Do you have all the rules to True American committed to memory? When someone gets you cookie, do you give them cookie? Can you either go too big with pranks or far too small? Well, you may just fit in with the Lofties of New Girl. 

Although the sitcom debuted way back in 2011, it’s never felt more timeless. Following a group of increasing zany roommates living in downtown Los Angeles, the story of Jess (Zooey Deschanel), Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Winston (Lamorne Morris) and Cece (Hannah Simone) will always make you feel like you have a home in Apartment 4D. And you have a whopping 146 episodes to spend with your LA BFFs. 

But if you just want to revisit the loftiest highlights from the sitcom’s seven seasons, we’re here with the most essential episodes of New Girl. Keep reading to find out which 20 installments will leave you fluent in Lofty.

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“Wedding” 

Contains: New Girl’s first wedding, Winston’s first brush with whimsy and a celebrity cameo 

Technically New Girl starts with its pilot, in which Jessica Day becomes the new girl in Apartment 4D after her doofus boyfriend’s cheating scandal. But New Girl truly becomes New Girl with its third episode, when the gang heads to their first wedding together. 

While it wasn’t clear at the time, the sitcom would become a show defined by nuptials: the ones its characters attend and the ones they throw for themselves. “Wedding” also marks the beginning of what will become two classic New Girl traditions. First, the episode boasts an unforgettable celebrity cameo from Natasha Lyonne as Gretchen, Schmidt’s lust/hate sex friend. Then there’s the fact that Winston reveals he randomly loves bubbles; it’s the first we’ll see of his many upcoming fanciful passions. 

“Valentine's Day” 

Contains: Cece and Schmidt’s first hookup, an iconically gif-able line and a huge box of condoms

The first half of New Girl Season 1 effectively sets up many of the flirtationships that will come to flourish over the series, but “Valentine’s Day” is the first time any real action goes down between our lovable heroes. 

After a disastrous Valentine’s — Cece’s boyfriend (Stephen Amell) ate three shrooms “on a pizza” — Cece and Schmidt tumble into bed together. What starts as an episodes-long sex secret eventually grows into much more over eight seasons, cementing these two as one of New Girl’s best couples. Between Cece and Schmidt’s tryst, Jess’ attempt at a one-night stand, Winston’s romantic redemption tour and Nick’s first try at a dreamy holiday with new girlfriend Julia (Lizzy Caplan), you will finish “Valentine’s Day” feeling “twirly.” 

Oh, and look out for one of Schmidt’s first instantly deployable quips: “Youths!” 

“Normal” 

Contains: New Girl’s first game of True American  

One, two, three, four, JFK! FDR! Up, up, up! Shotgun a beer — it’s time for True American. 

Although Jess’ fancyman boyfriend Russell (Dermot Mulroney) is introduced in earlier Season 1 episodes, “Normal” is his first chance to meet the entire gang. When Russell’s initial’s loft sleepover turns awkward, Jess decides a group game of True American will solve everything. 

Russell, along with viewers, is forced to quickly pick up the series-defining game, which is “50% drinking game and 50% life-size Candy Land.” Or is it more 75% drinking and 20% Candy Land? (Schmidt’s in marketing, he can’t really do math.) Watch “Normal” and decide for yourself.  

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“Models”

Contains: Nick’s most famous meltdown

There is a single reason to watch “Models” and that is because it gave you cookie, got you cookie.  Gave you cookie, got you cookie, man. We’re even! 

Whether that gibberish brought a tear to your eye or you have no idea what we’re saying, give “Models” a watch ASAP. Schmidt and Nick’s argument over a single black and white cookie is a TV feud for the ages. 

Also, Jess and Cece lead an equally emotional A-plot about their own friendship tensions — albeit with more cartoon monkeys and fewer heartbreaking nonsense monologues. 

“Menzies”

Contains: The introduction of Tran, some light Cece and Schmidt flirting and a puppy in a cup

New Girl Season 2 is jam-packed with classic moments that will become the foundation of the rest of the series. “Menzies” — which could easily be a basic episode about the guys being awkward about Jess’ well, menzies — is one of those chapters. Forced to confront his endless bubbling anger, Nick heads to the local park and meets a seemingly silent man. He decides that man’s name is Tran (Ralph Ahn) and he’s Nick’s new best friend. 

Nick and Tran’s one-sided conversations become one of New Girl’s greatest delights. If only they did more water massages.  

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“Pepperwood” 

Contains: The creation of Julius Pepperwood (Zombie Detective) and loft pogos  

At its heart, New Girl is a show about how men can mature without functioning father figures. Nick enters “Pepperwood” fresh off of some tough conversations with his own dad, Walt (Dennis Farina). He’s energized. In fact, Nick is so revved up, he inserts himself into Jess’ new job as an adult educator. 

Convinced that Jess’ star student is a real-life threat, Nick creates the character of Julius Pepperwood — ex-cop, ex-Marine — to perform a little surveillance. This plan goes horribly awry, but it does have two upsides. “Pepperwood” is brimming with Nick and Jess chemistry, which will be important in a moment, and fictional detective Julius Pepperwood will eventually change Nick’s life forever. 

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“Cooler” 

Contains: Jess and Nick’s first kiss, sexy True American, Cece and Shivrang’s first date and one hot-to-trot jacket

There are TV kisses, and then there’s the “Cooler” kiss. By this point, New Girl has been teasing out Nick and Jess’s crackling romantic tension for almost 40 episodes. Jess has been Nick’s wedding date. Nick has served as Jess’ emotional “fluffer” for no-strings-attached sex (all those feelings have to go somewhere). Two of Nick’s girlfriends and one of Jess’ boyfriends have assumed something is going on between these crazy kids. 

In “Cooler,” everyone is proven right. Jess initiates a loft game of True American with a “sexy new twist” to help Nick close with a random bar patron who’s turned on by sadness (Brooklyn Decker in a wildly confusing jacket). In a twist only surprising to Nick and Jess, they’re the ones who end up having to kiss behind a rarely seen loft wall. 

Nick decides he would rather face the threat of death than kiss Jess… that is, until the pair end up alone in the hallway hours after the game ends. Nick scoops Jess up and gives her the smooch of her life in a swoony moment that needs to be savored to be believed. You’ll never hear the phrase “I meant something like that” the same way again. 

“Quick Hardening Caulk”

Contains: The unforgettable image of Nick pulling chains. The sentence “You’re a beautiful white man, Nick Miller.” Also, a clown fish that’s just a metaphor for Cecilia 

For a giggle, say this episode title out loud. The installment itself is equally horny. 

While many likely would hope Nick and Jess ride off into the sunset after their sexy “Cooler” kiss, that’s not how television works. Instead, the pair try to ignore their attraction for a few episodes. By the time “Quick Hardening Caulk” takes place, Jess can distract herself no longer and admits she wants Nick — his sudden dedication to self-betterment isn’t helping.  

While things go so wrong in this episode that one person ends up hospitalized, another one ends up on prescription pain medication and a third Lofty scalds their hand in hot soup, it has a happy ending. Did you know attraction can be so powerful that it shatters a fish tank the size of a sixth-grader? 

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“Elaine's Big Day” 

Contains: Cece’s first wedding, Winston “Prank Sinatra” Bishop’s passion for pranks and a historic Taylor Swift cameo

“Elaine’s Big Day” is the final crowning achievement of Season 2. Let’s get the obvious highlight out of the way: It boasts Taylor Swift in one of her only two TV roles. Once you watch the installment, you’ll understand why this episode might be Cece’s wedding episode, but it’s Swift’s Big Day. 

Star power aside, “Elaine’s Big Day” is a standout episode on its own. Winston is allowed to go as big and as weird as his little prankster heart allows, placing him directly on the path he’ll follow for the rest of the series. Nearly the entire main cast — save for Cece, the bride — ends up in a series of claustrophobic vents, creating powerful panic comedy. Nick and Jess are also forced to make real decisions about their relationship in an evolutionary step that’s particularly moving after their emotional sojourn to the Midwest in an earlier episode, “Chicago.” 

It’s hard not to be all-in on “Elaine’s Big Day.” 

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“Double Date” 

Contains: TikTok’s favorite Nick quote, a less-popular but still very good Nick quote and Winston’s first full episode as a cat dad to Ferguson

Welcome to an integral New Girl episode — but also a painful one. “Double Date” caps off a three-episode arc that sees Schmidt at his worst as he juggles two girlfriends, runaway bride Cece and college ex Elizabeth (Merritt Wever). Nick, as a certain TikTok sound can tell you, is just as horrified as the rest of us. 

By the end of the episode, Schmidt has vowed to ruin Jess and Nick’s relationship. This fear leads to a couple of classic New Girl lines, involving Nick’s reading-based fears and the pair’s shared suspicions about horses. The drama of “Double Date” also gives us an underrated follow-up chapter, “The Captain.” 

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“Prince” 

Contains: Prince! 

To quote Nick Miller: *Unintelligible screech.* New Girl got Prince! 

Or, more accurately, Prince got New Girl. The Purple One’s earnest interest in appearing on the hangout sitcom is now legendary. The fates came together to make that dream a reality with “Prince,” which aired live after the 2014 Super Bowl. Out of respect for the iconic guest star, the New Girl writers decided to place a major relationship milestone in this episode: Nick and Jess’ first “I love you.” Their romantic journey is a magical fantasy that includes dress-up and a musical number that leaves the Lofties appropriately stunned.  

Oh, by the way, Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) is back. He disappeared after the pilot. 

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“Cruise” 

Contains: The Queen of Wednesday and a few big hints Cece and Schmidt aren’t over

While Schmidt, Nick and Winston always appear to be chasing the veneer of cool confidence, trainer-turned-teacher Coach seems to truly possess it. Except in “Cruise,” in which he loses all chill in the face of water. 

The entire crew — Cece included — is forced to join Nick and Jess on what should have been a dreamy couple’s cruise. But Nick and Jess broke up in a previous episode “Moon Landing,” and this turn of events threatens to throw the group’s social equilibrium into chaos. The couple uses the Season 3 finale to prove everything is “fine.” It’s not. 

In fact, the roiling drama accidentally leaves the Lofties trapped in a single cabin together. The result is unforgettable comedic horror and a fitting family photo… in which Cece may just be making moon eyes at Schmidt. Shame, shame, Winston knows your name.  

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“Thanksgiving IV” 

Contains: Bangsgiving, Winston’s fear of lunch ladies, Coach’s fear of women stronger than him and some big romantic developments 

New Girl has a long history of great holiday episodes. Season 1’s “Thanksgiving” kicked off this tradition, which brings the Lofties into lovable shenanigans around Turkey Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and even Election Day. But “Thanksgiving IV,” aka Bangsgiving, is a New Girl holiday episode at its very best. 

The premise is simple: It’s a singles party and “no date leaves until everyone is laid.” While it’s questionable whether Schmidt could legally enforce that rule, Bangsgiving is an unmitigated success. Nick meets his next love interest Kai (Greta Lee), granddaughter of his BFF Tran; Jess finally makes some important choices about her crush on subordinate Ryan (Julian Morris); and Cece drops a big hint that her feelings for Schmidt may not be as dead as everyone thinks. 

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“Clean Break”

Contains: Coach’s farewell, a sex mug and a proposal that will make you cry 

Let’s cut to the chase — “Clean Break” features a moment that’s 94 episodes in the making. Schmidt, at last, proposes to Cece. And she says yes. You’re not the only one sobbing. Schmidt ends the episode weeping in bed with his bride-to-be. Multiple crescendoing (and previously unseen) references to Cece and Schmidt’s first meeting only amplify the feels here. 

But “Clean Break” isn’t just about Cece and Schmidt’s reunion. We also witness the huge emotional strides Coach has made since returning to New Girl. He’s moving out of the loft again and can’t pull off the “clean break” the way he used to. And Nick and Jess are both forced to consider how they feel about each other when their sex mug — which they used as a horny Bat-Signal during their relationship — reappears.  

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“Reagan” 

Contains: A rain shower, Schmidt paranoia and the entrance of Nick’s final great new love interest 

Dating Jess has fundamentally changed Nick. We know this because the surly bartender kicks off “Reagan” by telling Winston and his cop partner Aly (Nasim Pedrad) — welcome, Aly! — that he’s looking for “magic” in his next relationship. Enter Reagan (all-time great New Girl guest star Megan Fox). She’s magic. And gorgeous. And mean in a sexy/scary way that drives Nick wild. 

With Jess sequestered for weeks at jury duty, Nick jumps through every hoop to convince Reagan to move into the loft. After all, the last time a beautiful brunette became a roommate, he fell in love. All the while, Winston works to keep Nick from losing himself to alleged delusions of romantic grandeur and Schmidt tries to process Reagan and Cece’s um, unexpected, previous connection. 

“Landing Gear” 

Contains: Many good cameos, very creative use of an iPad — and the Cece and Schmidt wedding

While Nick and Jess may be the romantic heroes of New Girl, it’s impossible not to recognize the series’ fondness for the emotional roller coaster that is Cece and Schmidt. In “Landing Gear,” five seasons of tension is eased once and for all with the couple’s stunning, fraught wedding.    

Picking up right where the previous episode “Wedding Eve” left off, Schmidt goes “missing” on the day of his nuptials. But he didn’t get cold feet. As part of the Schmidt rehabilitation tour necessitated by his years-ago two-timing, Schmidt attempts to fly to Portland to convince Cece’s mom to come to their wedding. His plane’s broken landing gear — hence the episode title — nearly thwarts their perfectly planned “I do”s. 

But this New Girl. Although the wedding is very, very, very different from the way Schmidt imagined his Big Day, the event is ultimately still wonderfully Lofty. Meanwhile, Nick and Reagan consider the Big R (relationship) and Winston revels in the fact that Aly loves him. 

“Jaipur Aviv”  

Contains: An adult film–based mystery and a fancy new set 

“Jaipur Aviv” marks a huge turning point in New Girl. After years of Apartment 4D serving as the domestic home of the sitcom, it’s time to diversify. The Lofties head to Cece and Schmidt’s new house — nicknamed Jaipur Aviv out of respect for the duo’s respective backgrounds — to make it more of a home. 

During their group renovation, Jess tries to drum up roommate votes to ensure Reagan can move into the loft, but hits an unexpected snag when it’s Nick who ends up working against her political machinations. The theme of Jess — who’s accepted the fact that she’s still in love with her ex-boyfriend — trying to keep Nick and Reagan together starts to become painfully obvious. 

“Operation: Bobcat” 

Contains: “Oddball romantic” Winston at his best, Cece and Schmidt’s bone-iversary and Gordon Ramsay

Winston’s love life is often treated as a secondary storyline on New Girl. With “Operation: Bobcat,” he takes center stage. Despite only being on phase six of his 21-part proposal plan, Winny the Bish decides it’s time to pop the question to Aly. 

Jess, still trying to distract herself from overwhelming feelings for Nick, goes all-in on helping Winston pull off the proposal Aly deserves. An heartwarming grand gesture ensues — one that also involves a concussion. Nothing has ever been easy for Winston Bishop. 

Stay blessed, everyone. 

“Five Stars for Beezus” 

Contains: Television’s best use of “Green Light.” Also, a stellar floral arrangement 

By the Season 6 finale, nearly every Lofty is in their end-game relationship. Cece and Schmidt are married and comfortably ensconced in Jaipur Aviv, while Winston and Aly are enjoying engaged bliss. All that’s left is for Nick and Jess to accept the fact they’re soulmates. This emotional realization crescendos with a kiss (to Lorde’s “Green Light”) that’s nearly as thrilling as Jess and Nick’s first smooch four seasons earlier. 

Although Jess and Nick’s love story takes precedence in “Five Stars for Beezus,” Cece and Schmidt also take a tears-inducing new step in their romance. We won’t ruin the surprise — we’re not Cece’s doctor. 

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“Mario”/“The Curse of the Pirate Bride”/“Engram Pattersky” 

Contains: The last game of True American, Winston’s final prank and you crying at the TV screen   

Welcome to… the end of New Girl. These three episodes are technically separate installments, but we recommend watching them as a one mini-movie (“Curse of the Pirate Bride” and “Engram Pattersky” initially aired as one mega-episode). After seven seasons of will-they-won’t-they, they-failed-and-they’re-back-together twists, it’s finally time for Nick and Jess to enjoy the romantic bliss their friends already enjoy. 

In “Mario,” Nick proposes in the messy, well-meaning way only Nick could. “The Curse of the Pirate Bride” reveals the truly unexpected circumstances of the pair’s wedding, and “Engram Pattersky” sees everyone move out of the loft. Or — do they? You’ll have to watch the series finale to bask in what happens after one perfect last game of True American.

Sooners, stake your claim!  

P.S. Watch the final shot carefully for a suggestion that the New Girl crew may get older, but the spirit of the Lofties are forever.