The episode was funny, especially Holt. But I don't know, it was kinda cringy. This show has already dealt with important issues in the past, in a natural and beautiful way. This episode felt forced and... unrealistic. The reality of these situations is much more complicated than this. It was too one-sided.
I love this show and as I've said, it knows how to deal with important social issues. This time it felt too disingenuous, for some reason.
140 Reviews
Could've handled it much better
mikemcbride970161 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The thing that bugged me with episode the most was Amy and Jake's evident disregard for the entire premise of the American justice system, innocent until proven guilty. It sets a dangerous standard for police officers to be judge and jury before any evidence is even collected. I'm sure I'll be disregarded by most, but as important as the conversation on sexual assault is, the fight against it cannot be allowed to come at the expense of a fair justice system. This show is no stranger to sensitive subjects and in the past it has handled them well, but this episode was not done well.
Also, the part where Amy was going over the misogyny that she deals with felt like a bit of a hollywood exaggeration. Just a bit contrived. But again, I'll probably be disregarded. Anyway, funny episode, but cringy at times.
Not nearly as bad as the 7.1 indicate
curunir-curunir-6510 January 2021
Let's get "boring" for a second like our favourites Amy and Captain Holt and talk about statistics.
This episode is rated with 7.1 and is currently the second lowest episode of the series at the time this review is written (before season 8 aired). But it is very interesting to observe how this is shaped.
The series averages a rate of 8.4 with most episodes being around this value (85 episodes out of 143 are rated between 8 and 9). Usually the ratings of individual episodes get it right. The top episodes are HalloVeen and The box with 9.5 which means that episodes with a rating above 9 are in most cases the best ( depending of course on personal taste). Similarly, the fluctuation around 8 and 9 gives an indication of how good an episode is and if the rating is below 8 usually we are talking about a less engaging episode. And apart from two outliers the lowest thresholds seems to be 7.4.
In most episodes, the majority of the ratings are concentrated around the average value and usually the amount of the rest of the votes and where they are leaning forms the final value. For example in "The Negotiation" most ratings are 8 and then we have a lot of 9s and 10s while there is a decent amount of 7s causing the episode to be rated with 8.3. Even the episode with the lowest review "Return of the King" follows a similar trend with most ratings being 7 although there where a lot of 1s that led to the final 6.4 (I have not yet seen that episode so I am not able to further discuss about that).
However, this is not the case with this episode where most ratings are either 10 or 1. In fact 15.7% of the ratings are 1s. I know this episode can be divisive but seriously, just rate it fairly. Of course there are good ways to deal with gender equality issues (e.g. The Morning Show) and then there can be some less good attempts (e.g. the 2019 Batwoman series). For my personal taste this is neither (e.g. Moo Moo was indeed very good covering different social issues) but as an episode in general it was not nearly as bad as Four Movements (again personal taste). Especially Jake's awkwardness and ignorance in some cases is very interesting and funny, showing perhaps that the issue is more serious and not addressed even by people who have the tendency to be just.
Don't forget that this is a 20 minute episode, it is not easy to cover nearly all the angles in a such complex issue. A lot of reviewers cite Gina's harassments to Terry. First of all let's not forget that the series start with Charles harassing Rosa. Secondly, although I hear your argument, we can't just pretend that the amount of harassment men receive is equal to the amount women have to endure (which in many times is far more dangerous). The sequence where Amy is harassed or fell victim of sexism (even when buying a cup of coffee) was intriguing and actually accurate. It is amazing how even the smallest tasks can be more difficult for women (let alone the more serious ones like promotions etc.). People would argue that we don't need to be force fed these ideas. Judging by the amount of "radical feminist propaganda" comments and the 1s in the ratings, I am not so sure that is the case. Maybe the depiction is so blatant because the issue is so blatant and we just refuse to perceive the extent of it.
And let's not forget that there is also a secondary storyline, which was not bad.
Bottom line if this episode was not to your liking rate it like any other episode that you did not enjoy as much as the others. But there is no way this was as bad as being the second worst episode of a series suggests.
This episode is rated with 7.1 and is currently the second lowest episode of the series at the time this review is written (before season 8 aired). But it is very interesting to observe how this is shaped.
The series averages a rate of 8.4 with most episodes being around this value (85 episodes out of 143 are rated between 8 and 9). Usually the ratings of individual episodes get it right. The top episodes are HalloVeen and The box with 9.5 which means that episodes with a rating above 9 are in most cases the best ( depending of course on personal taste). Similarly, the fluctuation around 8 and 9 gives an indication of how good an episode is and if the rating is below 8 usually we are talking about a less engaging episode. And apart from two outliers the lowest thresholds seems to be 7.4.
In most episodes, the majority of the ratings are concentrated around the average value and usually the amount of the rest of the votes and where they are leaning forms the final value. For example in "The Negotiation" most ratings are 8 and then we have a lot of 9s and 10s while there is a decent amount of 7s causing the episode to be rated with 8.3. Even the episode with the lowest review "Return of the King" follows a similar trend with most ratings being 7 although there where a lot of 1s that led to the final 6.4 (I have not yet seen that episode so I am not able to further discuss about that).
However, this is not the case with this episode where most ratings are either 10 or 1. In fact 15.7% of the ratings are 1s. I know this episode can be divisive but seriously, just rate it fairly. Of course there are good ways to deal with gender equality issues (e.g. The Morning Show) and then there can be some less good attempts (e.g. the 2019 Batwoman series). For my personal taste this is neither (e.g. Moo Moo was indeed very good covering different social issues) but as an episode in general it was not nearly as bad as Four Movements (again personal taste). Especially Jake's awkwardness and ignorance in some cases is very interesting and funny, showing perhaps that the issue is more serious and not addressed even by people who have the tendency to be just.
Don't forget that this is a 20 minute episode, it is not easy to cover nearly all the angles in a such complex issue. A lot of reviewers cite Gina's harassments to Terry. First of all let's not forget that the series start with Charles harassing Rosa. Secondly, although I hear your argument, we can't just pretend that the amount of harassment men receive is equal to the amount women have to endure (which in many times is far more dangerous). The sequence where Amy is harassed or fell victim of sexism (even when buying a cup of coffee) was intriguing and actually accurate. It is amazing how even the smallest tasks can be more difficult for women (let alone the more serious ones like promotions etc.). People would argue that we don't need to be force fed these ideas. Judging by the amount of "radical feminist propaganda" comments and the 1s in the ratings, I am not so sure that is the case. Maybe the depiction is so blatant because the issue is so blatant and we just refuse to perceive the extent of it.
And let's not forget that there is also a secondary storyline, which was not bad.
Bottom line if this episode was not to your liking rate it like any other episode that you did not enjoy as much as the others. But there is no way this was as bad as being the second worst episode of a series suggests.
An insult to the fans.
modarkajo20 May 2019
Sexual harassment in the workplace is an important issue, and tackling it a sitcom is not inherently a bad thing. The way this episode does it however, is an outright assault on fans' intellect. To make an episode so ridiculously obvious; to spoon-feed the morals like this is more or less assuming that most Brooklyn 9-9 are simply ignorant when it comes to this issue, and therefore must go though a painful 20 minutes of pure cringe in order to "get it right."
It's also obvious that the way Amy handled the case is the opposite of what police work should be. If you have someone who was proven to be physically assaulted and another who admitted to the assault claiming it was an attempt to prevent a sexual harassment, the next logical step in any scenario would be to investigate the sexual harassment claim, and taking all the necessary measures if it was proven to be true. In "He Said, She Said" however, Amy didn't even bother; she just went ahead encouraging the employee to file a lawsuit, leaving the burden of proof for later.
This heavily flawed episode is -so far- the low point of an otherwise very fun an entertaining sitcom.
It's also obvious that the way Amy handled the case is the opposite of what police work should be. If you have someone who was proven to be physically assaulted and another who admitted to the assault claiming it was an attempt to prevent a sexual harassment, the next logical step in any scenario would be to investigate the sexual harassment claim, and taking all the necessary measures if it was proven to be true. In "He Said, She Said" however, Amy didn't even bother; she just went ahead encouraging the employee to file a lawsuit, leaving the burden of proof for later.
This heavily flawed episode is -so far- the low point of an otherwise very fun an entertaining sitcom.
Social issues and comedy with surprising dramatic heft
jakebirkel4 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
There are differing reviews on this episode, and I think that was a little bit of the point; to get people to talk about this issue. However, classifying this episode as propaganda is wildly inaccurate and hating it because you can't experience it is like taking something out of context and blowing it way out of proportion. Please don't classify this as something that doesn't happen and that is completely unrealistic because you've never heard of it happening; it is a horror of the real world.
Also, just real quick: how in any way is this liberalist? Their message literally seems to be don't harass or sexually assault people and I do not understand how that is anything other than basic human values. It's not political, it's commentary on the #metoo movement and I think if anyone approaches it with an open mind, this episode can be really eye opening.
Onto the episode itself as a piece of art, now that I'm done with whatever that was.
Writing: Cold Open was hilarious as always. Kind of like Show Me Going, this episode starts out lighthearted and normal but does take a turn. SPOILERS AHEAD: The subplot with Holt and the Disco Strangler helped the captain realize he's only human and that some things disappear over time. The main plot with Amy and Jake investigating the shattered groin is somewhat bouncy but you pick up on it and get really invested in it at more than one point. It also had a very real ending and character motivations (Amy & Rosa) who are really trying to do the best they can. Amy's past experience is something that really sounds horrible and it's really more of a statement on how people really are underneath and some of the ghosts we carry. Jake realizes how much worse women actually have it off in this world and he grows a bit more in the process. I really did appreciate how this episode handled the #metoo movement.
Direction: Stephanie Beatriz is officially a rising talent in entertainment. She got through this episode flawlessly and one scene in particular caught me completely off guard and made a few tears appear. She also juggles the humor in Holt's story and the drama in Amy's perfectly. Well done, Diaz!
Performances: Nobody has had as hard a task at dramatic lines in this show quite as Melissa Fumero did and she nails it. She is the MVP and frankly caught me off guard completely. Everyone else did well as always. Rosa seemed a little sidelined, but I think it was just because she was doing so much work behind the camera. One thing I would have liked to have seen is a little more of Terry in the main plot given Terry Crews' irl personal history with #metoo, but I understand he already had a big social episode and it was Fumero's time to shine.
This issue brings social issues together with comedy and introduces some surprising dramatic heft along the way. (9/10)
Also, just real quick: how in any way is this liberalist? Their message literally seems to be don't harass or sexually assault people and I do not understand how that is anything other than basic human values. It's not political, it's commentary on the #metoo movement and I think if anyone approaches it with an open mind, this episode can be really eye opening.
Onto the episode itself as a piece of art, now that I'm done with whatever that was.
Writing: Cold Open was hilarious as always. Kind of like Show Me Going, this episode starts out lighthearted and normal but does take a turn. SPOILERS AHEAD: The subplot with Holt and the Disco Strangler helped the captain realize he's only human and that some things disappear over time. The main plot with Amy and Jake investigating the shattered groin is somewhat bouncy but you pick up on it and get really invested in it at more than one point. It also had a very real ending and character motivations (Amy & Rosa) who are really trying to do the best they can. Amy's past experience is something that really sounds horrible and it's really more of a statement on how people really are underneath and some of the ghosts we carry. Jake realizes how much worse women actually have it off in this world and he grows a bit more in the process. I really did appreciate how this episode handled the #metoo movement.
Direction: Stephanie Beatriz is officially a rising talent in entertainment. She got through this episode flawlessly and one scene in particular caught me completely off guard and made a few tears appear. She also juggles the humor in Holt's story and the drama in Amy's perfectly. Well done, Diaz!
Performances: Nobody has had as hard a task at dramatic lines in this show quite as Melissa Fumero did and she nails it. She is the MVP and frankly caught me off guard completely. Everyone else did well as always. Rosa seemed a little sidelined, but I think it was just because she was doing so much work behind the camera. One thing I would have liked to have seen is a little more of Terry in the main plot given Terry Crews' irl personal history with #metoo, but I understand he already had a big social episode and it was Fumero's time to shine.
This issue brings social issues together with comedy and introduces some surprising dramatic heft along the way. (9/10)
They could have done it better (like in Moo moo), but it isn't awful
crazelord23 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I do think people are overreacting a bit, bc most of the subject matter the episode tackles does happen in real life, there was just no nuance to it.
While you should always take the victim seriously and with respect, as a police officer you can't just immediately accept she's in the right without evidence like Amy did.
She wasn't acting like the good detective she is. They could have not made it so clear that the harraser and all his colleagues were monsters and had someone question if Amy was too biased.
And then had the episode conclude with her being able to arrest the attacker. I know these things happen to women in one way or another often and the end where the victim had to leave her job bc she was considered a snitch does work, but the rest of the episode was way too clear cut for a show that's dealt with nuance much better before.
While you should always take the victim seriously and with respect, as a police officer you can't just immediately accept she's in the right without evidence like Amy did.
She wasn't acting like the good detective she is. They could have not made it so clear that the harraser and all his colleagues were monsters and had someone question if Amy was too biased.
And then had the episode conclude with her being able to arrest the attacker. I know these things happen to women in one way or another often and the end where the victim had to leave her job bc she was considered a snitch does work, but the rest of the episode was way too clear cut for a show that's dealt with nuance much better before.
Would give it a 7 but other ratings skew the ratings
habylab17 March 2021
I would completely disregard any negative reviews saying this is handling it too obvious or too much for the show. The issue is important, a lot of people don't realise how big the issue is. It's no surprise people find this annoying. It handles the issue well.
Like "Moo Moo", but bad
ciprianprohozescu8 March 2019
It really pains me to rate my favorite sitcom a 6, but I had to take this episode's average down. B99 has dealt wonderfully with social issues and other touch subjects before (yes, "Moo Moo" was beautifully executed), but this time they did not hit the mark. It's not just a mistake, however, (I wouldn't have rated it this low), it is a desperate attempt to "get in line" and receive praise for its "progressiveness". Jake and Amy's dialogue seems forced and unnatural and so is the "case" they investigate. I know companies like the one in the episode exist, but everything here seems pushed to the extreme, dumping all subtlety and common sense along the way. I hope this episode was written by a "guest screenwriter" and the show will go back to its natural and pleasing ways of dealing with moral issues, social problems and everything else in a satirical, laugh-out-loud-funny manner. I will rate some previous episodes just to raise the total rating of the show. Seriously, the 99 did not deserve this episode.
Hamfisted, especially from a show that has Gina harass Terry constantly
rmoran-3148212 March 2019
Lib here, and simply don't get it.
A show that thinks Gina constantly harassing Terry is funny, that Rosa physically abusing her male coworkers is funny, that Hitchcock is funny, I mean really? And it wasn't even trying the comedy aspect. Just simply went for "we believe her 100%, oh darn we have to actually get evidence even though we KNOW he did it, darn doing actual police work!"
Every single white male portrayed as some stereotypical jerk / creeper.
This was college level writing at best, and simply hypocritical from a show that considers Wunch 'patting down' Holt for 10 minutes to be acceptable.
I'm the target audience for this style of message, but yikes. This is the worst episode they've done yet. Moo Moo and Show Me Going absolutely prove they could do serious topics well. No longer 'never a bad episode' sadly.
A show that thinks Gina constantly harassing Terry is funny, that Rosa physically abusing her male coworkers is funny, that Hitchcock is funny, I mean really? And it wasn't even trying the comedy aspect. Just simply went for "we believe her 100%, oh darn we have to actually get evidence even though we KNOW he did it, darn doing actual police work!"
Every single white male portrayed as some stereotypical jerk / creeper.
This was college level writing at best, and simply hypocritical from a show that considers Wunch 'patting down' Holt for 10 minutes to be acceptable.
I'm the target audience for this style of message, but yikes. This is the worst episode they've done yet. Moo Moo and Show Me Going absolutely prove they could do serious topics well. No longer 'never a bad episode' sadly.
One of my favorite episodes
amber-869861 March 2019
Terribly executed
ciprianprohozescu9 February 2020
"Moo Moo" and "Show Me Going" are wonderful examples of serious topics wrapped in clever humor and all-in-all fantastic writing. This... this is just garbage. The dialogue is disgusting, Amy suddenly becomes a "daily" harassment victim, which was NEVER EVER portrayed before on the show (on the contrary, Amy was shown as extremely tough when she needed to be) and both Amy and Jake seem annoyed that they need to do police work in order to prove that the woman is right? Seriously? If the man had been in the right, would it have been obvious or what is their point?
Now that the dust has settled, here is why I didn't like it
Sam_Ash_763 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"Brooklyn Nine Nine" usually tackles social issues quite well, an example of this was another episode, called "Moo Moo" from the show's fourth season. However, "He Said, She Said" didn't approach the situation wisely in any way. Not once do they mention the amount of sexual harassment Gina delivered to Terry throughout the first five seasons of this show, for example, how Gina constantly told him to take his shirt off. But apparently its ONLY women who deal with these issues in the workplace. Completely poor writing. This is easily the worst episode of the show so far. I also found it really weird that Amy never told anyone about her sexual harassment story before this episode, especially when her mentor is a homosexual African American man.
The one great thing about the episode is the hilarious reunion scene between Holt and the Disco Strangler, easily the most enjoyable section of the episode, but still, even that wasn't enough to recommend against watching this episode. The episode was poorly written, aside from the Disco Strangler scenes.
3/10
The one great thing about the episode is the hilarious reunion scene between Holt and the Disco Strangler, easily the most enjoyable section of the episode, but still, even that wasn't enough to recommend against watching this episode. The episode was poorly written, aside from the Disco Strangler scenes.
3/10
BEST
kasmayantiv5 February 2021
This is my first time watching this season and today is my first time watching this episode, I LOVE IT. i really like how the story isn't just about we should took an act against the predator but it also pointed out how the reality is. and the quote from rosa diaz "two steps forward one step back is also a step forward" gave me chills. well done, nine nine!
One of the best episodes ever.
mayur-981281 March 2019
The message this episode conveys may seem so generic that it's often ignored. This episode really encapsulates what it's like, for a woman, to work in any office environment. The writers really did a great job. 9/10
I could feel Jake.. He was so relatable!
adhyayan_reviews1 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Another great topical episode from 99. This time we are tackling misogyny and feminism. The exchange between Rosa and Amy is the one of most powerful commentaries B99 has ever made on being feminist. Jake still manages to evoke a chuckle in such a serious scene as he feels totally out of place. He was totally relatable as an awkward guy who is all for feminism but doesn't know what to do about it. Great episode!
Wash your d*cks please
manu_berja10 November 2020
The episode? Not so great
The comments you are leaving here? Even worse, that explain my 10.
Did it feel staged? Yes Was it the best episode of the show? No Is this episode neccesary for the majority of you leaving comments here feeling all attacked and everything? Indeed
Most of you are male mediocre adults (as I am). Please leave the main character complex behind
Did it feel staged? Yes Was it the best episode of the show? No Is this episode neccesary for the majority of you leaving comments here feeling all attacked and everything? Indeed
Most of you are male mediocre adults (as I am). Please leave the main character complex behind
Mediocrity was obvious
dyashraj292 March 2019
While I'm a big fan of steph I was disappointed with the unfunny episode. The unfunniness was obviously boosted by the 'progressive' radical feminist propaganda.
Stop with the activism and start with the humour please, the audience clearly wants that. Plus, most people (including men) are decent and stuff like this antagonises and bores them.
Stop with the activism and start with the humour please, the audience clearly wants that. Plus, most people (including men) are decent and stuff like this antagonises and bores them.
Thank you
jenniferkibler2 March 2019
Such a great episode putting together alternate opinions in such a respectful and intelligent way that I'm proud that my 15 year old son made this our once a week tradition!
Great job 9-9! And great job Ms Beatriz on directorial debut!
Great job 9-9! And great job Ms Beatriz on directorial debut!
Andy and Melissa can't act in serious moments.
ansharora-1263811 September 2020
They both just are not good at acting in serious or dramatic moments. They both are good at comedy which is harder but whenever they show emotions or be serious I just get cringe vibes. They both clearly can't act dramatically. So don't please. Whenever they are even expressing love then also there is some cringe.
Forced
amad-iceman201010 March 2019
He Said, She Said
bobcobb3011 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Brooklyn Nine-Nine tackled the #MeToo movement with the respect that the subject deserves whilst simultaneously allowing us to laugh the same way we usually do with this show. That is not an easy balance to maintain.
Another good episode of a show that has improved so much since a certain character departed.
Another good episode of a show that has improved so much since a certain character departed.
Worst episode so far
christianjaburge6 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I thought the whole premise of this tv show was pointing out how the police often ignore the judicial system and how that's not ok... unless it's a 'he said she said' case. This episode tore down the structure that this tv show worked so hard to create in one fowl swope.
While we're on the topic, Jake bought up the idea of the patriarchy, in a cop show... where he would know better than anyone that the prisons and homeless are male dominated, sounds like a patriarchy to me.
While we're on the topic, Jake bought up the idea of the patriarchy, in a cop show... where he would know better than anyone that the prisons and homeless are male dominated, sounds like a patriarchy to me.
Regular Brooklyn nine nine with a good message
cartsghammond1 March 2019
I'm not a fan of huge tonal shifts in shows to shove a message down people throats, and this episode was not that. It looked carefully at a serious topic while also being hilarious at the same time. This is an all around classic episode, keep it up. And congrats on SEASON 7
The episode was perfectly fine
penguin-730513 March 2019
There are a lot of triggered people in the reviews. The episode handled this issue well and I think the relatively low reviews highlights how ignorant people are when it comes to social issues. Rating an episode a 3/10 solely based on the topic is ridiculous. It was well written, the acting was great as always and they truly showed what could happen in real life. There have been other "serious" episodes that were not so harshly judged.
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