Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 6 Episode 12, “Casecation,” focuses on Peraltiago’s anniversary and gives us a deeply moving picture of healthy married life between two flawed and nerdy heroes.
The power of the episode takes me by surprise because it starts off so hokey. Charles is being very on-brand by not understanding third-wheel boundaries.
Which leads me to wonder, does Charles ever actually work?
The shenanigans continue with epic guest star Julia Sweeney jumping in as the colon-twisted patient, Pam.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE — “Casecation” Episode 612 — Pictured: (l-r) Jake Peralta as Andy Samberg, Julia Sweeney as Pam — (Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC)
Even if it stayed silly it would work as a bottle episode. As I’ve said before, Melissa Fumero is so strong she can carry a show.
In twenty years when Brooklyn Nine-Nine is finally canceled, I would love to see Fumero at the helm of another series.
Her and Andy Samberg together are unstoppable. So, no matter the direction, the episode was bound for success.
Luckily, it takes a turn for the deep end when the topic of having kids comes up. The way the episode portrays this conflict earns “Casecation” five gold stars.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE — “Casecation” Episode 612 — Pictured: (l-r) Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta, Melissa Fumero as Amy Santiago — (Photo by: John P. Fleenor/NBC)
I am with Terry in being very flabbergasted that this didn’t come up BEFORE their wedding a year ago.
It was important to see that this is Terry’s very reasonable reaction. The waterpark-based explanation would only make sense for Jake, but it tracks.
It also leads to an episode-long bit that adds wonderful levity to the hefty topic.
I mean, Amy is talking about leaving Jake to start over with someone else! I need a water slide joke to calm down my thoroughly panicked heart.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE — “Casecation” Episode 612 — Pictured: (l-r) Terry Crews as Terry Jeffords, Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz — (Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC)
The episode manages the conflict so authentically that I don’t feel that it will end with Jake wanting to have kids. By the time he gets the bomb from Pam (damn, Pam!) I am sure that Jake has realized he wants to be a father.
But, for the majority of the episode, I’m not sure. And that’s wonderful.
The decision to have children is intimate, difficult, and often glossed over or over-dramatized on TV. Brooklyn Nine-Nine respects the delicacy of this debate, while also making a ton of fun of the way this couple deals with issues.
The show digs DEEP into is nerdniess catalog for the structured formal debate portion of the episode. I love every dorky second.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE — “Casecation” Episode 612 — Pictured: (l-r) Jake Peralta as Andy Samberg, Julia Sweeney as Pam — (Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC)
Even though it’s ridiculous, the core conflict is taken very seriously.
That balance is accomplished by so few shows. It consistently sets Brooklyn Nine-Nine apart for its ability to capture the paradoxical and wild reality of life.
Even Jake’s daddy issues get the Brooklyn Nine-Nine writers room treatment when his very real struggle leads to a genuinely funny flashback.
JAKE: Craig was only six week older than me.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE — “Casecation” Episode 612 — Pictured: (l-r) Andy Samberg as Jake Peralta, Melissa Fumero as Amy Santiago — (Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC)
I am so glad that in the end, Jake does want to have kids. But, it is the mature and funny approach to the topic that I love the most.
By far the most laugh out loud moment of the episode is when Rosa comes into the room snapping and dancing. I need the GIF immediately!
Stephanie Beatriz’s physical humor gets me every time.
I think it is time for Terry to have an episode devoted entirely to his character. I love hearing his real talk about the difficulty of fatherhood. He brings a fresh perspective and it would be even more effective if he was centered in a plot, rather than on the sides.
BROOKLYN NINE-NINE — “Casecation” Episode 612 — Pictured: (l-r) Terry Crews as Terry Jeffords, Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz — (Photo by: Greg Gayne/NBC)
“Casecation,” solidifies Peralitago as one of the best ships of all time.
Happy one year of marriage, Jake and Amy! You two are da bomb!
Nine-Nine One-Liners
“No it’s not a fight it’s just a devastatingly real conversation about whether or not we should have kids or start over with other people.” – Jake
Jake: “Is it really that hard?”Terry: “Yes.”
“I want to watch movies for adults, adults and teens!” – Jake
“Maybe it’s a good thing I’m scared of fatherhood.” – Jake
Jake: “Atlas?” Amy: “Ooooh, I do love Atlases.”
What did you think of this episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Janelle Ureta is equal parts Veronica Mars, Raven Reyes, and Rebecca Bunch, but she aspires to add some Tammy Taylor to the mix. An attorney turned teacher, Janelle believes in the power of a well-told story. She is currently exploring how to tell short stories, 140 characters or less, on twitter. She loves to talk about TV, and right now she can't shut up about Timeless, Dear White People, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The 100, or Younger.
