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WhenNew Girlfirst aired on Fox nine years ago, television was a very different landscape.
These 15 essential episodes ofNew Girlare the ones that best capture that sentiment.
New Girlis streaming onNetflix.
Schmidt has never seen Nicks penis, and becomes jealous of Winston because he has seen it.
This episode lays out on the table the kind of casual vulnerability that makes the show so great.
Schmidt desperately wants to see his best friends penis to validate their years-long friendship.
Favorite line:Jess, you cant laugh at a naked man, especially Nick.
Nick is delicate … like a flower.
Like a chubby, damaged flower who hates himself.
It was hard to pick just one, butNew Girlsfirst Christmas episode is pretty essential viewing.
Favorite line:This is my nightmare.
How do we know if were doing the right thing?
How do we know if were making decisions based on our own happiness or on whats expected of us?
Jess challenges him on his decision, and a hilarious blowout ensues.
Favorite line:In America, honey, okay, Mickey Mouse, hes earthbound.
This episode was a pivotal one for us card-carrying members of the Horny For Nick Miller cult.
Nick makes Jess an old-fashioned.
It could be bad.
Like me getting drunk and peeing in your closet on all your pretty dresses.
Favorite line:Oh, no.
Autocorrect changed body to meat bar.
Naturally, Nick agrees to go on dates with her and becomes her emotional fluffer.
Its a genius excuse to get Nick and Jess to go on a date without killing the sexual tension.
New Girlwas originally going to be namedChicks and Dicks, and nothing makes that more clear than this episode.
It establishes a new trope of man teaches woman how to have casual sex (but with heart!
), and the tension continues to climb.
Oh, and Schmidt pretends to be Mitt Romneys son.
Favorite line:This place is fancy and I dont know which fork to kill myself with.
The inevitable question comes up: Do you ever wonder why were friends with these people, Jess?
And, worse, if we met them now, you think wed still be friends with them?
This episode works within the limitations of gender-specific stereotypes surrounding friendship, and transforms them into something deeply heartfelt.
Favorite line:You gave me cookie, I got you cookie, man!
In Cabin, Nick has just started seeing Angie, a stripper who challenges him to be more adventurous.
The next morning, Angie leaves without saying good-bye.
But the real reason this episode deserves a mention is Winston and Schmidts story line.
Back at the loft, Schmidt becomes anxious that they arent letting Winston be his blackest self.
To mess with him, Winston convinces Schmidt to go on an adventure to score some crack.
Schmidt, full of well-intentioned white guilt, goes along.
Pepperwood (Season 2, Episode 14)
This ones also for the cult.
Favorite line:Thin-crust pizza?
No, thank you, Im from Chicago.
Its my definitive pick for best episode, and a master class in building and releasing tension.
But after she gets scared and lonely and at home, she convinces the guys to come back.
True American has become afanobsession, probably because anytime the gang plays, its just pure chaos onscreen.
But God, is it a good kiss.
Do you understand the position that puts me in?
In classicNew Girlfashion, the stakes are raised to absurd proportions.
Favorite line:Goddamn!
Im the dumbest boy in school.
Even the moment Nick learns his father is dead is played for comedy and it works.
Favorite line:Im just trying to figure out the level of Elvis impersonator we can afford.
And I think a white ones out of reach.
(Its no coincidence that Background Check is one of threeNew Girlepisodes directed byHustlers Lorene Scafaria.)
Its just gag after gag, every one of them hitting their mark, absolutely no subplot in sight.
It exudes the kind of confidence thats only possible in a show thats hit its comedic peak.
The result is perfect television.
Favorite line:Would you like a green grape shoved in your … given to your mouth?
Handed to your mouth?
No thanks, Ive already had my grapes.
Reagan is cool and mysterious, everything Jess is not.
Favorite line:I hope that the Chicago Cubs win the World Series while youre in a coma.
