Before this week started, I knew it was going to be one of my favorites of the year in terms of TV because all of my favorite shows were airing incredibly important episodes. And I am happy to say that my hopes were actually exceeded on so many levels. This was a week filled with major plot moments, great character development on every show, and huge leaps forward for my favorite TV relationships. 

Once Upon a Time brought some of the focus back to Emma and Henry’s relationship, providing us with some adorable scenes as Operation Cobra was resurrected as Operation Praying Mantis. Game of Thrones perfectly brought to life one of my favorite scenes from all of the A Song of Ice and Fire books when Jaime showed Brienne how much he trusts her and respects her by sharing the secret of why he became the Kingslayer. Castle gave us an emotional look at the history of Castle and Beckett’s relationship and took their relationship to a new level by having Beckett finally tell Castle she loves him. And Parks and Recreation ended its season with big changes coming for many of its characters—especially Ron. 

While most of these shows had moments that would probably have been my favorite in any other week, my pick for the best of the best comes from New Girl. After sharing hilarious stories about how they each lost their virginities, Schmidt, Winston, and Cece left Nick and Jess alone with their feelings and a whole lot of sexual tension—which was finally released when Nick opened the elevator door, literally swept Jess off her feet, and carried her to his bed. While the lead-up to their first time was epic in and of itself (Nick’s smile! That kiss!), what solidified this moment as one of my favorites of the whole TV season is the aftermath. Their smiles and laughter told us all what we could have easily guessed from their chemistry all season—it was GOOD. Seeing both Nick and Jess so happy together, simply being their silly selves with one another, was enough to make me melt. 

What was your favorite thing you saw on TV this week? Any predictions for what we’ll be talking about at this time next week? 

This week in television was an emotional roller coaster, with highs and lows often coming within the same episode. Once Upon a Time may have had its share of frustrating moments in “Selfless, Brave and True” (I will never be over them turning August back into a child), but the quietly beautiful moment between Snow and Charming where she broke the news of her blackened heart to him reminded me of everything that is right with the show. If I were to pick a runner-up for the best thing I saw this week, that scene would undoubtedly be my choice. Castle had its share of great moments this past week as well, with Ryan’s backstory getting some much-deserved attention before the episode concluded with a sweet Castle/Beckett scene and an even sweeter scene between Ryan and Jenny. (Anybody else super excited to see Ryan as the adorable dad we all know he’ll be?)

Although there were plenty of strong moments to choose from, the best of the week came once again from New Girl. “Chicago” was as touching as it was hilarious, giving Nick’s character and the relationship between him and Jess some beautiful new layers. The entire funeral scene maintained the deft balancing act between humor and heart that’s made this show such a runaway success this season. Jess’s Elvis impression had me laughing, but Nick’s eulogy had me in tears from Jake Johnson’s honest depiction of grief. And the moments when Nick first sees what Jess is doing for him and his family and when Jess takes Nick’s hand will never fail to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (mainly because of Johnson’s face, which seems to be getting more and more attractive each week).

What was your favorite thing about this week in the world of TV?

This was a great week for me as a television viewer (even without a new Parks and Rec). One of my favorite reality shows, Dancing with the Stars, was back with some promising contenders for this season (I’m looking at you, Jacoby Jones). Castle gave us a fun take on the horror genre as well as some genuinely sweet moments between Castle and Beckett (“Be with Kate” was a close second for this week’s favorite TV moment). And Once Upon a Time continued its journey into the murkier waters of morality and featured one of the most powerfully acted scenes it’s ever had in a dramatic showdown between Snow White and Regina.

Although these were all great episodes, there was no real debate for what would be my pick for the best of this week in the world of television. For some time now, New Girl has been delivering must-see moments on a near-weekly basis. This week’s “Quick Hardening Caulk” ended with a kissing scene that was equal parts hilarious (“You’re so annoying with your little shorts!”) and HOT (because when Nick Miller kisses like a man, he really kisses like a man). New Girl has become the new standard for mixing comedy with sincere moments of emotion and character development, and this moment between Nick and Jess was showcased that balance perfectly.

And on a purely shallow note, it’s impossible to look at Jake Johnson in this scene and imagine that anything else on TV could possibly be better than his face (and ridiculously beautiful jawline).

What was the best thing you saw on TV this week?