Ep 18. Captain Peralta

In Brooklyn Nine-Nine season 2 episode 18, titled "Captain Peralta," the focus shifts to Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) as he finds himself in hot water with his fellow detectives and especially his new commanding officer, Captain Seth Dozerman (guest star Bill Hader).

The episode kicks off with Jake trying to impress his old captain, Ray Holt (Andre Braugher), by solving a case involving a stolen diamond necklace. However, things quickly take a turn when Jake's impulsive tactics cause damage to a civilian's car and he dismisses the concern as a minor issue. This angers his colleagues, who are trying to maintain good public relations and optics following a recent police brutality scandal.

Meanwhile, Captain Dozerman immediately rubs everyone the wrong way with his no-nonsense attitude and demand for strict adherence to police protocol, even for cases as seemingly minor as a stolen necklace. Jake, who prides himself on his rebellious nature and unconventional methods, clashes with the new captain immediately and is given an ultimatum: shape up or get shipped out.

Detectives Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio), Terry (Terry Crews), and Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) all try to help Jake improve his attitude but it only leads to more tension and arguments. It's not until a visit from Jake's father, Roger (Bradley Whitford), that he starts to see the error of his ways. Roger, a free-spirited hippie who frequently butts heads with his son's more traditional values, encourages Jake to take responsibility for his actions and work within the system to effect change.

Jake takes this advice to heart and makes amends with the civilian whose car he damaged. He also tries to impress Captain Dozerman by following protocol and submitting a thorough report on the stolen necklace case, but his efforts backfire when he accidentally leaks sensitive information to the press. This leaves Jake scrambling to fix his mistake and regain the trust of his colleagues and superiors.

"Captain Peralta" is a standout episode that showcases the strengths of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's cast and writing. Andy Samberg shines as Jake, displaying both his comedic timing and dramatic chops as he confronts his shortcomings and learns to be a better detective. Bill Hader is a delightful guest star, bringing his signature absurdity to the role of Captain Dozerman and playing off the ensemble's various quirks and personalities. Meanwhile, the supporting cast gets their moments to shine as well, particularly Terry, whose paternal instincts towards Jake are endearing, and Boyle, whose unexpected talent for erotic fiction gets a hilarious callback.

Overall, "Captain Peralta" is a must-watch episode that balances humor and heart in equal measure. It's a testament to Brooklyn Nine-Nine's ability to tackle serious themes like police accountability and institutional change while still delivering laughs and entertainment.