Parks and Recreation is brilliant. I admit it, I haven't seen it until now because I was little wary of it's spin off status (It debuted as a spin off of The Office). But in reality Parks and Rec is its own show. Stylistically its the same and it is from the same creators but it involves the government and politics with a personal touch. But really what makes this show separate and better than any other spin off I've seen is the SNL cast guest stars. You get Andy Samberg as way too loud Park Ranger, Fred Armisen as Venezuelian official, and Will Forte as a Twilight fanatic.
So Season 1 is only 6 episodes but it's a great set-up to the rest of the show. You get introduced to the staff of Parks and Recreation and Leslie Knope (Amy Pohler) the star, and Anne develop their friendship. Plus you get Leslie Knope on a date with an elderly person, set up by her mother. It's actually quite fantastic. And of course there's the pit, which is what brings Anne and Leslie together and rallies the department around a project. Additionally the pit provides gags for numerous people to fall in and in the next season even living space for the lovable and idiotic Andy Dwire.
As Z says and I completely agree Season 2 is where the show finds its voice. You really get to know the characters; Jerry the governmental screw up, Ron Swanson the director who hates people, the government and has an enamored relationship with breakfast foods. Honestly he has better relationships with food than with women--his ex-wives, both named Tammy are truly the devil. His first ex wife makes him act like a child and his second one works for the evil Library department and takes him down a torrential sexual spiral--its some seriously crazy junk. There's also April Ludgate, the eventual wife of Andy Dwire, apathetic young adult turned intern turned governmental assistant. Donna who lovers her Mercedes above all else. Then we have Tom Haverford who is all about entrepreneurship but he has some of the worst ideas known to man and when he gets together with Jean Ralphio the stupidity and extravagant lifestyle just escalates.
Season 2 also brings a mix up when budgetary issues arise for Pawnee's governmental and we get Chris Traeger, an enthusiastic, health obsessed guy who puts a smile on everything and Ben Wyatt who are sent to balance the budget and get the government running again. Of course this brings the conflict that all great stories need. And as the season wraps up its quite clear that Leslie won't let a government overhaul keep her from a job, working to make Pawnee the best place to live or leave any doubt that the Parks and Recreation Department can cause change. It quite clear that Ben and Leslie are going to be butting heads.
In season 3 we continue to watch Andy chase after and eventually win over April. They get married! Also Leslie's manipulative side. We get insight into her background and a hatred for Eagleton, where whenever you go even jail you get a gift bag. And of course with working together on the Harvest Festival, the big project for the Parks and Recreation department--with its success they're back if it fails they are out, Ben falls for Leslie, but the new catch is that with him staying as the Assistant City Manager he is now her boss and not just a consultant to city of Pawnee. Unfortunately this means they can't date.
I really felt there struggle, the romantic pacing was brilliant this season and you really see the admiration in Ben's eyes. Also I couldn't understand how Chris, the new City Manager and Ben's friend couldn't see the sparks. But eventually Leslie and Ben decided to do the only thing they can---sneak behind Chris back and date. It turns out feelings are greater than rules. And if this isn't enough with their hiding their relationship Leslie inadvertently provides fodder for her mother to be attracted to Ben during a meeting. The season ends with Leslie Knope being vetted for City Council and ultimately makes the romantic secrets that much worse.
Season 4 is all about the campaign but along the way viewer's get Tom & Jean Ralphio's 720 Entertainment company, which ends up bankrupt because he and is partner spend more money on swag and hyping the company than actually doing work for clients.
Choosing to embark on the campaign Leslie and Ben decide to break it off. But when Ben starts pulling away first from being friends and then at work, Leslie can't bear the thought of him moving on or not being any part of her life--so the only choice she feels she has left is to go back to dating. This time around they decide to tell Chris and this leads to an ethics hearing, which can lead to her termination. Throughout the process Leslie seems to find an answer for everything but when things start to slip from her grasp she finds out that Ben takes the fall and resigns from his job. On the record he admits his love for her and she in turn does the same, in Leslie Knope over the top fashion.
The second half of the episode brings probably one of the worst starts to a campaign; after the scandal with Ben she drops to 1% in the polls but Leslie Knope is not a quitter and with Ben by her side they pull off the greatest combat and win the election from Bobby Newport, played by Paul Rudd who portrays a high-schooler stuck in a 30 year old. Ben is offered a job in Washington and Leslie encourages him to take it which kicks off season 5 and the shippers in a long distance relationship.
So now that Parks and Recreation has got a footing and relationships have been formed and characters are now beloved in our hearts, this past Thursday the writers gave the fans a sweet answer to what Leslie and Ben have coming in their future. At the end of his campaign in Washington, he's offered another job in Florida. Very far from Indiana, Pawnee, and Leslie. And just when you are wondering whether the nerd and the overachiever will ever make it to their happy ending--Ben shows up, looking sharp and with a diamond. That's right kiddos Ben pops the question in classic form and Leslie not only gives him an answer but she interrupts--just she can take in the perfect moment. What does the future hold for Parks and Recreation and the future Mrs. Wyatt?
Ultimately Parks and Recreation is definitely GG approved. And to show my love here are a few of my favorite gags from the show:
1. Ron pulls his tooth out; the best part is that Ben just takes off, no questions asked, he turns and runs out the door. (3.9 "Andy and April's Fancy Party")
2. Ron/the whole department drunk on Snakejuice--the liquior Tom invented. (3.13 "The Fight")
3. Denmark declares war on Peru (4.7 "The Treaty")
4. Ben's interview with Dennis Feinstein. (4.10 "Citizen Knope")
With Ben resigning he attempts to move to the private sector and goes on a few interviews. The most memorable being with Dennis Feinstein a fragrance mogul, but what makes the interview high-octane humor is that the current accountant for the company is in the room, making it that much more awkward.
5. Ben's fear of cops (3.4 "Ron & Tammy: Part Two"/ 4.15 "Dave Returns")
I've said all that I can and hope you check out this humorous look at the government, the friendships and relationships.
