I was happy right off the bat because we got April and Andy, which I very much wanted. Andy is back from London and his jet lag gag runs through this whole episode, which might normally be too much, but Chris Pratt has the ability to make almost anything funny. Tom’s quest to hear business pitches that are going to make him a lot of money had some good moments, but I think unfortunately it got lost in the shuffle of everything else. And I hate to say it, but I am not loving the Chris’ and Ann’s baby story line. It feels like a forced; like it was come up with solely as a clean way for Ann and Chris to exit the show. It was sweet that they found out they’re having a boy, but they feel so separate from everyone else on the show now that the excitement feels kind of sad, too. I get that we can’t have everything in each episode, but the Ann and Leslie dynamic has been so important to the show, and I feel like there has hardly been any interaction between them since the baby announcement. Ann has a few episodes left, but it feels like their friendship has already gone…
The main story of this episode was following Leslie on her last day on the City Counsil. She thinks that she’s ready to leave, and has even gone through all of her Stages of Grief:
- Denial
- Anger
- Internet Commenting
- Cat Adoption
- African Dance
- Cat Returning to the Adoption Place
- Watching All the Episodes of Murphy Brown
- Not Giving a Flying Fart
But then Councilman Dexhart gets wrapped up in another sex scandal and Leslie makes a panic move decision to run for his seat. Ben, who has been trying to make her feel better the whole episode, tries to tell her that it’s a bad idea. Nobody else in the Parks Department thinks it’s a good idea either. Then Heaven opened up and angels sang, because Ben called in Jennifer Barkley to tell Leslie what everyone else (fans included) was thinking. That City Council was fine, but that she can do so much better. It’s true. Go for a position above the City Council’s head, Leslie. We all know you can do it! Jennifer tells her, “Pawnee has done you a favor. You have outgrown them.” YES. THANK YOU JENNIFER.
Leslie decides not to run, and makes her last speech as a Councilwoman at a press conference in her usual fantastic fashion. Ben then outdoes every single husband in the world by taking Leslie to Paris. Yes, Ben and Leslie went to Paris. Did you gasp in delight? Because I certainly did. I want a Ben.
Quotes from this episode that I am going to Incorporate into my Life ASAP:
Bottom line: I’m so happy that “Parks and Rec” is back. I can’t wait to see what the writers are going to do with the rest of the season!
What were your thoughts on this episode? Do you think it make a good 100th? Who else is going to try and find that lock on the fence when they go on a trip to Paris?!
