Flash forwards were a lot of fun when they were a newer storytelling device in shows like The Office and Parks and Recreation. In my opinion they have now become all too common when a show approaches it’s final stretch. I’m a huge fan of character development so I wasn’t thrilled when I heard the premiere episode of New Girl’s final season was titled, “About Three Years Later.”
However, there’s some really solid misdirection at the beginning of the episode with Jess (Zooey Deschanel) telling some dude in the elevator that she loves him. Nick (Jake Johnson) checks in and kisses Jess immediately. Nice swerve.
Three years have gone by and it seems like all is right with Jess and Nick. Nick’s writing career seems to have taken off and we are under the impression that they are engaged now with the mention of something on Jess’s finger. When they arrive at Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece’s (Hannah Simone) place, they show that they have been horribly injured in a Vespa accident. Jess’s finger is injured with a brace. Again, nice swerve.
We finally meet Schmidt’s and Cece’s daughter. Jess has a nose ring.  Winston (Lamorne Morris) and Allie (Nasim Pedrad) are pregnant. Allie’s “stop treating me special” and high kick gave me a good laugh. The couple had a really nice moment when Allie embraces being a pregnant woman while looking at their pregnancy photos. They’re great.
Can we talk about Schmidt’s mustache? “That’s a porn star relief pitcher.” line from Nick won the episode. His hatred for Schmidt’s mustache really was a fantastic subplot. Hilarious. We find that Nick just hates the mustache because he misses Schmidt’s upper lip. Their bro-mance is always on point. But I digress.
I could honestly care less about Jess’s past relationships and her lying to Russell (Dermot Mulroney) about being engaged to Nick.
Sure enough we find out this really is a proposal episode!
Nick planning to propose with the mail in true Nick fashion was perfect. However, we are swerved again as everything happens to prevent Nick from proposing, including Jess suggesting they don’t need to get married. Nick really shows a lot of heart as he re-asks Jess’s father (Rob Reiner) for his blessing. Â We are left with a one month time limit for Nick to propose to Jess. Â Not a bad setup for a season opener.
This episode got extra points for the conclusion with Nick slowly shaving off Schmidt’s mustache to “When I’m With You.” I don’t think there could have been a more PERFECT ending. Sure enough, we get a bonus plot point as we see a slip come under the loft door stating that the building is under new management.
The highlights of this show are the cast and characters. I’m more interested in the journey, not the destination. Yet this flash forward worked. Nick absolutely stole the show this episode with heart and humor.
-Rob Crowther IV
About Three Year Later Rating: 8.5 out of 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZyq1z3-g3E
