"Coral Palms" is the season premiere of the fourth season of the American television police sitcom series Brooklyn Nine-Nine, consisting of the first through third episodes. They are also the 69th through 71st overall episodes of the series. "Pt. 1" is written by series co-creator Dan Goor and directed by Michael McDonald, "Pt. 2" is written by Tricia McAlpin and directed by Trent O'Donnell, and "Pt. 3" is written by Justin Noble and directed by Payman Benz. The episodes aired on Fox in the United States with "Pt. 1" airing on September 20, 2016, "Pt. 2" airing on September 27, 2016, and "Pt. 3" airing on October 4, 2016.
The show revolves around the fictitious 99th precinct of the New York Police Department in Brooklyn and the officers and detectives that work in the precinct. After the lives of Jake and Holt are threatened by Jimmy "The Butcher" Figgis, they are forced to relocate to Florida in the Witness Protection Program. In the episodes, Jake and Holt decide to continue investigating Figgis despite the U.S. Marshal Haas' warning but both have problems in not letting their covers getting blown. Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher are the only members of the main cast to appear in "Coral Palms Pt. 1"; as such, they are the only actors to appear in every episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
According to Nielsen Media Research, "Pt. 1" was seen by an estimated 2.39 million household viewers and gained a 1.1/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, "Pt. 2" was seen by an estimated 2.34 million household viewers and gained a 1.0/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, and "Pt. 3" was seen by an estimated 2.40 million household viewers and gained a 1.0/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episodes received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the cast's performance as well as Ken Marino's guest performance. The tone and the pace, however, received more criticism.
Plot
Pt. 1
Jake (Andy Samberg) and Holt (Andre Braugher) have been living in the witness protection program at Coral Palms, Florida for 6 months. While they want to continue working on finding Figgis, U.S. Marshal Karen Haas (Maya Rudolph) forbids them from doing so, as it would put their lives in danger. Haas also informs them that despite numerous operations, they haven't found Figgis.
Unknown to Haas, Jake is revealed to be working on the case in a storage unit. Holt finds him and scolds him for putting their lives at risk and tells him to get a job while he takes the file. However, Jake decides to work at the Fun Zone and is subsequently named Assistant Manager, much to Holt's disdain, who works there and was looking for the position. As his boss, Jake begins giving Holt ridiculous works to blackmail him into giving him the file. During one of their discussions, they are both hit by go-karts while a woman records them, planning to put it on Internet.
They ask the woman for the phone but she demands 15,000 dollars for the video. They attempt to trick her with fake money but she doesn't fall for it and leaves with the phone. After Holt scolds Jake for his behavior, Jake reveals he switched the phones and leaves disappointed. Holt is given the position of Assistant Manager at the Fun Zone but finds he has no interest in life in Florida. He meets with Jake, apologizing for what he said and gives him the files back. Despite retrieving the video, they decide to upload it so they can lure Figgis and catch him.
Pt. 2
Holt tells Jake that Figgis contacted the Fun Zone, proving their video managed to catch his attention. They then set to buy weapons from a store. Despite not carrying a license, the owner sells it to them. However, their car is stopped by Sheriff Reynolds (Jim O'Heir), who finds the weapons and takes them to the station.
Meanwhile, at the 99th precinct, the squad is presented to their new Captain, Jason "C.J." Stentley (Ken Marino). However, he has a hands-off attitude and lets everyone do anything they want, to the point where Gina (Chelsea Peretti) gets her own assistant Emily (Esther Povitsky), Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) gets a treadmill, Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) gets an isolated desk and Terry (Terry Crews) gets a yogurt fridge. This bothers Amy (Melissa Fumero), as everyone forgets Holt's message of work. They return their items and ask C.J. to toughen up and be more strict, which he agrees to do.