You know it's a good episode when everyone has really high expectations and the episode ends up surpassing those expectations. I mean, we all expected an "I love you" between Nick and Jess and instead we got, "You called me your girlfriend". It sounds weird to say that the latter is actually better than an "I love you", but at this point, it totally was.
I think the writers have decided to take baby steps when it comes to how fast Nick and Jess progress as a couple. 3 weeks ago Liz said the "I love you" would happen 'pretty soon'. Either her definition of 'soon' differs from ours or they've decided to postpone it and slow things down. I'm going with the latter and I love it. Why? Because if they've decided to take baby steps with Nick and Jess, it means they wanna keep it going for a while so that they don't run out of story lines too fast. I could be wrong but that's the impression I get.
Anyway.
What a fantastic episode. Definitely one of my favorites this season.
N I C K
Nick acted like he thought he was supposed to act around Coach, but immediately realized how wrong it felt because he's just not that guy anymore. You could see that even before that scene. When Coach was all, "Strip Club tonight?", Schmidt and Winston were all, "YAY!", but Nick didn't even crack a smile. In fact, he looked less than enthused.
And when Jess pulled him away and told him how uncomfortable she is about him going to a strip club, his immediate reaction was, "I totally get it".
Does that excuse his stupid remarks about their relationship in front of Coach?
No.
But you know, even as a fan of Nick I don't have to find excuses for everything he does. I don't have a problem with Nick putting his foot in his mouth every once in a while as long as he's aware of it, which he absolutely was and not only in that scene, but throughout the entire episode. He deeply regretted it and knew he screwed up. I can respect that. That's what character growth is all about.
I loved that it was Nick of all people who suggested they all go home and talk about Coach and how he's feeling. Nick wanted to talk feelings (!) instead of hanging around with strippers. I mean, wow.
NICK: Life changes, you gotta grow up. I did. I'm in a relationship and I'm happy.
Exactly. See? That's the Nick I've grown to love. This is a guy who realizes that it's life that changes and you don't have any choice but adjust to it and it's not about changing who you are, it's just part of growing up. That's the guy I wanted to see in "The Box" but didn't, and man am I happy to see him now. Like, I'm actually relieved. You've no idea.
Also, I liked the contrast between Nick and Artie.
On paper, Artie is the perfect guy: gorgeous, charming, runs his own business. But eventually he turned out to be a d-bag when he tried to seduce Jess fully knowing she had a boyfriend.
Then there's Nick who absolutely does not look good on paper, but that's okay because he's the sweetest, kindest guy who just doesn't have his life together now, but he will eventually. It's easier to change the way you live your life than changing your personality.
Nick is imperfectly perfect.
J E S S
I was wondering how far they'd take the whole Jess/Artie thing and how Jess was gonna come off. I think they handled it really well. One, Jess didn't even call Artie, Cece did. Two, she immediately made it clear she had a boyfriend - twice. Three, she only started flirting with him after Cece projected her current frustration with men onto Jess, and she only did it to get back at Nick. I thought that wasn't too bad and it was actually pretty funny.
I love that Jess is constantly worried and frustrated about Nick not having a life plan. You don't worry about that kind of stuff unless you actually want to plan your life with someone. And it's so obvious that Jess does want that. I love that she still wants Nick to live up to his potential and that that hasn't changed since 1x22, "Tomatoes". I know how much it frustrates me when I watch people I care about mess up when I know they can do so much better. I know a lot of people often misread criticism as something other than caring, and sometimes it is, but in Jess' case? Her criticism of Nick is 100% because she loves him so much and wants to build a life together.
She knows he's gonna get where he wants to be eventually. And she's patient. Will she wait forever? Who knows. But she does for now.
N I C K A N D J E S S
I'm kinda laughing at myself for squeeing about Nick calling her his girlfriend when before this episode, I expected an "I love you". Why do I love it so much? Because it wasn't about him thinking they weren't exclusive or anything. It was just symbolic for Nick's full transition from pre-Jess-Nick to post-Jess-Nick. Post-Jess-Nick is the guy who feels uncomfortable about going to a strip club, who'd rather go home and talk to his buddy in order to cheer him up, who really wants to grow up, who doesn't freak out about a naked guy in his girlfriend's bed because he trusts her completely. This is the same guy who once freaked out because his girlfriend sent him a cactus. To me, Nick calling her his girlfriend was him acknowledging that his life has changed and that he's embracing it fully because that's the life that makes him happy.
JESS: Nick, I can't imagine what you must be thinking right now. Actually I can. This is your worst nightmare. There's a very good looking man in my bed and he's naked and I'm flushed, and I'm flustered. (...) Nick, nothing happened. And nothing was ever going to happen. And you have to believe me. Please? Say you believe me. Please.
NICK: I believe you.
My favorite moment in the entire episode. Again, this is Nick we're talking about. The guy who freaks out about his relationships easily. And here he walks into his girlfriend's bedroom only to see a good looking naked dude in her bed and he immediately believes her when she tells him nothing happened, because he knows her. He knows she'd never ever betray him like that or hurt him like that because her heart is just too big. He knows her and trusts her. One of my favorite Nick and Jess moments ever.
Oh, and can we talk about this?
NICK: Hey, Artie? <cracks knuckles> I'm gonna need you to get out of my girlfriend's bed, man.
Oh my. Oh my. I love me some manly protective stay-the-fuck-away-from-my-girlfriend Nick. And the way he said it? Swoooooooooon.
I love that Nick and Jess threw him in the elevator. They're literally getting rid of relationship obstacles together. LOL. And that kiss. Holy moly. No wonder Liz just loves to watch them make out a lot. We do, too, Liz. Oh boy do we.
C O A C H, C E C E, S C H M I D T A N D W I N S T O N
I gotta say I didn't have any expectations when it came to Coach. Yes, he was in the Pilot but 22 minutes weren't nearly enough to get to know the guy. At first he came off as a d-bag, but totally redeemed himself when we learned about his break up. I thought it was really sweet when he told his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend to take care of her. That was great. I wouldn't mind if he stuck around forever. Great addition to the cast and the characters.
I love that Cece apologized for trying to drag Jess down with her just because she's not the biggest fan of men right now. It was sweet and she told Jess that she and Nick have something good. And I love watching Jess and Cece hang out in general.
Winston was great as always. Poor guy spending 2 grand on bunny money that's not even for the strippers. ROFL!
And hooray, I love Schmidt again!
Random things I loved:
Nick and Schmidt reminiscing about old times and then all of a sudden both go, "I'm still mad at you!" ROFL.
Nick telling Jess, "I'm really sorry!" in the angriest voice I've ever heard, yet sounding sincere. Jake Johnson is the best.
