First off, I have to say how happy I am that the writers didn’t keep dragging out the CeCe/Schmidt/Elizabeth triangle. That had the potential to be an overly drawn-out plot point, but this group of writers is smarter than that, and they managed to add a wrinkle to the normal plot. You knew that the situation was eventually going to blow up in Schmidt’s face, and he would be left without either woman. What the writers managed to sneak in there was some unexpected sympathy for Schmidt. And that speaks to how far the writers have brought Schmidt since we first saw him.
That being said, the hardest part of the episode for me to accept was Schmidt placing the blame for the break ups on Nick and Jess. Knowing what we do about Schmidt, his douchebag persona is essentially a front for a very insecure individual. Aside from CeCe, the only other relationship we’ve truly known Schmidt to have is with Elizabeth. Otherwise, he has had a string of essentially one-night stands. So I can appreciate not knowing the best way to deal with having two women in love with you and ultimately not wanting to hurt anyone. However, the fact of the matter is Schmidt knew he was in the wrong by dating them both. We’ve seen that throughout the first two episodes. Yet, he was ok enough with the situation to still be sleeping with both of them. Schmidt ultimately brought the situation on himself. I think he really did think he could make up his mind and quietly break up with the other girl, with no one being the wiser, which would explain his anger towards Nick and Jess and his plan to now break them up as revenge.
Jess and Nick were pretty adorable this week. They are definitely getting much more comfortable in their relationship, although they obviously still have their worries and insecurities about the relationship. Otherwise, Schmidt’s threat to come between them wouldn’t have them so rattled. Although, it gave us a pretty awesome episode ending conversation (Horses are from space?). I hope they don’t make every week an exercise in Jess and Nick’s relationship insecurities, because it will get old quick, but I think if this thing with Schmidt lasts just a couple of episodes, it will serve to strengthen them in the long run.
Winston, my BFF, I love you. Of course you would already have theme music for you and Ferguson. I do feel for the guy. He has been so incredibly unlucky in the romance department. All he wants is to not be lonely, which has got to be even worse when all of your roommates are in relationships. I bet we’ll see Schmidt try and recruit Winston into his scheming against Jess and Nick.
Bottom line, this wasn’t the best episode but it wasn’t the worst episode. It was a necessary episode and it did a very decent job of handling the issues it needed to, yet it’s not going to be one I rush to watch again.
