DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode “The Lake House” is laden with spoilers. You’ve been warned. Proceed at your own peril.
Welcome back, Nine-Niners! Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s second episode is more on the lighter side than its predecessor. I think it was smart to air “The Good Ones” and “The Lake House” back-to-back. Not because the latter is a “palette cleanser” by any means, but because it starts the season on a strong note with two episodes that showcase Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s greatest strengths: its heart and its humor.
This outing feels like classic Brooklyn Nine-Nine, complete with Jake’s Parent Trap-esque plan to rekindle the love between Holt and Kevin and Boyle-isms aplenty. On another note: high Rosa is the best Rosa.
Ready to delve into “The Lake House”? Let’s get to it.
RELATED: Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season Premiere Recap: (S08E01) The Good Ones
We open with our gang at the pub. Jake (Andy Samberg) wants to reunite Holt with his husband, and he needs the help of his crew to do it. Amy (Melissa Fumero) is staunchly against tampering with Holt’s personal life. But Jake wants his dads to get back together again! He thinks of Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) as his mean older sister and Amy as his mom. Totally normal and not weird.
Next, the gang’s packing for the trip to Holt’s lake house. Rosa is musing over the proper time to start taking her edibles. Amy’s trying not to judge … too much. Holt (Andre Braugher) greets them at his lake house, which isn’t situated on a lake at all. It’s named after some dude with “Lake” as his surname. He sounded fancy. Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) notices Amy packed quite a bit of equipment for her son Mac. Mac’s not a sound sleeper yet.
Then, Holt shows the crew around his house. There are a ton of sitting rooms. Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) wants someone to partake in a chip-eating competition with him since Hitchcock can’t be present via video. No cell service and whatnot.
Rosa’s edibles are kicking in, and she’s hysterical. She’s having the time of her life!
Later, Terry (Terry Crews) wants to participate in Jake’s plan to Parent Trap Holt and Kevin. We see Kevin (Marc Evan Jackson) enter the fray, much to Holt’s surprise. Kevin will spend the night, then leave the following morning. But not if Jake can help it! Apparently, Jake tweaked their shared Google calendar so both men would arrive at the same time.
So, here’s the stratagem: Jake will oversee Kevin while Terry will handle Holt. Holt and Kevin will sully their shirts. Then, the hubbies will have to change into their respective “hot” tops. Well, “hot” to them.
Cue the sexual tension!
Next, Jake will set up an elaborate picnic for the lovebirds. Jake and Terry will coerce the men into birdwatching, and they’ll each make birdcalls that’ll lure them to the picnic spread.
Meanwhile, Boyle observes Amy while she tries to put Mac to bed. He’s quite fussy. After spending unwanted time with Scully and his chips, Amy begs Boyle for his assistance. Boyle seamlessly rocks the infant to sleep. He’s such a good mom!
Now, the birdwatching commences! Kevin and Jake, and Terry and Holt are seeking out a rare bird. Terry convinces Holt to vocalize its mating call and, upon hearing it, Kevin calls out in response.
Back at the not-lake-lake-house, Boyle quietly shuts the door to Mac’s room. Unfortunately, he locks it from the inside. Rosa bears witness to the event, but she’s high out of her gourd, so she’s no help here.
Later, Jake and Terry lead the hubbies to the picnic spot with the birdcalls. But the jig is up! Jake confesses that he orchestrated the whole thing. He even devised the lake house trip to rekindle his dads’ romance. Suddenly, a swarm of bees appears. Kevin’s eyes swell shut from getting stung, and he’s severely allergic to them. Terry runs back to the house to retrieve Kevin’s EpiPen.
Then, Boyle tries to conceal the fact that Mac is locked in his room. Amy’s enjoying the quiet. Rosa decides to hang with Scully and feast on copious amounts of chips. That’s what you do when you’re high!
Meanwhile, Jake and Holt finally see the rare bird. Holt describes it to Kevin utilizing Pantone color numbers. Kevin’s getting all hot and bothered.
Next, Amy learns about Mac’s imprisonment. She bursts through the locked door like the badass mama bear she is!
Later, Kevin decides to leave after Terry administers his EpiPen, much to Holt’s dismay. Jake’s scheme was a disaster. Amy is irritated at Boyle for locking her child in his room, albeit inadvertently.
Jake and Terry stop by Holt’s bedroom. Jake convinces Holt to tell Kevin how he feels. Obviously, our fave hubbies miss each other!
The next day, we see our gang is heading home. Boyle apologizes to Amy with a truffle squash puree. All is well, but Boyle will be making Mac food until the latter goes to college.
Holt discloses a happy development to the group: he’s getting back together with Kevin, and they’ll be attending couples’ therapy! Jake’s plan was a success after all.
Rosa even enjoyed spending time with Scully. She agrees to go on a trip with him to see where their favorite chips are distributed. However, she was still high when she agreed to the said trip. We see her riding along with Scully driving and Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker) on an iPad.
RELATED: Read all of our Brooklyn Nine-Nine recaps here!
“The Lake House” is a delightful episode that’s chock full of quintessential Brooklyn Nine-Nine humor. The Boyle-isms like “Nip Tips”! Holt’s deadpan deliveries! It feels like reuniting with family. I’ll never get over Holt nonchalantly telling Kevin he looks disgusting or when he calls himself a “trash man” for liking “trash birds.” I’m not ready for this show to end. I want these dorks to stick around forever.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs Thursdays at 8 pm on your NBC affiliate.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
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