New Girl
First Date
TV Flash files “First Date” as hour 45 of 146 in the TV Flash guide — New Girl (2011–2018) on Fox, season 2, episode 21, aired 2013-04-04, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S02E21: listed hour 45 of 146 in the New Girl guide, hour 21 of 25 in season 2. It aired 2013-04-04 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “Chicago” (S02E20). Next is “Bachelorette Party” (S02E22).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Jess and Nick, who are caught between friendship and something more, try to break out of relationship-limbo by going on a "first" date. Once Schmidt and Winston realize a full-on Jess/Nick romance might be happening, they swoop in to try to sabotage the date.
Viewer FAQ
Where does First Date sit in the New Girl guide?
S02E21 is listed hour 45 of 146 — hour 21 of 25 in season 2, season 2 episode 21.
When did New Girl S02E21 air?
First Date aired 2013-04-04 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Do I need to start at season one?
The loft chemistry is the product. Early episodes teach Jess/Nick/Schmidt/Winston; later slow burns assume you already live there.
In the series
Why this series still plays
Loft hangout comedy at its stickiest: Zooey Deschanel's Jess, Nick's bartender mutter, Schmidt's peacocking, Winston's absurdist side quests. Friend-com chemistry over high concept — the adorkable engine that still streams like a warm Thursday, complete with true-love slow burns and roommate farce that never needed a gimmick.
The loft is the instrument, not the premise. Elizabeth Meriwether's Fox hangout (2011–2018) opens on a bubbly teacher moving in with three guys after a breakup, and the cut cares more about chemistry than a high concept. Zooey Deschanel's Jessica Day, Jake Johnson's Nick and the bartender mutter, Max Greenfield's Schmidt peacocking into an awards-contender breakout, Lamorne Morris's Winston on absurdist side quests, Hannah Simone's Cece, Damon Wayans Jr.'s Coach. Soft jokes, sticky rooms. Friend-com as a whole…
Filed against
- Zooey Deschanel as Jessica Day
Zooey Deschanel’s Jessica Day made New Girl loft hangout comedy at its stickiest — Nick’s bartender mutter, Schmidt’s peacocking, Winston’s absurdist side quests, friend-com chemistry over high concept. The adorkable engine that still…
- Jake Johnson as Nick Miller
Jake Johnson’s Nick Miller muttered New Girl into a loft religion — bartender weather, Zooey Deschanel’s Jess, Schmidt peacocking, Winston side quests. 2010s friend-com chemistry over high concept, adorkable engine with a true-love slow…
- Max Greenfield as Schmidt
Max Greenfield’s Schmidt peacocked through New Girl’s loft like cologne was a plot — 2010s friend-com chemistry, Nick’s mutter, Winston’s side quests, Zooey Deschanel’s Jess as the adorkable engine. Slow-burn true love in a Thursday…
- Hannah Simone as Cece Parekh
Hannah Simone's Cece Parekh gave New Girl its model-cool counterweight — loft hangout comedy, Zooey Deschanel's Jess, Nick's mutter, Schmidt's peacocking, Winston's side quests. Friend-com chemistry over high concept. TV Flash files her…
- Lamorne Morris as Winston Bishop
Lamorne Morris's Winston Bishop turned New Girl's loft into absurdist side quests — Zooey Deschanel's Jess, Nick's mutter, Schmidt's peacocking, friend-com chemistry over high concept. Adorkable engine that still streams like a warm…
- Damon Wayans Jr. as Coach
Damon Wayans Jr. played Coach on New Girl — loft hangout comedy at its stickiest, a roommate in Zooey Deschanel’s adorkable engine before the Thursday ritual fully set. Friend-com chemistry over high concept. TV Flash files him as 2010s…