoop on Will & Grace, the smiling nincompoop on Single Parents and the smiling nincompoop on What We Do in the Shadows. Okay, they were smart on that show and cast her to play against type and be a maudlin schemer in that one, but she doesn’t have the acting chops to bury the smiling nincompoop from within. She was easily the worst part of that episode (thankfully they didn’t invite that character back).This role is probably the best she’s done since leaving SNL, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be played more competently by thousands of other hungry actresses.