As Fox’s police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-nine wrapped up its 5th season, there are discussions on if the show will be renewed or not, worrying its dedicated fanbase including me. When talking about the television industry in general, high ratings are important to maintain and keep a show going. Despite having quite low view ratings for the past few seasons, Brooklyn Nine-nine has managed to keep up a good fight. However, the chances of this extremely underrated show coming back to our TV screen are getting more narrow and it’s a shame that people might not get to find out how amazing and progressive this sitcom and others similar to it really is. Here are just some of the many reasons why shows like Brooklyn Nine-nine are worth watching.
1. Representation
It is rare to see shows representing those that are undeniably underrepresented in the media. One of Brooklyn Nine-nine’s main characters is an openly-gay and black commanding officer whom throughout the show we found out has dealt yet overcame the discrimination back when he was a cop to be able to earn his high respective position now – managing Brooklyn’s 99th precinct.
Image Courtesy of persephonemagazine.com
Unlike what media portrays “gays” as, Captain Holt (played by Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher) is a well-mannered and intimidating man, delivering some of the show’s most iconic moments. Holt is also in an interracial marriage with his partner Kevin and is undoubtedly one of the show’s healthiest couples. However, his sexuality isn’t the center-point of the show but rather his identity as a human being just like any other characters. His presence was not just acknowledged but also positively celebrated – this is especially important as most LGBT characters are played by white actors or represented with a negative connotation.
Other eclectic characters include:
Detective Charles Boyle who has traditionally feminine qualities like his love for cooking and nurturing aura yet isn’t shamed by his co-workers for it. Boyle captures the heart of viewers with his quirkiness, devotion to best friend Jake and his positive outlook on life.
Image Courtesy of jeffbritta.tumblr.com
In a traditionally male-dominant profession and workforce, Rosa Diaz and Amy Santiago represent today’s feminism movement, proving that females are strong, ambitious and can earn high work positions just like males do. These Latina detectives are both respected by their co-workers and are involved in solving some of the show’s best crime cases.
Image Courtesy of hypable.com
Source: Giphy
2. Tackling sensitive issues on prime-time television
Important issues like racial profiling, transphobia, homophobia, police brutality and misogyny are discussed throughout 5 seasons of the show.
*Spoiler Alert* Recently, one of the show’s main character Rosa came out as bisexual and what’s even more amazing is that Rosa is played by someone who is bi herself.
Undoubtedly one of the show’s most important moment was this scene from the episode discussing racial profiling :
Images Courtesy of guublr.tumblr.com
3. Unproblematically funny and all-around entertaining
I’ve always liked Brooklyn Nine-nine mainly because it provides A+ comedy that’ll make your 20-minute watch each episode worthwhile (or maybe you could just binge-watch 3 seasons in a row like I did). Not to mention that one of my favorite people ever Andy Samberg flawlessly delivered all of his humorous one-liners as immature Detective Jake Peralta.
Source: reddit.com
God bless Gina Linetti.
Source: https://me.me
Not only a woke and inclusive show, the characters and the actors that play them are also vocal about these issues, sometimes in a satirical way for comedic relief
Source: giphy.com
Source: giphy.com
Actor Terry Crews is the feminist icon we deserve:
Source: seat42f.com
First of all as a card-carrying feminist, anytime I see women being stars — the stars that they should be, being featured and being highlighted, it makes my heart happy. Because it’s long overdue.
The diversity that Brooklyn Nine-nine brings to the table is something that needs to be done more especially onscreen. Stream the series here or on Netflix and Hulu.
