" I sabotaged her wedding as a friend. I didn't want her to marry someone else as a friend. It's only romantic because it's a wedding. I would be just as happy to sabotage, I don't know... let's say, her tax audit."
— Schmidt
"Elaine's Big Day" is the 25th episode of New Girl's second season.
It's Cece and Shivrang's wedding day. Schmidt becomes convinced that Cece wants to call it off, and enlists Winston in an effort to sabotage the affair. Meanwhile, Jess tries to keep a handle on everything, including her relationship with Nick.
Tropes in this episode:
- The Cameo: Taylor Swift as Elaine, Shivrang's childhood friend. She delivers a brief monologue before being carried away by Shivrang.
- Casting Gag: Taylor Swift as a girl who screws up a wedding (although in this case the wedding was well on its way to being screwed; her appearance is just the cherry on top) because she's in love with the groom. At the time, Swift's song "Speak Now", about the Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace trope, was big.
- Celebrity Paradox: Taylor Swift was mentioned by name in a previous episode as Jess was listening to her songs post-breakup. Guess Elaine just looks a lot like her.
- Nobody Touches the Hair: Jess knows Schmidt cares deeply about his hair, and messes it up when she's mad at him and trying to get him to admit what he did.
- Off-into-the-Distance Ending: The season ends with Nick and Jess deciding to give their relationship another go, and the camera lingers as they drive away together.
- One Head Taller: Elaine is much taller than Shivrang. Lampshaded, she says their height difference is one reason her mother is against their relationship.
- Take a Third Option: Cece and Elizabeth both demand that Schmidt choose between them, right then and there. He instead bolts down the hallway.
- Virgin in a White Dress: The intent behind Elaine's white dress
. Although it's not known if she's a virgin, her semiformal white dress stands out against Cece's traditional red sari, evoking both the image of a wedding dress and the wholesome all-American girl. - Wedding Episode: The entire episode is set at Cece and Shivrang's wedding.
- Wedding Smashers: Schmidt's plan to sabotage the wedding involves spooking Shivrang's horse and dropping a badger onto the couple. It eventually ends with Nick and Jess crashing through the ceiling onto the stage.
