'The Mindy Project' Season 2, Episode 11: 'Christmas Party Sex Trap' Recap

Mindy gets a Christmas tree for her office. She is furious, after hauling it all the way herself, to find that one has already been put up. She grabs it and throws it off the balcony.

Jeremy comes back from "fat camp," svelte and handsome again.

On the subway, Mindy talks at Cliff, who is now her morning commute buddy since he is sleeping with Heather. He dozes off a few times, and she is thrilled to find out that he and Heather have been fighting. He says if they didn't have concert tickets, they would be breaking up.

Mindy decides to plan a Christmas party for the entire building, which Danny notes is a ploy to hang out with Cliff. Morgan asks if it can be gluten-free, since Tamra has a gluten allergy. Peter announces he has a problem with drinking and it has to be a dry party.

Jeremy and Peter set out invites around the building, and promise to be sober buddies at the party - no drinking, no junk food.

Mindy and Danny get in the elevator with Brendan and his new girlfriend, Maria Menounos. Pressed by Brendan's pity, Mindy lies and says she's dating a lawyer. He tells her he looks forward to meeting him at the Christmas party.

Danny realizes that he was right, and the Christmas party is all a play for Cliff. She explains the plan: throw a great party, ignore Cliff while talking to a hot guy, perform "Santa Baby," pretend to be overheated and have him follow her outside, and kiss in the snow.

The party is underway. Mindy asks Danny for help filling up her wine bra. She sees Cliff come in, and attempts step one. She runs up to a guy and begins talking with him. Cliff doesn't seem to notice.

Peter sees Maria, the woman of his dreams.

Mindy finds Danny in the storage room working on his gingerbread house, and they discuss her plan.

Cliff introduces himself to Brendan and asks him if he has seen Mindy. Brendan thinks he is Mindy's new boyfriend, but Cliff tells him he is mistaken. He is hurt that Mindy has a boyfriend he didn't know about.

Mindy starts to perform "Santa Baby," but a certain someone is missing. She refuses to start, and texts Cliff. He says he has gone to see Heather. She calls off her song. Maria picks it up and has everyone drooling. Mindy drinks desperately from her bra.

Peter overhears Maria and Brendan arguing over the song and breaking up. Peter decides he must get drunk so he can talk to her, while Jeremy, who has gotten a taste of frosting, struggles to control his eating urges. He hides in the closet... and sees the gingerbread house.

Danny finds Mindy drunk and sad on the floor in her office. Danny ties to cheer her up with her secret santa gift from him... he shows her a dance routine he coordinated for her. She loves it and hugs him. There is a weighted moment... but then Peter bursts in, demanding her boob wine. Jeremy displays the destroyed gingerbread house.

Once she kicks them out, she invites Danny for a breath of fresh air, but he says he has to stay inside and clean up the mess.

Peter goes to talk to Maria, who needs a ride.

Mindy goes on the balcony and talks to a pigeon. Cliff comes back, bringing her a cookie. He wants to talk to her, even though she's dating someone, he doesn't want to miss his chance. He tells her he broke up with Heather and he wants to be with Mindy. They kiss.