Air Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 9/8c on Fox
RATING:
“It’s like we’re living in a romantic comedy montage.” – Jess
Can't believe they got Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to show off his comedic skills.
I’m not exactly sure what “Normal” is supposed to be about, but it doesn’t matter because I love every minute of it. The dialogue is witty, ridiculous and what I’ve been missing about New Girl. I get why Jess (Zooey Deschanel) wants the guys “to be cool” when Russell (Dermot Mulroney) comes over, so I’m good on that front. But what I don’t understand is Jess’ need to try so hard to make sure everyone gets along. As usual, things blow up in her face and she’s her typical quirky self, yet it all works out in the end. The guys love Russell. He’s rich, good looking, and rich. There’s no need for Jess to worry. So bring on the shenanigans because Mulroney is a great addition to the cast, and I’d hate to see him leave any time soon. The writing is on point this week and I love everything about “Normal.”
Observations and thoughts:
Why are the guys being so weird around Russell in the first place? Winston (Lamorne Morris) scares the crap out of him and then asks, “You scared of black people?” Where does that even come from?! I love Jess’ roommates but man, are they crazy or what?
The episode is titled “Normal” because these jackasses act anything but. From Schmidt (Max Greenfield) checking Russell’s suit label (who the heck knows why), to Nick (Jake Johnson) greeting Russell at the door with a tray of cheese, I can’t stop laughing and I know it’s only going to get worse as the guys try to one up each other. You have to love their attempts at doing what Jess asks though. At least she can’t say they’re being mean.
We even get to see Nick battling the garbage disposal again. It is the funniest part of the episode and one I rewind repeatedly (thanks TiVo!). I almost spit my wine all over my laptop when Nick grabs the stick he jams into the sink. Johnson gets so into wriggling the stick I believe he’s truly trying to fix the disposal. But seriously, they need to call a damn plumber.
Russell is such a good sport. Jess better hang on to him.
The drinking game. What the hell? “So it’s fifty percent drinking game, fifty percent life size Candyland™.” I so want to play! Although, I’m guessing you have to be royally pissed to get the gist of it because these lunatics are beyond three sheets to the wind and seem to be having an amazing time. And it’s fricking hilarious. The part that has me literally laughing out loud occurs when Cece (Hannah Simone) walks into the apartment and tells Schmidt, “I’m gonna go get in your bed,” to which he quickly replies, “Yeah, I’m out.” Doesn’t take much for him to want to quit “the greatest game of True American” he’s ever played. Schmidt is whipped, folks. I’m looking forward to seeing whatever it is he has with Cece actually becoming a relationship. I think they’re good for each other.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is a surprising guest star. He’s funny though he doesn’t have much screen time. I crack up when he gives Winston a note—not because of what it says but how it’s written—on a piece of notebook paper and signed with his name and jersey number. Who does that? Of course the message, “Get out now,” makes me chuckle too.
Funny lines:
Schmidt to Winston about Elvin (Blake Garrett): “You gotta cut ties with that kid. He freaks me out. He never blinks. He’s like a tiny little owl. In a shirt.”
**
Jess: “Winston, that’s almost a moustache.”
Winston: “Yeah. It’s creepy and thin, just like I like it.”
**
Joe Napoli (Phil Hendrie) to Winston: “I want six shakes in my fridge at all times, ready to go. And I want it Beyoncé colored. Not darker, not lighter. Beyoncé!”
**
Winston to Joe: “I put my beans in your shake. Yeah, then I shook it around like this.”
**
In the end, Jess gets what she wants and all is well in her world. Of course, things work out for Russell, Jess and the roommates because, like myself, I hope the writers are just as tired as I am of seeing Jess single and lonely. It’s obvious she needs a man to feel complete since she her previous relationship lasted six years. I only hope she learns she doesn’t need to be with someone in order to be happy. She’s got her friends. That’s all any girl needs, right?
Tune in to New Girl, Tuesdays at 9/8c on Fox. For more on the show, visit http://www.fox.com/new-girl/.
Like New Girl on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NewGirlonFOX
Follow New Girl on Twitter: @NewGirlonFOX Hastag #NewGirl https://twitter.com/#!/NEWGIRLonFOX
Photo credit: Greg Gayne/FOX © 2012 Fox Broadcasting, LLC. All rights reserved.
[nggallery id=319]
Latest posts by Elle (Posts)
- The Walking Dead Season Finale – “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life” Review. It’s Showtime! - April 6, 2017
- The Walking Dead – “Something They Need” Review. Full of Guns and Surprises and Guns. - March 29, 2017
- The Walking Dead – “The Other Side” Review. Girl Power! - March 22, 2017
- The Walking Dead ― “Bury Me Here” Review. The End Is Near. - March 15, 2017