Brooklyn Nine-Nine: The 9 best episodes

By Dan Snierson ,  Maureen Lee Lenker and Derek Lawrence
December 05, 2017 at 04:05 PM EST

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Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Finest

Credit: Jordin Althaus / FOX

As Fox's cop comedy unveils its 99th episode (Tuesday, 9:30 p.m. ET/PT), we look back at the squad's finest work.

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9. 'Paranoia' (season 3)

Credit: John P. Fleenor/FOX

The title aptly describes Adrian Pimento (Jason Mantzoukas), though “deranged” works too. Season 3's "Adrian Pimento" grabbed us by the collar and introduced us to this tortured detective who was warped by too many years undercover, but “Paranoia” scores by splitting up the squad to give the unstable detective and Rosa (Stephanie Beatriz) their dream bachelor and bachelorette parties. And five words: Maid of Honor Charles Boyle.

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8. 'Yippie Kayak' (season 3)

Credit: John P. Fleenor/FOX

This Die Hard-fetishizing episode lets Jake (Andy Samberg) live out his career-inspiring John McClane fantasies on Christmas Eve in a department store. Well, almost: The perps are Canadian, not German. Plus, Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) triumphs as the unlikely hero.

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7. 'Moo Moo' (season 4)

Credit: John P. Fleenor/FOX

The show proves that it can thoughtfully handle a serious issue plaguing police departments with the right mix of punchlines and reverence, as Terry (Terry Crews) finds himself torn over his loyalties after he's racially profiled by a white officer.

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6. 'The Party' (season 1)

Credit: Eddy Chen/FOX

Lots of laughs are uncorked when everyone tries to act civilized at Holt’s (Andre Braugher) house on the buttoned-up captain’s birthday. The real gift arrives when Jake attempts to discuss a New Yorker article about human trafficking with Holt’s husband.

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5. 'Greg and Larry' (season 3)

Credit: John P. Fleenor/FOX

Brooklyn isn't afraid to uncork a game-changing finale — and follow through on the twist in the first few episodes of the next season — and here, after an entertaining showdown with an Arizona-dry Holt-doppelganger FBI mole (Dennis Haysbert), Jake and Holt wind up as witness protection neighbors. In Florida.

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4. 'The Pontiac Bandit Returns' (season 2)

Credit: John P. Fleenor/FOX

Jake’s charming car-thief nemesis, Doug Judy (Craig Robinson), steals the show again during a Giggle Pig-ring case (drugs, for those not familiar). The winning chemistry of Robinson and Samberg made us dream of a Big Sugar and Dante Thunderstone spin-off.

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3. 'The Bet' (season 1)

Credit: Eddy Chen/FOX

Jake wins a bet making the most arrests and tortures Amy (Melissa Fumero) with his prize: a terrible date. Sparks fly on an unexpected stakeout, where Jake is “curious to see what happens” and the show stakes out its romantic center. (See also: Season 1's "Charges and Specs" and season 2's "Johnny and Dora.")

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2. 'Beach House' (season 2)

Credit: Eddy Chen/FOX

At Boyle’s beach pad (which is only his from December to February, sadly), the entire ensemble comes to play as Jake hides a party within the party from Holt because he’s a drag. Also, meet Six-Drink Amy, courtesy of Gina (Chelsea Peretti).

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1. 'Halloween Part III' (season 3)

Credit: Fox

Or maybe it's "Halloween II," under Holt's watchful eye. Or "HalloVeen," with that surprise engagement. Or wait, maybe it is "Part III," which sent Jake into the vents and Amy into revenge mode. Point is, it’s impossible to pick a favorite installment of the annual Halloween episodes, as these tricky heist treats showcase Brooklyn at its most energetic, surprising, densely-plotted, and creative.

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