New Girl Review: In Front of the Iron Curtain

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On New Girl this week, Brooklyn Decker guest-starred... Schmidt got shirtless... Winston actually got some...

... and, oh yeah, Nick and Jess made out. EEK!

Indeed, after a season-plus of teasing and hinting, "Cooler" finally brought together these two roommates in an especially moving, hilarious and appropriate manner. With Jess still dating Sam and Nick being, well, Nick, it's unclear what the future holds for this pair.

Will they date? Will they regret the kiss in the morning? Who knows. But let's leave the tomorrow for tomorrow. Today, in the case of this episode and how the big moment played out, it was perfect.

Prepping For Pickup

To the sitcom's credit, it's never shied away from Jess and Nick as a potential couple. The chemistry between the actors and characters has been so clear from the beginning that Jess and Nick themselves have acknowledged how their feelings surpass mere friendship on more than one occasion.

But the timing hasn't been right and, let's face it, dating one's roommate is a big deal. It's a tricky situation. You need to be certain you're ready for it, you need to be sure of those feelings - or maybe you just need to be locked in a room with your half-naked close pal.

Except if you're Nick Miller, Romantic Extraordinaire.

While the obvious move here would have been for Jess and Nick to to quickly suck it up and French a little - a clear and present threat of tongue was required, after all - only to then give in to their desires and "do stuff" together (to quote Winston)... the show went in a different, heartfelt direction.

Nick didn't want their first kiss - something he's likely dreamed about, while wearing a women's trench coat, of course - to be part of contrived game. It shouldn't be forced, it should be natural. It should be passionate, not pressure-packed. Yes, Nick may be bitter and cynical when it comes to pretty much the entire world, but not when it comes to Jessica Day.

Yes, any Ness 'shipper (sorry) had to be thrilled with the way this storyline went and with the intense lip-lock that concluded the half hour. It was the ideal combination of heart and humor.

All that - and there was True American! Even if Nick and Jess had never swapped spit, this episode would have been an all-timer for the most ridiculous, hysterical game in modern television history.

I caught references to Joe Biden; Abu Nazir; secret tunnels; Amber Waves of Grain; Howard Dean's scream; and the Hawley Smoot Tariff Act.

I have no idea who came up with this concept, but to steal one from Liz Lemon: I want to go to there. Now.

An incredible episode all around. Funny, sentimental, character-building. Any time Brookyn Decker taking off her top doesn't even make a review, you know a show has done something right.

What did everyone else think? Are you happy Jess and Nick finally got to first base?

Cooler Review

Editor Rating: 4.9 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 (167 Votes)

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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New Girl Season 2 Episode 15 Quotes

Dammit! Been trying to get something going with myself for a full hour. It's like a taffy pole on a hot summer's day.

Schmidt

This coat has clean lines and pockets that just don't quit.

Nick