Shows to Watch When You’re Anxious: “Brooklyn 99”

Have you been feeling upset? Do you need to laugh? Well, have I got the show for you! Brooklyn 99 is the ultimate cop comedy TV show! It includes police station hijinks, best friends for life, quotable one liners, iconic characters, representation, real life topics and so much more. 

Brooklyn 99 follows the lives of a detective squad and their captain in New York City. There’s Jake Peralta, the childish goofball with a heart of gold; Amy Santiago, the teacher’s pet with a twinge of awkwardness that makes you laugh; Charles Boyle, the best friend of everyone and the foodie no one knew they needed; Rosa Diaz, the quiet scary one who no one really knows anything about; Terry Jeffords, the sergeant who can scare people with his muscles, but is really just a softie who loves yogurt; Gina Linetti, the know-it-all secretary who can scare people just by telling them she worked at a sunglasses kiosk and became the assistant manager; Hitchcock and Scully, the two dodos who sleep and eat, and finally Captain Raymond Holt, the honorable and quite bland yet brilliant leader. 

This show is one of my all time favorite shows ever. I chose this show because it’s all I’ve been watching since COVID started. Just a heads up, there are spoilers ahead! The characters do have arcs in the show and much of that will be revealed! Brooklyn 99 is available on Hulu and in some parts of the world is available on Netflix. 

Season 1: 

There aren’t any episodes that will cause you anxiety in this season! Nothing to worry about here! Happy viewing!

Episodes to definitely watch in Season 1: 

• Episode 13: The Bet
• Episode 16: The Party 
• Episode 19: Tactical Village
• Episode 20: Fancy Brudgom
• Episode 22: Charges and Specs 

Season 2: 

Again, nothing in this season will make you anxious! This is another amazing season!

Episodes to watch:

• Episode 2: Chocolate Milk 
• Episode 3: The Jimmy Jab Games
• Episode 4: Halloween II
• Episode 12: The Beach House
• Episode 15: Windbreaker City 
• Episode 16: The Wednesday Incident 
• Episode 17: The Boyle-Linetti Wedding 
• Episode 18 Captain Peralta 
• Episode 20: AC/DC
• Episode 22: The Chopper 
• Episode 23: Johnny and Dora 

LAST CHANCE! SPOILERS AHEAD!

Season 3: 

Episodes to stay away from in season 3: 

Episode 1: New Captain

In this episode a new captain joins the 99th precinct. Chaos ensues and the group must find a way to get used to the new normal. The only reason I don’t recommend watching this episode is because the new captain does “die” in this episode. If that upsets you at all, maybe don’t watch this episode. (it’s a comedic and a funny thing, but it might not be funny to you). I don’t recommend watching this episode if you’re anxious!

Episode 2: The Funeral

In this episode the squad is asked to go to the memorial service of Seth Dozerman (the current, but not really captain). This episode is all about losing Seth Dozerman, the current Captain of the 99 precinct. They attend a funeral and that might be upsetting. I recommend not watching this episode if you’re anxious!

Episode 12: 9 Days

In this episode Jake and Ray contract the mumps and must quarantine together. The only reason I recommend not watching this episode is because of the way they show the mumps and the deterioration of both characters as the episode progresses. I recommend not watching this episode if you’re anxious. 

Episodes to watch: 

• Episode 3: Boyle’s Hunch (click to watch a clip!)
• Episode 6: Halloween III
• Episode 10: Yippie Kayak 
• Episode 13: Karen Peralta 
• Episode 15: The 9-8
• Episode 17: Adrian Pimento 
• Episode 18: Cheddar
• Episode 21: Maximum Security 
• Episode 22: Bureau 
• Episode 23: Greg and Larry 

Season 4: 

Episode to stay away from if you’re feeling anxious: 

Episode 22: Crime and Punishment

In this episode Jake and Rosa are framed for a crime they didn’t commit. This episode is hard to watch mainly because of the way this affects the squad. I wouldn’t recommend watching this episode if you’re feeling anxious.

Episodes to watch in Season 4: 

• Episode 1: Coral Palms Pt. 1
• Episode 2: Coral Palms Pt. 2 
• Episode 3: Coral Palms Pt. 3 
• Episode 4: The Night Shift 
• Episode 5: Halloween IV
• Episode 6: Monster in the Closet 
• Episode 7: Mr. Santiago 
• Episode 10: Captain Latvia 
• Episode 15: The Last Ride 
• Episode 17: Cop-Con 
• Episode 18: Chasing Amy 
• Episode 19: Your Honor 

Season 5: 

Episodes to stay away from if you’re feeling anxious: 

Episode 1: The Big House Pt. 1

This episode was very hard for me to watch mainly because they show how quickly Jake and Rosa lose their minds behind bars. If you are feeling anxious, skip this one!

Episode 2: The Big House Pt. 2

Similar to episode 1, it’s still very hard to watch Jake and Rose be uncomfortable in jail. Again – skip it if it builds anxiety!

Episode 5: Bad Beat

This episode is all about Captain Holt and how he has had a gambling addiction. For me this episode isn’t upsetting, but addiction is a serious thing and it can affect someone. So, if you know it will affect you, don’t watch this episode! There are plenty more you can watch that won’t upset you!

Episode 20: Show Me Going

Rosa responds to an active shooter alert and the whole squad is forced to stay back and wait to hear about her safety. This is an amazing episode because it shows how much of a family this group of people really is, but it’s very hard to watch them deal with the potential loss of their co-worker. If you’re feeling anxious I don’t recommend watching this one. (But definitely do go to the end and watch everyone’s reactions! Very heartwarming) 

Episodes to watch from Season 5: 

• Episode 6: The Venue
• Episode 7: Two Turkeys 
• Episode 9: 99
• Episode 12: Safe House 
• Episode 18: Gray Star Mutual 
• Episode 19: Bachelor/ette Party 
• Episode 21: White Whale 
• Episode 22: Jake & Amy 

Season 6: 

Episodes to stay away from if you’re feeling anxious: 

Episode 6: The Crime Scene

This episode was a very tough one for me to watch. In this episode Jake and Rosa must deal with a mourning mother as they work and rework a crime scene in order to solve a difficult case. If you’re feeling anxious don’t watch this episode. 

Episode 8: He Said, She Said

In this episode, Jake and Amy investigate a difficult “he said, she said” case. Sexual assault/harassment are very tough topics for anyone. I don’t recommend watching this episode if anything like that upsets you. (Although, it does end well! So do keep that in mind when you’re skipping)

Episode 12: Casecation

In this episode Jake and Amy begin to question their marriage and what they want for their future. Some of the topics they cover might be upsetting, so I recommend not watching this episode if you’re feeling anxious.

Episodes to watch from Season 6: 

• Episode 1: Honeymoon
• Episode 2: Hitchcock & Scully
• Episode 3: The Tattler
• Episode 4: Four Movements
• Episode 9: The Golden Child 
• Episode 14: Ticking Clocks
• Episode 15: Return of the King 
• Episode 16: Cinco de Mayo 

Season 7: 

Episodes to stay away from if you’re feeling anxious: 

Episode 6: Trying

Jack and Amy are trying for a baby, but can’t seem to conceive. This episode was hard for me to watch mainly because I just care so much for Jake and Amy. If you’re feeling anxious, I don’t recommend watching this episode. 

Episode 7: Ding Dong

In this episode Captain Holt deals with a personal loss. His enemy passes and he has to cope with what it will be like without her constantly making him a better Captain. The only reason I recommend not watching this episode is because of the episode being mainly about losing someone. If you’re feeling anxious don’t watch this episode. (Skip to the end though! Yay Jake and Amy!) 

Episodes to watch from Season 7: 

• Episode 1: Manhunter
• Episode 2: Captain Kim
• Episode 3: Pimemento
• Episode 4: The Jimmy Jab Games II
• Episode 9: Dillman
• Episode 10: Admiral Peralta 
• Episode 12: Ransom
• Episode 13: Lights Out 

This show has been around for a long time! 7 seasons have passed! But, with it being 7 seasons, that also means the show would have to come to an end at some point. The cast of Brooklyn 99 is currently filming a Season 8 right now! They had planned for it to come out in the fall of 2021, but with COVID it was very hard to film anything. The writers also decided that they wanted to cover more about COVID and the Black Lives Matter movement. I cannot wait to see what they are going to do! I love this show so much and I hope all of you do too!

I hope this guide helps you through the show! Always remember to take care of yourself when watching a show! The media you take in is just as important as your mental health! Be good to yourself and never feel guilty!