I Think I’ve Been a Long-Time Victim of Copaganda (But I Kinda Get It)

Brooklyn 99’s Cast

As I’m lying in bed, munching on a chicken steam salad wrap while binge-watching Brooklyn 99, I’ve come to a realization: I’ve been a long-time victim of copaganda.

From a young age, I was hooked on stories about detectives, crimes, going undercover, it’s the whole package. It wasn’t the idea of being a cop that pulled me in. It was the thrill of the mystery. Solving cases, questioning suspects, connecting the dots, it all just felt cool.

But what really sold it for me? The characters. The people doing the solving were always the ones that stuck with me.

The Iconic Sleeping Kogoro

The first that comes to mind is Conan from Case Closed. As a kid, he was basically a legend to me. A high school detective who gets turned into a child, forced to hide his identity while living with his girlfriend and her dad, all so he can secretly take down a mysterious criminal organization? That setup alone was insane. But on top of that, the way his relationships grew both with people from his past and the new friends he met — made him such a compelling character to follow. And of course, the gadgets. A rocket-powered skateboard? A soccer ball cannon? A tranquilizer dart watch and a voice-changing bowtie? Come on. That’s peak childhood fantasy.

As I got older, though, entering my teenage years, I found myself wanting something a little heavier something edgier and i guess emo. That’s where Batman came in.

The Carpet Scene in The Batman

Bruce Wayne is, to me, the coolest superhero ever. He’s not just a guy in a cape, he’s driven by trauma, haunted by loss, and obsessed with justice. His detective side has always been one of the most interesting parts of his character. In The Batman (2022), we get to see a younger version of him not the perfect, always-prepared figure, but someone still learning, still making mistakes. The Riddler stays ahead for most of the film, and Bruce’s tunnel vision and privilege blind him in key moments, like not realizing what a carpet tucker is. But that’s what makes it work. He’s not untouchable. He’s figuring it out in real time, and that struggle adds real weight to his wins.

Now, does that mean I completely separate the detective work from the police aspect? Not really. It depends.

There are definitely moments in cop media that make me roll my eyes like when The Batman tries to emphasize the “good cops” rallying together to bring down Falcone. It’s a nice moment, but it still feels a little too clean. That said, some fictional cops do land well because of the way their roles are written.

David Mills and Lt. Somerset in Se7en

Look at Se7en. David Mills and Lt. Somerset are one of the best detective duos I’ve seen. Their contrast, one young and impulsive, the other experienced and methodical, makes every interaction sharp. The journey they take through the Seven Deadly Sins murders is brutal, and not just because of the cases.

It’s also about how those cases change them, how the job wears on them in different ways where Mills gets a little wiser, and Somerset lets his guard down. And yeah, they make the whole thing look cool, walking into crime scenes in trench coats, flashing badges, flipping through folders of evidence. Even reading paperwork looks intense when it’s part of trying to stop a serial killer.

Cole Phelps in L.A. Noire

Or take L.A. Noire. Same detective fantasy, just in a game. You’re in charge. You are Cole Phelps. You walk through crime scenes, study clues, stare down suspects, and decide whether to call out their lies or give them the benefit of the doubt. It scratches that mystery-solving itch in a really direct way. And the 1940s noir setting? Just adds to the appeal. The music, the outfits, the tone. It’s all perfectly built to make you feel like a serious detective.

Then there’s Brooklyn 99, which kind of brings everything full circle. It’s a detective show on the surface, but at heart, it’s a workplace sitcom with more of a Rush Hour vibe than Se7en. It blends goofy characters with procedural elements, and somehow, it works. The exaggerated personalities, the ridiculous scenarios, the chaos of office politics, it’s all entertaining. But what keeps you coming back are the cases and the characters solving them. Watching Peralta stumble his way to a moment of brilliance is consistently fun. Sure, it’s not a deep dive into detective work, but it knows exactly what it’s doing and it keeps the focus on the people just as much as the process.

So… am I a victim of copaganda? Yeah, probably. The term itself has only gotten broader over time. And I won’t lie sometimes I catch myself thinking, “Maybe cops aren’t all bad,” and it makes me cringe a bit. But I also know where the line is between fiction and reality.

Detectives, and sometimes even fictional cops , can be compelling, stylish, and interesting. As long as I’m aware of how different reality is, I think it’s okay to enjoy the stories. I’m not blindly buying into propaganda. I’m just a fan of mystery, good characters, and the satisfaction of watching (or being) someone who figures it all out.