May 17th, 2015, 8:30 PM, FOX
The season two finale has arrived, and it brings some revelations and revolutions with it. Jake and Amy are assigned to track Michael Augustine, “Brooklyn’s most prolific identity thief’. He’s set to sell hundreds of social security numbers to a Chinese buyer, and all they have to do is stop him…with the able assist of Charles and Rosa, who work surveillance on the case. Before they head out, Amy notes that Jake’s getting snippy with her, and he admits he’s been thinking of asking her out – but they both agree it wouldn’t be professional of them, so they decide to keep it friendly….which becomes extremely complicated when they decide to portray young, engaged lovers and Jake can barely control his feelings for Amy – and vice versa. As they get closer while working the undercover case their feelings start to bleed into their roles they’re playing, leaving both wondering where their true feelings and motivations lie.
Meanwhile, Holt informs Gina and Terry that he’s going to be transferred to public relations by Wuntch. He remains calm as they panic, and declares that he knows Wuntch has a signed, notarized letter declaring the transfer was a mistake on file – all Gina and Terry have to do is retrieve it, which is far more complicated than any of them anticipated. But once the file is snatched it seems Holt will have to talk Wuntch into doing what he wants – or let Wuntch have her way with him.
And Rosa, angry that Charles seems to be setting her up for a surprise birthday party on Marcus’ behalf, starts rescinding his ‘friendship privileges’ as their stakeout wears on, forcing him to tell her the truth. But when the party happens it turns out Charles and Marcus’ collaboration might just please Rosa after all.
With love of all kinds in the air, this episode pulls up a mixed bag of emotions. The cold open is wonderful and ridiculous and features the squad saying goodbye to their ancient vending machine, which is being refurbished. The sight of them all yelling ‘free candy!’ while charging at the machine is priceless.
Our main plot focuses on the will-they-or-won’t-they eternal struggle between Jake and Amy, and it seems that we’ve finally reached a peak in their endless tug of war. The big question is: is this too much too soon? Will they end up going with a predictable plot next season, or will Jake and Amy’s union…not be a union at all? The trip to the conclusion provides the audience with a lot of reasons why they just might belong together, including several well-promoed kisses that more than passes the chemistry test. Samberg and Fumero play the relationship with simmering heat and puppy love glances that appeal.
But that brings us to the series’ biggest problem, and one that’s been a thorn in the side of the show for the past couple of episodes: The Wuntch storyline is uncomfortable and gross. Kyra Sedgwick’s acting is great, but Wuntch is an unlikable sexual harasser who knows her attraction to Holt will never be reciprocated and yet persists in it, to the point of turning laughter to grunts of disgust. The character is retrograde compared to the rest of the women on the show, with nothing deeper or more vulnerable about her. Holt’s game of chicken with the woman had to end when one of them blinked, and it’s nice to see the loser leave with a modicum of grace. Let’s hope that there’s less of her in the next season.
As for Rosa and Boyle’s argument, it’s nice for the show to fully cement how over Rosa Boyle is; it’s nice to watch their friendship develop naturally after his infatuation. Still not sold on the idea of Rosa and Marcus together, but I’m open to the show convincing me next season.
In the end “Johnny and Dora” does what it should: stoke up anticipation for season three. With that in the bag, a whole summer lies between today and the first episode of season three – and the possibilities left behind are quite beguiling.
The Roundup
- “That machine’s been here forever, it’s basically part of the force…take Scully instead!”
- Low points in Charles’ life: gets threatened by a suspicious Rosa, who thinks he’s trying to set her up for a surprise birthday party and finds their friendship threatened; is deflated to learn Amy and Jake’s kiss “meant nothing”; got his first kiss from the actress playing Annie opposite his Daddy Warbucks in a school play, resulting in them full-on making out in front of the audience.
- ”In the immortal words of Amy Santiago, ‘Girlfriend Please!’”
- “Madeline is not some invincible succubus, she’s a regular succubus.”
- This episode takes place on Rosa’s birthday.
- “All I see is clothes hanging off of a genderless blob!”
- “Don Johnson it!”
- “Bring me Madeline! And a bucket of water! It’s time to melt a witch.”
- “We were looking for a place to…” “BOINK!” “Boink, that’s my preferred term as well…”
- “We are police colleagues!” “You’re under arrest, this was a work event!”
- ”I forgot how long your signature takes…I’m just going to watch Braveheart on the phone.” li>
- Stephanie Beatriz’ valley girl voice will never not be funny.
- “Go back to being robot captain!”
- See You Next Season!
We get some good plot developments followed by some irritating ones –and some truly suspenseful and funny moments. A decent episode.
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MASTERFUL
