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. 

Fall TV 2012: What to Watch and When to Watch It

I may have been absent from the Interwebs for a lot of this summer (it's strange how real life will keep you busy sometimes), but don't worry, I haven't been watching and studying any less television than usual.  In fact, I've been saving up some of my excitement and analysis for exactly this moment:  the proverbial eve of the fall TV season kick-off.  These are a few of the shows I'll be watching and reviewing subject, as always, to change (except for Parks and Rec, which I will watch/love till the end of time).  And in case you've been sitting on your sofa staring blankly at your television set and awaiting my instructions as to what you should watch, here they are for your perusal:


Mondays:

How I Met Your Mother (CBS, premieres September 24th)
*Where we left off:  Barney's future bride was revealed (it's Robin!); Lily and Marshall had a baby (and promptly brought it with them to the bar); Ted and Victoria rode off into the sunset together (sort of).
*What's next:  With the writers, at least according to recent interviews with Bays and Thomas, working as though this will be the show's last season, it seems the tying up of some loose ends is on the horizon.  We have to figure out how the heck Barney and Robin make it to the alter (remember he's newly engaged to stripper Quinn in the present), as well as how Ted ruins things with Victoria (again) and arrives at the show's titular moment at long last.  It should prove to be an interesting season, and hopefully there will be significantly less time wasted with so many plots to unravel in so short a time.
*Wish list:  I'd love to see an announcement (sooner rather than later) that HIMYM will in fact wrap up after this season.  I think 24 episodes is more than enough time to wrap up the loose ends still dangling if the writers are deliberate about it, and if Thomas and Bays are permitted to stretch this journey out any further the cracks are really going to start to show.


(NEW SHOWS!) Tuesdays:

Go On (NBC, premiered September 9th)
The primary reason this show works well is that the execs at NBC have stopped fucking around and finally returned Matthew Perry to the role he belongs:  Chandler Bing.  Yes, Chandler's aged a decade or so and he's got a different name and job and blah, blah, blah; but essentially this character is nearly identical personality-wise.  It's as though we're seeing future Chandler following the death of Monica, whom we all knew kept him grounded, and though he's surely bereaved, he's also hilarious.

Better than that, though, this show actually seems to have heart, and not in a jammed-down-your-throat kind of way.  It's ballsy for a primetime sitcom to deal with something like grief, but the level of accuracy Go On supplies in the pilot episode alone is definitely encouraging, and a good sign of things to come.  Hopefully NBC doesn't err on the side of their usual instinct, which is to water down the honesty of some of their best programs (Community and its new team of writers springs to mind, not to mention the soon-to-wrap train wreck that The Office has become), because that would sacrifice a lot of what thus far makes this show appealing.

The Mindy Project (FOX, premieres September 25th)
This is a show that seems designed to stand up well beside its lineup-mate, FOX's New Girl, which was of course one of last year's runaway hits (not to mention the source of way too much Deschanel Hype in my life).  The Mindy Project follows Mindy Kaling, who you'll recognize as Kelly Kapoor from The Office, in the early stages of her career as an OB/GYN, as well as the battle-worn (and hilarious) stage of her romantic life.  It's lighthearted, it's laugh-out-loud funny, and it's identifiable, which is really all you can hope for in a pilot episode.  I can foresee problems similar to those found in the early run of New Girl, when it became clear that the amount of "isn't-she-quirky" based humor needed to be toned down-- in The Mindy Project, it's easy to lose sight of Mindy's role as (in theory, at least) an everywoman character in the more grating aspects of the character's personality.

This one also has an excellent supporting cast going for it, and I'm hopeful that the writers will gradually shift some of the focus so expended on Mindy in the pilot to some of these already very interesting personalities.


Wednesdays:

Happy Endings (ABC, premieres October 23rd)
*Where we left off:  Season 2's finale brought us another wedding, this time between friends of the gang Derrick and Eric.  We saw Penny struggle with possible feelings for Dave, who ended the night instead with erstwhile fiance Alex, while Brad and Jane tried to come to a compromise on how to better communicate with each other.
*What's next:  It doesn't seem that this Alex/Dave/Penny triangle is going to be too much of an overwrought thing (especially with rumors of Penny getting a new semi-longterm love interest), which is excellent news for a show that's already brilliant without the addition of needless melodrama.  
*Wish list:  More of Adam Pally's Max and less of Elisha Cuthbert's Alex (mainly just less of the emphasis on her being the dumb blonde of the group); more viewers for what I guarantee is the funniest show you're not watching.


Thursdays:

Parks and Recreation (NBC, premieres September 20th)
*Where we left off:  One Leslie Knope is about to take Pawnee City Council by storm after triumphing in the season finale's election.  She'll be working on a long-term relationship with Ben, who has taken a job in Washington D.C. and who has somewhat inexplicably recruited April to work as his intern.
*What's next:  A Ben/Leslie shake-up, but according to executive producer Mike Schur it's not the kind you'd expect.  Also, some long overdue maturity for Tom, who last season appeared to backtrack a bit following his Entertainment 720 venture.  But the best news is that by the end of the season premiere, the Tom/Ann debacle will really and truly be a thing of the past.



Fridays:

Community (NBC, premieres October 19th)
*Where we left off:  In a season finale that really would've made a great conclusion to the series, we saw everyone going their almost separate ways in relative happiness (yes, even Jeff, who decided to finally seek out his long-estranged father).  It was almost enough to make you not want a fourth season.  Almost.
*What's next:  The show's last-minute salvation last spring means that some tweaks are going to have to take place (this is even without the team of new writers and the firing of Dan Harmon, the show's creator).  We'll apparently be meeting Jeff's father, there will be an Inspector Spacetime convention, and the gang will pay homage (sort of?) to The Hunger Games in the season premiere.
*Wish list:  I don't have too many particular demands, I just hope that the show will still be recognizable as the delightful, wonderfully weird thing it is after the new writers have gotten their hands on it.


Honorable Mentions:

30 Rock, The Office (Thursdays, NBC):  Both are entering their final seasons, hopefully some laughs will be resurrected before the end.

Grey's Anatomy (Thursdays, ABC):  Yup, they're still kicking over at Seattle Grace.  And this season promises to be every bit as miserable and death-filled as you could possibly hope.


Here's to a wonderful 2012/2013 television season.

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.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Part 2

So what I've learned over the past week or so is that May sweeps as we once knew it basically doesn't exist anymore.  For one thing, it apparently starts in April now, which bumps the whole schedule forward by several weeks (remember back in the day when the season finale of your favorite shows would coincide with the last days of school?).  Most of the shows discussed below will end in the first two weeks of may, and have already begun to ramp up their plot lines accordingly.  Let's get to it.


Parks and Recreation

Last week's "The Debate" continues to present new things for me to gush about (especially now that I've watched the director's cut, which has even more glorious extra laughs).  And things are only going to get more exciting from here.  The remaining two episodes will determine Leslie's political fate, and rumor has it there are going to be some major complications before the end of the race.
*I've already watched this evening's episode, "Bus Tour," and am holding off on elaborating here so I can post a better review later.


Grey's Anatomy

I have to applaud the current arc centering on the residents taking their medical boards, which I thought might grow tedious but which has been really very interesting to watch.  It's the first time in a while that Grey's has really emphasized the journey each character is on as an individual, rather than simply exploring their romantic relationships with one another.  The hype for the finale has been on the rise for a few weeks now, with several cast members cryptically giving interviews about how anyone's death is fair game in the season finale, due to air May 17th (although rumor has it Meredith, Alex, and Christina are safe, at least from death).  Of course, anyone following the show knows that this has more to do with ongoing contract negotiations with the actors than anything on the creative side, but it definitely feels like things are in flux, and that everything is about to change, for better or for (probably) worse over at Seattle Grace-Mercy West.


New Girl

(Yes, this is the overrated freshman show I was talking about in my previous post.)  Although the writers and actors seem to have finally found something of a groove in terms of humor, storytelling, and minimizing the "isn't she ador(k)able?" aspect of Zooey Deschanel's character, I still think the finale of this show's first season will be (somehow) both predictable and anti-climactic.  Fans are rooting for a Jess and Nick hookup with a fervor reminiscent of the early seasons of Friends and the Ross/Rachel tension.  Now, New Girl could potentially pull off a satisfying conclusion and/or cliffhanger if they go a similar route (that is, resolving it and not resolving it simultaneously, a la season 1 of Friends, where Rachel goes to the airport having realized her feelings only to see Ross with Julie).  I predict that by the end of next Tuesday's episode, either Nick or Jess will have an epiphany of sorts (though it could be argued that Jess kind of did at the end of this week's installment), but I doubt that anything with a clear resolution will happen.  I'd also like to see Nick go through with his decision to move out of the loft, if only because it presents more possibilities for the start of season 2.


Cougar Town

Jules and Grayson are going to get married, which is probably the official moment this show will demand a new title, as there is no substantial age difference between the two.   But rumor has it that Laurie might be assuming the role of a cougar of sorts, if the murmurs of something real happening between her and Travis are to be believed.  My only reservation with this story line is that if the writers aren't careful about handling it, they may run into the same criticism that plagued the show in its early days about how appropriate and/or realistic its interpretation of relationships is.  As someone who's been very happy to see how far this show has come since the pilot, I'm hoping they can pull off an acknowledgement of the palpable chemistry between these two characters in a way that fits with the show we know and love.

TV Review: Community -- Basic Lupine Urology

So it looks like mobile meth labs are the new Chekhov's gun, huh?  If you don't know what I mean, you clearly haven't watched last night's episode of Community, and you probably shouldn't read this spoiler-filled review.  Just a friendly suggestion.

Still here?  OMG, right?  So we had some speculation that a character was going to be killed off, but most people were betting on token old guy Leonard, so the demise of Star Burns was at least a little bit shocking.  The way it was announced, however, perfectly befit the episode's Law and Order theme, with the grim revelation coming just before credits rolled.  Now the question remains as to how Greendale will deal with the death of one of its own--rumor has it a funeral in the cafeteria is in the works for next week-- but if I know this show at all, they'll make it funny, but in an "I shouldn't really be laughing at this" kind of way.

But let's back up and talk about the fantastic homage to NBC's long-running drama that comprised the 20 minutes prior to learning Star Burns' fate.  Troy and Abed were great as the lead detectives, competing for the best one-liners and occasionally experiencing bursts of needing-to-break-stuff anger; Annie and Jeff did well as the "lawyers" on the case; although I think my favorite was Britta with her photolab skills and over-eager offers to psychoanalyze the suspects.  On the whole, this episode did what this show has really honed its skill in, which is taking an absurd scenario (in this case, a destroyed science project) and making it something into which the characters (and the audience) become truly invested.  That, and the way they never wavered from L&O's trademark structure and conventions made this a near-perfect episode of Community (I realize I've been throwing out claims like this a lot lately about this show, but hey, they've really stepped it up). 

This episode is one of those where I could go through, scene by scene, and gush over every little detail, OR you could take my sage advice and check it out in all its hilariousness for yourself.  Let's go with the latter this time.

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-- Live Ammo

Oh Parks, I've missed you so very much.  And this episode was well worth the wait.  "Live Ammo" continued the slow heightening of the stakes in Leslie's campaign, this time with a nice healthy round of mudslinging on the part of Paul Rudd's Bobby Newport's campaign manager.

Basically, Leslie wants to save the Parks Department budget from potential cuts, but in fighting for it manages to lose funding for the Pawnee animal shelter.  It then falls to April, who has taken over Leslie's Parks responsibilities (and who plays the role with a perfectly April blend of reluctance and near-enthusiasm), to try and organize a Leslie-esque solution that will allow everyone to go home happy.  Cut to an adorable parade of puppies, kittens, and apparently, a pig, waiting to be chosen by the fine folks of Pawnee.  Unfortunately, even April's best-laid plans can't save the day, and the gang winds up with a gaggle of animals with nowhere to go. 

Of course, Leslie's first solution is exactly what mine would be-- bring all the animals home with her so they don't get sent to a farm upstate (that's what happens, right?).  And even though Ben adorably goes along with this plan for a bit, purchasing dog food in bulk with the Barack to his Michelle (that was one of my favorite lines of the night, incidentally), he convinces Leslie that they need a more sustainable solution.  Leslie comes up with one, but it's an answer that will require her to "commit political suicide."

Apparently this means a secret meeting with Bobby Newport's campaign manager, in which Leslie proposes that Newport announce plans to fund the animal shelter, a move which will give him an advantage going into their upcoming debate.  Now, at this point I may have tuned out the conversation a bit, because I remembered how excited I am to see this showdown in next week's debate-centric episode, penned by none other than one Amy Poehler. 

In other news, Chris wants Ron to take over the responsibilities of Assistant City Manager (this is following a long string of odd tests, the last of which was a meditation challenge), but just as things are looking up for our favorite carnivore and his plans to "eliminate all departments" within Pawnee's government, we learn that the job may not be Chris' to give if Bobby Newport wins the City Council election.  Not only am I excited by the prospect of potentially dropping the increasingly tedious Chris (not to mention the famously douche-y Rob Lowe) from the show, or at least cutting down his screen time, but I like the way this changes the weight of Leslie's victory--she's now got the success of two close colleagues resting on her shoulders going into the final weeks of her campaign.  As for that whole thread where we were afraid Ann might lose her job, I have to say, it didn't worry me nearly as much as the stuff surrounding Ron-- after all, Ann showed up at City Hall often enough in the 2.5 seasons before she worked there; I can't imagine she wouldn't do the same if she went back to full-time nursing.


Also, this is the episode featuring a guest appearance by Bradley Whitford of The West Wing fame, and I can't decide if I like the understated way they used him, or if I was expecting something more exciting based on the hype. 

Although I don't have extensive thoughts on any of these things, I'd like to give honorary awesome points to a few little features of this episode, in no particular order:
1.  I loved Tom and April bonding, and him essentially mentoring her, not only because he almost never takes on that role, but also because she actually swallowed her pride and asked for advice.
2.  Tom's apartment.  You know the set designers and propmaster have been working on that one for at least a full season.
3.  Ben's embracing his role as essentially Leslies' "first lady," and his hilarious reactions to her more brazen behavior.

Overall, I'm just glad this show made its comeback chock-full of things we've always loved about it, as well as some new complications just in time for May sweeps and the final leg of its season.

TV Review: Community-- It's BAAAAACCCKK!!!

Well, the moment we'd all been waiting for since December came and went last night, and I think we can agree that this episode, while perhaps not the epic blowout some people were hoping for (and that crazy faux-trailer hyped us all up for), was a more than successful entry in a somewhat shaky season 3.  We do have to keep in mind that "Urban Matrimony and the Sandwich Arts" wasn't written to serve as an all-out comeback episode, when they dreamed it up it was simply the next episode in line.  Watching it with that in mind, I found this episode to possess the same wit and quirkiness we've all come to love -- and during the hiatus, miss-- about this show.

This episode features a plot line about Shirley getting remarried to her ex-husband Andre, which ordinarily would be a snooze-fest, but its impact on the other members of the study group makes the episode infinitely more interesting and hilarious.  I can't decide what I loved best-- Britta's proving to be a wedding planning savant despite her opposition to marriage, Jeff's inability to compose a simple wedding toast, or Troy and Abed's epic attempts to "normal" themselves up in time for the ceremony.  Scratch that, I'm pretty sure it was Troy and Abed.  It's always Troy and Abed-- last night only served to remind me that they are probably the best part of this show on any given week.

That said, the other players bring their absurdest A-game to the table.  Annie predictably freaks out over being in the mere presence of a wedding, armed with the cliched wedding scrapbook and a sudden radar for anyone who might want her help with planning the nuptials.  Pierce is delightfully minimal/sidelined in this episode, working to start a sandwich business with Shirley (they are unfortunately preempted by a new Subway franchise), and using the endeavor as a final "screw you" to his departed father. 

Jeff and Britta's combined jadedness and sometimes obnoxious displays of "non-conformity"sometimes fall on the wrong side of pretentious or overplayed, but I liked the idea they went with last night.  The two of them almost inadvertently getting married in an attempt to prove it's a sham (or, in Britta's case, that becoming a wife is inevitable) is a hilarious and weirdly almost logical next step for them, though I am glad Shirley and Andre were able to put a stop to the madness.

On the whole I liked this episode.  Not the season's best or worst, but it offered a true sampling of what makes this show so great.  I've read only good things (and lots of hype) about what the folks over at Community have on tap for the rest of season 3, and I can't wait to see if it lives up to the chatter.

Oh, and I still wish we'd gotten to see more of Troy and Abed's adventures inside the Dreamatorium.

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.

The Art of Quitting While You're Ahead: A Case for 2 TV Favorites to Bow Out Gracefully

When it was recently announced that FOX's House would be drawing to a close this spring, my initial thought was that it was about darn time.  However, upon reading that it was the show's creator and lead actor who were largely behind the decision to close the doors of Princeton-Plainsboro, both my interest and my respect spiked.  According to various sources, the network would have likely been game for another season of House, despite its dwindling ratings and sub-par execution in the last year or so.  The show runners, however, knew that it was time to quit, and gave themselves enough time to write a (hopefully) satisfactory ending to a show that still has a fervently loyal fan-base as well as some seriously talented performers.  This of course got me thinking of a few other shows that might consider saying their goodbyes in the near future...

The Office

As I wrote nearly a year ago in this post, The Office was just about unimaginable without the genius of Steve Carrell to steer the ship.  And while the show has had some shining moments in an otherwise uneven season (the past few weeks' episodes featuring Dwight's leadership arc have been surprisingly hilarious), on the whole it has flattened in much the way I (and many others) anticipated.  The show runners attempted to fill the void left by Michael Scott with James Spader's Robert California (whose every appearance many dread, as he is hugely unlikeable, and not in an exciting way) and a handful of other guest players who just haven't gelled with the Dunder-Mifflin/Sabre staff they way those in charge clearly hoped.  And with news of a potential Dwight spinoff and the news that Mindy Kaling has been tapped for a pilot on FOX, not to mention the escalating film careers of John Krasinski and Ellie Kemper, it is quickly becoming a question of which cast members will remain and continue to put their best efforts and energies into the show.  Not to mention this past Thursday's series low rating, disappointing for a show which, just a few years ago, was the centerpiece of NBC's Thursday night lineup.

I think that if the show's writing staff were to make peace with the idea of wrapping the show up either this season or next (preferably the former), it would allow them the time to pen a truly satisfying ending to the show.  As it stands we're seeing some weak efforts to keep the week-to-week buzz going (the Andy and Erin saga can only continue for so long, and I'm still 100% sure Jim will not cheat on Pam despite the show thrusting this plot line at us), and I think it might benefit everyone involved if they had the opportunity to wrap up the dangling threads in a satisfying way, and give long-time viewers a conclusion befitting the show we all fell in love with way back in 2005.  I would rather see a moving, unified sendoff for our favorite paper pushers than a slow trickling out of the characters I've come to enjoy so much, and much more than seeing them replaced by lackluster newcomers (the last addition to the cast who really managed to win me over was Ellie Kemper as Erin, and that is a testament to her talent rather than what she's been given to work with).  I'm sure the still-struggling NBC is reluctant to pull the plug on one of the shows for which it is still so widely recognized, yet I think they do a disservice to the talented minds who make the show each week by keeping them around past their prime.

How I Met Your Mother

I've hinted at this one in a couple of my recent reviews, and I stand by it even more firmly as Season 7 continues to (in more ways than one) unravel.  How I Met Your Mother is renewed for next season already, which seeing the inconsistency of this season seems like a hasty decision (it was confirmed before this season even began) on the part of CBS.  Then again, this is the network that continues to push reality-giant Survivor on us in its 24th(!) season. 

The real problem with HIMYM lies in the ambitious nature of the show itself.  By beginning the show back in 2005 (are you seeing a common thread here?) with the notion of telling "a love story in reverse," the creators and writers knowingly committed to a narrative structure which requires a commitment and skill beyond nearly every other sitcom on television.  That doesn't mean that the show always has to be better or funnier than its competition, but it absolutely does mean that the story has to unfold in a certain way, and with a certain consistency.  And as the show has rumbled along into its seventh season, it has become clear just how restrictive its chosen structure can sometimes be.  Bays and Thomas (the show's 2 creators) openly admit that they never expected the show to continue for this long, and have had to adapt as it has received repeated renewals.  That's all well and good, but there have been entire episodes in which it really feels to even casual viewers like the minds in charge no longer have a plan for the show and its characters.  I think imposing an end-date on the series ASAP would really help in moving away from this problem.  I'll cite as examples the show runners over at ABC's LOST, who gave themselves a deadline for concluding the series early on, a move which allowed them to tell the story they intended without continuing to waste episodes on irrelevant plots (as we saw in the second and third seasons of that show).  LOST

When you think about it, there are really only a few plot threads (I remember reading somewhere that one writer counted 18 loose ends, which seems like an overestimate) that need to be resolved by series' end.  We need to find out who Barney and Robin, respectively, end up with (if anyone).  We need to see Marshall and Lily have their baby.  We need to see how Ted winds up in the right place at the right time, with that yellow umbrella in hand, and finally, after literally years spent sitting on that sofa listening to the story, tells his children how he met their mother.  Whether the writers go the literal route of closing the series at that exact moment or allow us time to get to know the mother as a character (I think the latter would be a greater payoff for seven-plus years of fan investment), there is more than ample time to wind this series to a close by May 2013. 

Oh, and of course, there are two slaps remaining...

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 4.14-- Operation Ann

Valentine's Day a few weeks early?  I really couldn't allow it from any other show, but as usual the Parks gang gets an allowance to make me laugh, and they rose to the challenge spectacularly.  Not only was this another great episode in this season's winning streak, it featured a number of brilliant callbacks to some of the show's best minutiae from seasons past.

The first of these references to make a reappearance is the ladies-celebrating-ladies tradition of Galentine's Day (and yes, Leslie, I agree that it should be a national holiday), in which Leslie gathers all her favorite gal pals on Valentine's Day morning for breakfast foods and some of the most thoughtful gifts ever.  And this outing of course brought our attention to one Miss Ann Perkins, who is single and not exactly loving it.  Naturally, Leslie instantaneously embarks on a mission to improve her best friend's romantic situation.

After walking the Parks gang through what she thought Ann might be looking for in a potential partner (apparently he ought to fall somewhere between Ryan Gosling and Joe Biden in terms of attractiveness...), Leslie convinced her co-workers to recruit their best candidates for the position and bring them to the annual Pawnee Valentine's dance.

Also happening in this episode:  the most magnificent scavenger hunt adventure featuring Ben (for whom Leslie designed the hunt), Andy, and Ron, a (not so) reluctant participant.  Ron turns out to be the best sleuth of the three, but would like the record to show that he does not enjoy riddles.  The 25-clue wild-goose chase takes Ben and the others on a trip down memory lane, literally.  There's a stop at JJ's Diner (mandatory, as Leslie's favorite food is whipped cream), the snowglobe museum (which we've never actually visited, and which featured a guest appearance by Martin Starr, Adam Scott's erstwhile co-star on the cancelled-too-soon Party Down), and ultimately, the Lil' Sebastian memorial.  But if you thought that was the night's biggest mystery, you would be sorely mistaken.

The intrigue that quickly made its way to the forefront was the question of who Ann would end the evening with.  Leslie's search turned up very few potential mates for her BFF, and we got a few hints that the recently-dumped Chris might be looking for a rebound.  Leslie certainly expected as much when she followed Ann out of the dance and let Ben in on her suspicions.  Ben was surprisingly vindictive, wanting to catch Chris out on a date with his subordinate (reminding us just how hypocritical that would be), but he and Leslie could not have been more wrong about the identity of Ann's date.

Who was it?  Well, Tom, of course.  Okay, not of course (though I'd like to smugly point out that I did predict this particular twist), but it was definitely interesting.  What intrigued me more about this twist was the revelation that one April Ludgate-Dwyer had been the one to arrange the rendezvous.  This was another great instance of April showing her soft side, helping Ann (who she frequently claims to hate) enjoy an evening with "the one guy who made her smile all night".  I don't know what kind of future this couple has (if any), but I think any furthering of this plot has the potential to really take both Tom and Ann out of their respective elements in a really interesting way. 

Overall, a hilarious themed installment (and I usually loathe the obligatory Valentine's Day episode), that was both really funny and genuinely captivating.  It also gave us this gem, and a reminder that Leslie's love life hasn't always been the (relatively) smooth-sailing journey it is now:

Ann:  Well, it's Valentine's Day and I'm single and I'm at a couple's dance.  I can't imagine a more depressing place to be.
Leslie:  What about a wedding where you used to go out with the groom and you're the only one without a date, so the bride makes you dance to "Single Ladies" by yourself?

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.

NBC's Thursday Night Shuffle

Apparently this kind of thing only happens when I've vowed to avoid the Internet for a few days.  As you may have heard/read/seen, NBC released its spring schedule today, and there are some questionable choices that appear to have gone into it. 

The Good:  Whitney is finally being yanked from the Thursday lineup (after half a season spent hyping it above and beyond the other three shows), and transferred to the Wednesday night opening slot, where it will meet its true ratings fate.  This made space for the charming Up All Night to mosey over to Thursday night, where it will trail The Office and close out the evening's comedy.

The Bad:  I know many of us have been wondering where exactly 30 Rock would land when it came time for its mid-season premiere, and now that we have our answer, to say it's disappointing would be an understatement.  Tina Fey and company will lead off the night on Thursdays beginning in January, with Parks and Recreation following in its current timeslot.  What this means, unfortunately, is that quirky favorite Community has been left out in the cold.  NBC's official line is that the show has been "benched" rather than cancelled, but it remains unclear what, exactly, that means for the Greendale gang.

Thoughts:  I understand the need to make changes; after all, there just isn't room on Thursday night for six comedies (although if I were in the decision-making chair, I might have petitioned for a third hour of comedy that night rather than tacking on a new drama at 10/9c.  I am absolutely excited to see 30 Rock back, but I didn't consider that it might cost me another one of my favorite shows.  And while I am obviously concerned about the future of Community (will it come back in the summer? will we have to wait until fall to see the rest of season 3? are webisodes of some kind an option?), I take a little bit of issue with the lineup of the remaining shows as it stands.  The goal here is ratings (which is the chief reason Community was the show to get the boot), and I don't know if these shows are in the order that will most benefit them.  30 Rock has never led the night before, and given that it's been missing all of fall, it might lack the momentum it needs to succeed there.  I personally would have put Up All Night at the 8/7c spot, which is where it's been doing a consistent job on Wednesday nights.  If NBC is going to move forward with 30 Rock as the starter, they are going to need to hype the crap out of it (I have yet to see any evidence that this is in the works at all), much in the way they failed to hype any Thursday show save for Whitney at the end of the summer.  One good thing this arrangement has going for it is that it might give Parks and Recreation the ratings bump it needs, because so many people are fans of both that show and 30 Rock.

The Verdict:  We'll have to wait till January to see how it all pans out, but in the meantime I'll be interested to see how the folks over at Community handle this bump in the road.  They've now got 3, maybe 4 episodes before this "benching," during which they might just be able to do whatever the heck they want (and I hope they do).