Ep 9. The Golden Child

The Golden Child is the ninth episode of the sixth season of the acclaimed American television police procedural comedy series, Brooklyn Nine-Nine. The series follows a team of detectives in the 99th precinct of the NYPD in Brooklyn, New York. This particular episode was directed by Jaffar Mahmood, and the writing credits go to Andrew Guest and Gabe Liedman.

The episode follows Jake Peralta, played by Andy Samberg, and his wife Amy Santiago, played by Melissa Fumero, as they attend a hospital appointment where they learn the gender of their baby. Meanwhile, their colleagues at the precinct are tasked with investigating a theft case involving a precious artefact owned by Charles Boyle's, played by Joe Lo Truglio, family. Consequently, Charles declares himself a member of the detective squad, and Captain Ray Holt, played by Andre Braugher, takes the opportunity to coach him on how to field an interview with a witness.

As the investigation progresses, it is revealed that the family of Charles is connected to a diamond smuggling ring, and that the stolen artefact was a decoy to deflect attention from their true criminal activities. Eventually, the Brooklyn-Nine Nine detectives succeed in apprehending the gang and recover Charles' family artefact in the process.

In the hospital waiting room, Jake and Amy are anxious and excited to find out the gender of their baby. They entertain themselves by playing games, discussing potential baby names, and making impulsive purchases of baby items. They eagerly discuss the gender reveal party they intend to have, but their excitement is quickly dimmed when they learn their obstetrician is taking longer than usual to arrive. In the waiting room, they meet a man named Gavin, played by Johnny Sibilly, who tells them about his own experience of having a child via surrogacy. Jake and Amy turn to him for guidance on their own impending parenthood and gain interesting insights.

Gavin's conversation enriches their understanding of the responsibility of being parents and the potential challenges they could encounter. The couple begins to address issues regarding their own parenting styles, and their fears about being good parents. Eventually, the doctor arrives, and they receive the good news that they are expecting a baby girl. They excitedly yet nervously discuss the challenges and opportunities they will face as parents to a daughter.

The parallel storylines in this episode flow seamlessly to deliver an entertaining yet informative episode. The episode successfully navigates through themes including diversity, inclusivity, gender expectations, parenting styles, and societal stereotypes complemented with humorous moments that make it enjoyable to watch.

In addition to the main plotlines, the episode also highlights the significance of teamwork and camaraderie as the detectives overcome the challenges they face when solving the theft case. The Golden Child focuses more on the characters and their development more than on the crime itself. Nevertheless, the exceptional writing and flawless execution ensure that this episode is worth watching.

Overall, this is a great episode fully packed with diverse themes and subplots that contribute to its character-driven narrative. The actors perfectly execute their roles, and the balance of humor and drama is pitch-perfect. If you are an ardent fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, then this episode is something that you should not miss at any cost.