'New Girl' Recap: Season 5, Episode 12: 'D-Day'

Schmidt is prepping for "D-Day," which is Decision Day... the day he hammers out a bunch of wedding stuff. CeCe, however, has gotten a call to fill in and be on gas station television. Schmidt is on his own. Jess offers to help, but Schmidt would rather do it himself. CeCe reminds Jess to help and not take over, and insists she go along. Schmidt has to give in.

With tons to do, Schmidt keeps falling asleep, having stayed up late working on wedding items. Not trusting Jess on her own, he fits her with a GoPro so he can send her out on errands and monitor.

Nick and Winston get into an argument, as Nick is late for their annual lunch. Winston thinks he has a much busier and more important job, so Nick challenges him to run the bar for a day. Winston doesn't do well and cries uncle. Winston still thinks being a cop is harder though, and brings Nick along in the car to observe.

Getting fed up with Schmidt's severe managing techniques, Jess sings him to sleep via her phone and takes off to do wedding stuff on her own. She goes to meet the beverage guy at a winery after looking him up on the wedding USB, and meets Gavin, who owns the place and isn't bothered that she broke a bunch of wine bottles half a second after walking inside. He's charming, and they share some wine and some cheese and some light flirting.

She goes home to find Schmidt refreshed, and tells him everything is under control. Better yet, after some kissing, she even got him a great deal from Gavin.

Schmidt is horrified. Gavin is his father.

Schmidt hates his father. Jess questions why his number was in the wedding USB, and Schmidt says he was warming up to the idea of inviting him after a long estrangement, but now... no. Which makes it more awkward when there's a knock on the door and Jess admits she's meeting Gavin for a date. Not trusting her at all, Schmidt again afixes the GoPro on Jess and hides in his room.

Winston's day on the job is boring and Nick is not seeing how it's any more difficult than running the bar. Finally Winston gets a call and leaves Nick in the car. A scary guy runs out of a house and frightens him, and he is forced to admit Winston's job is harder. Aly tells Winston he's being stupid and Nick just wants Winston to see that he's growing and maturing and working hard.

Jess tries to get out of her date with Gavin, but before she can get rid of him, he sees the invitations for Schmidt's wedding. Gavin realizes he lives there, and Jess admits what has happened but that Schmidt doesn't want to see him. She tells Gavin to talk to Schmidt through the GoPro. Gavin apologizes for being a bad father and Schmidt and CeCe come out to meet him.

Schmidt invites him to the wedding after a heartfelt apology.