Today marks the day that Brooklyn Nine-Nine has run for 99 glorious episodes. It’s a show full of laughs, but it’s wholesomeness always gets you when you least expect it. Here are a few reasons why this show should be number one in your cop-comedies-to-catch line-up…
- The characters and their development
What really makes this show is the characters. Not one of them is perfect, and that’s the beauty of it. When they screw up, they think about what they did and take active steps to resolve the issue. While shows like It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia can get away with showcasing five selfish and reprehensible characters, it’s certainly refreshing to witness a cast of morally righteous individuals – however dumb some of them purport to be.
When the series started, Jake (played by Andy Samberg) was essentially a 12-year-old boy allowed to run amok in an adult’s body. Over time, he learns the consequences of his rash actions on the people around him and learns from Holt (Andre Braugher) the value of routine and sensibility. Conversely, Holt is stuck in his own system that he developed through his experience as a gay cop in the 80’s. Andre Braugher, previously known for his more serious roles in City of Angels and Homicide: Life on the Street, hilariously captures the straight-faced – almost to the point of robotic – police captain whilst barely cracking a smile. However, through working with the squad, he learns to loosen up and embrace nonsense every once in a while.
- Wholesome friendships
Amazing characters also translate to amazing friendships, and these ones don’t let us down. They subvert the stereotypes that we are accustomed to in comedy and bring us real emotional depth that we don’t usually see in platonic relationships onscreen. The dynamic between Jake and Charles, for example, is presented to us as a hero and his underdog. But in episodes such as ‘Fancy Brudgom’ and ‘Captain Latvia’, we see that Boyle’s love for Jake is reciprocated, not only towards him but also towards other people in his life, like Boyle’s newly adopted son Nikolaj (pronounced, ‘Nee-ko-laj’).
3. Diversity
Stephanie Beatriz told Build Series that when the news of Melissa Fumero’s casting was announced she was happy that the show would feature a Latina actress. But she also cried, knowing that no show would ever cast two Latina women. Soon after, she got the call telling her she booked Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Not only is this show excellent in casting diversely, they also represent the nuances of minorities in a normal and respectful way. Holt is revealed to be gay in the first episode, but that doesn’t define him. It is only one element of his character, and the crew treats the Captain and his husband like any other couple, with respect – and of course, a bit of teasing about their all-too-formal pet names.
- It’s inherent feminism
It’s no secret that Brooklyn Nine-Nine advocates for feminism. Almost every episode has some sort of quip about gender equality; whether it be Jake’s assurances that his trash talk towards Rosa during the ‘Jimmy Jabs’ games doesn’t mean he won’t respect her friend that he wants to date, or Jake’s heated voicemail to Amy’s father when he (SPOILER) asks for her hand in marriage.
- The show doesn’t shy away from serious issues
All jokes aside, people are still under the misconception that this show makes light of police brutality, but that’s not the case. In the episode ‘Boyle’s Hunch’, Amy and Gina point out to Holt that people are angry with the police, so Holt changes his campaign to one that asks the public to tell them what the NYPD can do to work better. The episode ‘Moo-Moo’ deals with racial profiling after Terry was arrested for walking outside his house at night. The episode not only focuses on its effect on Terry but also on his kids’ understanding of the issue, and even on Jake and Amy as they realise the stakes that Black people in America face. These issues are extremely relevant to our political climate and it’s not in the nature of B99 to leave them out just for the sake of comedy.
Of course, there are tonnes more reasons as to why Brooklyn Nine-Nine is fast-becoming the ‘100 emoji’ of TV comedies. Why do you love the show, and do you want to see it get renewed as much as we do?
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