So for the first time all year, New Girl actually let me down. Last night’s “Bathtub” was easily the weakest episode of what has been a near perfect sophomore season, even though it provided some great one-liners and visual gags. My disappointment with the episode just speaks to how consistently funny and charming New Girl has been recently; the show has set the bar so high that any minor hiccup feels like a major letdown. Anyway, due to time constraints and my general feeling of “blah” towards this episode, I’m going to break it down into what worked on New Girl last night and what did not.
What worked:
– The only plot that really works for me this week is Schmidt’s attempt to get Cece back. After finally coming to the realization that he loves her (in last week’s “Eggs”), Schmidt’s speech about wanting to take things seriously and even have children with Cece, if that’s what she wants, is the most earnest, heartfelt, and satisfying moment of the episode.
– Schmidt’s binder full of suits that he keeps at his desk at work is simply amazing. Also, Schmidt being forced to wear his “summer suit,” which, of course, has a lightning bolt branded on the back of it, is completely ingenious and a perfect visual gag used throughout the episode.
– I loved the flashback scenes to what has happened in the past when Nick crosses the bar and his trepidation at doing so again. Jake Johnson is always at his best when he’s playing Nick as crazy/weird.
– Jess and Winston’s meth addict impersonations were great. Especially Jess’s. Just awesome
– Remy, the gang’s landlord, makes a couple of appearances! He still hits on Jess and suggests a three-way later with her and Winston. Remy, I’ve missed you. Never change, man.
– Every time Schmidt looked in the mirror and everything he said to himself while looking at his reflection was brilliant.
What didn’t work:
– Jess and Winston’s storyline overall did not work for me. While I was really excited about Winston playing a more prominent role in this episode, and his teaming up with Jess, which is something that we do not see very often, if ever, the writers really let me down with a scattered plot. Jess and Winston have to try and replace Schmidt’s suits after they ruin them with the bathtub that they bought and place on the roof. Then they bond over the fact that they both get the “willies.” Honestly, that does not look so good typed out and it did not look good on screen either. Maybe if the jokes had been funnier, it could have possibly worked, but this part of the episode just fell flat.
– Another part of the episode that feels pretty dull and boring is Nick’s flirtation with Angie (played by The Newsroom‘s Olivia Munn). The main reason that this storyline does not click is simply because it’s not really funny (Although I do like Nick’s awkward attempts at flirting and his drunken honesty that Angie should “DUMP HIS ASS!” when discussing her boyfriend). Furthermore, and we’ll see if this changes in future episodes, Munn’s Angie doesn’t really possess any interesting or fun characteristics yet. When we first met Lizzy Caplan’s Julia last scene, she was charming and goofy, and we later discovered in her first episode that she knew martial arts. All we know about Angie is that she likes whiskey and is a stripper. As nice as Munn is to look at, I really hope that the writers have some cool/funny traits for her character planned.
I know that by the amount of bullet points that I posted under each section, it looks like I enjoyed the episode a lot more than I actually did. My main problem with it stems from the fact that I usually love New Girl‘s storylines first and foremost, before the other goofy gags and one-liners. The characters and their adventures always both entertain and engage me. There was nothing really engaging in this episode of New Girl, except for the Schmidt and Cece stuff. I did enjoy a lot of the smaller moments, but New Girl can do better, both with its plots and its comedy. Here’s hoping that next week the show can get back on track and be the New Girl that has been pretty much perfect all season long again. 
Best New Girl Quotes of the Night:
– “I’m not interested in simmering in testicle tea for twenty minutes.”- Schmidt about why he doesn’t want a bathtub.
– “You’re a whiskey girl. Like me!” – Nick to Angie.
– “I love you, Cece. And I have been in love with you for so long. I used to think it was a just heavy like, but it’s love.” – Schmidt’s sweet yet funny proclamation of love to Cece.
– The easy pick for line of the night also comes Schmidt, who could have filled this quote section up completely by himself. This line may be one of my favorite New Girl quotes of all time: “I keep that in my summer drawer. Along with my summer condoms. They’re citrus flavor. More refreshing.”
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