DISCLAIMER: This recap of Brooklyn Nine-Nine episodes “Manhunter” and “Captain Kim” contains more spoilers than the number of hot dogs Hitchcock and Scully can consume in one sitting. Never underestimate the Wiener Warriors. You’ve been warned. Proceed with caution.
Welcome back, Nine-Niners! Brooklyn Nine-Nine has returned to fill that 99th precinct-shaped hole in our collective heart (title of your sex tape). God, have I missed this show. “Manhunter” introduced an unfamiliar dynamic to us viewers – namely, Jake being Holt’s superior. Amy endured a pregnancy scare which morphed into a newfound desire to actually try to get pregnant. Peraltiago baby, here we come! “Captain Kim” ushered in a new captain for our protagonists.
Naturally, Jake is reticent to accept said captain into the fold. However, we learn that she isn’t at the 9-9 for nefarious purposes, but genuinely admires Holt.
Alright, ready to delve into “Manhunter” and “Captain Kim?” Let’s get to it.
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(S07E01) Manhunter
Now, we open with our team responding to distressing news – there was an assassination attempt on a local politician. Currently, the man responsible is on the loose. Jake (Andy Samberg) and Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) are teaming up to hunt him down. Yes, that makes Jake the “Manhunter,” and Boyle his trusty sidekick – “Boyhunter.” Yeah, that felt weird typing out.

Next, we see Holt (Andre Braugher) is on site with his new partner Debbie (Vanessa Bayer). Holt has been relegated to officer courtesy of Madeleine Wuntch. Not only that, but our favorite sassy Dadptain (“dad” and “captain” combined, respectively) must work under Jake’s command. Talk about crazy dynamic shift!
Meanwhile, Amy (Melissa Fumero) reveals to Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) that she may be pregnant. Rosa, like the good friend she is, vows to pick up a pregnancy test for Amy. Terry (Terry Crews) suffers from a bout of paranoia because he’s under the impression the pair are discreetly talking about him. It’s not always about you, Terry!
Later, we see Jake and Boyle attempting to pinpoint the almost-killer’s moves. The whole block is on lockdown. Holt inadvertently takes control of the case out of habit. He even makes a televised appearance to discuss the case in place of Jake. Consider this case hijacked, Peralta!
Next, Jake sends Holt and Debbie on a wild goose chase to distract our Dadptain while he follows the perpetrator. Thankfully, Jake and Boyle finally catch the guy. The man has been hunted. Success! However, upon reuniting with Holt, Jake learns that he didn’t capture the real perpetrator. Holt wholeheartedly believes that the man running the hot dog stand nearby was the actual almost-killer. The one Jake arrested was merely a pawn. Jake and Holt bicker over the situation, and the former orders Holt off the case.
Then, Holt and Debbie decide to go rogue and follower the real perp. To their detriment, of course. They are promptly held hostage by hot dog stand guy, who reveals that the man Jake arrested was involved as an accomplice. Holt was half right, at least. Meanwhile, Jake calls in Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) and Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller), aka the “Wiener Warriors.” They unleash their unparalleled NYC hot dog stand knowledge. Jake learns through this that Holt was correct – hot dog stand guy is the actual perpetrator. Hitchcock and Scully are national treasures and should be protected at all costs.

Later, we see Amy chugging water bottle after water bottle to prepare for her pregnancy test. However, she’s nervous. Rosa provides calming babbling brook sounds to set the mood for prime urination. Unfortunately, right when Amy finally has the urge to open the flood gates, the squad is called together to save Holt and Debbie. Jake and the crew barge in the room where Holt and Debbie are being held hostage. Hot dog guy is arrested, thankfully. Now Amy can pee! Yay!
Next, Holt approaches Jake at the precinct and apologizes for taking charge on the latter’s case. Naturally, they reveal their undying familial love for one another and all is right with the world. Oh, and Amy’s not pregnant! She reveals to Jake that she was a mite disappointed when her test came back negative. Jake also agrees that her being pregnant isn’t the worst thing ever. Thus, our duo decides to try for a baby. Please bless us with a Peraltiago baby this season, Powers That Be!
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(S07E02) Captain Kim
Now, we open with our crew on a mission to arrest a baddie. They discuss the new captain taking over Holt’s vacant position. Holt is not looking forward to the whole thing, especially since said captain will be a Wuntch selection. Our favorite policemen successfully snag their intended suspect like the toight, smort, noice bada**es they are. Cool cool cool. No doubt, no doubt.

Later, Boyle waltzes into work sporting a new look – meet Chuck, the local precinct bad boy. Yes, he’s donning Rosa’s leather jacket, which fits like a glove. Suddenly, the new captain enters the scene. Captain Kim (Nicole Bilderback) introduces herself to the crew and honestly…she seems like a genuinely nice person. In fact, she mentions that she’s never met Madeleine Wuntch. Then, she sits down with everyone individually to assess their strengths. Everyone finds common ground with the new captain – Amy and her love for pristine organization, Terry fawning over his kids. She appeals to everyone’s desires. When she meets with Jake, she informs him of a position with the FBI that would suit him perfectly. However, Jake is still suspicious of Captain Kim’s motives. He believes she’s hiding something. Thus, Jake tells her he’ll “think about it.”

Next, the captain invites our crew to a party at her house. Everyone attends, but two of our detectives have ulterior motives. Yes, you guessed it – Jake and Holt. We’re getting an extra heaping helping of sassy Holt this episode, and I couldn’t be happier about that. The pair decide to do some snooping among her personal items. Why did she decide to join the 99th precinct? She refuses to directly answer that question. However, Captain Kim introduces Amy to someone who invented a new binder. She also brings Terry together with someone who works for a prime elementary school in the city for his daughters. She even caters to Hitchcock and Scully’s love of sitting by introducing them to a pair of immensely comfortable couches. Amy knows her husband and Holt are up to something, because nothing gets past an aficionado in chaperoning.
Meanwhile, Boyle is enjoying the new attention he’s garnering from the magical leather jacket. He got the phone number of a beautiful woman, talked it up with a fellow leather-clad bad boy, and almost got into a bout of fisticuffs with the aforementioned woman’s boyfriend. However, the latter ended up breaking down in front of Boyle and urging him to reveal his secret to “cool.” Boyle gifts the boyfriend with the leather jacket. He learns that “Chuck” was inside of him all along – he was always cool and confident. You go, Boyle!

Then, while sneaking around upstairs, Jake and Holt notice Captain Kim locking the door in a surreptitious manner. They also take note of an email from Wuntch on her laptop. Gotcha! So she does know Wuntch. Holt stages a diversion while Jake swipes the key to the locked door from Captain Kim’s pocket. Jake finally unlocks the door to a pit bull, who barges out of the room and wrecks havoc on the downstairs party. He chews up the cushions of Hitchcock and Scully’s favorite couches. The dog also swipes food that Terry had in his pockets. Essentially, doggo takes over the festivities.
Later, Jake admits to letting the captain’s pit bull loose. Captain Kim reveals that her dog isn’t locked up because he’s ferocious, but because he gets skittish around lots of people. Oh, and the email she received from Wuntch was a warning – the latter begrudgingly granted her wishes to transfer to the 99th precinct. The captain reveals the real reason she wanted to work with our crew – she genuinely admired Holt. Everything that Holt stood for, everything he fought to achieve for himself. The fact that he was the first black openly LGBTQ captain in the force was downright inspirational. However, she didn’t want to reveal said reason due to Holt’s relegation. She didn’t want to appear to be rubbing salt in the wound. Uh oh. Jake and Holt were incredibly off the mark this time.

Next, Terry informs the squad that Captain Kim has asked to transfer to another precinct. She didn’t want to feel like an interloper among the group, and felt that the tension would be too much to handle. Naturally, Jake feels guilty. So, what happens now? Will a new captain take over, or can they convince Captain Kin to return to her post? Holt is only meant to spend one year as an officer before he can return to captaincy, so they only have to stick it out with a newbie for the interim.
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Now, I’m so tickled pink that Brooklyn Nine-Nine is back. This show brightens my week, especially since The Good Place just ended and I’m still broken up about that. Braugher was in top form in both episodes, so he’s my MVP for this week. Bayer was also hysterical as Debbie, so I hope we see more of her. Not to mention, the jokes landed perfectly and intriguing new story lines were introduced. Peraltiago baby! A new captain! Peraltiago baby! Did I mention a Peraltiago baby?
Do you think our gang will convince Captain Kim to return to her transient post? Or will Wuntch send someone much worse to fill those shoes? Join me next week as I recap Brooklyn Nine-Nine, here on Geek Girl Authority.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs Thursdays at 8pm on your NBC affiliate.
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