As the final season of NBC’s critically acclaimed comedy
draws to a close (with more of a whimper than a bang, it must be mentioned, as
the network has been churning out two new episodes per week in an incredibly
transparent effort to clear the way for more reality TV), it’s more than worth
taking a look back at some of the moments, the magic, and of course the
laughter the show has provided in its seven season run.
I’m going to try and narrow it down my recommendations to one episode per
season, for those who don’t have unlimited time to binge-watch (or
re-binge-watch).
Season 1: "The Banquet"
I think most people’s instinct for the sometimes painfully
awkward first season is to ignore it completely, or to name “Rock Show” (the
season-ender) as their favorite. But if “Rock Show” is the biggest indicator of
the better show to come in season 2, that progress is because of the notes the writers
and actors hit during “The Banquet.” This episode, number 5 of 6, has a
little bit of everything we’ve come to know and love – Leslie’s early
insecurity and need for her mother’s approval, Ron and his love affair with all
things meat, Tom being his best schmoozy self, and even some character
development thrown in for good measure (this is the episode where Ann begins to
realize her relationship with Andy is headed for a dead end; when Mark seems to
see the sadness of his bachelor lifestyle; and of course when Leslie and Ann
realize that best friendship does come with the occasional dispute, and a need
for honesty). It’s also got Leslie being mistaken for a man all night at the
titular banquet because she’s gotten herself a “political powerhouse” hairstyle
for the evening, so there’s that.
Season Two: "The
Master Plan"
Loathe though I am to give Rob Lowe any kind of credit, the
arrival of his Chris Traeger and Adam Scott’s Ben Wyatt really did complete
Parks in a way I hadn’t fully realized it needed. These two new characters
show up in Pawnee right on the brink of Leslie’s anticipated triumph in this
episode, wherein she is preparing a proposal for Pawnee’s “master plan” for the
upcoming fiscal year. Unfortunately the two are state auditors, there to slash
the very budget Leslie is hoping to utilize to build her park. She immediately
can’t abide Ben in particular, which in obvious sitcom fashion must mean
(spoiler alert!) they will eventually fall in love. Oh, and it’s worth
mentioning that this episode also features some fantastic comedic moments with
April and Andy (and Ben Schwartz’s Jean Ralphio).
Season Three: TIE – "Fancy Party", "The Fight"
Season three is when the show really found its groove, so obviously I can’t pick just one episode to recommend. "Fancy Party" features
April and Andy’s surprise wedding, and apart from having a soft spot for them,
it’s just a very unexpectedly charming event. Everyone comes together to
celebrate without questioning the rushed nature of the nuptials – everyone except
Leslie, but even she eventually comes around.
"The Fight", on the other hand, features a far less pleasant
party. Everyone converges on the Snakehole Lounge (“The Sexiest and Most
Dangerous club in Pawnee”) to support Tom, who has invented his own alcohol. As
you might expect, this is a terrible idea, as the drink’s potency leads to a
range of shenanigans, most notably Ann and Leslie’s biggest fight to date. It’s
played both hilariously and relatably by Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones, and the
supporting cast provides just enough comic relief to take the edge off.
Season Four: "Win, Lose, or Draw"
I’m recommending the season finale for the 4th
season not because it’s the most standout episode, but because Parks’ fourth season is the most cohesive, narrative-wise, with each episode building on the
last, chapters in an overarching story following Leslie’s campaign for city council. Thus it all culminates in “Win,
Lose, or Draw” wherein we see all of the hard work and support put in by
Leslie’s team pay off in a big way. I won’t lie to you, I cried at the end of
this episode, and you might too.
Season Five: "Emergency
Response"
While it’s very tempting to pick “Ben and Leslie” (I just
love everything about the two of them together, okay?!), I didn’t think this
list needed TWO wedding episodes. I’ve therefore selected the episode preceding
their wedding, “Emergency Response.” This episode has Leslie at her finest
crazy, aided and abetted by the gang as they try to cope with a hypothetical
city-wide emergency situation. It also features Ron's fabulous turn on Joan Calamezzo's show, doling advice out to Pawnee's citizens.
Season Six: "Moving Up"
Picking the season finale again, not because every episode
of the sixth season is equally strong, but because most of them are a little
weak, in a way I have some trouble articulating. There was just something
missing from the back half of season six, and it took the finale (both the
storyline and the rebooting time jump) to really pull me back in. "Moving Up" has a bunch of blink-and-you'll-miss-them call back to earlier moments in the show's history, and an intriguing scene from 2017 that bucks the show's usual tradition of tying things up neatly at season's end. This is an episode that could've been a series-ender itself, but instead became the framework for season seven, which has proven both innovative and heartwarming.
I haven't picked a favorite episode for season seven yet, mostly because I don't think I'm ready to acknowledge that the journey's almost over. Saying goodbye to a long-running show is, for a TV lover like myself, a uniquely bittersweet experience. One thing I'm happy about as a viewer is that Parks and Recreation has been given the chance to go out on their terms, something that didn't seem possible back in the early stages of its tenure, when premature cancellation seemed inevitable. I know a lot of people who, like myself, have come to consider this their go-to "happy" show, pulling up an episode on days when they just need to smile for a few minutes. I think people underestimate the amount of diligent, dedicated work that has gone into this show over the past seven years, and how much everyone who's a part of it cares about the fans, the characters, and just telling the best story possible. This is a show that has taught us that following your dreams isn't necessarily a fool's errand - after all, we began this journey with one woman and her ambition to build a park. Seeing how far Leslie and the gang have come has been hilarious, entertaining, and just so rewarding. Thank you, Parks team, and thank you, NBC, for letting us share in that joy for as long as you did.