Tag Archives: Zooey Deschanel

New Girl “Menus” Review (3×08)

12 Nov

627-29Well, it looks like the show is on a groove. This week marks the second Coach episode, and it’s one of the funniest episodes to date. I’ve seen some grumblings about Coach, but I wouldn’t be so quick to jump the gun. First of all, Damon Wayans Jr. is absolutely hilarious. Second, on a character level, the show has a fantastic opportunity here; it’s just a matter of how well it’s executed.

Coach isn’t just a new presence in the loft; he’s flashier and more experienced. So far, we’ve seen him give advice to the others and call them out when they need it, and it’s a welcome change because these aren’t people that normally venture out of their comfort zones. We saw Winston stand up for himself last week due to Coach’s teasing, and that’s essentially what Coach does: he’s over the top, but it’s that personality that the others look up to. Coach fitting in better could cause Winston to reevaluate his place in the group and work to achieve something.

Do I wish Winston had more to do before? Yes. However, given the situation with his character, I feel like expanding on the Winston-Coach dynamic would help him. The writers haven’t wanted to expand on his relationships with the others, so this is the best we have. I really, really hope it leads somewhere other than Winston’s regular superfluous side stories.

As for the rest of the episode, Zooey Deschanel does amazing work as Conservation Jess, conveying the frustration of the situation and the traits that make her who she is. Her hot dog speech is comedy gold, as well as her anger at the restaurant owner as he’s closing the door (“I’m gonna burn down your building! I won’t do that, I won’t do that.”). As for Nick, I love seeing him interact with Coach; their dumpling fight is the best thing ever.

GRADE: A-

OTHER THOUGHTS:

-“You’ll be able to see your abs.” “I thought God just didn’t give me those.”

-“What’s up, Jason Street?” Oh man, this FNL reference makes my week.

-“I ain’t a quitter. IRONSIDE!”

-“Remember when you sat out that game because you were sad?” “I was also cold.”

-Ghostbusters sign.

-“I’m old-fashioned, Coney Island fat strong.”

-“Are you a doer or a dumpling-er?”

-Jess’s reaction to compliments is adorable.

-“PEANUTS stands for ‘Physical Education Activity Nuts!”

Credit to FOX and New Girl for all pictures. I own nothing.

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New Girl “Coach” Review (3×07)

5 Nov

627-23Just a few quick thoughts…

-I like Winston finally standing up for himself at the end. As much as his random subplots are hilarious, his character should be fleshed out a bit more due to the presence of Coach, a guy that seemingly fits in better with the group than Winston himself does. This is a good opportunity to make him more of a character.

-Damon Wayans, Jr. also does great work as Coach here; he’s a bit more likeable than he was in the pilot, and although the group dynamics aren’t entirely sound, he’s a great addition to the cast. Also, I miss Happy Endings.

-Also, some nice subtle work done with Schmidt this week through his interactions with Nick (he’s unable to delineate why he’s mad at Nick); it feels like he’s moving in the right direction to take full responsibility for his previous actions, except, of course, when he’s arguing about Raiders of the Lost Ark.

-Taye Diggs is delightful here; also, he’s sure to make anyone feel a little something. I’m straight, but I can recognize how gorgeous he is.

-I like how the main plot isn’t just “Jess is angry at Nick because she’s afraid he’ll get it on with some strippers”. It was more that she can’t go and hang out with everyone else, in addition to the fact that Nick can’t call her his girlfriend in front of them. It takes a tired sitcom trope and made it a little better.

-It’s frustrating to watch Cece sabotage her friend’s relationship here. While she’s justified in stating her opinions, it’s not the right thing to say to Jess at the time; I’m glad she reverts on her feelings at the end.

-“Hey, did you hear the joke about the two white guys and the two black guys who walked into a police station? The white guys walked out.”

-The guys’ drunken slapfest outside of the police station is hilarious as well.

-“Put on pants?” Also, Nick throws pizza at seagulls.

-The other great Nick/Jess exchange, aside from their last one, is early on when they’re arguing about the strip club with Coach looking on. Jake Johnson’s various facial expressions throughout that scene are absolutely perfect, and I love his emphatic “I’m REALLY sorry!”

-“YEAHHH, WE GOT BIN LADEN!!! SEAL TEAM SIX!!!”
“Huh… I thought I watched that alone.”

Credit to FOX and New Girl for all pictures. I own nothing.

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New Girl “All In” Review (3×01)

18 Sep

newgirl

Season 2 of New Girl was one of my favorite comedic seasons of all time, unexpectedly becoming a show that I still unabashedly love. Just seeing all these characters back on my television screen is a godsend, so I probably like the premiere more right now more than I will on re-watch.

Anyway, the episode sends Nick and Jess off to Mexico on a honeymoon of sorts, which is a move that makes perfect sense. Their relationship is booming, and like any reasonable people, they don’t want it to end. Sending them to Mexico places them in a fantasy from which they never want to leave. Of course, that’s not realistic in the slightest. Nick eventually gets arrested, and Schmidt and Winston find their way across the border, emphasizing the fact that the loft shenanigans will follow them wherever they go.

It’s really a very layered, complex handling of this relationship, and it’s been pleasantly surprising given the fact that it’s a young-skewing show that tries to appeal to the masses. Nick and Jess are genuinely in love, and the show portrays both the difficulties and the delirious highs of a relationship.

Getting back to the episode itself, the one thing I have a problem with is Schmidt’s character. Season 2 made incredible strides with him, transforming him into a more endearing person due to his relationship with Elizabeth. Here, his “dilemma” is incredibly frustrating, and I wish that he would just pick someone. This isn’t the Schmidt we’ve seen recently.

As for Winston, his plot is hilarious, but has no real substance. That’s been indicative of pretty much all of his subplots, and I wish he had more to do. Still, the revelation that he’s color blind is pretty much the best thing ever.

All in all, it’s a welcome, yet flawed, return for New Girl. However, it’s still the hilarious show we’ve come to love.

Grade: B+

Other thoughts:

-“OH MY GOD PULL OVER! That piñata’s shaped like a monkey!” *Cut to commercial*

-The scene where Winston and Schmidt are mouthing at each other behind CeCe’s back is amazing. “I drove there to seduce her…and I seduced her 2 1/2 times.”

-“A blind man could feel the smooth edge of a corner piece!” I love Schmidt’s frustration with Winston.

-“If you think these shows are brown, what color do you think you are?”

-“DISGUSTING TRASH PERSON GARBAGE CHILD!”

-“He’s color blind, which basically makes him a cripple.”

-“My name is Winston Bishop. I’m color blind and I can’t do puzzles. Now let us go home.”

Credit to FOX and New Girl for all pictures. I own nothing.

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