It is rare. Usually, sitcom finales feel like a rushed breakup or a long, drawn-out goodbye that overstays its welcome. But "The Last Day," the Brooklyn 99 last episode, managed to dodge the typical "everyone moves to a farmhouse" trope. Instead, it leaned into the chaos. Honestly, it was the only way to go.
Series creator Dan Goor and the writing team had a massive mountain to climb. They weren't just ending a show; they were navigating a cultural shift in how people view police procedurals. Plus, they had to say goodbye to characters we’d watched for eight years. The result? A two-part finale that felt like a chaotic, high-stakes hug.
The Heist to End All Heists
If you’ve watched the show, you know the Halloween Heists are the heartbeat of the series. It started as a silly bet between Jake and Holt and morphed into an annual tradition of betrayal, elaborate costumes, and "Amazing Detective/Genius" titles. Making the Brooklyn 99 last episode one final, massive heist was a stroke of genius. It allowed every single character—even the ones who had already left—to come back naturally.
The premise was simple. Jake Peralta wanted to orchestrate the "perfect goodbye." He planned a heist where he would win, give a heartfelt speech, and announce his resignation. But, in true 99 fashion, absolutely nothing went according to plan.
Amy was moving on to a high-level reform position. Holt was becoming Deputy Commissioner. Terry was taking over the precinct. Everyone was growing up. Watching Jake realize that he couldn't control the exit was both hilarious and a little bit heartbreaking. It mirrored how fans felt. We wanted a perfect ending, but life, and the 99, is messier than that.
Bringing Back the Favorites
We got Gina Linetti. We got Pimento (briefly, but intensely). We even got Bill, the Boyle look-alike who is perpetually in some sort of pyramid scheme. Seeing Chelsea Peretti return as Gina was a highlight. She didn’t lose a step. Her entrance—crashing through a window or appearing out of nowhere—reminded us why the early seasons had such a specific, ego-driven energy.
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The writers also didn't forget the small stuff. Kevin and Holt’s relationship, which had been through the wringer in Season 8, felt solid. It gave the finale a sense of emotional groundedness. Without that, it would have just been a series of pranks.
The Growth of Jake Peralta
People often overlook how much Andy Samberg’s character changed. At the start of the show, Jake was a "Die Hard" obsessed man-child who lived for the thrill of the arrest. By the Brooklyn 99 last episode, he made the choice to become a stay-at-home dad.
That is huge.
It wasn't because he was a bad detective. He was the best. It was because he realized his priority had shifted. He didn't want his son, Mac, to grow up with an absent father like he did. This wasn't some forced TV plot point. It felt earned. When he tells Holt he's leaving, it’s one of the most sincere moments in the entire series. No jokes. Just two men who have shaped each other's lives saying goodbye.
Why the Ending Worked (When Others Fail)
Most sitcoms try to change the status quo too much. They send characters to different countries or kill someone off for shock value. Brooklyn 99 stayed true to its "found family" roots. Even though they weren't all working in the same building anymore, they were still the same people.
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The very final scene takes place a year later. Terry is the Captain. He’s doing the morning briefing. Suddenly, Jake bursts in. Then Amy. Then Holt. Then Rosa and Gina and Charles.
They’re doing the heist again.
It tells the audience that the world keeps spinning. The 99 isn't gone; it’s just different. This "Hitchcock and Scully" level of permanence gives the fans a sense of peace. The precinct is in good hands with Terry. The traditions live on. It’s not an ending; it’s a transition.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
Season 8 was tough. There is no getting around that. The show had to address police reform and the Black Lives Matter movement after the events of 2020. Some felt it was too preachy; others felt it didn't go far enough.
By the time we got to the Brooklyn 99 last episode, the show found its footing again by focusing on the characters' interpersonal growth. It acknowledged that the system was flawed but argued that the individuals—the Terry Jeffords and Amy Santiagos of the world—were trying to fix it from the inside and outside.
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The Legacy of the 99
What are we left with? A show that was smarter than it had any right to be. A show that gave us "Title of your sex tape" and "BONE!" but also tackled racial profiling, sexuality, and corruption.
The finale succeeded because it didn't try to be a "very special episode." It tried to be a very Brooklyn 99 episode. It was loud. It was fast-paced. It featured multiple betrayals involving fake latex masks. And it ended with "Nine-Nine!" shouted in unison.
If you are revisiting the series, pay attention to the callbacks in "The Last Day." From the mention of the "Vulture" to the return of the various heist trophies, it’s a love letter to the people who watched every week. It’s rare for a show to feel this complete.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you've just finished the Brooklyn 99 last episode and feel that specific post-show void, here is how to keep the vibe alive:
- Watch the "The Last Day" Commentary: If you can find the behind-the-scenes footage or the various cast interviews (the Late Night with Seth Meyers goodbye is a must-watch), do it. Seeing the cast break down during the final table read adds a whole new layer of emotion to the performance.
- Track the Heist Winners: Go back and watch all the heist episodes in order (S1E6, S2E4, S3E5, S4E5, S5E4, S6E16, S7E11, and S8E9/10). It’s the best way to see the character evolution and the escalating absurdity of the writers' room.
- Explore Dan Goor’s Other Work: If you miss the writing style, dive into Parks and Recreation or The Good Place. The DNA of the 99—the optimism and the rapid-fire jokes—is all over those series.
- Check Out "The Squad" Podcast: Marc Evan Jackson (who plays Kevin) hosted an official podcast that breaks down the making of the show. It’s filled with "how they did it" stories that make the finale even more impressive.
The 99th Precinct might be under new management, but the "Last Day" proved that some things—like a well-timed heist—never actually have to end.