Never watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Cool cool cool cool cool.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a comedic American police sitcom created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, who are the duo behind Parks and Recreation. The show is set in the fictional 99th Precinct in Brooklyn, and centres on Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg), a highly talented but immature NYPD detective who initially comes into conflict with his new commanding officer, the stern and ‘robotic’ Captain Raymond Holt (Andre Braugher).

The first time I heard of Brooklyn Nine-Nine was when I stumbled across its hilarious Backstreet Boys cold open . When the show was suddenly cancelled in May last year, my best friend Katherine was shocked and devastated at the cancellation. After witnessing the immense online backlash against the cancellation and the rapid pick up by NBC the next day, I decided to watch an episode of the show. I didn’t think much of it at first, but choosing to watch the first episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine has been one of the best decisions in my otherwise uneventful life.

Still deciding whether to watch Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Here are 5 reasons why you should!

1. Hilarious, relatable and well-rounded characters

I have re-watched all seasons of the show at least 5 times because I love the witty dialogue and diverse range of characters who each have distinctive personalities. The characters of Brooklyn Nine-Nine are relatable and you see a part of yourself in them because they are highly multifaceted and complex characters. For instance, I relate to highly organised and ambitious Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero) and the quirky and eccentric nature of Charles Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio).

My favourite character is Captain Raymond Holt due to his deadpan delivery of jokes and excellent character progression. In the pilot episode, he appears to be an overly strict and rule-following captain. As the season progresses, he lets down his walls and reveals his quirks, with moments of emotional vulnerability showing his empathetic side. He cares deeply for the officers under his command, and his officers grow to respect him.

2. Explores serious real-life issues in an effective and nuanced way

Whilst Brooklyn Nine-Nine has its hilarious and comedic moments, it is not afraid to tackle important issues such as race, corruption, gender equality and homophobia. In the episode ‘Moo Moo’ (S4 E16), sergeant Terry Jeffords (Terry Crews) experiences racial profiling and struggles as to whether he should file a complaint and risk backlash. In the latest season, the episode ‘He Said, She Said’ (S6 E8) is based on the #MeToo movement and the issue of sexual harassment. Amy and Jake investigate a case where a business woman claims she was sexually assaulted by her boss, but at the same time risks jeopardising her career by reporting the issue. Overall, the show does an excellent job of balancing the tension of sensitive and serious issues with comedic relief and heart-warming scenes.

3. Celebrates diversity and inclusion

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is praised for breaking barriers with its highly diverse cast. It features people of colour and women in positions of power. For instance, the leading characters include two Latina women (Beatriz and Fumero) and two African American men (Crews and Braugher), which is rare in mainstream comedy.

Also, the diverse characters are not represented in stereotypical ways. Captain Holt and detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) are members of the LGBTQ+ community, but are not defined by their sexuality. Gender stereotypes are subverted through ‘feminine’ male characters such as Charles Boyle, who has traditionally non-masculine hobbies and interests.

4. Cheddar

If you are a dog lover, you are in for a treat! The show features an adorable and well-trained corgi named Cheddar. Cheddar is owned by Captain Holt and his husband Kevin Cozner, and there is even an episode dedicated to him (S3 E18). A running joke throughout the show is how Cheddar changes throughout the show and is played by different corgis, but his owners and the other characters don’t seem to realise.

5. Fast tracked episodes on SBS On Demand

After you catch up on the first five seasons (which are available on Netflix), you can watch the latest season six episodes on SBS. New episodes are fast tracked from the US and available on SBS On Demand approximately 25-30 minutes after they are broadcasted live, which is very convenient! They also air on SBS VICELAND at 8.30pm on Fridays. New Brooklyn Nine-Nine episodes are the only reason I look forward to Fridays, and it’s a great way to end the week.

Margaret is a Commerce/Arts student who loves dogs and travelling. When she's not scrolling through memes on Facebook, you can find her re-watching episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine or Daria. Her go-to drink is a decaffeinated Twinings English Breakfast Tea.