Maximum Security (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

In its original American broadcast, "Maximum Security" was seen by an estimated 2.71 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/3 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.[1] This was a 34% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 2.02 million viewers with a 0.9/3 in the 18-49 demographics.[2] This means that 0.9 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. With these ratings, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was the second most watched show on FOX for the night, behind American Idol: American Dream, fourth on its timeslot and eleventh for the night, behind Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Real O'Neals, Fresh Off the Boat, Limitless, The Voice, American Idol: American Dream, Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS.

"Maximum Security" received mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. LaToya Ferguson of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "C+" grade and wrote, "Now that that's out of the way — while last week's 'Paranoia' was a set-up episode for the rest of this third season, this week's 'Maximum Security' is certainly a transitional episode. 'Filler' might even be the word for it, but it's not exactly all that filling. After all, we don't even get to see Rosa, Holt, and Terry throw things off the roof of a church. But in continuing with the big Jimmy 'The Butcher' Figgis plot, 'Maximum Security' makes some baby steps, immediately slowing things down right out the gate."[3] Allie Pape from Vulture gave the show a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "After last week's relatively joke-light, blisteringly over-plotted episode, I was worried that B99 was going to keep up that grueling pace for the entirety of this closing three-episode finale arc. But 'Maximum Security' is a great installment of the show, keeping up some meaty plot mechanics without sacrificing the quirky, referential humor that makes it such a joy to watch."[4]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "We're in the midst of an interesting experiment for the show as we near the end of season 3. Not only is this Pimento arc the most serialized Brooklyn has ever been, but it's also more dramatic than the series tends to be. It's not suddenly The Wire (though Jake would love that), but it wants us to believe that Pimento is really in fear for his life, that Diaz is genuinely upset about his absence, and that Santiago could really get hurt during this prison undercover operation."[5] Andy Crump of Paste gave the episode a 7.9 rating and wrote, "Following up 'Paranoia' would be a tough act for just about any episode, but now that we're in full-on serialized mode, Brooklyn Nine-Nine has precious little time for screwing around and spinning wheels. 'Maximum Security' does too much of both, and regresses its character development just a smidge in the process. It isn't a bad episode — lord knows the show hasn't had one of those since around about 'Into the Woods,' which isn't 'bad' as much as it is 'below standard' — but it is surprisingly inert."[6]