Everyone runs away and chills in a hot air balloon basket.
Nick and Schmidt’s friendship is weird. There is no way around it — the two have been with each other through their 20s and seen it all. Schmidt, ever ambitious, hungry for success, nags lethargic Nick almost constantly, while Nick consistently reminds Schmidt of his fat days. While their dynamic is strange, each is still able to call the other his best friend.
This week’s episode of New Girl, an ode to this legendary friendship, centers on a party planned by Schmidt. He plans a soiree in celebration of the 10th anniversary of him and Nick living together. The party, of course, does not end up being all Schmidt-planned. In the end, though, it ends up being a great tribute to Nick and Schmidt’s bromance.
According to Schmidt, every party must have a theme. The 10th anniversary will be a Tinerversary and will include decorations made up of tin. Apparently, it is a tradition among the two to have material parties; once, they celebrated with newspaper. Maybe the tin symbolizes a stronger bond? But I digress.
Schmidt plans the party perfectly, as per usual, but not without pretending that Nick is involved. He charitably allows Nick to be in charge of the Porta Potty rental as well as balloons.
Meanwhile, Jess decides that forgetting the kiss with Nick is the best plan of attack. To be honest, the whole situation has outstayed its welcome. We know there is tension between Nick and Jess — that set-up lasted over a season. And now that something has happened between the two, the tension continues as each refuses to make a move.
Jess does the unexpected in this episode, and in her determination to forget about Nick, attempts to make Jax McTavish, a safety for the San Francisco 49ers and Winston’s newest conquest in the radio show, fall for her.
She flirts with him in a bar, and when he shows up to Nick and Schmidt’s party, she intensely flirts over a game of football, all while ruining Winston’s chances at the interview.
The party is going pretty swimmingly at this point. Nick remembered to order a Porta Potty, though it is not quite up to Schmidt’s standards. Schmidt eventually calls Nick out on it, and the two have a tiff that culminates into Nick questioning the friendship.
The questions arise for a silly reason, but they need to be asked — why exactly have Nick and Schmidt stayed friends for so long?
The answer comes in a strange way, when Schmidt’s big moment at the party is ruined. Cece’s boyfriend and future husband (it’s an arranged marriage) decides to propose in a special way — by doing so onstage. His timing is perfect — it’s right when Schmidt was supposed to give a speech about his friendship.
Cece, swept off her feet, of course, says yes. Schmidt is distraught though, and runs from the party.
After listening in to a speech made by Jax about his love for Jess, Nick can’t handle much more either, so he runs after Schmidt.
The two come across the balloon Nick ordered in a field close to the party — a hot air balloon, that is. However, it lacks propane, so the two end up sitting in the basket and making amends about their friendship.
Meanwhile, at the party, Jax is a wreck. He let out his true feelings, and Jess did not reciprocate — after all, she only wanted him for a kiss, or so she said. Winston, unable to console Jax, runs from the party along with Jess.
The two end up in the hot air balloon basket with Nick and Schmidt and toast to the evening.
Ultimately, the episode ends up being a nice ode to friendship, despite the unexpected relationship developments. We remember why Nick and Schmidt are so close, which was necessary after last week’s episode. And there is still hope for Nick and Jess. The question is, how much longer can they string us along?