Peralta, Policing and Power of Stories
Some random thoughts about Brooklyn 99.
Warning: This post might have some spoilers. You’ve been warned. You might ask what’s the point of this post by this time you finish reading this. Before you do, let me clarify that this is a thought dump about this show. Nothing more or less.
“Every time someone steps up and says who they really are, the world becomes a better, more interesting place.”
Captain Holt
In my previous post I made a very short reference to Brooklyn 99 and remarked that there was no need to analyse it.
I have quickly reached the middle of the fifth season and I’ve been unable to stop my analytical side from noting several things in the background.
Binging
Before I get into it I wanted to share a few thoughts about the whole idea of binge-watching or consuming TV shows as a form of “leisure”. The fact that humans are unable to sit quiet and do nothing has manufactured the need for leisure.
Running, writing, reading, watching videos or movies are common outlets. But binge-watching is the new kid in town (relatively speaking). It’s the digital version of smoking in many ways.
I’ve not indulged in binging “Brooklyn 99”. I’ve seen 4-5 episodes at a stretch sometimes. Not sure if that counts as binging.
In spite of this, I can see why these shows are able to fulfil our hunger for stories or rather the need to not sit quietly and do nothing.
Binge-worthy shows have a few common traits.
Characters with relatable insecurities or quirks
A gripping plot with cliffhangers at the end of each season or episode
Some element of fighting for justice/good
This might seem basic or obvious, but still this had to be called out somehow. The first point is quite important because I can see how closely I root for a character with similar insecurities or flaws (both in books and TV shows).
Captain Holt and Amy Santiago
Captain Holt is by far the best conceived character. He represents everything that a progressive and erudite man stands for. He is a leader who’s just and competent. He is a nerdy bastard, but still has flaws that are out of his control.
In spite of being anal about rules and principles, he knows when to break them.
Being gay adds flavour to his life as this aspect of his personality erects barriers to a smooth public life. But he endures all the trouble with dignity and knows when to “pick battles”.
His difficulties with forming bonds with his mom, or showing too many emotions in public is definitely tied to the feeling of being a misfit in society. But it’s also a defence mechanism at a certain level.
All of this makes him stick to to a rule book, which is a good way to keep fickle emotions at bay and control the narrative. A stickler for rules has to apply them to himself before he can justify that approach to others. This comes across strongly when he sabotages his interview for the commissioner’s job.
Amy Santiago is the mirror image of Holt in many ways. She too has tried to arm herself with knowledge and adherence to rules and orderly behaviour.
Her binders and strict adherence to etiquette are ways to compensate for her deep insecurities and hidden personas that pop out while she gets drunk. It’s quite obvious that she would choose Captain Holt as her mentor.
But choosing the fun Peralta after a difficult situationship that runs for two seasons reveals another aspect of human nature. We need fun and entertainment from external sources when we can’t give to ourselves.
In addition to this, her competitive nature makes her pick Peralta who doesn’t threaten her personality in any significant way. Also, it helps to know that he’s cute and they make a “cute” couple. Otherwise, his credit card debt and rather wonky ways of being would barely meet standards of logical selection.
Though I would want to speak about Rosa in greater detail, I feel it would break the flow of my thoughts here. Just want to say that her abrupt breakup with the crazy Pimento was cruel and vague. It made no sense, but the show somehow justifies this weird narrative of “I didn’t feel like it”.
Sergeant Terry Jeffords and Peralta
These two are typical people pleasers. They have so many emotions and stress points in life. They cope by trying to appear as cool as possible and crave for approval. Terry is a particularly extreme case in that sense.
Terry’s desire to throw a party for an unknown co-worker who gets pissed by an harmless joke about his own ass is just one of the many evidences of his unreasonable need for universal approval.
But Peralta’s character has more layers. His daddy issues, fear of abandonment, borderline inappropriate jokes and desire to be publicly praised as a “genius” point towards a special kind of childhood wound.
Though he disapproves his mother’s decision to take back a cheating father, he inherits her lack of self-worth. He often volunteers to be the embarrassing clown in any serious situation to bring down the temperature of the room.
His inability to express his feelings towards Amy or stand up to bullies in the prison demonstrate his lack of self-worth. The absence of any form of morality is depicted via his “friendship” with a cannibal in jail. However, he somehow develops a moral compass after coming out of jail.
To be honest, Peralta’s policing style has the undertone of a saviour who needs to be rewarded for his smartness. You can often hear why he does what he does. But he often does it to prove himself and seek admiration.
The conscience that a person might be innocent comes as late as the fifth season for this character.
In spite of these flaws, both Terry and Peralta have a self-sacrificial streak that encourages them to take unreasonable risks just to prove the world that they are nice people with a kind heart.
Perfect Chemistry
Jake and Amy are a perfect pair because of the contrasting character traits. Similarly, Terry and Captain Holt are a classic work-couple of sorts because they bring contrasting personalities to the table.
The power imbalance between these two characters adds value to the plot-lines and the enduring charm of this show.
Similarly, one can examine different characters of the show and delved into different permutations and combinations. The variety of personalities in the show is what draws the viewer into the world of 99.
But for now, I shall stop my rant and get back to chilling. Enjoy the weekend!
Note: If you have any special theories of critique about these random thoughts, feel free to add a comment or text me.