#askbitf

[back-in-the-field]

I get why you are not fans of Pontiac Bandit/Rosa, but I was actually mad that Rosa was taken off the plot, just because this is such a Jake/Rosa plot, it was first time that we learn about their friendship, both times it moved their relationship forward, it would work for me more if Pontiac Bandit was part of the Swedes only because of that reason. She has to be the one who finally catches him with Jake.

I agree with you @tacticalvillage – I do think that when/if Doug Judy gets brought in, that’s a Jake-Rosa plot line for sure. They started this mess together, and they should finish it. I did like that Amy was introduced into that plotline, but I also liked that her involvement made sense; if Doug sends Jake cruise tickets, he’s gonna bring either Amy or his mom, probably not Rosa. 

I think I’d have been more unhappy if we didn’t get a lot of Jake-Rosa bonding this season beyond Doug Judy moments. It all evened out, I think!

–Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

Really glad that this podcast is back! I look forward to hearing your opinions on the other episodes that have aired, especially your opinion on Jake's parents in Karen Peralta. I was also wonder, what are your opinions of the Rosa/Gina pairing that has grown popular in fandom over the last couple of months?

Hey Anon! Thanks for writing in~

It’s funny you mention that, because Carl and I are currently working on scheduling our next recording session, which includes us talking about Karen Peralta! So we are READY AND WILLING to opine. Let us know if there’s anything specific you want us to touch on :) 

Hmmm. Rosa/Gina’s kind of always been a low-level thing in this fandom pretty much since the beginning. Personally, I’m pretty *shrug* about it. People gonna ship what people gonna ship. I’ll let @thisoneiscarl chime in if he wants to!

–Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

What is up with everyone complaining about Amy? I wrote a message earlier, after one of your podcasts, but to reiterate- it's weird that almost everyone is disappointed that Amy "gives up" quickly, or doesn't sacrifice as much as Jake. I think it ignores her previous efforts (not wanting him to risk his job) and it faults her for having doubts and insecurities (which are only natural). I really feel this is one of those cases where people are expecting and demanding more from women.

Hey Anon! We talked at length about this ask (and related ideas) in the latest podcast. If you haven’t, give #58 a listen and let us know if you feel we’re contributing to those negative rumblings further. Thanks! 

--Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

There was a little trouble brewing in the fandom yesterday on whether Jake fake-proclaiming love for Amy was problematic or not. (my opinion: I do not think it was, the show made it pretty clear it wasn't ok, and Amy beat everyone's asses, 99 QUEEN). I think there are other problems that have happened in the show that people haven't taken seriously (eg. everything in chocolate milk/oolong slayer, ect.). Thoughts on the issue?

HEY GIRL. We talked about this pretty extensively in our Halloween III podcast, and I hope everyone who follows us checks it out!!! I’m super proud of that one. I think it’s rad as hell. 

And yes, the fat shaming and weird body dysmorphia surrounding Terry is MUCH MORE PROBLEMATIC than two adults succumbing to competitive energy. 

--Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

I kind of feel like the show has no idea what to do with Rosa or they are preparing something big and she is on rest. Last time Rosa was in an A-plot was in Sabotage. She has boyfriend-arch that no one cares about. She was the one that was about to go up in the ranks and they kind of forgotten about it. She was paired with Terry twice already so maybe they will actually go on that direction and they will put him paternity leave or something.

Well the boyfriend arc got resolved pretty solidly today, which is okay, because Nick Cannon was a nonentity on the show, anyway. I think her rank-rise might come back, though i think Wuntch is the actual blocking factor there. It looks like Rosa’s about to get another plot with Terry in the Winter Finale (the Thanksgiving episode) so one can hope. 

Honestly, I don’t mind if Rosa doesn’t have a clear plotline in this part of the season. I’ve been vocal about feeling that Amy needs more attention, and I think she’ll get it. Rosa has been getting some development sort of laterally through the Marcus stuff, and hopefully things continue in that vein; if Rosa becomes a scooch more sympathetic, she will be a formidable captain, indeed. 

--Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

Do you think we'll see Amy promoted this season? I know the fandom has been speculating more on her relationship with Jake but I'm curious as to what career changes to expect within the 99. (Like... Is Terry also going to stay in the same position even with the stress of another child?)

I love the idea of her getting promoted, but the reality is that Rosa’s more likely to come up for a promotion. OR IF WE ARE BEING SUPER REAL RIGHT NOW: TERRY. Guys, no one deserves a promotion from the Nine-Nine more than Terry, who covers for e v e r y o n e and seems to get zero love from his superiors aside from Holt. Terry really deserves a lift, or a rise in rank. 

But Terry won’t get paternity leave (hahaha not from the nypd) but like I’m not sure if we can make career change calls this early in the game. 

--Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

So, I noticed something when I was re-watching the show over the summer. Even though all the characters on B99 wear more than just work clothes (date dresses, swim suits, etc) the show never uses that as a moment to telegraph "these people have sexy bodies and they need to smush those bodies together." I totally get wanting to objectify Any Samberg, Melissa Fumero, et. al. ;-) But TV often does it in a way that seems contrived (undercover lifeguards or whatever), so this is a nice change.

I don’t disagree, @dilicous. I will point out, though, that this is a comedy, and even The Office telegraphed Pam changing her life with small things -- her curls got less unruly, her clothes became more fitted. Note that there are also times when Amy, especially, gets put in an ugly shirt. Like, real ugly. 

I think, also, what you’re referring to is a lack of the “gaze” in the show. I think that’s also a sitcom thing, though it would be notable that Amy doesn’t get the cheesecake camera pan in The Bet, just a steady 3/4 shot of herself in her apartment building doorway. 

--Aarthi

[back-in-the-field]

I'm so glad you're back! It sounds like y'all had a lot of important exciting real life things this summer but I missed the podcast. Big Charles Boyle style hug. 😉

No worries! It’s not just you who missed it – I haven’t edited the podcasts yet, with all the information and stuff. I swear to gaaaahhhh I’ll get it done this week (double podcast all the way across the skyyyyy) it’s just that my new job is super intense and kinda killing me? but it’s okay, ‘cause I’m really good at it and they moved me to Los Angeles, soooooooo I feel like I can’t really complain. 

But yes! We’ve missed y’all, too! And I know we sound a bit distant in last week’s podcast; I’m hoping that the more we practice doing this whole “recording remotely across time and space” thing, we’ll come back to our old rhythm. 

Love you, anon! *big hugs back* 

–Aarthi