As a long-time fan of TV comedies who’s only recently caught up with Brooklyn Nine-Nine, I can confidently say that it’s not just a laugh riot but also a masterclass in character development and representation. The journey of Rosa Diaz, brilliantly portrayed by Stephanie Beatriz, is a shining example of this.
After putting it off for far too long, I finally watched Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and I’m thrilled I did! From the moment I started, I was captivated by the characters in this office comedy about a team of NYPD detectives. Stephanie Beatriz as Rosa Diaz particularly caught my attention with her tough demeanor and intriguing background. As more details about her were revealed, my affection for the character grew, especially once it was disclosed that she is bisexual.
To put it another way, Rosa’s journey as she comes out feels like some of the finest moments from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and the originality of her storyline gives her an exceptional, unexpectedly touching character within the show’s cast. When the series first aired, she appeared tough on the outside. After completing my marathon viewing of what I consider to be one of the best TV sitcoms ever made, let’s delve into why this arc is so impactful.
Rosa’s Struggle To Come Out To Her Parents Is Never Sugarcoated
After a funny cold opening in an episode of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” titled “Game Night” from the fifth season, Rosa unexpectedly shares a personal moment about her bisexuality. This plot point was influenced by Beatriz’s real-life coming out in 2016, as she shared with Page Six. The writers made this decision because they knew Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) might accidentally reveal her secret eventually, but they also felt assured that her coworkers would offer unwavering support.
Sadly, she can’t echo the same acceptance from her parents, Oscar (Danny Trejo) and Julia (Olga Merediz), who she finds very traditional. In fact, they are skeptical about her sexual identity, viewing it as a passing phase rather than a permanent part of her. Fortunately, by the end of the episode, Oscar learns to accept his daughter for who she is. However, it’s only in the next season that Rosa seems to be mending her relationship with Julia.
In my opinion, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has some truly impactful moments in its comedic drama series, and one that stands out as particularly powerful and truthful is when Rosa reveals her sexuality to her parents. I appreciate how unflinchingly it portrays the struggles and heartbreak that someone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, even an adult like Rosa in her mid-to late 30s, might face when coming out to their family. This situation is usually shown from a younger perspective in media, particularly in teen dramas with LGBTQ+ themes. However, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” provides a compelling message of resilience and growth for adults dealing with similar issues.
After Rosa Comes Out, Dating Women Allows Her To Explore Her Sexuality Further
Prior to revealing her sexuality, Rosa had two primary male love interests: Marcus, who is Captain Holt’s nephew and portrayed by Nick Cannon, and a detective named Adrian Pimento with psychological issues, played by Jason Mantzoukas. But following her coming out, none of her openly acknowledged romantic partners (excluding those she kept secret) were male.
Out of the individuals she had dated, whom we have met personally and know by their real names instead of pseudonyms, there were two notable ones: Audrey (Keylor Leigh), a bartender who Gina (Chelsea Peretti) covertly matched her with, and Alicia (Gina Rodriguez), a Lyft driver she briefly dated on the day of Jake and Amy’s (Melissa Fumero) wedding. One of her longest and meaningful relationships was with cosmetology student Jocelyn Price (comedian Cameron Esposito). This relationship lasted quite some time, and Jocelyn even became a familiar figure at the precinct until their separation in Season Seven.
In Brooklyn Nine-Nine, the writers introduced several female companions and possible romantic interests for Rosa, reflecting her journey to openly express her sexuality which had been largely concealed throughout her life. I appreciate that the show remained committed to this theme and avoided introducing a male love interest for her character, simply for convenience.
Rosa’s Coming Out Leads To Her Most Endearing Character Developments
Initially, it was challenging for Rosa to come out as bisexual to her colleagues in the Nine-Nine, given her inherent preference for privacy. However, this moment marked just one instance where she began to be more forthcoming with her peers and friends.
Apart from being slightly more willing to talk about her personal life, she also shows emotion more frequently than before, except during the one emotional conversation she had with Holt after breaking up with Marcus. It’s quite refreshing to observe a character who is typically reserved showing more emotional vulnerability.
To clarify, let me emphasize that I was quite fond of the enigmatic and intense Rosa we encountered in Season 1. Nevertheless, it’s her warm, empathetic character who offers a sense of comfort and familiarity that I find myself truly drawn to.
Rosa’s Romantic Arc Also Ends In A Subversive Place
It appears that a significant portion of Brooklyn Nine-Nine focused on Rosa’s romantic storyline, suggesting that her two marriage attempts with Adrian Pimento might not be the only wedding events we witness in the series. However, this isn’t how things turned out.
In the finale, it appeared as though Rosa was considering reconciling with Pimento, but this turn of events was actually a trick to outsmart Amy in their annual heist. Later, she confides in her friend that she has no intention of settling down with anyone for quite some time, which leaves us with that insight about the character in the end.
In most sitcoms, if they delve into a main character’s romantic adventures, they usually provide a grand finale where they find their ‘one’ or suggest they’ve found their soulmate. However, the show Nine-Nine distinguishes itself by having Rosa prioritize her career over love, emphasizing that love doesn’t always need to be rushed.
Should there be a Brooklyn Nine-Nine reunion or revival – something I’d enthusiastically support – it would be intriguing to observe Rosa in another long-term relationship. For now, though, I’m content with the empowering narrative the series provided for its bisexual character and eagerly await the opportunity to revisit it when I subscribe to Peacock at some point in the future.
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2024-09-30 12:07