Cece and Schmidt is a similar pairing that once brought
together it irrevocably changed how the show would handle those two characters.
We’re still seeing the ripple effects from them dating and eventually breaking
up. If the show were to have opened up the possibility that they may have
sought relationships (at least meaningful ones) with other people, maybe we could
have been lulled into a false sense of security. But Cece was never truly
interested in Robbie, and Schmidt has either been numbing the pain from losing
her or chasing after her. So is it really surprised they’re back together?
I’m a shipper so I can dig it, but I’d prefer a potential
coupling be brought together or torn apart in meaningful or interesting ways.
Cece and Schmidt’s coupling was handled decently to begin with and the break up
(though it could have been handled better) was well-played. But what’s the
point if it’s all inevitable; if the plot so blatantly is spelling out that hey
these two are gonna date! Case in point: was there ever any doubt as to
Cece and Schmidt at least hooking up again (and likely getting back together)?
No. The stars have been aligning to achieve exactly that since the beginning of
the season.
The Nick-Jess side of the episode though is much more interesting.
The series handles it smartly; jumping in immediately from where we last left
off, and giving us a glimpse of the morning after where equally panicked Nick
and Jess are trying to wrap their head around the kiss. It’s that moment we’ve
all had in life. Where some holy shit
piece of drama lands in our lap, and we’re now forced to confront what the hell
we’re to do now. They both decide to go talk to the other, but this leads to
them bumping into eachother awkwardly in the hallway. Nick “panic moondances”
away (an amusing reoccurring gag retconned in) back into his room.
It appears as if the two plan to put this real talk til
later, but of course the fates that be end up bringing together everyone; this
time at an “Indian Wedding Convention” of all places. Cece is continuing her quest for a nice Indian
guy that she should realize by now is doomed, Schmidt is continuing his
attempts to win back Cece, Nick and Jess are put onto a collision course to
deal with the problem, and Winston is just along for the ride, glowing after
having great sex the previous night with an absent Brenda Song.
What’s great about this scenario is that Nick and Jess don’t
run head long into eachother’s arms. When Jess keeps denying her feelings for
Nick as she’s recounting the ordeal with Cece, we know that she’s lying (“I saw
through space and time for a minute,” she says with hyperbole) but we can
understand where it’s coming from. She’s become very close with Nick (and all
her roommates) and she doesn’t want to screw everything up. On top of which, she’s
still dating someone (nonentity Sam – but still another person none-the-less),
and it would just be mean and cruel (and totally out of character) for Jess to
immediately break things off with him. But at the same time, Jess doesn’t take
the out here when Nick comments how the kiss was equivalent to “kissing a
cousin”. When you have feelings for someone it will fuck with whatever
intentions and plans you may have. And
so Jess chooses to complicate things further and act inquisitive and doubtful
about the kiss meaning nothing; “It must have meant something,” she says.
This tickles Nick’s fancy: Jess’ fixation has got to mean
the kiss was significant to her. “Admit the kiss meant something to you!” Nick keeps
repeating. The accusation isn’t completely about feelings they may have for
eachother; instead, it’s, in part, a back to basics return for the dynamics
between these two. They quibble and fight like siblings on a regular basis, and,
in this instance, they project their typical one-ups-man-ship onto the
complications of their kiss. The arguing and pettiness of course is concealing
the obvious that they do have feelings, but the timing is terrible. Even when
Sam is gone, it doesn’t form an easy opening for Nick to swoop in and take
advantage of. No, it just makes him look like more of a jerk than he already
does.
And how about that hug at episode’s end? It’s so awkward; it
almost makes you want to squirm.
Awkwardness should exist though. That’s realistic for what
might happen in the wake of two friends kissing and regretting it. You can try
to put a bandaid on it, but the cut still remains.
Stray Observations:
Stray Observations:
-“I didn’t even use my hands”
-“I didn’t even kiss him back… Fine! I kissed him back”
-Previous awkward moonwalk away occasion: “Man, terrorism …”
-Schmidt’s limited Hindi knowledge imparts such verbal gems
as “Can you tell me where the white person’s toilet is?”
-Nick tells Winston about kissing Jess and he proceeds to
punch him in the balls.
-“I miss your body and the things I used to do to it… I’m
talking about sex”
-Cece’s most notable modeling gig was in a Lil’ Wayne music
video where she was “the girl throwing strawberries in slow motion”
-“I always thought we’d go bowling before we went to an
Indian wedding convention”
-“I’m a man. Pink robes are my catnip!”
-“I will Cal-cut-a bitch!”
-“Is there another doctor in the house ? … With this crowd I’m
sure there is”
Grade: A
Grade: A
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