Review: New Girl "Control" (There’s Nothing Wrong With Being A Neat Freak…)

Air Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 9/8c on Fox

RATING: 4

“Schmidt’s an odd bird. He can’t handle when things aren’t clean and orderly.” – Winston

Review: New Girl "Control" (There’s Nothing Wrong With Being A Neat Freak…) 1

I can't believe Jess broke Schmidt.

While I enjoyed this episode of New Girl, I must confess I felt like we were taking a trip back to blah, blah land. I mean, I love a Schmidt (Max Greenfield) filled episode as much as the next person, but to focus on his OCD is like taking a ride on the I’m-not-really-that-interested train. I can understand Jess (Zooey Deschanel) wanting to help her friend get over his issues. I can even understand Jess feeling the need to do something good. But it backfires on her and she has to get the old Schmidt back. So what was the point?

Observations and thoughts:

I have to say this first and foremost: the fat guy suit and makeup Schmidt dons during flashbacks of his heavier days is terrible. Can the costume department do no better? It’s beyond evident he’s wearing makeup… unless that’s the point?

Review: New Girl "Control" (There’s Nothing Wrong With Being A Neat Freak…) 2

Schmidt always finds a reason to take off his shirt. He's such a douche.

Have you noticed how short Jess’ skirts are? It shocks me that as a middle school teacher, she wears miniskirts almost every day. Doesn’t that seem odd since she puts herself out there as a role model? How does that affect her female students’ opinions of her? I guess that’s just one of her quirks.

Winston (Lamorne Morris) reads Nick (Jake Johnson) the most hilarious letter I’ve ever heard. Not only does Winston list every single instance where Nick owes him money, he includes everything he knows he might have to say and do in the letter. “If I am reading this section then I can only assume you have told me to relax.” This is the genius comedic writing I am always talking about. “I am aware that we’re both broke; one of us embarrassingly so. Points to… Nick.” We need to have more of this. I love hearing Morris deliver his lines as if he embodies the essence of Winston and knows how the character will look during every second he argues with Nick. “But I want that money. Give me my money. I really mean it. It’s my money. You owe me that money. So give me my money. Seriously. Where’s the money, dude?” To which Nick accuses, “You wrote that?” Yes, my friend, he did and I hope he does it again.

Review: New Girl "Control" (There’s Nothing Wrong With Being A Neat Freak…) 3

Okay, why didn't we see how Nick wound up with words written on his torso?

“Schmidt, you are legitimately crazy.” He’s not crazy, Jess, he’s just got germ issues. Like everyone does. Right? “No, I mean you’re like aging ballerina, child chess prodigy, professional magician crazy.” I can totally relate to his need for keeping order and not touching things that might be dirty. I’m a neat freak with OCD tendencies and I’m dealing with it. So what if I have hand sanitizer in my purse, car, and various rooms throughout my home?

Funny lines:

Schmidt to Cece about being dropped off in a seedy area: “I’m gonna have to run all the way home. And I have my slippiest shoes on.”

Schmidt to Jess about a hutch she finds on the street: “It makes me emotionally nauseous!”

Schmidt to random kite flyer on the beach: “You’ve lost your kite! Have fun flying your string all day!”

Schmidt: “I’m going to go take a shower with Nick’s bar soap like a common ranch hand.”

I want to like “Control” more than I do, but I just don’t feel the Schmidt-centric topic which really isn’t very funny. I enjoyed the Nick/Winston money battle much more and wanted to see more of that (you can only fit so much into a half hour). Flashbacks should have been utilized during this time to show us just how often Nick ends up owing Winston money. Alas, there isn’t even one. *sigh* Next week’s episode looks promising though, with guest star Dermot Mulroney.

Tune in to New Girl, Tuesdays at 9/8c on Fox. For more on the show, visit http://www.fox.com/new-girl/.

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Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle