Brooklyn Nine-Nine Review: Show Me Going (Season 5 Episode 20)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine Season 5 Episode 20, “Show Me Going,” returns the show to its core strengths. It is a stereotype-busting episode that focuses on the 99’s deep friendship and love for each other.

Also, the hug between Gina, Rosa, and Amy makes me shriek in delight the way only a basket of puppies usually can. Gina’s sweet “Yay!” as she bounces her arms across the two other women feels almost magical.

These women are so very different. Their basic likes and dislikes, their approaches to conflict, and their approaches to work are all dissimilar. Yet, they are able to articulate to each other how amazing and worthy of a full, love-filled life they each are.

It is just phenomenal and a much-needed example of female friendships that are reciprocated, healthy, and fun.

As Gina says:

A-women.

Importantly, the show also exhibits how a friendship like that takes work. It doesn’t just come from liking someone and spending time with them. It takes true investment.

I am deeply inspired by the partnership in the gal pal group of Rosa, Amy, and Gina!

I also am moved by Amy’s emotional development on the episode. “Show Me Going” masterfully uses props and situational comedy to give an emotional impact to the scene.

I honestly can’t think of another show that does this like Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

I am in tears when Amy smashes the toilet to smithereens. It is such an outpouring of her pain, in an authentic and still funny way.

Likewise, when Amy pauses before heading to the bathroom to fix the toilet, she stops Jake and just says, “I love you.”

It is so simple and ordinary in the sense of the actual words. But the subtext we get is the whole story of how the two are cops and have a deep mutual understanding of the risks of their work.

She wordlessly expresses a whole litany of ideas about how they could lose each other, but that at the end of the day, they both have chosen this work because they love it and they are willing to take those risks — even if it means that they face heartache.

It is an incredibly powerful “I love you,” and, once again, Brooklyn Nine-Nine gives this line to a woman of color.

She is the one who is assertive and proud of her job. Jake definitely agrees, but it is important that Amy is the leader in that conversation.

Again, this is representation done well.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is smart to have Gina in a more integral role on “Show Me Going.” I want EVEN MORE GINA.

Gina’s character is lacking the development that would allow for the emotional impact of Amy’s and Rosa’s characters.

This is just because we haven’t had as much time with her.

We are starting to see that Gina is more than funny quips and extreme vanity. But we need more vulnerability and close-up moments with her, like we’ve been able to have with Rosa and her coming-out story.

And what happened with that by the way? Please, bring that back!

There are parts of the episode that are unnecessary and a bit annoying at this stage in the series — seriously, yet another story about Jake admiring a dude, then a twist that he and Boyle have to work through? But what does work works so well that “Show Me Going” earns five stars.

The story of how the men in the precinct deal with the fear of losing Rosa is stunning.

So frequently, we see male characters using their physical strength — or, like Jake tries to do on the episode, their rogue take-overs — to save people.

In particular, we usually see police officers deal with the lethal nature of their jobs by remaining stoic and morphing into a muscle-fueled emotionless savior.

“Show Me Going” negates the savior complex that is a part of a toxic-masculinity and replaces it with empathy.

Terry, Jake, and Boyle talk it out. Instantly, Terry’s blood pressure drops.

The world goes from overwhelming and scary, to manageable and supportive. They can get through it when they are open and vulnerable with their thoughts and feelings.

Now THAT is heroic!

Another thing I like about the episode (that is not dramatic but is important) is how it shows cops treating mundane, rather boring tasks as valuable.

Amy fixes the toilet, and we saw her putting up shelving on a past episode. She is Sergeant and she finds these tasks very important to her job.

Most often, those parts of a cop’s job are glossed over or entirely absent on television, so that the exciting storylines can be featured.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (especially through Amy, but with other characters as well) shows us that police work is not just about the high-adrenaline activities. It is a multi-faceted job that has dull moments too.

I will continue to put this is every Brooklyn Nine-Nine review I write, because it needs repeating.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is turning stereotypes and harmful misogynistic tropes on their heads. It does it in under 30 minutes, and it does so while also making us laugh our butts off.

We need this show, and FOX is foolish to let weeks go by without deciding to #RenewB99.

Stray Thoughts:

• It is easy to miss because of the emotional hug that follows, but Amy busts into the bathroom yelling how she stole the seat from a Barnes & Noble. Thank you, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, for that mental image.
• I wish it wasn’t true, but Boyle’s “penis-punching 69-ing” line had me DYING with laughter. So wrong, so funny.
• Gina’s “It’s fun to watch you get destroyed by that toilet” is the best line of the episode.

What did you think of this episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine airs Sundays at 8:30/7:30c on FOX.

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