Ann’s determination to have an actual conversation with April and Ron is funny, but it really didn’t fit in with the rest of the book related threads in the episode. Ann’s quest could have very easily been tucked into any number of other episodes that we’ve seen before, it would have streamlined the story if she had either been included in book shenanigans or had been removed all together. Other than that small issue this was an amazing episode filled with plenty of social commentary mixed with the usual insanely hilarious moments that makes Parks one of the funniest shows on TV.
It’s hard to have a main character run for political office without poking some sort of fun at our political system in real life. The book was just the start of a long list of satire in this episode, including a real life example of Sarah Palin’s ‘Gotcha Journalism’ with backup dancers and a debate about birth certificates. Normally Parks isn’t quite so ‘ripped from the headlines’ as this episode but I enjoyed it. Leslie is a politician now and that opens up a whole new world of problems to deal with, as long as the writers can still focus on the other amazing cast of characters while covering Leslie then I’ll be happy.
Ever since the first episode of season two I have been wondering when Tom was going to have to pay for the consequences of his actions. In this episode the day of reckoning has finally arrived, Joan Callamezzo is getting divorced. The years of playful flirtations have added up, and now Joanie wants to kick it up a notch. This was my favorite plot line of the night; it’s been a treat to see Joan evolve over three seasons from inviting Tom over for ‘supper’, growing into a local cable access diva, and then into an even more narcissistic and over the top local celebrity with her own book club and sticker the size of a dinner plate. The look inside her house fit perfectly too; complete with multiple sexy paintings of herself on every wall. I was half expecting Tom to take one for the team, but instead he took the high road. The low road was closed for construction; normally Tom takes it so often the pavement must have worn out.
Random Thoughts:
- As an avid NPR listener I loved the Pawnee radio intro; they had every detail down, to the usually strange music that bridges segments, and the coma inducing voices of the hosts.
- Love the Gotcha Dancers, Joan needs to lend them out to Wolf Blitzer.
- By day, Andy Dwyer, Leslie Knope’s personal assistant. By another time of day, Burt Maclane, FBI. But seriously, how awesome was it to have the return of Burt? He’s now branched out to security and investigative work, and succeeding!
- Am I the only one that thought Ann’s skirt was a little too short for work? I’m pretty sure I’d get pulled aside and yelled at if I wore that.
- How many bottles of cologne a week does Tom go through? Jeez I hope he buys it by the gallon.
- Another neat touch, some of the people in the crowd at the book club we’ve seen before in meetings, including the guy that yelled. I feel like I really know this town, and I haven’t even read the book yet! Which is for sale at Amazon by the way.
- Of course Ron whittles a flute at work, and that actually sounds pretty good! I need to learn to whittle…
- Apparently Eagletonians are immune to the Christ Traeger charm. But also they apparently have no security whatsoever as it seems Andy was able to steal the birth certificate and suitcase pretty easily.
- Ugh did anyone else cringe when Andy knocked over the Apple display? I know it’s not hooked up and therefor probably a fake, but still, ouch.
- Of course Ben’s Star Trek talk turned Joan on, it turned me on too! Yeah I’m a total nerd, sue me.
- Ahh the return of the dreaded raccoon infestation. How on earth could raccoons overrun a hospital? I would like to see a re-infestation in a future episode, and of course only Leslie can save the day.
- Everyone wants to hear gross hospital stories, trust me. It’s the first thing I ask someone when I hear they work in a hospital.
- I noticed that Ron’s mustache is back but not as bushy as it usually is. Still recovering from last episode I assume.
- I wonder how many episodes Ben can lovingly stare at Leslie until he explodes with pent up love?
Favorite Quotes:
- “A non-profit group that puts umbrella hats on homeless people when it rains.”
- “Oh yes, they are quite awful. But they are lesbians, so?”
- “I started thinking of you as a woman, and as a person, and I got carried away.”
- “Never stop dreaming. Tom Haverford.” “I never do! Chris Traeger!”
- “A heartwarming story about a caveman eye doctor who travels to present day Cincinnati and can see everything but love. Unreadable.”
- “Call me as soon as you find the mistake that does not exist.”
- “Behind every successful man is me, smiling and taking partial credit.”
- “After the break, where was Leslie Knope actually born? We will pull out the world map and speculate wildly!”
- “I will get my one minute of small talk god damnit! And it will be casual, and it will be amicable!”
- “Drink up Tom, I’m going to go powder my nose, amongst other things. If you know what I mean.”
- LINE OF THE NIGHT AND POSSIBLY THE SEASON: “Is she going to powder her vagina?”
- “Hey April, I was looking to get some new music and I was wondering if you could recommend anything?” “The internet.”
- I really want to transcribe Joan’s bleeped out speech on what she wants to do to Tom and Ben, but I don’t think I could do it justice without hearing the uncensored. If anyone can figure out what she was saying there’s massive amounts of Karma and Bonus Points waiting for you.
- “Hold on, I just want to see how soft these sheets are.” Certainly not Hotel Luxury Linens, am I right?
- “Was there a lot of blood?” “What kind of blade did he use?”
- “Ann was getting a little chummy. When people get too chummy with me I like to call them by the wrong name to let them know I don’t really care about them.”
- “You know, nipple hill. It gets very slippery there. Especially when it’s wet.”
Thanks so much for reading, and please leave me comments below!
