Growing up, like a lot of people, I was glued to problematic American sitcoms. I was peer pressured into watching Friends when I was a 14-year-old. Back then, I was obsessed with the show and idealised everything about it. My friends and I would attribute each one of our characteristics to one Friends character or other and life seemed good. However, over the years, as I rewatched the show, I was able to identify the casual sexism, misogyny, homophobia and a lot of other red flags that I had previously overlooked, or failed to recognise. Soon I was able to point out similar problematic aspects in popular sitcoms such as How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, Two and A Half Men and many more. These sitcoms banked on people’s insecurities to create comedy, they made people laugh by offending someone or the other. In the midst of all of this, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been a breath of fresh air, in the truest sense. The exclusion of laugh tracks gives the viewers the option to choose their comic moment, which are aplenty. The series does not only succeed at not offending any community, but also addresses important issues that need to come under the spotlight. It takes risks and that is what helps it stand out.
A story about the versatile detectives of a police precinct in New York’s Brooklyn, the series gives us a diverse set of ‘unstereotyped’ characters. The ‘Dad’ of the precinct is Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher)- an openly gay, black officer, he is not only a strict disciplinarian but also an upright and honest who has his flawed moments. Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) is, at first, an immature but brilliant detective who, by the end of the show, is finally able to solve the biggest mystery- how to grow up? Other exceptional characters include Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero)- the teacher’s pet and a sharp detective, Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz)- the scary and mysterious detective, Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio)- Jake’s best friend who is an absolute darling, Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews)- the fitness freak and the guardian of the precinct, Gina Linetti (Chelsea Peretti)- well, she needs no introduction, and of course, the clumsy duo Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) and Hitchcock (Dirk Blocker). Together, they solve crimes, play pranks, support each other, and also fall in love (yes, I am looking at you, Peraltiago!).
The episodes are fast-paced (more so in the early seasons) and the skilfully written scripts keep the viewers engaged throughout. The ‘cold opens’ expose the wit and sharpness of the team of writers, and are followed by a well-composed theme that plays as the lead actors are introduced (this music will definitely get you hooked!). The series does its fair share when it comes to representation with several black, Latinx, queer actors playing the lead roles as well as quite a few supporting ones. From talking about sexism in the workplace, to racism, and, from corruption in the police departments to the rampant police brutality, the creators Dan Goor and Michael Schur, have tried their best to facilitate conversation around these matters that need to be paid heed to. These dutifully crafted scenes are rife with comic moments but do not, for once, make light of the situation that has been taken up.
The show exudes a certain kind of warmth that has made me go back to it again and again. It has made me laugh and cry, it has taught me to think and be compassionate- all at once. Brooklyn Nine– Nine feels like a giant hug on a particularly exhausting day (title of your sex tape!)- it gives a sense of reassurance, that everything will be fine.
The show aired its eighth and very last season in August-September this year. A season that was short, it did not fail to live up to its high standards of honesty and truth as it dealt with some contemporary issues (example- covid, George Floyd and police brutality) and forced us to rethink our preconceived notions of gender roles- among many others. It gave us several teary-eyed and oh-my-God moments (as always) and a heartbreakingly beautiful series finale. In the two-episode finale, the series came full-circle, tying up some lose ends and giving the fans glimpses of their favourite moments and relationships. The creators did a brilliant job in providing several deja-vu moments that made it all the more difficult to say goodbye to the show that has given us so many joyful memories to treasure. One can never forget the Jake Peralta’s very last smirk as the elevator door paused for a second before it closed completely.
I will miss this show that has given me a bunch of imaginary friends who were there to hold my hand whenever I needed them to (cool, cool, cool, no doubt, no doubt, no doubt). Amy Santiago taught me that it is alright to be a nerd who wants her mentor’s validation and is extremely particular when it comes to organising things. Jake Peralta showed me what it means to own your feelings and use it for your own growth. Charles Boyle taught me that to love people affectionately and unconditionally is not a weakness. Rosa Diaz made me believe that women are tough as hell and absolutely no one can bog us down. Terry Jeffords, who is a genius when it comes to challenging toxic masculinity, proved to the world that it is not degrading to be tough on the exterior while being an absolute softie at heart. And our ‘Daptain’ Raymond Holt has taught us to own our identities and remain true to ourselves. Labels don’t define who we are, but our actions most definitely do. Wherever I go, I will always carry these characters with me while I continue to draw inspiration from them.
So, if you are looking for something to watch that can make you feel good about the world again, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is for you. It is a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, and a safe space for people who are tired of problematic content popping up on their screens. The eight-season long series is packed with entertainment, laughter, mystery, crimes, love, friendship and a bag full of wholesomeness. So, join the bunch of ‘noice’ and ‘smort’ detectives as they solve all sorts of mysteries and let them put a smile on your faces.
Nine Nine!
~ Udisha
Second year, BA Hons English
Celluloid: The Film Society of Miranda House 