The fifth season of New Girl brings a major change - as Jess is sequestered for a lengthy jury duty, and the loft gets a replacement brunette - Regan (Megan Fox). Regan was a controversial addition, with many fans missing Jess's quirky sweetness, and although Jess returned after only a few episodes away, Regan stuck around for the rest of the season as an occasional addition to the group.
In addition to Regan, this season focuses on CeCe and Schmidt's upcoming wedding, which is always a great moment for fans to look forward to, and sees Nick finally making it as an adult and an author. It's not quite the end of the show, but everyone is definitely growing up and pairing off - but which episodes were a hit with fans, and which were a miss?
Worst: The Regan Episodes (7.4)
While multiple episodes in the season got a rating of 7.4 (too many to include in a single entry), it's worth noting that three of the six with this score are the episodes where Regan joined the loft. With only five episodes in the main Regan arc, that's more than half of them that manage some of the worst ratings in the season. That may also be down to the confusion of adding a new roommate at that stage in the game, and a lack of really solid stories otherwise, but it certainly says something about how the fans felt about Regan.
Best: Big Mama P (7.8)
The season premiere is one of the best episodes of the season, which definitely bodes well for season 5 as a whole. Big Mama P is all about the titular character - also known as Cece's mom. The season starts with the focus on Cece and Schmidt's wedding, and it quickly becomes clear that she hasn't yet told her mother about the engagement - as they find out when Best Man and Maid of Honor Jess throw them an engagement party and invite her. Wonderfully, this also sets fans up for the adorable season finale, and Mrs Parekh's role in it.
Worst: 300 Feet (7.3)
It's clear that while fans love Jess's quirkiness, episodes do better when she is quirky - not crossing the line into uncomfortably crazy. Unfortunately, 300 feet sees her definitely over that line, when she learns that her ex, Sam, is seeing her new boss. Rather than just deal with the awkward situation, she makes it worse and worse, until he actually takes out a restraining order on her. Yikes.
Best: D-Day (7.9)
D-Day introduced one of the gang's parents that fans were longing to see - Gavin Schmidt! To make this even more awkward and interesting than it would already be (given that Schmidt talks a lot about being abandoned by this man), he and Jess had a moment before they realized who the other was. Oops!
Drama aside, this is one of the more emotional episodes of the season, as Schmidt talks to his Dad about everything that they have been through.
Worst: Jeff Day (7.3)
This episode steers into some sexist stereotypes, and sees Nick become ridiculous, when Jess wants to buy a car, but gets Nick to pose as her when she realizes that the salesman will take him more seriously. Unfortunately, Nick was not the person to pick. At the same time, Cece and Schmidt are trying to deal with Winston and his girlfriend who is obsessed with bad pranks. Overall, it's clear why the episode isn't a favorite, as it strays into annoying and over the top territory.
Best: A Chill Day In (8.1)
While there's plenty of drinking on the show, there isn't a whole lot of smoking... except for Cece's 'bachelorette' party in this episode. Wildly different to her first one, this involves Jess and Cece getting high in the loft, and then ending up smashing a breadmaker (because reasons). From there, they end up having to try and return it, replace it, and eventually, steal a floor model. They do also get a chance to connect with Aly, but it's start to finish perfect shenanigans.
Worst: Dress (7.3)
Dress sees all of the gang struggling with something or other. Jess isn't done fixing CeCe's awful wedding dress, Nick is struggling to ask Regan to come to the wedding with him, Winston and Ally struggle to keep their relationship quiet, and Schmidt struggles to hide wedding planning at work. While on one level, this brings everyone together, it's just a little too much in one episode to be great.
Best: Wedding Eve (8.2)
The second last episode of the season, Wedding Eve sees the gang decide to play True American - despite the fact that this may not be the best idea to be bright eyed and bushy tailed on the wedding day! Cece agrees to it for Jess, becuase she thinks that Sam is about to propose and wants to avoid it.
True American episodes are always a joy, and the emotional impact of the presumed proposal - that is actually a breakup - makes this a perfect combination.
Worst: Sam, Again (7.2)
This episode sees Jess move to a new school - which is private, expensive, and incredibly lovely as a work environment. So of course Jess wants to work there, but there's a slight hitch when she realizes that Sam, her ex, is dating the principal. Both episodes that include this Sam/boss arc are unpopular, so it's safe to say that this was awkward for everyone - even the fans.
Best: Landing Gear (8.9)
The finale comes in as the favorite in the season, and it's easy to see why! This is a wedding episode (always a fan favorite), made all the more dramatic because Schmidt is determined to get Cece's mother to the wedding, so he ends up stuck in another city! Cue a cute wedding, Winston trying to prank it to save it, Cece's mother giving her blessing, and so much cuteness that it's hard to handle.