The Cruise is the thirteenth episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's third season.
Jake and Amy take a week off to go on a romantic cruise. While Jake wants to spend the whole time doing nothing but gorge on shrimp, Amy's signed the two of them up to partake in literally all but one activities ("Speed Dating for Widows" seemed like a bummer). Things get complicated when they board the cruise ship to discover that the resident lounge singer is none other than: DOUG JUDY!.
Turns out that the erstwhile Pontiac Bandit arranged for them to win a free vacation because his former partners in crime put a hit out on him and he now wants Jake's protection.
Meanwhile, Charles and Rosa investigate the death of an elderly woman but soon find themselves in a fierce competition to see which one of them get to move into the deceased's beautiful apartment.
Also, Captain Holt is on edge because Debbie, his little sister, is coming for a visit and he's not in the mood to deal with her over-dramatic personality.
This episode provides examples of:
- Actor Allusion: Jake claims he's physically unable to grow a mustache could be one to Hot Rod.
- Awesome McCoolname: Judy's stage name is "Horatio Velveteen". Jake begrudgingly admits it's a cool alias, and Amy agrees.
- Big Brother Instinct: When Holt finds out that Debbie's husband has been cheating on her, everything goes out the window and he does what he can to provide his sister with comfort.
- Blanket Fort: Holt used to build one for him and Debbie to play in as children. At the end, he builds one in his office in order to talk to Debbie.
- Blatant Lies: While flagrantly directing Jake and Amy's search as explicitly as saying "the guy in the red shirt, not the Asian dude," Doug Judy also sings "this is still a love song!"
- Brick Joke: At the end, Amy and Jake mistakenly go to the Speed Dating For Widows event.
- Call-Back: Doug Judy continues to have a thing for Rosa. He even sings a song titled: "Rosa, Rosa, Rosa".
- Cruise Episode: Amy and Jake's plotline is set on a cruise.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Holt believes that he's the responsible one and that Debbie is simply a flighty drama queen. He finally realizes that a lot of it has to do with the fact that she's going through genuine trouble in her life but his own personal distaste for emotional expressiveness makes it difficult for her to reach out for help.
- Friendly Enemy: Doug and Jake, of course, but Doug also seems to click very well with Amy.
- Gone Horribly Right: Holt follows Gina's advice to "fight drama with drama" by misrepresenting the way Kevin left for his sabbatical and having Gina and Terry interrupt with claims that "the Commissioner wants to know when crime will be down" and "the mafia is at it again." Debbie immediately volunteers to leave, and only then reveals that her marriage has fallen apart.
- Limited Wardrobe: Charles is confused by Rosa becoming enamored with the apartment's closet space because she really only wears one outfit.
- Love Confession: Amy tells Jake that she loves him. Jake almost screws it up but manages to call up some maturity at the last minute.Jake: Noice...Smort...I love you too.
- Multitasked Conversation: In the middle of his lounge act, Doug sings instructions to Jake, who is hiding in the crowd, for finding the hitman.
- Platonic Declaration of Love: Played for Laughs during Doug's escape. Doug gets away via speedboat, and shouts up to Jake with a megaphone, but can't actually hear what Jake is saying, which leads to this exchange:Jake: I WILL HUNT YOU TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!
Doug: I LOVE YOU, TOO! - Shipper on Deck: Doug is really keen on ensuring that Jake and Amy's relationship works out.
- Sitcom Arch-Nemesis: Despite Doug's insistence that they're best friends (and the fact that they obviously share a sense of humor), Jake angrily declares that they're actually nemeses and that he won't rest until Doug is behind bars.
- Spotting the Thread: Rosa and Charles become suspicious of the landlord because he turned them down as tenants despite the fact that either of them would be very reliable, and find that the erstwhile elderly tenant was poisoned to free her apartment from rent control.
- Tempting Fate: When Jake realises that "Horatio Velveteen" is none other than Doug Judy:Jake: I can't believe he's here! I've been hunting him for years, and fate has dropped him right into my lap! He's going to be so surprised when he sees me!
Doug Judy: [Cheerfully and clearly not surprised in the least] Yo, Peralta, you made it. What took you so long, brother?
[A spotlight shines right on Jake and Amy]
Jake: ... Okay, seems like he's playing it pretty cool. Probably more surprised on the inside.
Amy: Uh-huh. - Unusual Euphemism: Doug Judy uses the term "smoosh" to refer to sex.Doug Judy: Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen. But especially ladies. Get ready! It's time for some smoosh songs. We got songs about smooshing...songs for smooshing to...songs for the kids! This is: "The All-Ages Piano Lounge"!
