"Parks and Recreation" Finally Finding It's Place Among Workplace Comedies

By Meg Goggans

In the small town of Pawnee, Indiana, a team of terribly clumsy government employees attempt to make their town a better place. Led by deputy director of the Parks and Recreation department, Leslie Knope (Amy Pohler), the show documents her and her co-workers throughout their day to day government duties, often with hilarity and entertainment. Once suspected to live in the shadow of “The Office”, the NBC comedy “Parks and Recreation” may have actually swayed a few “Office” viewers’ loyalties. With a strong cast (other characters include Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman, and Rashida Jones), this parks department is not only making strides in Pawnee, Indiana, but also as a strong contender in the competitive primetime comedy lineups. 

In Episode 17 of the show, Leslie Knope continues hot on the trail for office in Pawnee’s local elections. Her biggest competitor, the incompetent but wealthy Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd), has hired a Washington pro, Jennifer Barkley (Kathryn Hahn), as his new campaign manager. Leslie’s own campaign manager/boyfriend, Ben (Adam Scott), has a new strategy, “The Grey Vote”, or Pawnee’s elderly vote. Leslie and Ben plan to “Ramp Up Pawnee” by installing electric lifts outside of buildings, but soon find their idea has been stolen by Barkley and dubbed “Rise Up Pawnee”.

Back at the office, it appears the locals have a disgusting habit of placing their entire mouths over the water fountain nozzle. Seeing this as a clear health hazard, Leslie’s best friend and public relations director of the Pawnee health department, Anne Perkins (Rashida Jones), describes this odd problem as “kissing one water fountain drinker, you’re kissing everyone in Pawnee.”

After trying to solve the water fountain problem ends in a water balloon fight and the city’s most underachieving official, Tom (Aziz Ansari), hiding under a desk clutching to his precious suede suit, Parks director Ron (Nick Offerman) agrees that the Parks department could use another hand around the office while Leslie campaigns. April the intern (Aubrey Plaza) unexpectedly comes through with a simple, yet effective, idea to reduce the spit swapping leaving Ron impressed, and making her Leslie’s temporary fill in. 

After another setback with Barkley on local talk show, “Heard with Perd”, Team Knope leaves defeated again. As Leslie notes Barkley’s most impressive attribute being that she has eaten egg salad with Colin Powell, Barkley is clearly more qualified, just as peppy, and well-aware that her candidate and his hokey campaign are beneath her. With her subtle sarcasm, Hahn is extremely well cast as Leslie’s perfect campaign foil.

Though this episode ends in defeat for Leslie, April’s uncanny triumph seems to balance the storyline’s mood and Ron and April’s mentor/protege relationship has served as one of the best chemistries the show has. As a fan of April’s laziness and humorous cynicism, I look forward to her having more responsibility to mismanage while watching her character develop.

Still on the campaign trail, Episode 18 of Parks and Recreation, “Lucky”, opens with the millionth reason why Leslie Knope is awesome: a montage of highly inappropriate campaign outfits, including pleather Sandra Dee style pants with “NYMPHO” branded across the back. Written and directed by Parks’ own Nick Offerman, this episode has the entire cast at the top of their game, reminding viewers why we each character is vital to the show’s brilliant dynamic.

When an interview with an arrogant Indianapolis talk show host (Sean Hayes) is canceled last minute, Leslie, Tom, and Anne decide to ditch the tightly wound Ben and head out for a few flaming tequila shots. Shortly after, Ben calls with seemingly good news: the interview is back on. A very drunk Leslie hurries to the airport for the interview, slurring her speech in an attempt to salvage the publicity opportunity. When the interview goes downhill, the campaign crew hops in Tom’s stretch limo (with its convenient built in hot tub), drive to Indianapolis, and steal back the tape of Leslie’s inebriated rambling. 

Meanwhile in Pawnee, the unsuccessful City Hall shoeshiner, Andy (Chris Pratt) has passed his Women’s History class. In celebration of his P (for pass), Andy, April, Ron, Andy’s teacher Linda (Danielle Biscotti), and city manager Chris (Rob Lowe) go out for a steak dinner. Though April attempts to set up Chris and Linda, Chris leaves early and Linda unexpectedly decides to go home with Ron. At the office the next day, Chris admits he is lonely and plans to ask Linda out and Ron is forced to let him down easy as the two share an awkward man hug, revealing both Chris’ vulnerability and Ron’s often guarded emotion. Here we see Ron Swanson as more than a man about meat, but a man with a heart (perhaps Offerman slid that one in their for his own benefit). 

The episode ends on an uplifting and optimistic note, much different than last weeks end of defeat. Chris’ character becomes more developed, admitting his loneliness, and Ron (pause for reaction) shows compassion. Offerman’s writing and directing has made this episode among the season’s best. Amy Pohler is at her prime and we’re reminded  why many of us watch Parks and Rec: Leslie Knope drunk, hilarious, and ever endearing.