In the episode, Jake and Rosa respond to a hostage situation in a jewelry store, only to discover that the perpetrator is Doug Judy, who asks for help regarding his mother's life.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 1.83 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Judy explains that he has upset a drug dealer, Holloway, who will kill his mother if he does not give him the diamonds to pay off an old debt.
Meanwhile, Boyle (Joe Lo Truglio) begins his food truck business and Amy (Melissa Fumero) and Gina (Chelsea Peretti) agree to help him.
In its original American broadcast, "The Negotiation" was seen by an estimated 1.83 million household viewers and gained a 0.9/4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
With these ratings, Brooklyn Nine-Nine was the third highest rated show on FOX for the night, beating The Last Man on Earth, and Bob's Burgers but behind Family Guy and The Simpsons, fifth on its timeslot and tenth for the night, behind Family Guy, Little Big Shots, The Simpsons, America's Funniest Home Videos, NCIS: Los Angeles, Instinct, American Idol, 60 Minutes, and an NCAA Tournament game.
On the one hand, it's fun as always to have Samberg and Robinson riffing and singing and enjoying each other's company, and to have Jake constantly aware that he's going too far with this guy.