This episode was perfect! Advertising promised us a kiss but the viewers received so much more when they tuned in on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 for "Cooler."
The episode starts with the guys making a decision to go out on a mission of hooking up. Jess is left at home because in Nick's words she is his cooler--every time he's got a girl hooked, somehow Jess sends them away. Quickly the guys' comradery is squelched when they happen upon a woman that interests all of them. As Nick is winning the battle for her attention, Jess calls rambling about some danger waiting outside the apartment door and with three simple words, "I need you," brings Nick and the newly acquired company back to the loft.
In an attempt to apologize for dousing the progress that Nick had made with the lady in question, Jess brings back everyone's favorite incomprehensible drinking game: True American: The Clinton Administration; essentially the same game with the twist of stripping. A long the way, as part of the game Jess institutes an "Iron Curtain" in which two people have to go behind it and kiss, with a threat of tongue.
Because the game is confusing and the rules are unclear Jess and Nick end up behind the iron door, stuck until they kiss. So Jess and Nick prolong the kiss so much so, that Cece and Sam, Jess' current boyfriend have time to come, assess the situation and join in the childish chant for the two to kiss.
Jess is urging Nick to just kiss her so they can get out and soon learns Nick's true feelings. While she thinks nothing of it, Nick tells her above all the clamoring on the other side of the iron door that he doesn't want to kiss her, not like this.
As this sinks into the viewers and Jess alike, the next thing you know he's stammering one moment and the next climbing out the window. And that's the end of it, at least it seems to be that way until the "danger" returns. Nick and Jess find an energetic dog and its owner at the door. As they are saying their goodnight Nick delivers the hottest kiss on the TV landscape--leaving us just enough time after he retreats to his bedroom to see Jess' reaction.
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| "HOTT"-Lea |
Ultimately the immature attitude associated with the game/kiss and our favorite nonsensical drinking game makes this episode great on its own. But the writers gifted us with Nick in a women's trench coat and refusing to take it off for the entire episode, claiming it brings him confidence. They also give us Schmidty fainting for fear that Nick will jump when he climbs out the window. And of course, Jess' being bored in the apartment, which leads to the naked robot, a silver medal race and frantic messages to the people she cares about. On top of all this, they gave us perfect timing with the relationship between Jess and Nick.
Its clear from season one that these two have chemistry, but the writers didn't rush it and still aren't rushing it, they just gave us enough to know that eventually, they will get there. It may not be next week, month or even at the end of the season--but it came to a point where Nick no longer could hold off his feelings. So now Jess has some hints about them. In fact, in the next episode opening scenes, Nick and Jess are both freaking out. Lastly, I don't think fans could ask for more.
Here's what goes down in "Table 34":
Nick apologizes to Jess and tells her it meant nothing because he can't admit it to her and doesn't want to break up her and Sam. Unfortunately, Jess felt something and doesn't respond to this well. And after a series of activities during an Indian meet &ngreet, Jess eventually tells Sam who decides to end their relationship.
The second thing you need to know before Tuesday, Schmidty and Cece have regressed back to their original relationship. Cece still wants to marry an Indian, who shares her heritage but she also misses fun times in the bedroom.
New Girl returns February 19!!
