While there are many hilarious episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the show’s Christmas installments really stand out from the bunch. Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s funniest episodes often feature Jake Peralta and the rest of the 99th Precinct getting into all kinds of wild and wacky escapades, but there’s something about them being set during the festive season that makes them even more endearing.
Of course, Jake voices his love of Die Hard in every season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, so perhaps this is why the sitcom’s Christmas episodes are so action-packed. Although there are only four Christmas episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, they stand out for their individual memorable qualities, whether you like Christmas or not, and they’re always an enjoyable and feel-good watch.
4
“Christmas”
Season 1, Episode 11
Jake and Boyle fighting Santas in Brooklyn Nine-NineFox
One of the main focuses in the first of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Christmas episodes is Terry Jefford heading back into the field. When Terry is first introduced alongside the rest of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s cast, he isn’t actively working in the field, as the birth of his twin daughters had caused him to fear dying in action. Watching him undergo his psych evaluation is both comical and moving, and it’s fascinating to learn more about his character before audiences actually meet him.
The other half of this episode follows Peralta serving as the personal bodyguard to Captain Holt, who takes it upon himself to investigate a series of death threats he’s been receiving, which results in plenty of chaos. Jake gets the chance to show off his favorite action and cop movie tropes, and while he doesn’t take the situation seriously at first, he quickly jumps to Holt’s aid when things get serious. Andre Braugher’s performance is perfect in this episode, and it’s no surprise the actor was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s “Christmas.”
Despite the title, “Christmas” isn’t exactly heavy on Christmas themes, but it’s still an enjoyable watch. There are several action-packed sequences from the very start, with the cold open featuring Jake and Boyle breaking up a fight between two unruly Santas. Terry’s long-awaited return to the field is another brilliant moment, as is when Boyle gets shot while trying to protect Rosa in the line of duty, which is both dramatic and hilarious.
3
“The Pontiac Bandit Returns”
Season 2, Episode 10
Doug Judy, Rosa, and Jake standing in the precint in Brooklyn Nine-NineFox
“The Pontiac Bandit Returns” is an iconic Doug Judy episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which sees the famous car thief return to taunt Jake, amongst other things. The cold open of this episode features an incredible action chase through the streets of New York and into a Christmas tree lot, with Jake attempting to capture Judy while dressed as Santa. However, just as Jake is ready to put Judy behind bars for good, the criminal makes a deal in exchange for providing information on the enigmatic Giggle Pig drug ring.
Anyone can enjoy this episode, but it’s important to have seen the rest of the show at this point to fully appreciate it. The Giggle Pig story is a major plotline in Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 2 that puts Rosa and Jake’s friendship to the test, and this episode is a notable benchmark. It’s hilarious to see Jake try to steal a car, and Rosa’s drug dealer girlfriend persona highlights just what a brilliant and complex character she is, even if these two factors aren’t particularly Christmas related, though.
However, the B plots in “The Pontiac Bandit Returns” are tailored more towards the holiday season. Amy struggles to figure out how to best give Holt a gift, despite his insistence that she doesn’t, and it’s funny to watch her battle with the “teacher’s pet” part of her personality. Boyle and Gina’s shared panic over their parents’ blossoming romance is hysterical, especially considering the fact the pair were somewhat of an item only a few episodes beforehand.
2
“Yippie Kayak”
Season 3, Episode 10
Jake and Boyle standing in the street in Brooklyn Nine-NineFox
In Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 3’s “Yippie Kayak,” Jake finally gets to live out his Die Hard dream. After realizing Jake has forgotten to buy Boyle a Christmas present, his unknowing best friend joins him and Gina shopping, only for the trio to get caught up in a hostage situation. Many continue to debate whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie or not, but there’s no doubt that Jake and Boyle’s escapades are endearing, regardless of the time of year. While Jake has his own action hero moments, Gina and Boyle are the true stars of this episode.
Boyle getting Die Hard’s iconic quote wrong and Gina’s flamethrower are two stellar moments in “Yippe Kayak,” for instance. Terry is also a standout, and it’s hard not to cheer when he stands up to his brother-in-law and the Vulture, too. In fact, Terry’s sharp conversation with Zeke clearly has more impact than audiences realize, as it’s actually the last time the character makes an appearance in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. While Terry does reference his extended family again, Zeke clearly doesn’t get to him as much as before.
Although this episode generally focuses on Jake’s Die Hard fantasy and isn’t particularly Christmassy, there are some great callbacks to previous Christmas episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. For example, Amy once again tries to skirt around Holt’s Christmas gift rule, resulting in a hilarious cold open, and Terry pulls rank and rushes into the line of duty to save a member of his team. Holt, Rosa, and Amy’s storyline, which sees the three prepare and take part in the polar swim, is an interesting addition to this episode’s overall plot, but it could also work in any episode, and it isn’t completely Christmas-related.
1
“Captain Latvia”
Season 4, Episode 10
Boyle dancing in a nightclub in Brooklyn Nine-NineFox
“Captain Latvia” is the fourth and last of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Christmas episodes, which is split into two main stories: Jake and Boyle’s search for Nikolaj’s lost Christmas present, and the squad’s annual singing competition against the MTA. Out of all four of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Christmas episodes, “Captain Latvia” definitely feels the most festive, and the plot is more connected to the holiday season than the previous three. The cold open is brilliantly comical, and the image of Terry squished against the glass of the break room by the inflatable Christmas tree is the perfect way to kick this episode off.
The singing competition half of the episode is full of festive music and hilarious remarks, but Lance Barber as drunken perp Patrick steals the show. Barber stands out as one of Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s best guest stars in “Captain Latvia” for his bumbling performance and incredible singing voice, once again proving why he is such a reliable and solid character actor in the world of sitcoms.
It’s amazing to see Charles’ parental instincts kick in at any point in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and it always results in great character development for him, but his need to make Nikolaj’s Christmas perfect with a Captain Latvia action figure makes this one of his best episodes throughout the show. Even Jake is astounded by what Charles can do when it comes to his son, and it seems logical that this moment somewhat alters his outlook on the father-son relationship, something that is somewhat of a sore topic for him.
Release Date
2013 – 2021-00-00
Network
FOX, NBC
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