Farewell, Pawnee: The Essential Parks and Recreation

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 4^th 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. 

TV Review: Parks and Recreation-- Win Lose or Draw

Remember that time I reviewed the Parks and Recreation season finale a month after watching it?  Yeah, this is that time.

"Win, Lose, or Draw" almost instantaneously secured a spot on my all-time favorite episodes list, which is an increasingly stiff competition.  I loved it mostly because of the element of excitement it had, serving as the culmination of a season-long story arc, which is something we haven't really seen since "Harvest Festival" last year.

In the first act we saw Kathryn Hahn and Paul Rudd cementing their status as gold-standard guest performers with their respective hijinks, my personal favorite of which was Rudd's Bobby Newport solemnly informing Leslie that voting for oneself in the election is illegal (though I also liked the rigged voting machines with the candy bar vouchers).


As I had hoped, there were a few fake-out moments when it came to Leslie's fate, the first of which was a surprise early lead by Brandi Maxx, Pawnee's resident porn star and, apparently, would-be politician.  I have to say, I might have been able to cope with Leslie losing if Maxx had been the competitor to beat her, for the sheer humor of it.

The surprise/question mark plot of the episode concerned Ben, who received a job offer to work on a political campaign in Washington, D.C.  His initial instinct was to turn it down, and Leslie seemed grateful, excited that they would be able to have a normal relationship for the first time since they began dating.  However, after a heart to heart with Ron (more on that in a minute), Leslie decided to let Ben go off and pursue his dream job, sending him off in a scene that beautifully mirrored the season's premiere, in which Ben broke up with Leslie so she could pursue her dream of attaining political office.

And on the heels of Ben and Leslie's resolution came the episode's dramatic peak:  the final election results.  I still can't decide if I'm happier that Leslie won or that Ann, who has in many ways taken a backseat this season plot-wise, got to be the one to tell her.  Both of them on the verge of tears and Ann trying to tease her with another fake-out added up to just plain perfection, and I can't imagine that moment being scripted any other way.

The subtle hero of this episode, though, was one Mr. Ron Swanson.   If nothing else this episode demonstrated just how far he's come as a character, from season one's adamant disinterest in his co-workers to being the person nearly everyone goes to for advice.  We've seen Leslie and Ron bonding before, but I think their conversation in the city council chamber while awaiting the recount (again mirroring the season premiere when they were both hiding in the woods) is one of their all-time best friendship moments.  Leslie trusts Ron, but Ron also genuinely wants Leslie (and Ben) to be happy.  And that, friends, is how you realistically develop a character on television.

One benefit to my tardiness with this review is that it has been confirmed by now that Parks is getting a full fifth season next year (NBC tried to trick us all by floating another potential abbreviated run, but luckily that was all sorted out).  So what might we be seeing when we go back to Pawnee in September?  We'll surely get something of a Leslie crash-course in what life is really like for a city council member (I predict just a little bit of disillusion, particularly for Leslie, who thrives on being able to see projects through to the end through sheer determination and very little sleep); and we'll hopefully have a nice (and not too long-awaited reunion) when Ben's job is finished in D.C.  I can't say for sure what their relationship dynamic will be or if there will be any major steps forward, but I don't think an engagement by season's end is an unreasonable guess, given how much these two crazy kids care about each other.

As for the rest of the gang, I hope we'll get to split near equal time between Leslie's adventures and the goings-on back at the Parks Department, particularly if April is still playing a large role.  I'd like to see them forge ahead with the seedling of a plot concerning Andy's future career in law enforcement, because I think it will not only be hilarious, but a logical next step for his character.  I think Ron is probably overdue for a visit from one of the many Tammys in his life, and Tom will hopefully find some way to occupy his time that doesn't result in an Ann/Tom redux (I think we can all agree that theirs is a relationship best left in season four).  Speaking of Ann, she's the one I'm interested to watch next season.  Leslie will likely be a bit more unavailable than usual, and those are the times when Ann has historically been at her most interesting.  I hope the writers can come up with something more exciting than just a string of romantic entanglements for her--maybe she could spearhead some kind of project between the Health and Parks departments (this would have the added bonus of Ann and April having to collaborate, which never fails to amuse).

I'm sure I will have many, many more predictions and thoughts the closer we get to season five (it just feels so dismally far away at the moment), especially as information starts to trickle out.  In the meantime, let's enjoy the fact that Parks is finally getting some awards recognition and keep our fingers crossed that this bodes well for Emmy nominations, which will be announced on July 19th.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation--Bus Tour

In season four's penultimate episode the loyal Knope2012 team is forced to use its final days of campaigning to overcome no small number of unforeseen obstacles, including but not limited to a broken bus rental agreement, Chris' lady troubles, a would-be pie assassin (don't worry, Burt Macklin was on the case), and of course, death.  And at the end of the day, Leslie and company find themselves about as certain as the rest of us as to whether she will emerge the victor in next week's finale, "Win Lose or Draw."

Though Leslie makes up for some of her (colossal) missteps by the episode's end, mostly due to Bobby Newport's naivete, there is still a lingering feeling of doubt in many viewers' minds.  I've found myself thinking of this election the same way I would any non-fiction one, wondering if Leslie has succeeded as a politician, and if her earnestness and candor will be enough to overcome the inherent corruption of politics, even local (and fictional) politics.  I also can't wait to see how this will be handled from a writing standpoint.  As we've all surely read by now, Mike Schur has been quoted on multiple occasions as saying that they've shot three different endings to next Thursday's finale, as per the title:  a victory, a loss, and a draw.  And what's more, his statement of only a few weeks ago warned us of his own uncertainty, and the possibility of a last-minute game change.  I'm hoping there will be a healthy dose of suspense in next week's episode, ideally even some kind of fake-out or last minute twist, because if I have to go to sleep that night heartbroken on Leslie's behalf, I want to at least feel like the journey was worth it. 

Some of the other things going on in the midst of Leslie's scramble to get back on Bobby Newport and the press's good side must be applauded, namely Andy's latest (and most hilarious) turn as Burt Macklin, erstwhile FBI agent.  His investigation of the pie incident, the reenactments of the crime (assisted by Jerry, naturally), and the code names he assigns--all of it is just about perfection, and a welcome lighter contrast to the semi-seriousness of Leslie's plot in this episode.  Chris Pratt has proven once again that he is a performer not to be taken lightly by any means, and that he ought to be a serious contender for some of this year's comedy accolades.

Also, Leslie's cold open, envisioning Obama at her swearing in?  Absolute perfection.

Basically, there's no way next week's finale could really disappoint me, or fail to bring this just about perfect season to a close.  In fact, I'm pretty damn certain it will prove more satisfying than any of us are anticipating.  Just think, in four days' time the results will be in, and we'll be all set for three months of television nowhere near the standard that has been set by Parks and Recreation this season.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation-- The Debate

An episode both written and directed by the dynamite Amy Poehler could only ever be amazing, right?  That's the attitude I went into watching "The Debate" with, and even so it managed to exceed my high expectations.  I think a lot of the reason the writing works so well in this episode is because Poehler clearly knows and understands all of the show's characters, not just her own.  She takes time to highlight the best and most interesting aspects of each player's personality, sometimes within the space of only a few lines or moments. 

This episode, as the name probably indicates, features Leslie's much-hyped political debate with her opponents, including Bobby Newport (played even more fabulously in his second appearance by Paul Rudd), Pawnee's own local porn star Brandi Maxx, and two others who don't really merit me looking up their names but who provide some auxiliary amusement nonetheless (one is a literal gun-nut, the other is a wildly hyperbolic animal rights activist).  As we've established in previous weeks, Leslie needs this win, and she needs it bad.  Both she and Ben are equally focused and determined to win, and rather than creating tension between them, this energy is something that seems to enhance their affection for one another, as well as remind us just how well they complement each other. 

Of course, that can only lead us naturally to the couple on this show who never has and (in all probability) never will compliment each other:  Tom and Ann.  They finally appear to be broken up for good, and somehow Tom seems surprised by this turn of events.  No one else is actually surprised that this breakup has occurred, and Chris even takes the opportunity to promptly capitalize on it by hitting on Ann.  What is surprising is that, following weeks of halfhearted hints that they might be headed for a reunion, she turns him down, declaring that she might just never date anyone ever again.  To me that sounds like a pretty good solution at this point-- we've been down this road with Ann before, and swearing off dudes the last time didn't seem to force her to learn from her mistakes, so maybe a second attempt will do the trick.  That, or she'll find herself hooking up with someone even more absurd than Tom, and we'll be having this discussion all over again.

Many of our other favorite characters are performing at full throttle in this episode, supplying us with lots of laughs.  Andy, April, Ron, and Donna (what an odd team) have been tasked with treating Leslie's wealthy donors to a party to show their gratitude, featuring a viewing of the debate.  Of course, this hardly goes according to plan, and I have to say, I think this episode is worth watching simply for this secondary (even tertiary, really) story line, just to see Andy and April's view of how rich people behave and Andy's go-to method of entertainment when the cable goes out.  Chris Pratt had better be submitting this one for Emmy consideration, that's all I'm saying.

And of course, there's the debate itself, moderated by Pawnee's own Joan Callamezzo and Perd Hapley (because really, could you have imagined anyone else?).  Not only does Leslie remind us why she's someone who needs to be involved in government with her last-minute save, she brings out some compelling arguments from Bobby Newport ("I'm against crime, and I'm not afraid to say so") along the way.  Both Poehler and Paul Rudd are phenomenal in these scenes, with the latter playing his character as such a hapless dope that if you weren't rooting so hard for Leslie, you'd almost want to support him, or at least give him a hug. 

Overall, by the end of this episode things are certainly looking up for the Knope campaign.  Since we've only got a few episodes left to the season, does this mean we might see a Leslie victory come May 10th?  I certainly hope so.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation Double Dose

As you might have noticed, I failed to review last week's episode, "Campaign Shake-Up."  I took a bit of a hiatus from writing entries last week due to some personal things, but I think I lucked out when it comes to Parks and Recreation, because last week's episode and this week's installment, "Lucky," seem in many ways to kind of go hand in hand.  Ergo I will attempt to compile some coherent and insightful thoughts on both of them.

First, talk about phenomenal guest stars, amIright? Last week we had Kathryn Hahn as Bobby Newport's conniving campaign manager who is very much only in it for the money.  She was the perfect villain and a great counterpart to Bobby's cluelessness (which we were treated to a few weeks ago, and will see again before season's end), making you love to hate or hate to love her in every scene.  When even Leslie Knope can't really decide about a person, you know that person is probably complicated and definitely dangerous.  Then this week saw Sean Hayes' appearance as Buddy Wood, the "Matt Lauer of Indianapolis" (at least, that's how showrunner Mike Schur describes him), a Pawnee-hating wannabe superstar who I wish we'd have seen a bit more of.  Hayes didn't get quite as much time to really get into his stride in the role, overshadowed by Amy Poehler's always hilarious drunk-Leslie antics, but then his character had a very small purpose to serve anyway.

As I've mentioned, these episodes felt like two that really complement each other, both giving us snapshots of moments in Leslie's campaign and both providing us with quickly dismissed (perhaps too quickly, in Hahn's case) human obstacles standing in the way of our favorite Parks lady's ascent to power.  I think the chief reason these two installments seem attached to each other is due to the lack of resolution in "Campaign Shake-Up."  The end saw Ben and Leslie reflecting on this newly established complication, but it had been by no means eliminated by episode's end.  Maybe that's what made "Lucky" just a little disappointing as a stand-alone:  by wrapping up the interview debacle neatly at the end, it was almost as though it had never happened at all.  I would have much rather seen either greater consequences as a result of Leslie's disastrous interview, or else another week devoted to the campaign crunch and the rise of Leslie's opponents (I think this might all have had something to do with the availability of Hahn and or Paul Rudd, who portrays Bobby Newport).  This week marks, as other reviewers have noted, the first occasion on which Leslie's campaign feels just a little too dragged out.  I know they're hoping to give us an exciting finale come May 10th (intel from PaleyFest is that both a Leslie victory and a Leslie loss have been shot and only a handful of people know which will be used), but in the mean time it might behoove them to distract us with a B-plot that isn't totally disposable, as they have been the past few weeks.

Speaking of B-plots, I really loved this week's with Ron, April, and Andy (oh, and Chris I guess).  Nick Offerman wrote this episode, and one thing I loved about this part of it was the numerous self-referential moments, little nods to details we've learned about the characters in previous episodes (especially Ron,which I suppose is understandable given that Offerman plays him).  I love that we got to see the conclusion of Andy's foray into higher education (although I'd love to see him continue on and very slowly earn a degree in women's studies), and that we got to see a woman choose Ron over Chris (that must have been fun to write). 

Overall, I think I was just hoping for a stronger episode leading into hiatus, where we'll be sadly Parks free for five weeks.  Of course, the show's writers didn't know at the time that NBC would once again mindlessly shuffle its Thursday night lineup (yet another sign The Office should be preparing its swan song, but that's another story), so they couldn't plan accordingly with some kind of cliffhanger or major development.  The good news is that when Parks does return in late April we will be treated to an episode written and directed by Amy Poehler and (as if that weren't enough) featuring a fierce debate between all of the candidates running for this much-coveted City Council seat.  By the time I'm writing my next review we'll be edging toward May sweeps, and I for one am hoping this show has a few more tricks up its sleeve than just the mystery of whether Leslie will win or lose.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.16-- Sweet Sixteen

I have to say, in a string of very strong recent episodes, "Sweet Sixteen" didn't quite meet my admittedly high expectations for this show.  This might be at least partially because the plot centered so heavily on Jerry (who we all know is as mediocre as they come); that said, the episode is still solid and funnier than most of what TV had to offer this week, it just could have been better.

We find out this week that Jerry's birthday falls on February 29th (Leap Day), which means that it only occurs every four years.  This seems par for the course for Jerry, but in a fit of guilt over neglecting some of her Parks Department duties, Leslie is determined to make it special.  She rallies the entire department (plus Ben and Ann, of course) to throw Jerry a surprise "16th" birthday part (he's turning 64, so it's his 16th Leap Day) at Donna's luxurious (and secret) lake house.  Of course, because Leslie is twice as frazzled as usual due to splitting her focus between the City Council campaign and managing the Parks Department, the planning for this event results in one disaster after another, the biggest misstep being that she forgets the small detail of actually inviting Jerry to his own surprise party.

Ron can see that Leslie is not going to be able to play both roles at full throttle for long, and nudges her toward taking a leave of absence from the Parks Department in order to focus on winning her campaign.  Leslie refuses, insisting that she can get everything done, but after botching the party for Jerry and spending the day wrangling misprinted campaign posters, she finally relents and agrees to cut her hours at work down to just ten per week.  I'm glad the show addressed this, because even given Leslie's documented ability to only sleep 3 hours per night and her obsession with her job, the notion that she could continue burning the candle at both ends and still stand a chance of winning that City Council seat is a bit unbelievable, even for her.  I also think the show has struggled a bit in the past few weeks trying to decide where its focus would be best placed.  This way they can have a largely even split between Leslie working on her campaign and the goings-on at the Parks Department in her absence, rather than scrambling to incorporate enough of both into a mere 21 minutes.

One thing this episode showcased (likely inadvertently) is the growing problem of Tom and Ann. This story line played second to the Leslie/Jerry/Ron antics, and it was extremely weak by comparison.  I would even say that it was only saved by the brilliance of Aubrey Plaza's April and her increasing frustration in her role as matchmaker-turned-relationship counselor. Now I know I was one of the people defending Ann's choice to go out with Tom and insisting that it's true to her character--and I do stand by that, because I think the writers must have their reasons for thrusting this odd pairing at us for the third consecutive week.  What is becoming hard to comprehend, though, is why either party is continuing to stay in the relationship when any chemistry that seemed palpable before seems to have evaporated.  I appreciate the maturity (particularly on Tom's part) of the decision to stop fighting about "stupid things," but at that point it seemed like there was hardly a fantastic relationship worth saving.  We have yet to see Tom and Ann have a legitimate, sincere moment together (and we all know this show knows how to do sincere moments), and continuing to assume those are happening behind the scenes (if indeed they do exist) is becoming tedious.  I need the show to illustrate why it's okay that Ann broke several of Tom's "oh no nos" and why he wants to stay with her in spite of them having almost nothing in common.

Oh, and there was also a plot about Chris bonding with Champion, Andy's dog, and making Andy feel like a worse pet owner.  I think Chris needs to be given something (or someone) to do, because whenever he is not in a relationship (which we then have to hear all about), he is extremely needy.  Sure, his antics are still funny, but I still feel like he hasn't quite found his place within this band of misfits (unlike Ben, who emerged at the same time and manages to blend right in in a way Chris has yet to manage).  I think as we move to focus more on Leslie's campaign we should accordingly see less of Chris, which might be a relief for characters and viewers alike.

On a much less related note, I think this episode may have rubbed me the wrong way at least in part due to the news that we are soon to be slapped with 5 (five!) Parks-free weeks due to the brain trust over at NBC shuffling the Thursday night lineup yet again to allow Community a return from its own unjust hiatus.  I wanted Parks to air an episode that would prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the best show on Thursday and ought to be the last chosen to walk off the schedule (of course, most us would believe this no matter what).  I just wanted "Sweet Sixteen" to be the episode that really put up a fight and made the execs question their decision, and I'm not convinced that it was.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.15-- Dave Returns

Okay, let's just throw this out there first:  I would willingly watch an entire episode/several episodes featuring Ben's inability to act like a human around cops.  I love Adam Scott so much anyway, but moments where he gets to play impossibly awkward are my absolute favorite.  I also feel a sense of kinship with this character facet, because I too am irrationally afraid of police officers (they have guns, guys!).

But setting that aside for the moment, this episode's focus is on Leslie attempting to secure the endorsement of Pawnee's police chief.  This is complicated by the return of her ex-boyfriend (also a cop), Dave, played by none other than the hilarious Louis CK.  Naturally, an intensely awkward three-person dinner ensues.

Meanwhile, Andy is at his most enthusiastic as he tries to organize the team to record "Catch Your Dream," the official theme song for Leslie's campaign.  There are several pieces moving at once during these scenes, including Chris' unfortunate lack of any musical talent, Ron's desperation to avoid being identified as his alter ego Duke Silver, and of course, Tom's continued attempts to woo Ann (more on that in a minute).

I think one of the best things in the dinner scene and the hijinks that follow is Leslie's clear influence on Ben.  When we first met Ben Wyatt his first instinct was to judge the people of Pawnee, openly casting them as "weirdos" and the like.  Now, however, he is willing to give Dave the benefit of the doubt to an almost foolish extent, because he trusts Leslie as a judge of character so much.  Unfortunately, this renewed naivete results in his being handcuffed to a urinal so that Dave can try to run away with Leslie.  Moral of the story:  sometimes it pays to be a little critical, especially when it comes to your girlfriend's ex.

And now I'd like you to bear with me while I express some (expansive) thoughts on the recent arc concerning Tom and Ann.  I’ve been reading a lot of negative thoughts on this episode because people don’t like the way the Tom and Ann story played out.  I am ambivalent about it (I want to see one more episode featuring the two of them & their dynamic before really passing judgment), but I’ll say this.

Everyone is complaining about Ann letting herself be “worn down” by Tom, and saying that she can do better and blah, blah, blah.  And hey, I love Ann, and she probably can do better, but the thing is (and her history on the show illustrates this) I don’t think Ann thinks that Ann can do better.

Look at her relationships on the show:  when we met her she was with Andy who, let’s face it, was kind of a huge tool in Season 1.  We found out they’d been dating and living together for a long time, and it was very clear that Ann was letting herself be walked all over.  Arguably her healthiest relationship on the show was with Mark, because she was the superior one in that relationship (having the experience of having dated someone long term), but she eventually got bored with that because Mark didn’t test her patience or push her buttons, and even then it took her ages to end things with him.  Then she dated Chris, who I might remind everyone also had to work hard to wear her down.  He was very self-absorbed, especially as their relationship progressed, yet Ann put up with it because she liked the idea that such a nice, cute guy wanted to be with her (she also may have been influenced by the huge increase in vitamins and supplements in her regiment).  When she broke up with Chris we saw her at the height of her insecurity, bouncing from sub-par guy to sub-par guy while her self-esteem continued to plummet.

This season we’ve seen an Ann who has been throwing herself into helping Leslie’s campaign and her work with the Health Department likely because she was trying to downplay or ignore the failures in her romantic life.  When Leslie and the gang threw Ann’s single-ness into sharp relief in last week’s Valentine’s episode, Ann was the most vulnerable we’ve seen her in a long time.  Of course the attentions of someone like Tom who, annoying as he is, has repeatedly told Ann that she’s beautiful and kind (which is probably exactly what she wants to hear right now, even if she won’t admit it/doesn’t fully realize it); are going to be flattering on some level.  I think the writers are to be applauded for giving Ann even the small amount of power in the relationship that she has— if this were Grey’s Anatomy or some similarly dramatic show, Ann would’ve already slept with Tom to try to up her confidence; her saying yes to a date with him is not the anti-feminist throwing in of the towel that some viewers have made it out to be.

I also think it’s not inaccurate to say that Ann likes a project in her relationships.  She thought she could push Andy toward being an adult (and was subsequently disappointed when he began to mature after their relationship had ended), and she was able to try and mold Mark into the boyfriend she thought she wanted, so maybe she thinks she can do the same with Tom.  You could see the little flicker of hope on her face when Tom said he wanted to cut the crap and be straight with her (before he started singing, of course); there is clearly a part of Ann that sees through Tom’s nonsense and still (maybe naively) believes that she can sort of train him to act normal, without losing the parts of his attentions that make her feel good about herself.

I think that's enough out of me, yes?  

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.13-- Bowling for Votes

I think my first favorite thing in this episode is the idea that not only is Leslie watching her own focus group meeting, but in typical fashion she obsesses literally nonstop over individual remarks from random Pawneeans.  My second favorite thing is that this segues smoothly into probably my favorite bowling outing I've ever watched on TV.

I like that this episode divided the cast's storylines into a kind of A-team (with the more major players) vs. B-team (the rest of the gang, gathered back at April and Andy's house) setup.  It gave us a pretty fantastic interaction between Ann, Tom, and Ron, who haven't had a whole lot to do together this season, and on the other side gave April and Andy a chance to shine while neutralizing Chris' often grating personality.



But let's talk about probably the most important part of this episode:  that awesome moment in which Ben defended Leslie's honor after her bowling partner called her "my second-least favorite word for a woman". I think we can all agree that the fact that Ben throws the punch of a nine year old girl (seriously, who punches upward like that?!) makes it that much more fantastic.  And Leslie's reaction, while somewhat surprising, was icing on the cake.  We also got a new campaign slogan out of all this:  "If you don't vote for me, my boyfriend might beat you up."

One thing I thought about during this episode was why, exactly, we saw Ann, Tom, and Ron grouped together (and Ann and Tom being, dare I say, just a little bit flirty?).  I've been reading speculation about future episodes, and it's been revealed that some time around Valentine's Day, we're going to get an episode in which Ann has a romantic encounter with someone very unexpected.  I've wondered since reading this tidbit if it wouldn't be one of these two gentlemen, and I think the interactions in "Bowling for Votes" confirm my suspicion.  My money is tentatively on Tom, for the moment, but then again, Ann is a brunette who enjoys breakfast food, and therefore exactly Ron's type. 

Oh, and also, April might be a wizard. 

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.11-- The Comeback Kid

I probably could have written this review on Thursday evening, but I was too busy watching this episode multiple times in order to appreciate all the hilarity.  This episode marks a very promising return for Parks, setting us up for the rest of this season's arc and of course supplying us with countless laughs.

We find our campaign team (aka the Parks Department goofballs) struggling to decide how best to re-launch Leslie's campaign for City Council.  Leslie hires Ann as her campaign manager, despite the fact that Ann has no experience or inclination to do the job.  Together they plan a rally for Leslie's supporters at the local sports arena.  There's no way this won't end in disaster, right?

For the B plot, we pay a visit to Ben, who is on something of a downward spiral.  He's lounging and cooking and (in one of my favorite recent subplots) teaching himself to make claymation videos.  It seems that losing his job has unhinged him just a little bit, and Chris naturally becomes concerned that his friend has fallen into something of a depression, although he might just be jealous that he didn't dream up the "Low-Cal Calzone Zone" first.

I should probably mention at this point that April and Andy have adopted a dog.  Named Champion.  Who has three legs.  And who apparently must attend all campaign-related events with his new owners. 

But back to the brewing catastrophe.  Ron, Tom, and the Dwyers get sidetracked on their way to the rally by the police, and need Leslie to come to their rescue.  She manages to get them to the arena, where a sufficient crowd has gathered for the rally. 

And then we are treated to one of the most hilarious physical comedy sequences in recent television history (and there is no way I'm overstating here).  Leslie and company enter the arena triumphantly for about ten steps before the red carpet (supplied by Tom to increase the event's class factor), and then slip and slide across the ice to the tiny stage Ron has managed to erect.  Oh yeah, and Gloria Estefan's "Get On Your Feet" is playing on an awkwardly repeating loop.  There's really just no way my describing this scene is going to do it justice, you just have to see it for yourself.

The team gathers back and Casa Ludgate-Dwyer-Wyatt once the rally is over, and Leslie finally makes the logical decision of hiring Ben as her campaign manager.  He accepts, naturally, and while part of me is very excited to see where this new thread takes them, a bigger part of me is disappointed that this means Ben will most likely never complete production on "Requiem for a Tuesday".

Judging by some of the other shows that have made returns this week, I think there has been kind of a trend of laziness, assuming viewers will be excited for anything new, even if it isn't particularly good or interesting.  Not so with Parks-- "The Comeback Kid" is yet another flawless episode in a fantastic season of the best show currently on TV.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.10-- Citizen Knope

I love this episode because it's such a great ensemble episode, in the vein of many of the great moments from season 2.  This season has given us a lot of individual character development, which is enjoyable in its own way, but it was nice to see the Parks Department banding together for Leslie again, and just in time for Christmas too.

I think maybe Ben should've taken the job with the accounting firm-- think how amazing it would be for his ego being surrounded by co-workers who think he's hilarious rather than ones who are constantly pointing out his nerdiest tendencies.  On that note, though, this episode has me a little concerned for Ben and his role in the show going forward.  I am really hoping they don't simply relegate him to "Leslie's boy toy" status, especially after all they've done with his character this season.

The PCP storyline is just fantastic, and so typically Leslie (also, I really want a "PCP Makes It Fun" t-shirt).  I only hope that this group comes back to haunt her in some way once she's actually working in the Department again.  But even if it doesn't, I thoroughly enjoyed her tasking this group with harassing Chris, who can always stand to be taken down a peg.

But the best and most endearing part of this episode is the group's brainstorming and executing Leslie's Christmas gift.  Not only do I love all of them putting aside their usual tomfoolery to actually accomplish something, there are so many great, hilarious details in these scenes that are the trademark of this show, and a huge part of why it's so fabulous.  I loved Leslie's gifts to everyone (especially the painting she gave April-- did she do that herself?), and I loved their idea for a gingerbread replica of the office.  I think the funniest part to me, though, was the word cloud Tom compiled from Leslie's email.  There were many of the things you'd expect, "Pawnee" occupying the largest space and so on, but there were also some hilarious other additions that make you just want to read all of Leslie's correspondence (among these: "Hogwarts", "Biden", "Taylor Swift", "jeggings", all of which were predominant enough to be visible during the brief camera pan).  I also find it hilarious and adorable that Ann continues to outrank all the other people in Leslie's life, even Ben.

And last but not least, that final scene, where the gang finally presents their gift to Leslie.  I'm not ashamed to say I got a little choked up (did I mention that in addition to the gingerbread Parks Department, they've also decided to become her new campaign team?), and I can't wait to see the second half of the season.  There is absolutely no way this is going to be a smooth ride with this group in charge, and the bumps along the way are sure to be hilarious.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.09-- The Trial of Leslie Knope

I don't usually share personal anecdotes about episodes (and lucky for you, this isn't too long an anecdote), but this Thursday I had a very long, exhausting, and moderately annoying day at work.  I was bone tired when I arrived home, and I made what was perhaps an ill-advised decision to stay up and watch this week's Parks episode instead of going to sleep.  To say that I am happy I made the choice I did would be an understatement.  Getting to come home to a heartwarming and hilarious half hour of comedy is one of the little joys I live for, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.  "The Trial of Leslie Knope" is different from any previous episode in many ways, but it still manages to capture the spirit of the show while continuing to have some of the best, most well-written plot progression of any comedy currently on television.

First, I'm pretty sure all the Ben and Leslie goodness of the past two weeks exists solely to make fans like me happy, and maybe also to serve as a kind of apology for the angst we had to endure for a few weeks there at the beginning of the season-- remember their breakup in "I'm Leslie Knope"?  All that seems just a distant memory now, and I couldn't be gladder.

The cold open this week is perhaps one of my favorites ever-- not only do I love Ron being his crazy, anti-government self, any scene where he and April interact is usually pretty much guaranteed gold.  And while most of the episode centered on Leslie and the trial to investigate her and Ben's transgression, I liked the way the supporting characters were utilized, both as witnesses and as the people staunchly in Leslie's corner, no matter what.  I think it's great when this show reminds us just how much the Parks Department gang love Leslie, and really do look up to her despite their frequent shenanigans.

Honestly, there was not too much about the trial and punishment plot itself that I hadn't predicted-- the bribe emerging in some form and Ben resigning were kind of obvious possibilities, in my mind-- but it's a mark of this show that neither development came off that way.  I will be interested to see how they incorporate Ben now that he doesn't work at City Hall (because I definitely don't want to lose the rapport he's built with the other members of Leslie's department this season), but I'm sure they'll find a way to make it work.  After all, Ann was a city government outsider for almost three whole seasons, and we definitely saw her often enough.

Hands down, though, the best part of any of Leslie's defense was that video she sent Ann.  It was simultaneously creepy and adorable (so much that I had real difficulty deciding between those two adjectives), and just so Leslie.  Ms. Knope has been making progress from some of her wacky ways, but I love seeing that she's still got some madness up her sleeve, and hope we'll continue to see glimpses of it.

And Ethel! I loved her in "The Bubble" clashing with Tom, and I loved her even more as the go-between in Leslie and Ben's declarations of their feelings.  Yet another great thing about this show is their memory for very minor characters who later show up in big ways.  Each appearance just makes Pawnee feel more and more like a real place, one you could easily love just as much as Leslie does.

In conclusion, there is probably nothing about this episode that didn't make me smile.  The only negative thing about season 4 of Parks so far is the level of anger I will reach if it doesn't earn an award (Globe or Emmy, or even People's Choice, I'm not picky) for the brilliance it churns out every single week.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.08-- Smallest Park

Finally, I have time to discuss this episode!  I've re-watched it a couple of times now, which was necessary, because my initial reaction was something along these lines:

Inner Voice 1:  Leslie and Ben are getting back together!  Did anything else important happen in this episode?
Inner Voice 2:  Nope.  I don't know that anything else happened in this episode, period.

Thankfully, I've managed to distance myself a little bit and appreciate this episode as a whole.  I will acknowledge that "Smallest Park" is not my favorite overall episode of the season in terms of delivering uproarious laughs, but it does a whole lot of character development in 22 minutes, with a care and swiftness of which few shows are capable.  Also, I've concluded that I think this should be (at the very least) a serious contender for the episode Amy Poehler (and Adam Scott, if at all possible outside my imagination) ought to submit for Emmy consideration.  But more on that in a minute; let's review what went down in Pawnee this week.

First we get a generous dose of Tom struggling to walk the line between his entrepreneur persona and the role he has returned to in the Parks Department, working alongside Jerry to re-design the department's logo.  This may have been similar to the attitude old Tom so frequently displayed, but I like to think his decision at the end to go with the retro "throwback" design is indicative that he really has grown and maybe, just maybe, learned a little something from his time working with Jerry (cue hysterical laughter from everyone present in the office).

Also making baby steps forward:  Andy and April.  The focus this week is Andy's foray into community college, shopping for classes and trying to find one that will best allow him to expand his horizons.  Along for the ride as a chaperone/mentor is Ron, who pushes Andy to challenge himself.  I have to say, I think Ron and Andy's friendship runs a close second to Ron and Leslie's for my favorite friendship on the show, because it gives us such a great glimpse of Ron's capacity for selflessness and compassion, despite the tough-as-nails facade he always puts on.  In the end, Andy decides to take a Women's Studies course (which yes, is every bit as hilarious as you're imagining), and Ron offers him an exclusive "scholarship" to kick-start his education.

Did I forget anything?  Oh right.  There is also some major stuff going on with Leslie and Ben in this episode.  Major. Stuff.  They're working together on the smallest park in Indiana (which has to be one of my favorite Leslie projects so far), but Ben insists it will be the last time they work together, as it's just gotten too difficult to be around one another following their breakup.  Leslie , in typical stubborn fashion, refuses to accept this (though she pretends to understand), and strives to prolong the project's duration as long as she possibly can.  Luckily, we get a reprieve from the Ann and Leslie friendship drought this season's been enduring, just in the nick of time.  Ann lets Leslie know, finally and in a necessarily blunt way, that she is a "steamroller" and fails to take the feelings of others into account. And because Ann is the one person Leslie will always allow to talk her down, she concludes that this assessment must be correct, and sets out to show Ben that she's capable of changing her ways.

And then the best scene ever happens.  Seriously, if nothing else, watch Leslie and Ben's faces during that last exchange; it is mind-blowing how good the acting is, and there is no moment more deserving.

Like I said, I think that this is an ideal episode for Amy Poehler to submit because it literally showcases all the nuances of the amazing things she's doing on this show.  We get some always funny Leslie-craziness as she tries to put off the park's opening, a carefully constructed and realistic arc for her character as she realizes the damage she's been doing to her relationships, and some genuine but not over-the-top emotion in that last scene with Ben.  It's everything a sitcom actress ought to be doing on a show like this, and while I would have been ticked about it before, Amy Poehler getting snubbed for recognition after an episode like this one is an absolute crime.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.05-- Meet & Greet

So much to say about this episode, starting with how glad I am that we got to see an actual Halloween episode this season, and that it highlighted some of the best this wacky bunch of lovable misfits (and Chris) have to offer.

We open with April and Andy planning the Halloween bash of a lifetime, which for Andy means lots of fun and candy and for April seems to mean something much more macabre.  One fun addition in this scene is the return of Food n Stuff, where, as the name indicates, you can get "all of your food, and most of your stuff."  Also, like Andy, I did not know what a "blood orphan" is.  I looked it up, and let's just say April, you are even more disturbing than I imagined.

We cut over to see what Leslie is up to this week, and find her prepping for a meeting with the owners of local businesses.  What's more, Tom has appointed himself her adviser so that she can better hype herself up and secure votes.  He is, naturally, doing this in exchange for some free exposure for Entertainment 720, which can only spell disaster.  Oh, and just when you're sure the deck isn't stacked against Leslie enough, Tom gets a clearly disturbing phone call from Jean Ralphio just before the meeting. 

I'd like to interject here and voice my disappointment that this is the second Halloween-centric episode this show has aired, and for the second time, Leslie doesn't get to partake in the festivities.  And while I enjoyed the story arc for her in both season 2's "Greg Pikitis" and this week's episode, I can't help but wonder if this is a missed opportunity.  Leslie seems like exactly the type of gal to get extremely invested in over-celebrating Halloween.

We cut back over to April and Andy's, where we are introduced to the very first version of Ben that I do not find remotely attractive, and that is passive-aggressive Ben.  He's pissed that Andy and April have decided to plan and execute this party without him, but rather than saying that like a grown person he decides to be petulant about it.  I get that you learned this behavior from your estranged parents, Ben (and nice drop-in with the backstory there, writers), but when Andy and April are both behaving more maturely than you are, you're doing something wrong.

The party quickly gets into full swing, and there are a ton of little fun things going on.  Orin, April's infinitely creepy friend (who is apparently a "genius"), makes an appearance, and Ron shows up in his pirate Halloween costume (he literally has one costume he wears every year).  The latter quickly becomes distracted by the many things wrong with Andy and April's ramshackle house, and appoints himself handyman, purchasing tools for them (and the sequence where he goes through their existing "toolbox" is hilarious), and then making the necessary repairs while everyone else dances and drinks the night away.  Ron does, however, need a sidekick with "small hands", and selects none other than Ann Perkins, which makes her (and me) incredibly happy.  I loved her and Ron's bonding in this episode, and I hope that this is some progress for both of their characters that doesn't get erased or ignored in future.

Back at Leslie's meeting, Tom is skillfully steering things downhill, at least for Leslie.  His attempts to publicize E720, which it is pretty clear by now is tanking, overshadow all of Leslie's efforts to appeal to the business community.  She tries to turn it around without losing her cool, but Tom is in rare form and she (understandably) gets frustrated, leading to one of their worst arguments/fights to date.

The next few scenes are filled with an almost unprecedented level of violence for this show, although it is all done in the name of hilarity and, oddly, character development.  First we see both Andy and April try to push Ben to confront his annoyance with them, each using different tactics.  I love that they both approach him like a sibling, because it indicates something about their current dynamic, and I love the idea of forcing Ben, who is probably the least physically aggressive character on the show, into an absurdly extended wrestling match (that was Andy's tactic, not April's, just to be clear).  And as if that dose of rough-housing isn't enough, we go back to a super angry Leslie who nearly drowns Tom for his attempted hijacking of her campaign event.  Luckily, no permanent damage appears to be done, and when Tom confesses that his company is bankrupt, the friendship seems repaired as well.

Back at the party, Andy finally pushes Ben to fight back, and earns himself a broken nose for his troubles.  It's okay, though, because the entire experience brings the bizarre co-habitating trio closer together than ever, with Ben asking for some basic respect ("Stop referring to my bedroom as a common space!"), and Andy and April asking that he not be such a little bitch in future (okay, that last part was my wording, not theirs).

How does Tom make things up to Leslie?  Well, by showing her the video biography he had originally made to air at the meeting.  This video, judging by the brief clips of it we saw, is a masterpiece on par with the phenomenal Lil' Sebastian memorial tribute, complete with Tom's ridiculously accented voiceover (it's Southern this time!).  For Leslie, though, this is a huge gesture, and it actually brings her to tears.  Once again, Tom surprises not with his douchiness, but with the surprisingly thoughtful gestures of which he occasionally proves capable.

Overall, this episode was both funny and sweet, and it moved several plots forward as well as giving insight into several characters.  Translation:  pretty much the best Halloween episode you could ask for.  Oh, except for the sub-plot with Chris.  I think I might have fallen asleep during that one, except for the moments where I felt really, really bad for Jerry for having to put up with "Sherlock Traeger."

Some favorite quotes:

"My parents would keep everything bottled up and subtly hint at what's bothering them, and after 36 years they are still....divorced!"  --Ben

"I stand by my decision to avoid salad and other disgusting things."  --Leslie

"This looks like a party for Tom's face."  --Leslie

"I don't like to throw around the word butthead too often, but....Tom is being a real dick."  --Leslie

"There are no rules."  --April, on dealing with her sister

"We're brothers."  --Andy, after Ben broke his nose

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.04-- Pawnee Rangers

At this point I am fairly convinced this show is no longer capable of turning out a bad episode.  "Pawnee Rangers" is the fourth phenomenal episode in a season that has been damn near perfect so far. 

In this episode we get to see Leslie and Ron's dueling scout troops, the Pawnee Rangers and the Pawnee Goddesses (can you guess whose is whose?).  Ron comes at his leadership role with his usual manly stoicism, giving us a hilarious extension of what we saw back in "Go Big or Go Home" with his basketball team.  And Leslie, of course, showers her girl power fueled troop with affection, merit badges, candy, and puppies (no, seriously).  It quickly becomes clear who has the superior troop, as Ron's men-in-training begin to defect to Leslie's group.

Leslie's "little Leslie Knope monsters" are perfect playing against Amy Poehler in this episode, especially when they begin to channel their enthusiastic leader just a little too much (it's 70% pride-inspiring, 30% annoying).  They lead a public forum to determine whether boys should be allowed to join the Pawnee Goddesses, and it is fantastic.  It also leads to Ron's entire troop (including Andy, aka Brother Nature) taking a pledge of womanhood.  The story wraps up really well, though, with Leslie recruiting the best members of each troop for Ron's elite group, The Swansons.  I hope they make a return appearance soon.

Additionally, the Goddesses hate Ann.  I feel kind of bad that most of the stories involving Ann this season have been her trying to get people to be nice to her, but this one is too hilarious.  It's mostly because she just tries to gosh darn hard to get people to like her, and she just fails almost every time (though that scheme with the fish seems to work out pretty well; then again, maybe she just gets along better with boys).  I also like that as much as the Goddesses hate Ann, they love April.

And if that all weren't enough to make this episode extremely appealing, I haven't even gotten to the hilarious subplot involving Tom, Donna, and Ben.  Donna shows her compassionate side by sensing that Ben is feeling a bit off (though she does erroneously attribute it to Game of Thrones' cancellation at first), and convinces Tom to take him along with them on their "Treat Yourself Day" field trip.  What in the world is "Treat Yourself Day", you ask?  Well, it sounds like just about the best day ever, and something that is right up Donna and Tom's alley.  It's all about relaxation and spending money on frivolous items (there is a fashion show sequence involved, the full version of which I fervently hope is included in the deleted material from this episode).  Anyway, Ben predictably finds this pretty insane at first, given his lack of interest in high-end clothing and spa treatments (him trying to get acupuncture is one of the most hilarious moments in the episode), until Donna and Tom convince him to buy something ridiculous he's interested in.  And believe me, I tried to imagine what this might end up being, and I was absolutely wrong.  It's okay though, because the real result is far more hilarious than anything I might have dreamed up.

I cannot deal with Ben dressed as Batman, especially since they make him wear the costume the rest of the episode/day.  It's just too ridiculous and over the top, and just when you think it can't get anymore absurd, Batman breaks down and starts crying over his breakup.  There are moments in television that are almost too much, and this is one of them.  Fortunately, the heart to heart with Tom and Donna that follows saves it from becoming too painful to watch.  I really like this friendship because I was initially really disappointed by Ben's whole "I have nothing to stay in Pawnee for" stance, and I am glad to see he's learning that Leslie doesn't have to be his whole world (and probably shouldn't be, if he's crying in public over her).  It's a rare subplot that has both laugh-out-loud absurdity and genuine character development, but this one absolutely raises the bar.  Not to mention the tag, which gives us a fantastic snapshot of how life is going over at Casa Ludgate-Dwyer-Wyatt.

Also, there's a third plot where Chris starts dating Jerry's daughter.  That I don't care about so much (or at all).

TV Review: Parks and Recreation 4.03-- Born and Raised

I knew going into this episode that it would be difficult to top last week's Tammys extravaganza.  And yet, Parks managed to outstrip even my high expectations, again.  Every single person in this episode had something funny to do, and it was outrageous and topical while also moving the larger plot line forward in a much-needed way.  "Born and Raised" is my favorite episode of this season so far, and we're only three weeks in-- that can only bode well for the future.  Here are the soundbites I loved most:

"We removed most of my poems, emotional ramblings, and pictures of unicorns."  --Leslie, on how her book was edited to be more campaign-friendly

"The Time Traveler's Optometrist"  --pronounced by Leslie to be "unreadable," and I absolutely believe that

Ben:  "Wow, you guys are really cute together."
Tom:  "I'm cute together with everyone."

Leslie Knope:  Author, Immigrant

"There's only one man for the job... Burt Macklin,FBI."  --Andy

"I will get my one minute of small talk, dammit!  It will be casual, and it will be amicable!"  --Ann

"That's a...powerful metaphor."  --Ben

"Quick, start talking about nerd stuff!"  --Tom to Ben, trying to ward off Joan's advances

"Let's just say the message boards are going nuts."  --Ben, world's most lovable nerd

"Pawnee Hospital was overrun with raccoons at the time."  --Marlene Griggs-Knope, on why she had to birth Leslie in Eagleton

"I wonder who else was born in Eagleton...Voldemort, probably."  --Leslie

Aaaand let's just leave it at that.  Fantastic episode was fantastic.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation, 4.02-- Ron and Tammys

I've discovered a new inability to write about this season's episodes after just one viewing, because there has been so much going on.  Therefore, I waited until I was able to re-watch "Ron and Tammys" to make sure I did my best to capture all of it.

This episode was absolutely hilarious, and such a nice reprieve from the angst and drama of last week's premiere.  Of course, it's usually a safe bet that any episode featuring Ron and the wacky women in his life is going to be pretty funny, but this one outdid even my high expectations.  Tammy 1 is truly a terrifying character, and I loved the way they wrote her as having just as much control over Ron as Tammy 2, but in a completely different way.  And I have to agree with Leslie that for as bizarre as Ron gets around his second ex-wife, the neutered version of him (the one who has to call Tammy 1 for permission to eat lunch with Leslie), is far more terrifying.

As if that weren't enough, this episode also introduces us to Ron's mother, who is predictably the source of most of our Ron's core values.  She is badass and hates the government and has a room in her house full of just guns (which Andy delightedly discovers), and she decides to help Leslie and her sidekicks bring Ron back from the edge.  How is she going to accomplish this?  An old-fashioned drinking contest of course.  I think I spent most of this scene alternately wondering what the heck that stuff would even taste like (all I could come up with was Leslie's take, "POISON"), and laughing hysterically at Leslie's intoxicated antics.  This show has shown us drunk Leslie on several occasions, but this one is absolutely my new favorite.

And because this show loves its viewers enough to top off a fantastic A plot with a wonderful B plot, we got to see Ben thrown into the crazy world of Entertainment 720.  First, it must have slipped my mind that Ben has never met Jean Ralphio before-- their interactions were priceless, not to mention they resulted in Ben being given the nickname "Jello Shot" (which should give you an indication of the integrity of this company).  Anyway, Tom asked Ben to take a look at 720's finances, which are pretty dismal ("they'll be bankrupt by the end of...this sentence").  Ben tried to talk sense into Tom, but I don't know how much our favorite would-be entrepreneur took the advice to heart.  It seems that Entertainment 720 may be doomed to failure, which is kind of a shame-- I would have liked to see them in an actual event-planning or promoting situation.  Maybe we'll get to see another adventure with this ridiculous duo before they lose whatever money they have left.  Oh, and also-- using Ben in the tag to give an incredulous tour of the office and staff of Entertainment 720?  Genius. 

There was also an annoying and far too long C plot involving Chris and Ann filming a PSA for diabetes.  Because the rest of the episode was so stellar this plot was made even more tedious by comparison, and left many viewers (myself included) wondering what purpose, exactly, Rob Lowe serves on this show anymore.  They could have easily left this out and incorporated Ann into a different story line somehow, because as it is now, she's stuck in the episode's only dull moments.

I hope next week sees a return to Leslie's campaign (because you know there are potential hijinks galore), and returns to the plot momentum that was so abundant in last week's premiere.

TV Review: Parks and Recreation, 4.01-- "I'm Leslie Knope"

I would normally be extremely ashamed of how late this review is, especially since I had a boatload of thoughts (some coherent, others not so much) the minute "I'm Leslie Knope" concluded on Thursday.  However, a bout of illness and a weird kind of writer's block prevented me from writing up my thoughts until now.

This episode was just about everything I could've hoped for in a premiere, and a premiere for this show nonetheless.  It was funny but genuinely heartfelt, and it accomplished everything it needed to in order for the season to really get rolling in episode two. 

We saw a lot of the fallout from last season's finale-- Tom plugging his new company at the Parks Department (although as April pointed out, they don't seem to be doing much in the way of actual work), Ron hiding in his cabin from Tammy 1 (and growing a truly fabulous beard in just a couple of weeks), and April serving as Andy's would-be mentor as he navigates the uphill climb from his career as a "shoe-shinist."  We got a fantastic humorous story line for Ann (finally!), but the most important part of this episode was Leslie, and the decisions she faced.

It would be dishonest to say that I didn't devote a large amount of time this summer to wondering how Leslie would negotiate a breakup with Ben (which I considered inevitable), and whether I would be okay with it.  After watching the premiere, the answers are (respectively):  flawlessly, and yes, I am beyond okay with it.  Despite the fact that the writers have further established Ben Wyatt as one of the most impossibly perfect men in the universe, the breakup was absolutely true to both characters and simultaneously heartbreaking and satisfying for the viewers.  They set up the actual breakup scene so well (and with so many fake-outs) that by the time Ben actually gave his little (adorable) speech, I was breathing a sigh of relief for both of them.  I know that there is a bigger plan in place for this couple (who are undeniably perfect for each other), and so for now I am perfectly content with watching Leslie pursue her dream and watching both of them figure themselves out.  When (not if) they do get back together, the relationship will be a hundred times stronger for having overcome this rough patch.

Also, the tiny teaser preview we got of Patricia Clarkson's performance?  Amazing.  Rumor has it next week's episode will feature Ron and all the Tammys in his life, and I am definitely looking forward to it.

Fall TV 2011: Parks and Recreation, Season 4

Of all the shows I'm really invested in, I think it's fitting that this will be the last one to premiere, because it is the closest to my heart and the one that never fails to make me smile.  Parks may have just been snubbed out of a much-deserved Emmy award (but we don't need to get into that here...), but I have full faith that Season 4 is going make this show's status as one of TV's best something that simply cannot be denied.

Where We Left Off:  As we overcame our collective grief at Lil' Sebastian's funeral service, loose ends cropped up in virtually every corner.  Tom has resigned from his position with the Parks Department in order to go into business with the irrepressible Jean Ralphio, establishing Entertainment 720, a high-end conglomerate of...something (Tom explains it better).  Andy and April are taking a big step in their relationship-- she's going to be the new manager of Mouse Rat, his band!  Ron is currently somewhere cowering in fear because the implicitly terrifying Tammy 1 has rolled back into town.  But the biggest cliffhanger at all is what we saw happen for Leslie in the finale's last few minutes:  she's being vetted to run for political office in Pawnee, a lifelong dream of hers, but there can't be any scandals to dig up.  And unfortunately, her secret relationship with Ben is a scandal as big as they come.

What's Ahead:  The showrunner's have intimated that the season premiere will have Leslie making her decisions on both professional and personal fronts (though in typical Leslie fashion, she will likely try to avoid a confrontation with Ben for as long as possible), and it will not be an easy choice.  We're going to get a glimpse of the "rise and fall" of Entertainment 720, and we'll be seeing not only Tammy 1 but also Tammy 0 (Ron's mother) as early as the season's second episode.  Considering the fact that this is already quite a bit of chaos and there are still a handful of characters to be accounted for, it is shaping up to be a pretty busy season for everyone in Pawnee.

What I'd Like to See:  Much as it breaks my heart to admit it, I just can't foresee a scenario in which Leslie gets to both run for office and keep Ben, so I'm predicting we're going to see a breakup by the end of the season opener.  It'll likely be a reluctant breakup, but a breakup nonetheless.  What gives me hope in the face of this is two things:  one, we will (hopefully) get to see Ben with a story line of his own, unattached to his relationship with Leslie; and two, Mike Schur has spoken on numerous occasions of Leslie experiencing "buyer's remorse" with regard to her decision, and he has suggested that whichever choice she makes will likely be reversed or altered by the second half of Season 4.  So I think we'll see a breakup in the name of Leslie's political aspirations, but I think she will be very disillusioned by the world of politics and will either drop out of or lose her race by the midpoint of the season, leaving the door open for a reconciliation with Ben.  This would give both characters time to experience valuable growth as individuals and to realize how much they mean to each other, and I think their relationship will only be stronger for it in the long run.

As for the rest of the gang, I'm really excited to see some great stories for the unsung supporting players on this show.  I can't wait to see Tom's hijinks over at Entertainment 720, and how he deals with watching his dream essentially go up in flames.  Ron and anything to do with anyone named Tammy is bound to be hilarious, and Andy and April are sure to continue stumbling toward adulthood together.  What I'm really pulling for this season, though, is a better arc for Ann, Leslie's BFF.  Last season we saw her descend into a kind of pathetic trend of serial dating, and not a whole lot else.  She works at City Hall now, so there are a lot more options for her as a character, and I'd love to see her collaborate with the Parks department on something awesome.  I'm not sure what will happen with her and Chris; for my part I hope they remain just friends, but we'll have to see what the writers have in mind for that.

Overall, it will be very difficult for this show to destroy the unshakable foundation it has spent three seasons building, and no matter what happens (even if, sigh, all my predictions are proven wrong), I'm sure it will be the same hilarious and heartfelt show we've all come to know and love.

Premiere Date:  Thursday, September 22nd.

Parks and Rec Season 4 Updates!

Switching gears back to television just for a moment, I enjoyed immensely this interview with Mike Schur, executive producer of Parks and Recreation.  He talks a bit about what we'll see going on in Season 4, which returns on Thursday, September 22nd!

Very interested to see Tammy 1, Ann and Tom's respective story lines, and of course, what happens with Leslie and Ben.

Parks and Recreation Season Finale: Two Roads

Wha...?  But they were (I was) so happy!  And then--but are they--wait, what did I just watch?

That's the summation of how I felt about the last five minutes of "Lil Sebastian," when we saw Leslie's game-changing moment and hints at the potential fallout.  But there is almost a full two episodes to cover before we get to that.  First, let's check how I did on my finale predictions:

*Lil Sebastian was the one to die, as expected.

*We did in fact see Tom hand in his resignation to pursue his dreams

*Ann did have an interaction with Chris, though it was different from what I expected.  Chris is surprisingly still in the dark about Ben and Leslie, and so their conversation had nothing to do with the wayward couple.  I did like that Ann seems to finally be over her past with Chris, and that they were able to talk as friends.  I initially hoped that Chris' musing after she left was a sign that he might relax his policy about inter-office dating just a little, but by episode's end that wasn't even the biggest problem on the Ben/Leslie front.

*In fairness, I think the interview I cited in my predictions oversold the Ron/Tammy thing a bit.  I was expecting an actual storyline rather than a relatively minute interaction, though I am interested to meet Tammy #1 (and see who'll be playing her), and to find out why she strikes so much fear(?) into Tammy #2, who bolted upon seeing her.

*As I forecasted, little developments with Andy and April were all we saw, like the show was trying to check in with them every time we needed a cute moment.

*I admit that I was completely off the mark in my assessment of what would happen with Leslie and her job.  Chris' overhaul of the Parks Department seemed not to affect her at all, busy as she was with other matters, and the political recruitment plot was not something I was expecting to see this early in the show's run (though in fairness I guess they want to move it along and set up for a potential game-changer in a season or two.  Leslie isn't going anywhere any time soon, but Ben might be?  I was disappointed and surprised by this, but we'll get to that, I promise.

First, let's go all the way back to the beginning of "The Bubble" when things were a little bit sunnier.  Ben was super awkward this episode, in a way that was almost difficult to watch.  His meeting with Leslie's mom was a particular example of this, and  I'm just glad they didn't put us through watching the entire exchange.

We saw Tom and Andy get banished to the fourth floor per Chris' revamping of the department, and I loved Andy's irrational enthusiasm about helping out with such a menial task, in contrast with Tom's loathing, which built nicely (I especially enjoyed him bickering with the elderly women in the office).

Leslie teaching Ben how to deal with her mother was amusing, and Ms. Knope Sr. liking him maybe a little too much was doubly so.  Two things bothered me about this plot initially:  one, Leslie and Ben were spending way too much time together to be legitimately passed off as just work, and two, I don't think Leslie actually did any of her own work all day.  These things both proved to be a hint of things to come in the night's second episode (their many failures at secrecy and the relationship in general impacting the quality of their work), but it seemed like they were being too reckless right off the bat.  Both of them said on several occasions that they both didn't want to break up and didn't want to get fired, I just thought that neither did a very good job of showing that they meant it.  The only person I was glad to have find out about their relationship was Leslie's mom, especially because her approval of Ben clearly meant a lot to her daughter.


 Let's move on to talk about "Lil Sebastian," where my heart started to crack (and not because of the mini-horse funeral upon which the episode's plot focused).  There is a lot that happened in a very short time, and a lot of questions left unanswered, which means I will undoubtedly spend my summer wondering where things are headed.

Right off the bat we got more of Ben and Leslie just sucking at keeping their relationship a secret, to the point of it being really frustrating.  I mean, they kept their attraction to each other secret for ages (Ben didn't even know for sure that Leslie was into him until "The Fight"), but now they're suddenly incapable of behaving like adults?  I know why it was written this way, and what it was intended to do, I just still don't know if I buy it.


I really liked Ron being the first one to find out about the relationship, although I'm a little disturbed by how long he stayed on the line after Ben accidentally called him (and more than a little disturbed at the content of the conversations he overheard).  I liked that he was upfront with Leslie about the risk she was taking, assuming that fatherly role he sometimes does (reluctantly) when it comes to her.  You could tell that he doesn't actually oppose their relationship, just opposes losing his most valuable employee.

Chris' struggle with death during the funeral proceedings and his health "scare" probably should have humanized him a little, but I couldn't not laugh.  It was just so absurd to think that someone so obviously concerned with prolonging his life and health has never fully realized that he's eventually going to die.



And of course that last scene with Leslie.  She and Ben had just agreed to really try to tone it down (in other words, to do what they should have been doing the entire time) and be as professional as possible, when she was approached by political recruiters (would that be their official title?  I know nothing about this).  The Leslie Knope enthusiast in me was overjoyed that she's finally being recognized for her work and offered an opportunity that she desperately wants, but the Ben and Leslie "shipper" part of me wanted to cry.  Of course they aren't just going to let her get away with choosing between her current job and her boyfriend; they're going to throw another wrench entirely into the machine and make her choose between him and her biggest aspiration.  The episode left it up to us to speculate on what her "no" to the scandals question meant (is she going to break up with Ben?  or did she just do herself in by lying about the first thing they asked?), not to mention that sad look through the window. 

I honestly don't know which way it will go; there are obvious downsides no matter what.  If she stays with Ben she risks her political career blowing up in her face before it's even gotten off the ground; if she dumps him she's sacrificing a relationship that at least two people in her life have expressed support for (not to mention the implication that she's already happier with Ben than she has been with anyone in the past).  Both the relationship and the career can make her happy, but Leslie (and the viewership) is learning that in a non-ideal world, you usually only get to choose one path to potential happiness.

I'm going to count down the days until September trying to find a loophole wherein she can have both.  Because Leslie is above all else an average gal, like you and me.  And if she can have the best of both worlds, maybe we can too.