The Pontiac Bandit Returns

In its original American broadcast, "The Pontiac Bandit Returns" was seen by an estimated 4.32 million household viewers and gained a 2.1/6 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.[1] This was a slight increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 3.11 million viewers with a 1.4/3 in the 18-49 demographics.[2] This means that 2.1 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 6 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. With these ratings, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was the third most watched show on FOX for the night, beating Bob's Burgers but behind Family Guy and The Simpsons, fourth on its timeslot and fifth for the night, behind Family Guy, The Simpsons, Football Night in America, and NBC Sunday Night Football.

"The Pontiac Bandit Returns" received critical acclaim from critics. LaToya Ferguson of The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "'The Pontiac Bandit Returns' finally provides this season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine with a sequel episode that works just as well, if not better, than the original, while also adding a little something new to the equation."[3]

Jackson McHenry of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine's a show about detectives, which means it's a show about people who are fundamentally unforgiving. Sure, the members of its police squad have a lot of fun, but they're ultimately there to bag thieves and solve crimes—not let people off easy. So the funny thing about the Pontiac Bandit, a.k.a. Doug Judy (a.k.a. actor Craig Robinson of The Office, who returns this week after his stellar episode last season), is that he's the most relaxed character on Brooklyn Nine-Nine."[4] Allie Pape from Vulture gave the show a perfect 5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "I like the Brooklyn Nine-Nine I have, and I'm sure an entire galaxy of lovable, irascible perps might end up becoming grating, but Robinson's endearing-slacker vibe melds so perfectly with Peralta's (and plays so beautifully off Rosa's sullen deadpan) that it's hard to resist wanting him to be in every episode."[5]

Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote, "The original Pontiac Bandit episode was a highlight of season 1, and it wasn't surprising in the least that Schur, Goor and company would want Craig Robinson to come back and goof around some more with Andy Samberg. What makes the Jake/Doug rivalry work so well is how fundamentally good-natured Doug is, and how simpatico these two men are; if they weren't on opposite sides of the law, it'd be easy to imagine them as best friends."[6] Andy Crump of Paste gave the episode a 9.0 and wrote, "Brooklyn Nine-Nine has built up a head of steam as it heads into its winter break, and continues to balance a number of different threads and relationships along the way. In light of the second season's uneven start, that newfound inertia is as noticeable as it is welcome. Between drug busts and wacky fun, the show has found its stride once more, and not a moment too soon."[7]