Episode 19: “Secrets”

by Clio McConnell

via tvequals.com

This week on “New Girl,” we find our favorite roommates in some pretty compromising positions.

As you may remember from last week, Winston was unexpectedly and uncomfortably informed that Schmidt and Cece had been “getting it on” for the better part of two months. Now that he has this forbidden knowledge, there’s no way he can keep it to himself.

Unfortunately for the secret lovers, Winston decides to bestow this information on Nick—AKA the worst secret keeper in the history of the world. Since both Nick and Winston are thoroughly disgusted—and baffled—by the fact that Cece has stooped to sleeping with Schmidt (as Nick says, “this makes me hate things”), they know Jess would be even more horrified.

But Nick is simply incapable of playing it cool, and the ugly truth comes out just as Schmidt walks in the apartment door. Straightaway, he apologizes to Jess (who is outraged that she’s the last to know), but, of course, he soon segues directly into his usual insensitivity, saying, “Can we just take a moment to celebrate me?”

Jess interrogates the happy un-couple, taking extra pains to guilt trip Cece. But the supermodel best friend is having none of it, for, despite the fact that Jess tells her everything, Cece feels fine about being dishonest. Why? Because, as she readily admits, she does stupid stuff with guys, and Jess is a tad bit judgmental.

While one best friend feud is taking place, another best friend bond might be growing stronger—Nick is asking Schmidt for advice. Since hearing the news about Schmidt and Cece, Nick can’t help but be impressed by Schmidt’s accomplishment. And, as he is in a romantic predicament himself—namely, trying to sleep with as many twenty-one-year-olds as possible, without them finding out about each other—who better to turn to?

Not that he likes stooping this low, though, as he insists, “Schmidt, I hate saying this, but… I might respect you.” And it must take guts for Nick to finally come right out and say, “I need you to teach me to be a douchebag.”

Beyond these amorous entanglements, there are several more uncomfortable truths that come out during “Secrets,” including one that sends Jess scurrying from the room in order to put on as many protective layers as possible (we get to see Zooey Deschanel in a ski mask for a fair portion of the episode).

The ending of this week’s “New Girl” is pretty fantastic, as well, giving Lamorne Morris the chance to enact a veritable cabaret of caricatures. All in all, “Secrets” is definitely an episode worth watching, as every actor gets their chance to shine, with no huge amount of sentimentality to get in the way of their comedy stylings.

Clio is the theater/books editor. Email her at cmcconnell@nyunews.com.