The Irrefutable Reasons Why Brooklyn Nine-Nine Should Never End: Season 5 Was Just the Beginning!
Brooklyn Nine-Nine's extended run received mixed reviews, but it's important to recognize the show's growth and how Season 5 provided a satisfying conclusion Here's why Season 5 should be celebrated as a fitting end rather than the later seasons
Summary
Brooklyn Nine-Nine continued past its best endpoint, losing steam in seasons 6-8 and struggling to justify its existence.
Season 5 had the potential to deliver a more satisfying conclusion, tying up significant character arcs and ensuring that the show ended on a high note. In contrast, the finale of Season 8 lacked sincerity and failed to provide meaningful resolutions for the characters, further emphasizing the superiority of Season 5 as a concluding chapter.
In 2021, the eight-season run of Brooklyn Nine-Nine came to an end. However, the show missed the opportunity for a perfect conclusion by extending beyond its ideal ending point. Co-created by Michael Schur, known for Parks and Recreation, the series follows the witty yet immature detective Jake Peralta at New York's 99th precinct. Things take a turn when a strict new captain joins the team, forcing Jake to adapt. With its clever writing, talented cast, and delightful humor, Brooklyn Nine-Nine quickly established itself as one of the greatest sitcoms of the 2010s.
Although the show received critical acclaim, it struggled to attract the audience it truly deserved. Fox prematurely canceled Brooklyn Nine-Nine after five seasons, but it was later revived by NBC for three additional seasons. While the show deserved a conclusion on its own terms, ending with a five-season plan may have been a better outcome. Considering the circumstances of the fifth season, it could have led to a more satisfying ending compared to the eventual finale in season 8. Exploring how wrapping up the show with season 5 could have benefited its legacy is worth considering.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Went On For Too Long (& Already Had A Perfect Ending)
Brooklyn Nine-Nine's three post-cancelation seasons on NBC are not necessarily bad, but it is evident that the show was losing momentum. Season 6 stands out with its experimentation in form, such as the real-time episode "Ticking Clocks" and the multi-month story in "The Crime Scene." However, the abundance of episodes deviating from traditional sitcom structure indicates a lack of confidence in linear development, as the characters have reached a point where there is no further progression.
Season 7 experiences a decline in quality, which is exacerbated in season 8. It is commendable that the Brooklyn Nine-Nine writers decided to discard their season 8 scripts and take a more politically engaged approach following the murder of George Floyd. Nevertheless, the darker tone of the final season contradicts the overall nature of the show and reveals the writers' struggle to justify its continuation. Once again, the episodes lack direction, burdened by the knowledge that the characters reached their full potential and achieved their goals by season 5.
How Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Could Have Ended The Show
Brooklyn Nine-Nine had the opportunity to end its successful run with season 5 on a positive note. The majority of the show's best episodes are featured in the first five seasons, so viewers wouldn't be missing out on much. In fact, season 5 brings a satisfying conclusion to the main question that was raised in the pilot episode: will Jake and Amy end up together? Most of the other characters have also reached fulfilling resolutions to their storylines. Charles is happily married with a child, Terry has experienced the joy of welcoming his third child into the world, Santiago has been promoted to Sergeant, and Rosa has embraced her bisexuality.
The only unresolved storyline is Captain Holt's lifelong ambition of becoming the commissioner of the NYPD, which is a major plot point in season 5. It ends with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating whether or not he secured the position. Unfortunately, the show chooses to resolve this cliffhanger by having Holt lose the opportunity, delaying any potential satisfaction for another three seasons. If the writers had chosen to allow Holt to become the commissioner at the end of season 5, the show could have concluded on a much more satisfying note. Additionally, ending the show with a full cast in the season 5 finale would have avoided the abrupt departure of Chelsea Peretti's character, Gina, in season 6.
Why Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Was A Better Ending Than Season 8
When Brooklyn Nine-Nine ultimately wraps up with season 8's "The Last Day," the writers strive to inject nostalgia and recapture the excitement that made the show's early seasons so beloved. However, the enthusiasm displayed in the episode feels insincere, especially considering the somber tone of the final season. Additionally, the character endings lack significance, with many feeling repetitive, predictable, or unexpected. For instance, Terry and Amy's promotions feel familiar, Holt's deputy commissioner promotion is not surprising, and Jake's departure from the 99 comes out of nowhere.
If Brooklyn Nine-Nine had concluded in season 5, it wouldn't have provided a flawless resolution, as some loose ends still remain. However, it would have allowed the show to end on a high note, with the characters reaching natural endpoints in their arcs. Furthermore, it would have avoided the later challenges faced by cop shows in light of the political climate. Sitcoms rarely find the perfect moment to end, but it is comforting to know that a satisfying conclusion to most of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's storylines exists, even if it doesn't come at the end.
