The popular cop-comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine starring Andy Samberg, Melissa Fumero, Andre Braugher, Terry Crews and Stephanie Beatriz, is coming to an end after eight seasons. Dan Goor, who co-created the show with The Office fame Michael Schur penned a statement on social media saying that the show had come to a natural conclusion. He said that the lead actor and executive producer Andy Samberg had predicted that it was a story to be told in exactly 154 episodes and with the 8th season that goal would be achieved.
The announcement broke a lot of hearts as the show, since its very first season, boasted of a huge and loyal fan base. This group, which includes celebrities like Mark Hamill, Lin Manuel Miranda, The Backstreet Boys and Chrissy Teigen, were actually a part of a massive campaign, which saved the show from being cancelled after 5 seasons in 2018. Fox, where it originally aired, had cancelled the show before season 5 aired, but it was saved by NBC, which then announced three more seasons. Hence, even though fans were sad Brooklyn 99 was coming to an end, they were glad it was on their own terms.
Season 8 of the show is still under production, so we have another 10 to 13 episodes to wait for. However its absence will surely create a void in the universe of good network comedy. In the age where shows are getting shorter and more binge-able every day, network comedies like Brookly Nine-Nine that people watch every week on television, are the ones that remain immortal for years to come. For example, shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Friends, The Office, Will and Grace, and Parks and Recreation are loved by people even 30 years after they aired.
Don’t get us wrong, good OTT series get remembered too, but the impact is not as perennial as the ones in which a person waited patiently to know what happened next. You spend more time with characters in shows that go on for seasons, and they become a part of you.
One of the first reasons why we will miss Brooklyn Nine-Nine is because of the characters. Everyone from the man-child Jake Peralta to the incompetent detectives Hitchcock and Scully get amazing character arcs. The show believes in growth and every character grows out of their vices without changing who they are on the inside. Jake Peralta in season 1 is a childish albeit genius detective, who by season 5 falls in love and by season 7 welcomes a child — something he never thought he could do because of his issues with his estranged father. Hitchcock and Scully, though still incompetent, have been shown to use their incompetence save vulnerable people from the harsh legal and judicial system.
Everyone–Amy Santiago, Rosa Diaz, Terry Jeffords, Gina Linetti and Charles Boyles–became better as characters and detectives, while retaining the awkwardness that makes them human. The show tells us that it is okay to be ourselves, but it tells us to do the right thing and treat each other well.
Another reason why the show is great is that it never uses racial or religious stereotypes, or another person’s weakness for comedy. A good comedy always punches up, when it is easier to punch down. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of those shows. It doesn’t have to make an effort to be “Politically correct,” its humour comes from excellent writing and situations.
The show has also addressed important issues through comedy. From racial profiling of African Americans by police officers and wrongful convictions to sexual harassment and mass shootings, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has never shied away from showing the uncomfortable truth. One of the best episodes is when Rosa Diaz comes out as bisexual and her parents don’t accept it, her co-workers then come to her house to play ‘Family game night.’ It has been a source of inspiration to countless queer people. In a way, being an escape, despite being grounded in reality is Brooklyn 99’s biggest strength.
The show has also been diverse before diversity was cool. Many shows even now tend to cast People of Colour in the periphery rather than on the main roles so as to not offend people online. That is tokenism and not real inclusivity. Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast BIPOCs in the lead roles when many shows still had all-white characters.
Most importantly, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is the comfort show of many. I personally watch it every time I feel low. In a volatile world with Covid-19, socio-political upheaval and environmental crises, shows like Brooklyn 99 help people escape their less than amazing lives. The show is also great for repeat-watches, even getting better with each watch. In a way that makes the pain of the show getting over a little less.
It has been Jake Peralta’s dream of riding off into the sunset in a blaze of glory. All we can do as fans of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is wait for the very last ride, and be grateful for all the memories it gave us.
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