When will comedies realize that they’re better off sticking to just being funny? The normally enjoyable Brooklyn Nine-Nine took another obnoxious leftist turn by tackling the #MeToo movement. Looks like the series didn’t learn that much from moving to NBC.
The February 28 episode “He Said, She Said” follows Detective Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) investigating a new case with his wife Sergeant Amy Santiago (Melissa Fumero). This latest scenario involves a woman named Keri (Briga Heelan) accusing her investment banker boss Seth Haggerty (Jonathan Chase) of attempting to sexually assault her; she fought back in the process and injured him. Keri is offered a $2.5 million settlement to sign an NDA agreement rather than press any further charges, but Amy persuades her to hold off on signing until they can prove she was assaulted.
Right off-the-bat, Keri is doubtful, considering this is a “he said, she said” case and declares the system's as “broken as Seth’s dong” since they can’t convict him on her word alone. In the real world, we consider evidence a good thing, but I guess “innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t work in 2019. Seth is pretty much revealed as a sexist creep as he tries to deflect blame while claiming to be “the kind of guy who thinks Kathryn Bigelow should direct the next 'Star Wars.'”
At least the police still have to look for evidence to officially convict the guy. While going through the statements, this marks the perfect time for the show to act like women are constantly put-down by the patriarchy, with Amy being shown having creepy guys come on to her and being asked where to find a police officer while she's in uniform.
This public discussion between Jake and Amy quickly leads to a conflict between Amy and fellow feminist Detective Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) over the best way to handle Keri’s case. Rosa reminds Amy that even if they did go through a trial, Keri’s name will be dragged through the mud. Either way, women are always the victims. Even more obnoxious is another time for Jake to play the beta-male in their conversation.
Jake: Anyways. I am genuinely very sorry that this is something you have to go through all the time.
Amy: It's okay. I'm used to it.
Jake: That's even sadder.
Amy: I know. But you know what's not sad? That Keri didn't take that insane amount of hush money, and now we get to put a bad guy in jail.
Jake: Amen.
Rosa: Wait, her firm offered her a big deal and you told her not to take it?
Amy: Yeah. Because that would mean letting a sexual assaulter go free.
Rosa: Do you have any physical evidence to prove that he did it?
Amy: No.
Rosa: So it sounds like he might go free anyway. I mean, at least if she takes the deal, she won't walk away with nothing.
Amy: I'm surprised you feel like that. You're such a feminist.
Jake: I feel like maybe I shouldn't be here.
Rosa: I am a feminist, but I'm also a realist. I'm just looking out for the victim.
Jake: Or should I be here because men should be part of the conversation?
Rosa: Let's say best case scenario you do find evidence. She's still gonna have to go through a very public trial where they drag her name through the mud. Even if she wins, she still loses. It's two steps forward, one step back.
Jake: I've landed on active listening. I will no longer be chiming in.
Amy: Yeah, but when one person comes forward, it inspires others to speak up. And that's a hell of a lot better than taking a deal that lets sexual predators walk free.
Rosa: Dude, obviously, I get that. I'm just saying, remember that there's a very real woman here whose career and life are gonna be affected by you pursuing this case. I'm just saying, consider what's best for her.
It’s hard to see any part of this as funny, even unintentionally. The scene is either feminist talking points or jabs at how men should shut up. To think, this is probably what constitutes politically correct humor nowadays.
The situation becomes even less funny when Amy reveals to Jake that she was also #MeTooed at her last precinct. The captain there came onto her after helping to advance her career, showing why Amy cares so much about Keri’s case. Furthermore, Amy adds, “This kind of stuff has happened to literally every woman I know,” so she needs to change things.
Jake: Ames, you've been working yourself to the bone on this case for three days straight. Now, I'm starting to worry about you.
Amy: I have to solve this case, Jake. Otherwise Keri lost the settlement and the job that she loves because of me, just like Rosa said. But I can't find anything. I've read through three years of Seth's emails, and it's mostly inquiries about where he could buy a Batmobile.
Jake: Tah, so stupid, but did he find one? Is it like at a dealership or something? Never mind. Look, I know this sucks, and I hate to say it, but we both know sometimes you work a case and you just don't have the evidence.
Amy: This isn't just a case for me. When I was a rookie at the six-four, my captain was my first mentor. He helped me get on the detective track, and he gave me all the best cases. But when I finally made detective, he took me to dinner and tried to kiss me. He said that he felt like he deserved something in return for my career. [Voice breaking] I just ran out of the restaurant back to the office, and I put in my transfer for the nine-nine.
Jake: Oh, man. I'm so sorry.
Amy: I never told anyone because I felt like maybe I didn't actually deserve my promotion. And I worried that I wouldn't get anymore promotions if I spoke up, so...
Jake: God. Every time I think I understand how bad it is, it's just way worse than I imagined.
Amy: This kind of stuff has happened to literally every woman I know. I just wanted to help make it better for this one woman.
You have to wonder what world these characters are living in where they believe that this happens to "literally every woman" and women can’t ever win in an allegation fight. It’s certainly not this one where the media publicly crucified Justice Brett Kavanaugh over far less evidence than this precinct has against Seth. This #MeToo episode has apparently been in the works for a while, but the “topical” story couldn’t find room to acknowledge that not “every woman” is honest about sexual allegations.
Of course, Seth is found to be guilty after one of his co-workers comes clean with the truth. A group text corroborates the allegations, and the arrest is made. Sadly, Keri still quits her job, feeling that everyone now sees her at work as either a traitor or a victim. Amy, at first, considers this a loss, but Rosa reveals that in the process, Keri’s female co-worker has also come out to report an assault in response to Keri’s bravery. “Two steps forward, one step back,” Rosa reminds her, “Is still one step forward.”
This episode, however, is definitely one step back. There certainly are women (and men) who are sadly taken advantage of by powerful people. But treating society and the justice system as inherently sexist to "liberally every woman" doesn’t help any of them. All it does is elevate false accusations and discourage women from coming forward in the first place. Stick to helping the real victims, liberals, and stopping creating fake ones.
