A Farewell to Parks and Recreation
Parks and Recreation is geared up to air it's final episode in less than two weeks. Lets travel back to 2009 when this little gem of television perfection graced our screens for the very first time. While it's first 6-episode season received lukewarm reviews from critics, us fans saw the potential Parks and Recreation had. From the moment Leslie fell into the pit, I knew we had television gold on our hands.
It was also the season that introduced us to some of our favorite characters, how could we not love it? Leslie, Ann, Tom, Ron, April, Andy, and of course, Pawnee Zoning Board Member, Janine Restrepo. Times were simpler back then; Ann and Andy were a couple, Leslie was trying to fill in the pit, and we hadn't discovered the brilliance of calzones yet.
Season two premiered later that year and we finally got to experience a full 22-episode season of TV's smartest comedy. Leslie became queen of the gays, a love began to blossom between Andy and April, and we were introduced to the greatest enemy Leslie Knope would ever have to go up against, Greg Pikitis.
However, Pikitis was not the only adversary Leslie had to face in season two. When Chris Traeger and Ben Wyatt traveled to Pawnee to slash the Parks & Rec budget, she of course did not take it sitting down. In fact, Leslie spoke to everyone in the bar, and nobody wanted Ben there. Tough break but don't worry - it doesn't last for long. Things start to look up for him in season three, kinda.
Season three brought on the Harvest Festival, Andy and April's marriage, the creation of Entertainment 7/20 and a budding romance between Leslie and Ben. But more importantly, we get our first real look at the awfulness that is Eagleton (shudders). Leslie begins to run for public office in season four and is forced to end her romance with Ben. The two have a bit of trouble staying just friends and it gets complicated. In doing so, it gave us one of the greatest line deliveries in the history of comedy television.
It was also the season that introduced us to some of our favorite characters, how could we not love it? Leslie, Ann, Tom, Ron, April, Andy, and of course, Pawnee Zoning Board Member, Janine Restrepo. Times were simpler back then; Ann and Andy were a couple, Leslie was trying to fill in the pit, and we hadn't discovered the brilliance of calzones yet.
Season two premiered later that year and we finally got to experience a full 22-episode season of TV's smartest comedy. Leslie became queen of the gays, a love began to blossom between Andy and April, and we were introduced to the greatest enemy Leslie Knope would ever have to go up against, Greg Pikitis.
However, Pikitis was not the only adversary Leslie had to face in season two. When Chris Traeger and Ben Wyatt traveled to Pawnee to slash the Parks & Rec budget, she of course did not take it sitting down. In fact, Leslie spoke to everyone in the bar, and nobody wanted Ben there. Tough break but don't worry - it doesn't last for long. Things start to look up for him in season three, kinda.
Season three brought on the Harvest Festival, Andy and April's marriage, the creation of Entertainment 7/20 and a budding romance between Leslie and Ben. But more importantly, we get our first real look at the awfulness that is Eagleton (shudders). Leslie begins to run for public office in season four and is forced to end her romance with Ben. The two have a bit of trouble staying just friends and it gets complicated. In doing so, it gave us one of the greatest line deliveries in the history of comedy television.
After saying screw it and continuing their relationship, Ben eventually becomes Leslie's campaign manager helping her nab that city council seat in season five, where she tries her hardest not to get Jamm-ed by fellow councilman, Jeremy Jamm.
His dirty tactics work and Leslie is eventually recalled out of office at the start of season six, begging the question- Does Pawnee actually deserve Leslie Knope? On top of that, her best friend and beautiful tropical fish, Ann Perkins decides to leave Pawnee. But fret not, it's not all bad for Leslie this season. She and Ben discover they are pregnant with triplets and a new job at the National Parks & Recreation office is in Leslie's sights.
It was announced last year that season seven would be Parks and Recreation's last, a devastating blow to fans everywhere. I believe my reaction went something like this:
But all great things must come to an end. I'd rather it go out in a blaze of glory than it being dragged on far past it's prime (glares at The Office). Season seven sees a flash-forward to three years in the future; Leslie is working at the National Parks Department, Andy is a local TV star, April is searching for a new career, Tom is finally a successful entrepreneur, Ron is no longer a government employee, and Ben is running for congress. All seems to be on track for a happy ending for our favorite characters. In two weeks time, I'll be perched in front of the television in my Lil Sebastian hoodie with my calzone and waffle combo, watching it all go down.
Parks & Recreation's final episodes air on February 17 and February 24 on NBC.
(Images: NBC/Universal Television)
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