DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Brooklyn Nine-Nine episode “The Setup” is riddled with spoilers. You’ve been warned. Proceed at your own peril.
Welcome back, Nine-Niners! Brooklyn Nine-Nine chugged right along with another solid episode. The premise of this outing, notably Frank O’Sullivan’s reaction to it, showcases how cops aren’t held responsible for their actions. Instead, they’re told never to utter “sorry” or “mistake” and that an attorney will make the case disappear. Holt’s impassioned speech about the importance of accountability among law enforcement is quite moving. It also hits immensely close to home.
But it’s not all serious. Amy and Rosa’s inebriated switcheroo is hysterical to watch unfold. Terry and Boyle’s candy wars, along with Boyle’s hidden talent, also encapsulate that classic Nine-Nine feel.
Ready to delve into “The Setup”? Let’s get to it.
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We open on Holt (Andre Braugher) informing the squad about a bomb found on a bus. Jake (Andy Samberg) is elated — he’s finally getting his version of Speed!
However, the FBI has already stepped in when the crew arrives at the crime scene, much to Jake’s dismay. Not only that but the bomb was already diffused. Jake senses something’s amiss.
Meanwhile, Terry (Terry Crews) is selling candy for Cagney and Lacey’s school drive. Normally, Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) is his most loyal customer.

But not anymore. Scully is now buying candy from one Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio). That’s right — Nikolaj (it’s pronounced Nikolaj) is also selling candy this go-round. I love how this scene plays out like a dramatic breakup with Scully “cheating” on Terry.
Next, Frank O’Sullivan (John C. McGinley) attempts to forge a truce with Amy (Melissa Fumero). He wants her to put the kibosh on her approved pilot program, but our fave sergeant won’t budge.
Then, Jake breaks into the bus lot after an epiphany. He believes there may be a second bomb. The diffused bomb was scheduled to explode at midnight. It seems peculiar, considering the area would be bereft of people. But what if that’s what the bomber intended?
Amid his surveying, Jake spots an IRS building nearby. Perhaps the bomber had it out for the Internal Revenue Service. Anyway, Jake spots a lone man wandering between the busses. After the guy proceeds to flee, Jake arrests him.
Unfortunately, Holt discloses that the feds already arrested the culprit. That means Jake just brought in an innocent man. Uncool. Uncool uncool uncool. No doubt, no doubt.
Later, Holt suspends Jake. The innocent dude is now suing Jake and the precinct for unlawful arrest. But Jakey thinks something still doesn’t add up.
That’s when O’Sullivan bursts into Holt’s office. He’s here to protect David Duke Marzipan, Jake’s contact, but also Peralta himself. After O’Sullivan departs, Jake muses that the whole thing is a setup courtesy of O’Sullivan.
Meanwhile, Boyle makes his grand entrance with a song and dance. He showers Scully with candy. However, the box is chock full of sand. Terry hath made his strike!

Next, Jake attempts to persuade Holt and Amy that the man was strategically placed by the union. Holt is skeptical. Jake has circumstantial evidence at best. But the man suing Jake is an actor, and Holt loathes actors! Amy reveals O’Sullivan’s thinly-veiled threat to her regarding the pilot program.
So, what if an investigation is conducted outside the precinct? On the lowdown? Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) and Amy will invite O’Sullivan out for drinks to mend fences. Amy will drink it up with him while Rosa will sit in the bathroom and listen in on their conversation.
Unfortunately, Amy gets too plastered. O’Sullivan, on the other hand, is barely buzzed. He is Irish, after all. Rosa slaps Amy, hoping the action sobers her up. No dice.
Then, Jake receives an inexplicable pizza delivery. Just kidding! He’s been served. Jake has another revelation. The victim lied about his address! He tries to call Amy, but his wife is more than a bit blotto.
Thus, Rosa and Amy decide to switch clothing. Rosa will resume the chat with O’Sullivan as Amy. He won’t notice—props to Beatriz for perfectly capturing Amy’s vocal inflections.
Meanwhile, Terry emerges with candy for Scully. Of course, Boyle tampered with the box. It’s actually filled with apples. Boyle throws an apple at Terry, promptly (and effectively) knocking him down. Go, Boyle! Holy moly.
Jake decides to tail the man before the latter travels to Florida. Back at the bar, Rosa is now incredibly drunk. As for O’Sullivan, he’s not even the slightest bit tipsy. Amy and Rosa proceed to incessantly switch places throughout the night until they’re both so wasted they ditch the plan out of forgetfulness. Rosa and Amy sit before O’Sullivan.

Guess what? O’Sullivan isn’t blackmailing Jake or Amy. It’s all about the sweets! In fact, he wants to steal the Nine-Nine’s snacks because there’s a shortage going around.
Later, Amy calls Holt while boasting a terrible British accent. After learning what Jake’s up to, Rosa and Amy snag bikes. Amy finds Jake first, but Rosa has an incident on the subway stairs with her bike. Amy tells her hubby O’Sullivan didn’t frame him. Rosa crashes into a fruit stand just as Jake’s suer exits a store. He spots Jake.
Next, we learn that Boyle’s speedball apple broke Terry’s mouth. They apologize to each other for getting vindictive over candy.
Then, in Holt’s office, O’Sullivan and an attorney arrive on the scene. Jake is still getting sued by the innocent man. However, O’Sullivan is here to ensure that won’t happen, hence the lawyer. As long as Jake doesn’t admit to any wrongdoing, it’s all gravy.
That’s when Holt delivers a poignant and emphatic speech about police accountability. Cops aren’t above the law. So, Jake apologizes. He refers to his error as a “mistake,” which makes O’Sullivan cringe. After Jake issues an abundantly clear apology, O’Sullivan’s attorney says he must be suspended now.

Now, Holt is suspending Jake for five months. He wishes it didn’t take wrongfully accusing and arresting an innocent person for Jake to recognize his faults.
But guess what? We got to see Holt’s “huffy” face, which is his 16th expression!
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Overall, “The Setup” is a great episode. While I think it’s a slight step down from the previous outing with Doug Judy, it’s still a fun time with a surprisingly thoughtful message. Despite O’Sullivan being a raging arsehole, John C. McGinley fits right in with our show.
Additionally, I appreciate that Brooklyn Nine-Nine doesn’t hail Jake as a perfect savior of sorts. He screws up. A lot. He’s a bit of a manchild. Holt’s words to him by the episode’s end are proof of that.
I wonder whether the season will fast forward five months to when Jake returns to work, or we’ll see a career shift for him. In “PB & J,” Judy addresses Jake’s tendency to define himself by his profession. Maybe Jakey needs to reevaluate his wants and goals? There are only four episodes left, Nine-Niners.
Four episodes left!
Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs Thursdays at 8 pm on your NBC affiliate.
https://www.geekgirlauthority.com/ranking-the-christmas-episodes-of-brooklyn-nine-nine/
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