: The idea for Jimmy Smits to play Amy's father was pitched by stars Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero , who felt his veteran status on police dramas like NYPD Blue made him the perfect fit.
: Captain Holt helps a struggling Adrian Pimento adjust to life after the NYPD by giving him a $2,000 loan for a private investigator license. In a classic Pimento move, he bets the entire sum on a televised dog show. Despite Holt's initial fury, the two end up bonding at a bar while watching the show, which Pimento eventually wins, earning $70,000. Production & Reception
: The two eventually bond over their shared love for Amy and their collaboration on an old "cold case" Victor never solved, proving that their investigative instincts are more alike than different. Subplots: Turkeys and Dog Shows [S4E7] Mr. Santiago
While the main plot handles the family tension, the rest of the 99th Precinct deals with holiday chaos:
The fourth-season episode "" of Brooklyn Nine-Nine serves as a milestone for the series, introducing a long-awaited piece of Amy Santiago's lore: her retired-cop father, Victor. Originally aired on November 22, 2016, this Thanksgiving special subverts traditional "meet-the-parents" tropes through a combination of high-stakes neuroticism and absurdist side plots. The Central Conflict: "Full Santiago" : The idea for Jimmy Smits to play
: Victor reveals he has prepared his own binder on Jake, leading to a psychological game where Victor fakes his approval to mess with Jake’s head.
: After a market shortage, Boyle orders a live turkey for dinner. When Gina and Rosa refuse to let him kill it, the aggressive bird (named Nikolaj) traps them in the bathroom, leading to a slapstick-filled "turkey chase". Despite Holt's initial fury, the two end up
: The episode received mixed-to-positive reviews . Some critics from The A.V. Club found the "disapproving father" beats a bit tired, while others from Paste Magazine praised the comedic chemistry between Andy Samberg and Smits.