Popular recurring New Girl character Tran (Ralph Ahn) only spoke two times over the course of the series, making what he said particularly memorable. Created by Elizabeth Meriwether, New Girl ran on Fox for seven seasons before it ended in 2018. The single-camera sitcom followed the dynamic between a group of young adults living together in a loft in Los Angeles, beginning with the arrival of recently heartbroken schoolteacher Jessica Day (Zooey Deschanel).
The other roommates of the loft include womanizing marketing associate Schmidt (Max Greenfield), bartending law school dropout Nick Miller (Jake Johnson), and former athlete Winston Bishop (Lamorne Morris). Personal trainer Coach (Damon Wayans Jr.) moved out after the pilot only to return two years later. Several of the roommates changed over the course of the series, though a season 3 New Girl storyline had Schmidt move out to an apartment across the hall, before only moving back a couple of episodes later.
Along with the series regulars, New Girl featured a cast of hilarious ing characters. Many of these are romantically tied to the loft roommates, though some of the most memorable relationships were platonic. Among these was Tran, an elderly man who is a friend and mentor to Nick after the pair meet by chance on a park bench. Nick would often turn to Tran during his times of uncertainty, despite him famously being silent. Rather than responding, Tran would often simply give Nick a look that he was able to interpret. This became an ongoing Nick Miller joke in New Girl, though there were two instances Tran spoke. The first time was in his first appearance in season 2, though he wouldn't speak again until his final appearance in the second-to-last episode of the final season.
The first time Tran spoke was in season 2, episode 7 titled “Menzies,” which also introduced his character. Though he is initially irritated by Tran’s decision to sit beside him on a park bench, it ended up being one of the best things that happened to Nick on New Girl. Nick decides to take control of his anger issues in “Menzies,” and Tran takes him to a spa for an unusual experience. Cradling Nick in the jacuzzi pool, Tran tells him, “You are a huge baby,” as a woman plays the flute in the corner of the room. This encounter has a calming effect on Nick, which he unsuccessfully tries to on to Jess. Nick is mean to Jess on New Girl until eventually itting his feelings for her in season 2.
Tran was a recurring character over the next six seasons, though he didn’t speak again until his final appearance in season 7, episode 7, "The Curse of the Pirate Bride." The first half of the series finale saw Jess and Nick facing multiple obstacles on their wedding day, including injuries and the reappearance of ex-boyfriend Russell Shiller (Dermot Mulroney). Tran also shows up for the wedding and s the gang when Winston’s wife Aly (Nasim Pedrad) goes into labor. Tran speaks for the second and final time after the gang exits the limousine they took to the hospital, leaving him alone with Russell at the wheel. Tran leans forward from the back of the car and tells Jess’ ex to “Drive.” It was a fitting end for the mysterious New Girl character, whose backstory remained ambiguous even when Nick dated his granddaughter Kai (Greta Lee) in season 4.