A Tribute to 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'

I'll admit it: when it comes to television, I have a bit of a problem with keeping with 'storyline' series. I've seen episodes of 'Breaking Bad', 'Downton Abbey', and 'Game of Thrones' and found them extremely compelling; bits and pieces from the likes of 'Daredevil' and 'The Flash' that have me very intrigued. However I can never seem to muster up the diligence to follow through such vast sums of series; it's my nature I suppose as a film/novel fan to like things compact and in one volume.

Thus most of the television I've seen and loved of the 'serious' sort have been series which are on an
episode-to-episode basis of themes/plots, like the 'Rumpole of the Old Bailey' series, or of the miniseries variety like 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy', 'The Night Manager', 'Wolf Hall', 'The Adventures of Tin Tin'?. Also probably why I've watched and re-watched the UK 'House of Cards' but still have not checked out the U.S. series even though I love Kevin Spacey.

Sitcoms also suit me much better. 'Jeeves and Wooster' and 'Blackadder' are two of my favourite things to watch, ever, and I'm a big fan of the first seven seasons of 'That 70's Show' and 'How I Met Your Mother'. Recently though a new show has taken over my heart. It's 'Brooklyn Nine Nine', a police comedy about an efficient but very quirky precinct, the 99th on Brooklyn, and their day-to-day shenanigans. Technically speaking plot developments and style is all very basic sitcom-lite stuff; solid but unexceptional. Where it's brilliance comes in is through the excellent scripts which are nearly always hits to the comic beats, and characters/acting.

Shot with a one-camera structure, this method lends the show a certain degree of intimacy with the characters which is great, since this is a show all about the characters. At its centre are Detective Jake Peralta  (Andy Samberg) and his boss Captain Holt (Andre Braugher). Samberg and Braugher are brilliant examples of how contrasting types of comedy can work perfectly if the chemistry is there. Samberg, the SNL alumni, never stops moving onscreen, wisecracking here, doing an impersonation
there, and has such a fantastic onscreen energy that perfectly melds with Braugher's perfection of the stiff, deadpan, no-nonsense and absolutely hilarious approach. Their rapport is absolutely brilliant as they feed off each other's lines so perfectly, creating a truly unforgettable onscreen pairing.

Gradually however the show has become more and more of an ensemble piece (like 'Parks and Recreation' which I have started on recently and am also loving). I think my favourite among them has to be Charles Boyle, played by Joe Lo Turgolio. He's the most infectious, endearing weirdo ever, and it's both funny to see him fail, and funny to see him succeed, and his chemistry with Samberg is excellent, as is his sweet relationship with Stephanie Beatriz's Rosa Diaz and Chelsea Peretti's Gina. Both utilize a deadpan approach like Braugher but differentiate it by Beatriz being extremely
intimidating and enigmatic as Diaz, playing a comedic 'wet blanket' and competent cop, to Peretti's technically dislikable city administrator who's ditzily hilarious.

Then there's Melissa Fumero and Terry Crews whose Amy Santiago and...Terry Jeffords  (who frequently refers to himself in the 3rd person) are less distinctly defined comedically but are also so hilarious by their sweet, energetic approaches to their characters of eager beaver hotshot and muscular family man with a child's soul. Then there's Sully and Hitchcock the company stooges who have smaller roles to play but are perhaps the best at just hilarious reaction shots in the show.

In the end I guess it's a show all about the characters. The wit is rarely subtle but for me always hits the point, and character arcs are kept to the minimum; and it's all the better for it. It's a plain funny show and that's what I recommend it for.