A hand full of thoughts – Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Some time ago, a friend of mine suggested I watch the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine, adding that it was excellent. I immediately added it to my watchlist.

As is typical with Netflix, every time you open the platform, it bombards you with clips from various shows or movies (yes, I know you can turn this off!). The clip for Brooklyn Nine-Nine kept popping up—it was always the same one from the first season, featuring the locker photo scene. It was almost intrusive. Eventually, I decided to give the series a chance. Now, about two weeks later, I’m at the start of season four.

What I love most about the show is the balance between its characters. Objectively speaking, the characters are pretty standard, interchangeable, and the kind you might find in almost any series. However, in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, they’re skillfully integrated into the story. They’re not just „extras“ supporting the main cast but feel integral to the narrative. This could be because they’re often exaggerated in a clever way.

The show also builds on typical character roles but adds unique nuances, borrowing from other stereotypes to create something refreshingly new. It’s an old formula, reinterpreted and slightly altered, which I find very creative!

Each character gets their own space to grow and develop without stepping on each other’s toes. Even Hitchcock and Scully, who initially seem like comic relief opposites to the rest of the cast, are increasingly woven into the story. While the humor surrounding them can sometimes go too far, the show balances this by revealing deeper layers of their personalities, showing there’s more to them than meets the eye.

What impresses me most, however, is how the series blends humor with serious crime drama. Neither side is overemphasized nor neglected. The balance is masterful. When things get too crime-heavy, a dose of humor lightens the mood. Likewise, the humor is restrained and doesn’t go overboard, which is refreshing in an era where many shows push comedic boundaries too far. A friend aptly compared this to Scrubs, which strikes a similar balance.

Speaking of humor, Brooklyn Nine-Nine knows when to stop a joke before it overstays its welcome. This restraint keeps the humor fresh and avoids exhausting the audience.

That said, I’m taking a short break from the series. While it’s diverse and entertaining, binge-watching it as I have can be tiring. This doesn’t reflect the show’s quality—far from it. Even though Pimento is quite over-the-top for my taste, he doesn’t diminish the show as a whole.

Pimento aside, I still have a small hope for future seasons: seeing Rosa and Boyle end up together would be amazing! Peralta and Santiago are also a great pairing—they’re opposites, which makes their relationship both surprising and expected at the same time.

The show also uses emotions effectively. It avoids being overly sentimental or cheesy, and any emotional moments are often balanced with contrasting elements to keep them impactful but not overdone.

Subtly, the series also addresses political and social issues without feeling preachy. This reflects the quality of the writing—these themes are integrated naturally rather than highlighted in a forced way.

The season finales are another strong point. They’re written to seamlessly transition into the next season, which is great. It’s clear the team planned ahead and secured renewals in advance.

Finally, the dynamic between Holt and Peralta is outstanding. The dialogues are well-written, blending humor and seriousness effectively. Given their character traits, they should clash more, but the show’s subtle absurdity keeps their relationship balanced and engaging.

Will I keep watching? Absolutely! But I need a short break—binge-watching has been draining, and I need to focus on other priorities.

We need more shows like this—intelligently funny, addressing serious themes, and successfully blending genres. Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a series you can watch in any mood, taking from it whatever you’re ready to enjoy.