In my essay I will argue that while both Dragnet and Brooklyn 99 reflect the values of law and order and are procedural dramas, Dragnet depicts police as the moral authority and the heroic force in society that restores peace and order. On the other hand, Brooklyn 99 utilizes comedy to paint a realistic picture of police by questioning the legitimacy and reflecting the criticism police are currently facing for police brutality and ethical wrongdoing.
Dragnet uses a documentary-style film to show the day-to-day work of police officers and how they remove all the threats to an orderly society. There is minimal camera movement, and the shots are all straight to the point. It uses voiceovers to understand the scene that is occurring and what the logical next steps are. The set design is meant to show the tough on crime mentality and all the institutions that are set up to deal with crime. The show reinforces state legitimacy and views police as the institution that will uphold a tough on crime stance. This largely reflects the cold war and much of the attitude within the country. The police force is almost entirely white and there is little question as to who holds the power.
Brooklyn 99 uses a mockumentary style to make the viewer feel as though they understand all the characters and like they are there. It attempts to use humor to create a self-aware feel to the characters and the show. The police are depicted as multifaceted human beings who face the moral complexities of being a cop in a day and age where there is a lot of criticism. There is a lot of skepticism as to whether police are justified in the decisions they make and the money that gets allocated. Brooklyn 99 has a diverse cast which speaks to the way the force has changed and how even within the system there are people who speak up against police brutality. There is a satirical element that attempts to humanize cops and understand the complexities of the police force in the modern age.
Both shows take the viewer through a day’s work and what being a cop entails. It depicts the struggles and how cases are not always black and white. Both shows allow the viewers to understand that criminals make bad choices but aren’t necessarily bad people. Additionally, both shows reflect what viewers are hoping to see when they turn on the television. Dragnet creates a world of order that is tough on crime and restores peace to the neighborhoods. Brooklyn 99 creates a workplace that is realistic and highlights the complexities of being a cop. America has shifted on its view of law enforcement. Traditionally, the television was a window to a different world. In the modern age, television must address the current events and paint a realistic picture to face the nuance head on. Brooklyn 99 adjusted to this expectation throughout the seasons as it shifted to discussing racial and police brutality issues more openly during the last season.
Bandes, Susan. “Dragnet and Brooklyn 99.” Routledge Handbook of Law and Emotion, edited by Susan A. Bandes et al., Routledge, 2021, pp. 482–494. Taylor & Francis Online, https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003109969-33/dragnet-brooklyn-99-susan-bandes.
Bodroghkozy, Aniko. “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the Youth Rebellion.”
Itzkoff, Dave. “The Nation; Miranda as a Pop-Culture Icon.” The New York Times, 2 July 2000, https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/02/weekinreview/the-nation-miranda-as-a-pop-culture-icon.html.
Lentz, Kristin. “Quality vs. Relevance.”
O’Connell, Michael. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Boss Dan Goor on NBC Move and Season 7.” Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2020, https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-01-29/brooklyn-nine-nine-nbc-dan-goor-season-7.
Rabinowitz, Chloe. “‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Season 8 Premiere Review.” Variety, 12 Aug. 2021, https://variety.com/2021/tv/columns/brooklyn-nine-nine-season-8-premiere-review-recap-1235040522/.
One reply on “Dragnet to Brooklyn 99: A Cultural Shift”
I used to watch Brooklyn 99 with my family all the time, and while I’ve seen only a limited amount of Dragnet, I feel strongly that this will be a fascinating comparison. I like how you plan to discuss the shows and how they functioned as a result of the time they were released. It reminds me of when someone mentioned (in class) the way that the producers of Brooklyn 99 responded to the pandemic and BLM movement, putting it in the forefront of their episodes. I think Dragnet can be seen the same way, as a product of its time, as you plan to discuss.