Comedy detective show Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been running since 2013 and, thanks to fans' intervention, is still going strong. There are 8 seasons at the time of writing with more being promised. Over the years it's easy to forget what the show was like when it first hit our screens. The nine-nine has been around for so long that we tend to forget how it all started.
While some things have endured the test of time, such as Terry's love of yogurt and Boyle's clumsiness, others are different. Here we take a look back at the pilot and explore the things which have changed and those which have stayed exactly the same.
Changed: Detective Daniels
In the pilot episode, Hitchcock and Scully are introduced alongside a woman, referred to as Detective Daniels. She appears in the background throughout office scenes in the episode. After that, we never hear about or see her ever again.
The original intention was that she would be similar in personality to Hitchcock and Scully but the writers decided that the pair worked better as a double act and wrote Daniels out before the main show began.
The Same: Gina's Personality
Gina is Gina from the pilot. While Holt won't give in to her demands, earning her respect, she does still make them. She also shows that while she loves to give sass and push the boundaries she knows when to hold back.
She truly comes into her own in later series as she's given more screentime but all the core aspects of what makes the character so great are evident from the very first episode, even her trademark giggles.
Changed: The Credits
As with many series, the credits to Brooklyn Nine-Nine changed after the pilot. The original ones were plain and had a blander song, which felt like a less developed version of the one we know.
However, the change made in the second episode to a new style has stuck with the program to this day. While some shows undergo credit changes as they progress, Brooklyn Nine-Nine retains the same credit style and music as it established in the second episode.
The Same: Captain Holt's Sexuality
Captain Holt's sexuality is mentioned in the very first episode and becomes part of the plot, as he reveals it caused issues for him during his career. The show is known for its diversity and its great to see that Holt being gay was never added later as an attempt to force diversity into the show but was instead always there.
Holt's entire personality is evident in the pilot, from his tone to his (lack of) mannerisms. His sexuality and his history with how that has affected him is a huge part of that and is written right into the heart of the show and never changes.
Changed: The Briefing Room
In the pilot, the briefing room is completely different. It's smaller, has fewer desks and looks nowhere near as polished. The adjusted room also changes again later in season one as it flips around so the podium is in a different place. Some aspects of the main precinct set also alter, with the background becoming more complex as the show transitions from pilot to its actual run.
This is common in pilots as most are done on a lower budget and thus the sets get expanded once the money is invested into a full run. Despite the differences, the sets aren't as jarringly changed as some other shows are and the transition is smooth enough that it's easy to forget.
The Same: Terry Is On Duty
Terry speaks in the pilot about how he lost his edge after his twin girls were born and asked to be assigned to desk duty. Again this backstory stays the same and runs straight through the show. When trouble comes to the precinct Terry always worries about getting home safely for his girls.
Terry's character is another which develops but remains true to its pilot interpretation. This may be because many aspects of Terry Crews' real-life are written into it, although he claims that he never wears suspenders.
Changed: Jake Called JP
In the pilot as Terry calls Jake up to speak to the team about a murder case, he refers to him as JP, presumably standing for Jake Peralta. This is just one of many nicknames Jake uses himself or gets called by other people. However, this one felt more permanent.
Most other throwaway nicknames are direct references to specific events or circumstances. However, JP felt like a friendly nickname that showed a close relationship between him and Terry. Despite this, it is never used again, by Terry or anyone else.
The Same: Jake And Amy's Chemistry
Over the years the relationship between Jake and Amy changes but one thing that is consistent is the huge amount of chemistry between the pair. No matter if they are sparring, placing bets, competing, or later kissing, the dynamic remains engaging and watchable.
In the pilot we see them locked in competition and even in later series as they fall in love this rivalry never truly fades, just as the iration you begin to see for Holt from the pair also prevails.
Changed: Number Of Detectives
As with the set, the number of background extras changed as the show develops. From the time and sparsely populated briefing room, we move to a larger room with standing room only. The precinct of the show is much busier, a dynamic you'd expect from a New York police station.
The pilot also keeps sets and extras to a minimum, something which is hugely increased over time. Other areas of policing such as forensics become seen, rather than just heard about as the storylines progress.
The Same: The Core Cast
Often cast changes happen after pilots but the bond between the nine-nine is so tight the core team remains the same, even after all this time. While Detective Daniels never got a look in, or even a line, all the other main characters are here, right from the pilot. As well as Jake, Amy, Holt, Terry, Rosa, and Boyle we also have Hitchcock, Scully, and Gina.
With the exception of Gina, who later has periods of absence, this group forms the core cast for all 8 seasons and counting. While other characters are introduced, including Holt's husband Kevin as well as other detectives from different departments, none of these are permanent. The core main cast has remained identical.