A pilot has a difficult job: introduce seven main characters (plus recurring side characters) without the episode feeling like a roll call. Schur and Goor use the precinct's briefing room to accomplish this in under two minutes.

| Character | Actor | First impression | |-----------|-------|------------------| | | Andy Samberg | Brilliant but immature detective; top arrest record, hates paperwork | | Captain Ray Holt | Andre Braugher | Stern, deadpan, emotionless; first Black and openly gay captain in NYPD history (revealed subtly) | | Amy Santiago | Melissa Fumero | Ambitious, organized, desperate to impress Holt; Jake’s rival and eventual love interest | | Terry Jeffords | Terry Crews | Lieutenant; scared to return to field work after becoming a father of twin girls | | Charles Boyle | Joe Lo Truglio | Awkward, loyal, food-obsessed detective; Jake’s best friend | | Rosa Diaz | Stephanie Beatriz | Tough, intimidating, mysterious; speaks minimally, loves violence and motorcycles | | Gina Linetti | Chelsea Peretti | Civilian administrator; self-absorbed, hilarious, secretly sharp | | Hitchcock & Scully | Dirk Blocker, Joel McKinnon Miller | Lazy, gross, useless veteran detectives (comedic relief) |

This pilot immediately established Brooklyn Nine-Nine as a that:

Now go stream it again. You have 48 hours... or you’re doing paperwork.

Would you like a scene-by-scene script breakdown, character analysis of Holt vs. Jake, or a comparison to other sitcom pilots like The Office or Parks and Rec ?

This plot device allows the show to tour the precinct and introduce the supporting cast. The investigation into the Medal of Valor theft allows us to see the mechanics of the squad.