The Fugitive (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

Plot

During a prison transfer, the bus crashes and nine inmates escape, prompting the 99th precinct to launch a manhunt. Jake and Amy, who have been discussing moving in together, make a bet: whoever catches the most prisoners will have the other move into their apartment. Holt and Rosa work to get information from a foreign woman, while Jake partners with Terry and Amy works with Boyle. Jake and Terry catch one inmate, but Amy and Boyle use thermographic cameras to capture three, taking a 3–1 lead.

Jake and Terry then use DHS equipment to catch three more, making it 4–3. While pursuing an inmate, Terry is held at knifepoint but is rescued when Amy arrests the inmate, tying the score 4–4. Holt and Rosa locate the final suspect in the sewers, where Jake and Amy catch him simultaneously. Jake lets Amy have the arrest, agreeing to move in with her, but the inmate is a decoy.

The real fugitive is identified, and Jake contacts his foster brother, Doug Judy, offering immunity for all past crimes in exchange for help. Judy leads Jake and Holt to an event where his ex-foster brother George plans to rob an expensive item. Meanwhile, Boyle complains about being left out of the group text chain; after instruction from Amy and Gina, he is added. Terry and Rosa investigate how George escaped a hospital unseen, with Terry worrying about aging, but Rosa helps him solve the escape, restoring his confidence.

Reception

In its original American broadcast, the episode was seen by an estimated 3.49 million household viewers and earned a 1.3/4 ratings share among adults 18–49, a 62% increase in viewership from the previous episode. It was the third highest rated show on Fox for the night, behind The Mick and The OT, and fifth for the night overall. Critics gave generally positive reviews. LaToya Ferguson of The A.V. Club gave Part 1 a B− and Part 2 an A−, noting that the low-stakes subplot made the conclusion work better, particularly the unexpected moment when Gina is hit by a bus after encouraging Boyle. Alan Sepinwall of Uproxx wrote that the episode marked a high note for the show's funniest stretches. Andy Crump of Paste gave the episode a 7.8, commenting that while both installments are funny, they lack narrative unity and might have worked better as standalone episodes.