Ep 20. Mars Landing

Jess and Nick are excitedly planning a "Mars landing" party in their apartment, which is supposed to commemorate the day that the Curiosity rover will land on Mars. However, as the preparations get underway, tensions start to rise between the two of them. Nick has been secretly picking up some of Jess's slack around the apartment and is starting to feel resentful of her perceived laziness, while Jess is irked by Nick's constant critical remarks.

As the party guests start to arrive, things quickly spiral out of control. Schmidt is reeling from a recent breakup and hits the booze hard, Winston tries to impress a woman with his knowledge of outer space (which leads to disaster), and Cece is struggling with her feelings for Schmidt. Amidst all of this chaos, Jess and Nick's simmering resentments finally come to a head, and they have a heated argument that threatens to ruin the party.

Throughout the episode, we also see flashbacks to key moments in Nick and Jess's relationship, including their first kiss, their breakup, and their reunion. These flashbacks help to shed light on the underlying issues that are causing their current problems and provide context for their behavior.

Despite the various mishaps and conflicts, the "Mars landing" party ultimately ends up being a success. Jess and Nick are able to put aside their differences and reconnect, and the other characters all find some measure of solace amidst the chaos. The episode ends on a poignant note as Jess and Nick stargaze on their roof, reflecting on their past and their future together.

Overall, "Mars Landing" is a fun and emotionally resonant episode that explores the complicated dynamics of Nick and Jess's relationship. It's also a great showcase for the ensemble cast, who all get a chance to shine in their various storylines. Fans of the show won't want to miss this memorable installment.