This was a campaign focused episode that again brought up the interesting question of what would happen if Leslie was elected? We saw in this episode how much Leslie struggled trying to juggle doing two full-time jobs at once; trying to be the amazingly perfect superwoman Leslie Knope while running for office isn’t compatible. But more importantly in a discussion with Ron, Leslie mentioned that she could still work at the Parks Department because the City Council position is only part-time. This is the latest in the number of possibilities that the writers have left for us, the other is that Ron could be promoted to Assistant City Manager and Leslie could become the Parks Department Director. So at this point we have a good scenario for if Leslie wins or if Leslie loses. If she wins then we don’t have to rename the show because she’ll still have at least a partial stake in Parks, and if she loses she at least could still get a promotion. Either way I’m feeling better about election night in Pawnee.
I’ve written in the past that the episodes where the entire cast is either together or working on the same goal are far superior due to their cohesiveness in the plot, and this episode definitely fit the description. Although Leslie is the catalyst for the majority of the plot, the rest of the cast fits along nicely and none of the stories seem out of place. As I mentioned earlier, Leslie is forgetting things. In this case Jerry’s birthday. His sixteenth birthday. No Jerry isn’t a Benjamin Button, he was born on a leap year, but regardless Leslie insists that she make up for the mistake by throwing Jerry a belated surprise birthday party at Donna’s lake house.
Yes, Donna has a lake house. A very nice lake house. Turns out her cousin is a famous R&B singer, although I’m with Ann on this one because I’ve never heard of him. Let’s just assume that this connection also solves the ongoing mystery of how Donna can afford the Mercedes she drives. The reason why I’m discussing this is because it mirrors a real life scenario with the actress that plays Donna, Retta Sirleaf, whose aunt is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is the first female president of Liberia and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Although I’m guessing having a famous singer in your family is more fun, at least Tom thinks it is.
Which brings us to Tom and Ann. These two usually sidelined characters who lately haven’t been given much of a story, and even though tonight’s sub-plot wasn’t entirely relevant to the rest of the episode is did keep moving things along while involving April, another occasionally sidelined character. While waiting around for Jerry to show up for his party Tom slowly starts to realize that he and Ann have nothing in common. They each in turn go to April for advice, which is basically her worst nightmare. As they’re about to break up with each other April unwittingly helps them realize that they’re fighting over stupid small things. We are left with a shot of Tom being genuinely affectionate and Ann not shoving him away in disgust. Smooth sailing from here on out for Tann? Let’s hope not, for comedy’s sake.
The very minor subplot of the episode involved Chris, Andy, and my new favorite character Champion. In essence Chris is still lonely and alone, blah blah, etc., and Champion is a good companion for him. He’s also actually taking care of the dog by taking him to the vet and buying him toys and treats. While all of this is cute it still doesn’t address Chris’ problems in the long term. He either needs to move on and go back to being insufferably happy Chris or rebound with someone else. I’m hoping for the former, but either way Champion can only do so much with his three legs and heart of gold.
We have two more episodes until the temporary hiatus and at least they look like good ones. Next week is ‘Campaign Shake-Up’ which looks to be filled with new amazing guest stars as the Newport campaign hires a new manager, Leslie tries to win over a powerful new supporter, and Ron tries to find a replacement for Leslie. I will so you all next Friday, same time same place! In the meantime please leave me comments! Especially your theories on what’s going to happen in the election and to the department!
Random Thoughts:
- Who hasn’t heard of the new lollipopping trend?
- I don’t speak a word of German, but the Chris scene was hilarious. Who would offer dog training classes only in German in Pawnee?
- I’m fairly sure that Jerry’s new shirt consists entirely of subway maps. Why?
- Cakey J’s Cheesecake Facility? Watch out Cheesecake Factory, you’ve got some tough competition.
- Did anyone else catch the shot of Ron paddling his wooden canoe that he made in season two in front of the lake house? I sure didn’t, but thegiddyline over on the Parks subReddit caught it and grabbed a screencap!
- I could not stop laughing when Andy was trying to mimic German dog commands. Oh Andy, don’t ever change. On another note, no bodily harm to Andy in this episode! I guess he needs a break every now and then.
- Has anyone here seen Aziz’s standup special? Is so, then the minimum thread count for sheets scene had an extra dose of hilarity added to it. HOTEL LUXURY LINENS!
- Oh April, drinking the alcohol won’t solve your problems. However, using the bottle to hit Tom and Ann upside their heads will.
- Oh god. Jerry in the tub. Burned into the eyes forever. Here’s a picture of my cat to scrub out the pain.
- Sign-tologist? Amazing. I kinda want to open a sign store now with that name.
- Who wouldn’t run to that voice?
- I like Tann, at least more than Haverkins. Haverkins sounds like a furniture store.
- Note: 24 eggs are not enough for Ron. I’m guessing that’s a snack?
- That lake area is really pretty, anyone know where they filmed this? My best guess would be somewhere in California, since that’s where they film, but can anyone get more specific?
- Now you might think that there are too many Muncie jokes on Parks and Rec, and I really didn’t understand them. That is until I made my parents watch the show. Apparently my dad has been to Muncie several times and finds these jokes hilarious in a way that I never thought possible. In his words, ‘Muncie is where shitholes go to shit.’
Favorite Quotes:
- “Why not Ann’s Man?”
- “You can either burn these hats in a fire, or you can use a blowtorch.”
- “I am now fluent in German! With words relating to dogs.”
- “He’s healthier than ever.” “What did his leg grow back?!”
- “Jerry what are you doing standing here, our water has poop in it!”
- “The Meagle’s are a cold people.”
- “Saying his name over and over again is not going to help me.”
- “Is this because I forgot to invite Jerry to his own birthday party?” “It did seem like an oversight.”
- “She doesn’t care about blu-ray!” “She’s a monster.”
- “I own more pairs of UGGs than she does!”
- “Thank you alcohol!”
- “What is the big emergency? Ohhh did we lose more seniors in the woods?”
- “But using basic logic and human intelligence one can surmise that this is a link to an image.”
- “You insist on being introduced as the brown Gosling!”
- “Everything that you just said make me like me more!”
- “Jerry’s work is often adequate.”
- “Is this all the eggs we have?”
- “I tried to do both jobs, and finish middle school.”
