New Girl, “Landline” (4.5) - TV Review

New Girl, Season 4, Episode 5, “Landline”

October 14, 2014, 9:00 pm, FOX

Contrary to Nick’s song “I’m a very good secretary,” he is absolutely the opposite of that. They get an answering machine for the loft, to let Nick go from his “position”. He goes into a very Nick-like monologue about peasants, technology, and machines becoming self-aware. It all comes down to the fact that Nick feels like he hasn’t been able to spend time with them lately and it’s why he’s sabotaging Schmidt’s interview, ending Winston’s possible relationship with a very, very emotional woman named Judy, whom he met at a driving range. The show hasn’t given Nick much story so far this season, it seems like he’s sort of floating around after the break-up, without a real purpose each episode. Even the girl he met at the focus group the previous episode isn’t talked about.

Winston gets some serious writing gold this week, when he has to imitate Schmidt for the magazine interview when they try and save the day. Turns out Winston is awkward as hell in person, but absolutely kills it on the phone.

Jess finally has a new love interest in hot english teacher Ryan, did I hear the last name right pronounced “goes in you”, a not so subtle constant reminder that Jess hasn’t gotten any in quite some time. Jess is also angry that Coach IS getting some, with Erinn Hayes of Children’s Hospital, and calls a meeting to tell the teachers they need to “shut it down,” whenever they’re tempted to have inter-office relationships. I always love episodes that bring in the character’s from Jess’s school, since it doesn’t happen often, and they use fantastic actors, Brian Posehn, Angela Kinsey, Helen Slayton-Hughes. A bummer for Jess, she’s reminded in the end that the teachers can do whatever they want, but she’s an administrator and has to exercise restraint. I’d like to see her go against character and totally break the rules. That dude is super hot.

​The Round Up

• “You go to the driving range just to watch?” Winston and his endlessly weird hobbies
• ​”Whens the last time someone gave you CPR?” “Well I give it to myself once a week.”​
• “You’re blowing hot air up my butt cheeks.”
• “I’m as mad as a dad in traffic.”
• “These teachers are straight up hoes, dawg.”