On a special Thursday night episode of New Girl, Jess and Nick embark on a first date and Dermot Mulroney returns to reprise his role as Jess’ ex-boyfriend, Russell.

Check out this video from TVLine, featuring Jake Johnson giving some behinds-the-scenes info about filming the episode, particularly their interactions with the fans at the restaurant.

In the promo video below, not only are Jess and Nick eating in the very restaurant Russell walks into with a date, he also points out they’re sitting at his lucky table – maybe it will be lucky for the two of them?

As per Fox’s usual M.O. to release about a third of the episode through promotional videos, below is another promo clip that proves “First Date” will probably go down in the books as one of the best in the series.

This episode also marks the return of Nick’s silent friend, Tran, the elderly asian man from the episode “Menzies,” who provides Nick with advice – sort of. Nick arrives at the conclusions on his own, but seems to have a strangely strong connection to Tran. Regardless, the way Nick talks to Tran as if he were asking Jess out on a date, reveals what we’ve always known – how strongly Nick feels about Jess.

Including this upcoming episode, there are only three new episodes until the end of season 2. While that may not seem like much time, there’s still plenty of opportunities for the residents of apartment 4D to mess up – and fix – their respective relationships and friendships. Next weeks episode – airing at the normal date and time – entitled “Bachelorette Party,” will show both Cece’s surprise bachelorette party thrown by Jess, and Shivrang awkwardly going out with Nick and Winston.

In other New Girl news, Taylor Swift will make an appearance in the season finale, but her character is still unknown.

As the season comes to an end, what do you predict will happen on ‘New Girl’?

“First Date” will air at a special date and time, this Thursday at 9:00pm on Fox.

Photo credit: Adam Taylor/FOX