New Girl: Longest Night Ever review

Winston admits that he wants to go out to meet “human women” and asks Nick and Jess if they’ll watch Ferguson. Nick and Jess graciously sacrifice their date night, glad to see Winston spend some time apart from his furballed friend. 

Coach, asks Cece out and she agrees, both looking to move past their break-ups. At first, Schmidt consents to Coach taking Cece out, saying that we “might be able to get another Tiger Woods out of this situation.” However, as Coach talks to Schmidt about the date, Schmidt freaks out. While the scene with Damon Wayans Jr. and Max Greenfield repeatedly high-fiving was supposed to be awkwardly funny, it was just awkward. While I love Wayans Jr., Coach’s reintroduction to the show hasn’t been as smooth as I was hoping for. It pains me to admit that Wayans Jr. is funniest when Greenfield, Lamorne Morris, and Jake Johnson are off-screen, and vice versa.

 

Schmidt’s freak-out is what drives the episode forward. While Winston goes out to meet women, Nick is supposed to be watching Ferguson and he fails. Nick admits to Winston that he let the cat outside, and they are forced to track the animal down—leaving Jess to manage Schmidt’s reckless behavior. Schmidt, still grieving over Cece, motorboats the pillows of The Gang’s brown leather sectional in her honor. Jess, understandably grossed out, offers to take Schmidt to a bar. 

Coach takes Cece to a Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) game, trying to play the date aloof by texting and spending money on her. He nearly ruins it before admitting that he was texting his mom for good luck. Schmidt, his own worst enemy, breaks away from Jess trying to get to Cece mid-date. Realizing what he’s doing, Schmidt asks Jess to hit him with her car, a flame-decaled hot rod that Jess traded with a Mexican for earlier in the season.

In other news, Ferguson is found by a candid bus driver/painter who seduces Winston; again, Lamorne Morris is simply at his best every episode. 

On the whole, a solid episode rebounding from last week, but the inclusion of Coach back into the storyline feels forced. While I still find myself wondering where Meriwether and Co. are headed, there are at least things taking shape. However, only time will tell if they’ve stalled out or if they’re building towards something.

Den of Geek Rating: 3 Out of 5 Stars

 

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