Ep 1. All In

In the first episode of the third season of New Girl, titled "All In," viewers are reintroduced to Jess (Zooey Deschanel), Nick (Jake Johnson), Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Winston (Lamorne Morris), and Cece (Hannah Simone) as they navigate life in their shared loft.

The episode begins with Jess and Nick still recovering from their breakup at the end of last season. Despite their efforts to move on, they can't help but feel drawn to each other. Meanwhile, Schmidt is trying to win back Cece's affection after cheating on her with Elizabeth (Merritt Wever). Winston, on the other hand, is struggling with a new job as a nanny and feeling left out of his friends' lives.

The gang decides to have a poker night to cheer Winston up and distract from their romantic woes. However, things quickly spiral out of control when they get too competitive and Nick bets his entire inheritance on a hand. The tension builds as they reveal their hands and it becomes clear that someone is about to lose everything they have.

The episode balances humor and heart as the characters grapple with the consequences of their actions. Jess and Nick continue to navigate their breakup while dealing with unresolved feelings, Schmidt tries to make amends with Cece, and Winston realizes he needs to take control of his own life.

"All In" sets up the season's themes of love, loyalty, and growing up. Each character faces new challenges and relationships, but ultimately the message is clear: they need each other to make it through. This episode proves that even when the stakes are high, the gang will always have each other's backs.