So last night’s episode, “Tomatoes,” was all about the ups and downs of relationships. Because I am so tardy on getting this out to you, the good people of the Internet, I’m going to not so much recap this episode as I’m just going to react to it. K? K.

First of all, I really enjoyed this episode. My favorite parts of it were actually between Nick and Winston. I loved that Nick got mad at Winston for loving Shelby more than him and totally owning the fact that he was jealous of how much time and attention Shelby was getting. Because that is a totally fair and valid emotion to feel when a friend all of a sudden likes someone else more than you. And, also, I really like that whole “Get off my farm” bit that Nick did. That was good.

The whole Cece pushing Schmidt away because she doesn’t know how to vocalize the fact that she likes him really annoyed me. It’s just so anti-how-girls-operate-emotionally. And I totally understand having a freak out after thinking you’re preggers and wanting to distance yourself from someone, but telling the man you potentially love that he not only can, but SHOULD, have sex with your totally weird Russian model of a roommate is screwed up. SCREWED UP, I SAY.

However, I looooooved Nadia last night. Her lines were awesome. (Sidebar: what is it with this show writing bit characters really, really well?) Just . . . here:

Maybe that’s what “Hurts So Good” is all about. Maybe I just had a revelatory moment and now feel weird about that song.

BUT ANYWAY, this is a hilarious and unforeseen turn of events. And I really liked that after Cece rushed to the hospital to see Schmidt and confessed her like for him that she was more than happy to remove herself from his room so that she wouldn’t turn him on and cause him pain. Adorbs.

So now let’s talk about Jess and Russell. After a whole bunch of ado about his ex-wife and Jess wishing that her relationship with Russell had as much heat as the relationship he had with Uly, she gives this big speech about how she wants a spark and passion, which are totally legitimate things to want, and that their relationship doesn’t have that. Russell calmly explains that he’s had the crazy passion and that he’s ok with not having it again. In fact he said, “Passion is overrated.”

And, y’all, I really liked this break up. I loved that there wasn’t a weird throwdown and that no one cheated on anyone else. It was just a matter of them wanting different things and going their separate ways. And I loved that neither of them yelled at the other for thinking they were wrong in what they wanted or trying to convince the other person that they could make things work. They talked about, realized they would never resolve the issue, and went their separate ways.

I’m interested to see what the fall-out will be. And I really hope that Sarah shows up at least one more time this season. Because I have a crush on that kid.

When Jess gets inside post-break up, things get serious. I really enjoyed the quiet little moment she had to herself when she walked into the apartment, heard music coming from Nick’s room, and sort of looked down the hall. It was that perfect internalizing, lightbulb moment, when you’re hurting a little and trying to figure out your next move and then all of a sudden, OMG, BAM. The answer basically smacks you in the face and calls you an idiot for not realizing it was in front of your face sooner.

So Jess turns to go down the hall and then CAROLINE (Not Forbes. Which is really just too bad. She should be in every show.) walks out of Nick’s room wearing one of his flannel shirts. (This is all Winston’s fault, btw.) So Jess then starts yelling at Nick about how he’s making terrible decisions and doesn’t he remember how awful his relationship with Caroline was and then they just up yelling and yelling and yelling and yelling, and then shaking their asses at one another because they might as well fight about who is the better ass-shaker.

And then Jess stalks off to her room and lets Nick go back to The Big Mistake That Will Probably Stay Around For Awhile Now Just to Spite Us.

Quotes

“You’re dating the man I can see myself growing old with.”—Nick to Jess

“What is this, Martin Scorsese’s Wizard of Oz?”—Winston

“Sandwiches and sex?! I want that!”—Nick to Winston

“Get out of here you sky rats! Go back to hell where you belong!”—Nick, to birds threatening his tomatoes.

“Are you serious? How do you look this good under fluorescent lights?”—Schmidt, to Cece

“I think I finally understand what Tree of Life is about.”—Schmidt, on breaking his penis.

So that was that! I’m so sorry for the lateness of this post, but . . . life, ya know? *shrugs* So it goes, right? Right. I’m glad you understand. You’re always so understanding. It’s one of my favorite things about you. *beams*

Now let me know all of your thoughts and comments and FEELINGS in comments.