New Girl started its second season with plenty of laughs. The two episodes that premiered Tuesday on FOX firmly cemented the show as more than just the best new show of last year but as one of the best comedies on television. What elevates this show from the many other comedies about single 20-somethings is the concerted effort to present ideas beyond just laughs. This in turn makes the romantic beats play more strongly and makes the entire experience more worthwhile.
The premiere episode, "Re-launch," was topically about Jess losing her job and Schmidt losing his penis cast, but it was really about them wanting to lose their old identities and establish some new ones. This identity struggle was picked up in the second episode "Katie" where Jess takes on a new identity and juggles multiple romantic partners, while Nick meets his future self in the bar. If this becomes a recurring theme for the series, that wouldn't upset me. It's a rich idea that will provide plenty of comic fodder. And who knows? Winston might even find a character to call his own.
Favorite Moments from "Re-launch"
- Jess spent an entire summer tutoring a kid named Vaj Rejuv and didn't laugh once.
- Nick only wants to make a drink "that a coal miner would want: straightforward and honest--something that says I work in hole."
- Schmidt has a historical issue with hiding anything up his sleeve. This allowed Fat Schmidt to make his first appearance this season as he panics with a crib sheet up his sleeve during a college exam. I can't help but laugh every time Max Greenfield gags.
- Winston gets drunk from one of Nick's signature cocktails and then does his own rendition of Dee-Lite's "Groove Is In The Heart." I loved it that both he and Nick bookended the episode with the versions of the 1990 classic, as they were the two who "couldn't ask for another."
- Cece has a commoner, Liberty Bell shaped new boyfriend named Robbie, that she likes because he's a great guy.
- Parker Posey guest stars as a shot girl who has a PHD (Pretty Heavy Drug problem) and a degree from MIT, but still calls men: "you stupid jerks."
- I like the idea that majoring in marketing with a minor in theatre studies teaches you that everybody has a brand, but I love that Nick's brand is "gypsy, alcoholic handyman"
Favorite Moments from "Katie"
- Jess is accidentally set up with Bear Claw played by the effervescent Josh Gad. There isn't one part of the date (from Jess' sexy texts to the autocorrect of "meatbar" to Bear Claw's middle school tattoo to the conclusion in the bathroom in the bar) that didn't work. Zooey Deschanel and Gad have a great chemistry together, and I'm sad that he won't be a recurring character.
- Future Nick telling Nick to make Jess an Old Fashioned. It's a sweet character beat that will launch a million shippers into a frenzy. Jake M. Johnson came into his own towards the end of last season, and his subtlety is now one of the greatest strengths of the series.
- Schmidt knows that one of his moles will kill him. It'll turn green and then it'll be all over.
- Winston had several terrific, quick exchanges with his mother, played by the great Amen star Anna Maria Horsford. But their first, with Winston's "He's dead to me," was deadpan glory.
- Cece had little to do in this episode (save trying to help Jess be cool in her sexy texting), so I need to have a shout out for the return of the Douche Jar.
- There were three terrific guest stars in the episode. Gad was great as Bear Claw, as was Raymond J. Barry (Justified) as Future Nick. David Walton (He of Perfect Couples and my much beloved Bent) played Sam, who I believe will be sticking around for a few more episodes.
- I like the concept of being "off the grid," but I love that Jess thinks that means having a drink at 11:00am.
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