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| Andre Braugher (left), Andy Samberg (right). Photo Credit: NBC |
As the competition winds down and the squad returns from the storage facility where they first worked on a case with Holt, Hitchock reappears in the precinct and is crowned the winner of the heist. After spending several episodes on FaceTime, it's completely satisfying to see Dirk Blocker back in-person. Though the squad is disgusted by Hitchcock's win, it ultimately felt like a perfect way to close out the last heist, especially considering Hitchcock does have more arrests than anyone else in the precinct. Once the comedy subsides, a touching talk between Rosa & Amy takes place where Diaz tells Santiago that she does not need marriage and kids to be content with her life. This is a scene that neatly wraps up the relationship between the two and beautifully showcases how not every character needs to settle down to have a happy ending. The closed-off Rosa and sociable Amy have clashed on many occasions but they have always had a mutual respect for each other, with this chat only reaffirming their close bond.
The most meaningful part of this episode, season, and possibly the series as a whole comes when Jake Peralta and Raymond Holt have one, final talk. The tender feeling of euphoria that comes from Holt describing how they've rubbed off on each other through the years simply cannot be placed into words. The callbacks to the first episode during their chat gives this moment such a "full circle" atmosphere. Jake has finally solved the puzzle of growing up that Terry described in the pilot and Holt sees him as a worthy son. Above everything else, the chemistry between Andy Samberg and Andre Braugher gave this series the soul that it needed to resonate with audiences. To have them fully embrace their father-son dynamic is an outstanding way to cap off their storied relationship.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine could have ended with the team taking on a grueling case or with a sappy round of tired platitudes but it instead chose to maintain the delicate balance of witty charm and genuine heart it has cultivated for over 150 episodes. The heartfelt moments pack as much of a punch as they do because the writers have done an immaculate job at refining these character dynamics for so long. Although it would have been more satisfying to see Jake remain a detective, it's comforting to know that Terry, Boyle, Hitchcock, and Scully still work in the 99th precinct, giving viewers a small sense of normalcy amidst the changes. 'The Last Day' gives this series the final hurrah it deserves by sticking to the show's trusted, concrete formula. There's little more one could ask for from the last Nine-Nine, with the episode offering fans both a trip down memory lane and a pleasant glimpse into the future.
Stray Thoughts
- Even though Rosa is right to not want her life be defined by settling down with someone, I still miss the Rosa-Pimento pairing.
- When Jake woke up from the fake coma and was told he had been in it for seven years, I thought Amy meant that everything outside of the first season had been in his imagination.
- It appears that Boyle found his own Boyle in the flash-forward sequence. I would have preferred it to end with the elevator scene but it was still an interesting look into the future.
- I can't believe the scene in the opening sequence is actually cannon and that they were just going to get falafel.
- Jake really tried to replicate "I Want It That Way" with "Car Wash".
- It has been an honor to have been a fan of Brooklyn Nine-Nine since 2014 and a reviewer since 2016. Farewell to one of the best sitcoms of the modern era and a big thank you to everyone who has ever worked on the series. Thanks for the memories and good times.
Grade: A-
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