New Girl Season 6 Episode 4 Review Homecoming

Alright folks, let’s talk about that latest New Girl episode, “Homecoming.” If you’re anything like me, Tuesdays aren't just any day of the week. They’re New Girl nights. It’s like that reliable friend who always shows up with a ridiculously funny story and a slightly questionable life choice, and you just can’t help but love them for it.

This episode, “Homecoming,” felt like rummaging through a box of old photos. You know, the kind where you stumble upon that embarrassing pic from middle school, the one where your hair was a crime against nature, and suddenly you're transported back. That’s what it was like for Jess. Her high school reunion is the central theme, and let me tell you, if there’s anything that brings out the awkwardness we all try to bury, it’s seeing the people who knew you before you figured out how to adult.

Jess, bless her cotton socks, is terrified of going back. It’s that classic Jess anxiety, cranked up to eleven. She’s worried about running into her old nemesis, a girl named Brenda who sounds like the human embodiment of a particularly aggressive high school clique. Brenda, apparently, was the queen bee, the one who probably invented the concept of "mean girl" before it was even a thing. Jess sees her as this perfectly put-together, effortlessly cool person, while Jess herself probably feels like she’s wearing a lampshade as a hat at any given moment.

Meanwhile, back at the loft, the guys are dealing with their own brand of “homecoming.” Nick is trying to sell his bar, The New Zoo. Now, if you’ve ever tried to sell something you’re ridiculously attached to, you know the struggle. It’s like trying to give away your favorite, slightly stained but oh-so-comfy couch. You know it’s time, but there’s a part of you that’s clinging on, whispering, "But what about all the memories?!" Nick’s memories at the bar are, as expected, a chaotic symphony of questionable decisions and fermented beverages.

Schmidt and Cece, in their eternal wisdom (and occasional lunacy), decide to help Nick. This is where the episode really started to feel like a perfectly seasoned stew. Schmidt, of course, approaches selling the bar like a high-stakes negotiation in a movie about Wall Street, but with significantly more hair gel and ego. He’s got his spreadsheets, his PowerPoints, and his power poses. You can just picture him practicing his "serious business face" in the mirror, probably while wearing a silk robe.

Cece, on the other hand, is the grounded one. She’s the voice of reason in the loft’s never-ending comedy of errors. She knows that for Nick, it’s not just about the money; it’s about the legacy. It’s about that place where he probably learned how to hold a drink without spilling it (most of the time). She suggests making the bar seem more appealing, more unique. This leads to them trying to stage the bar to make it look like a hot new spot. Imagine trying to make a dive bar look like a trendy speakeasy – it’s like putting lipstick on a pig, but a very charming pig with a lot of stories to tell.

And then there’s Winston. Oh, Winston. He’s trying to impress a potential buyer for the bar by pretending to be this super sophisticated, cultured individual. This involves him learning about wine, which for Winston is like asking a cat to do advanced calculus. He’s fumbling with words, mispronouncing everything, and generally being the most loveable disaster you’ve ever seen. His attempts to seem “refined” are so over the top, they’re hilarious. He’s probably picturing himself in a tweed jacket, holding a monocle, when in reality, he’s probably just trying not to spill said wine on himself.

Back to Jess. She’s at her reunion, and Brenda is, predictably, exactly as Jess imagined: flawlessly beautiful and condescending. Jess tries to play it cool, but her inner Jess, the one who probably still hums the theme song to The Little Mermaid when she’s stressed, is clearly screaming internally. She resorts to her usual tactic: oversharing and awkward anecdotes. It’s that moment where you tell a story about a minor embarrassment, hoping it makes you relatable, but it just ends up making you sound like you’ve never experienced anything remotely normal.

The episode then takes a turn when Jess decides to confront Brenda. This is the kind of confrontation that we, as viewers, have been waiting for. It’s like watching two people finally air their petty grievances from years ago, except one of them is wearing a sequined dress and the other is probably wearing her favorite flannel. Jess, in her classic Jess way, doesn’t go for a dramatic showdown. Instead, she tries to understand Brenda, to find common ground. It’s a testament to Jess’s character that even when faced with someone who clearly made her life miserable, she still looks for the good.

And what does she find? Brenda, it turns out, isn’t so perfect after all. She’s got her own insecurities, her own regrets. It’s that “aha!” moment where you realize the person who seemed like your arch-nemesis in high school was probably just as messed up as you were, just better at hiding it. It's like finding out that the popular kid who got all the attention was actually struggling with homework just like you were.

Meanwhile, Nick’s bar sale is going… nowhere fast. The potential buyers are either too cheap, too weird, or just not the right fit. It’s a classic Nick saga. He’s got all these big ideas, all this passion, but the practical execution is always a bit shaky. Schmidt’s elaborate attempts to make the bar look like a millennial dream space are mostly met with confusion and polite smiles. Winston’s wine expertise is about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. It’s a beautiful mess, as always.

The episode hits its stride when the gang decides to rally around Nick. They realize that selling the bar isn’t just a business transaction; it’s about Nick’s journey. They decide to throw a farewell party for The New Zoo, and that’s when the magic of New Girl truly shines. It’s about them, as a found family, supporting each other through thick and thin. It’s that feeling when you’re moving house, and your friends show up with pizza and muscle, even though they’d rather be doing anything else.

At the party, everyone is a bit sentimental. Nick is reminiscing about all the ridiculous things that have happened in the bar. Schmidt is probably trying to network with anyone who looks like they have money. Cece is just happy to see everyone together. And Winston, well, Winston is probably telling a story about a cat or a bizarre childhood memory.

Jess, having had her own moment of realization at her reunion, returns to the loft feeling a little more confident. She’s learned that high school isn't the be-all and end-all, and that the people who matter are the ones who love you for who you are, quirks and all. It’s that comforting realization that your present is way more important than your past, and that the people you’re with now are your real tribe.

The episode wraps up with a sense of bittersweetness. Nick doesn’t end up selling the bar, at least not yet. It’s not a grand finale, but a realistic pause. It’s like deciding not to sell your old car after all, because you remember all the road trips you’ve taken in it. It’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that aren’t made. And that the journey, with all its detours, is what really matters.

“Homecoming” was a solid episode of New Girl. It managed to weave together Jess’s personal growth with the guys’ ongoing shenanigans, all while reminding us of the enduring power of friendship. It’s the kind of episode that makes you want to grab a bowl of popcorn, curl up on the couch, and just bask in the warm, fuzzy glow of these ridiculous, lovable characters. It’s a reminder that even when life throws you a Brenda or a complicated bar sale, you’ve always got your loft-mates to help you navigate it. And honestly, who wouldn’t want that?