Parks and Recreation - Page 7

Stop. Pooping.

Jesus, that was great.  GREAT.  High fives, Rob Lowe.

I kinda just want an episode of Ron and Andy doing manly shit the whole time. "You had me at Meat Tornado."

Magazines and lipstick.  Woman stuff.

Did they make Rashida Jones' skin look lighter in this episode?  Or was she just tanner before?

This show really came out the Season 3 gate running.  Terrific episode.  Every storyline paid off. 

Aubrey Plaza is so very cute when she actually smiles. 

I'm loving this current cast of characters so much. 

Plaza is cute even when she's not smiling.  She's got those huge eyes.

Adam Scott was pulling some serious "Jim-looks" to the camera in this episode.  Clearly, they're pulling for a Pohler/Scott pairing at the moment.  I wouldn't mind it since I'm sure the writers would make it work, but I just don't see those two characters together.

Oh god... I'm engaging in shipping...  the microchip has been compromised...

RELIGIOUS OLIGARCHY!!!!

My blankets are on the floor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zak chase 

"Stop. Pooping."

Had to pause the Tivo I was laughing so hard.  Lowe is killing it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnooj82 

Magazines and lipstick.  Woman stuff.

 

Did they make Rashida Jones' skin look lighter in this episode?  Or was she just tanner before?

You know her Dad's Quincy Jones right?

Rob Lowe's obsession with his body ("I have 2 percent body fat. One small move can compromise the microchip!" and the interplay between Ron and Andy were magnificent ("You had me at Meat Tornado !"). I don't mind the will they-won't they of Leslie and Ben, but I hope they keep it in the background. I also love that Leslie is actually competent at her job. It moves her farther away from being a Michael Scott clone. Similarly, Tom seems like a slacker, but he always pulls through.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnooj82 

Adam Scott was pulling some serious "Jim-looks" to the camera in this episode.  Clearly, they're pulling for a Pohler/Scott pairing at the moment.  I wouldn't mind it since I'm sure the writers would make it work, but I just don't see those two characters together.

Click for minor spoilers about the upcoming season.

That was amazing.  I loves me some Community, but Parks won the night.  As I said after last week's episode, Rob Lowe is this show's secret awesome sauce.  I went into convulsions when he said, "The microchip has been compromised."  And the Swanson-Andy pairing was just magical: when Andy flipped over the car's hood while making the catch, I nearly died.  So freakin' good.

Look at me.  I'm gushing.

The football scene was great, as was the fact they were grilling meats inside Ron's office after eating the Meat Tornado.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan C.B. 

You know her Dad's Quincy Jones right?

Hahahah, I do know that.  That's why I was wondering why her skin looked so much lighter in this episode.  The "tanned" comment was me just being glib.

Oh haha good to know.  I was reminded of Michael Scott for a minute.  "Oh you're very exotic looking!  Was your Dad a GI?"

What killed me was when Rob Lowe mentioned that he had vomited in the room somewhere and the camera panned to that half-open drawer. 

"Ladies & gentlemen, Scott Bakula from Quantum Leap!"

This ep knocked it out of the park. Damn straight it won the night.

It's pretty amazing how well this show balances out what could've been a glut of characters.

"If I were sick, could I do THIS?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by zak chase 

"Stop. Pooping."

That killed me. Rob Lowe owned that episode.

Late to the party but boy this episode was fantastic-- best of the evening block, for my money, with Rob Lowe kind of stealing everyone's thunder. He didn't have enormous screen time, but he made the most of every second of it.

"You had me at 'Meat Tornado'" kind of tickled me, though.

I also loved his "Way to go!" to various hospital patients. I've known a couple of people who survived supposedly terminal medical conditions at an early age, and they have that kind of indefatigable positivity. But you can also sense Chris's suppressed terror at his body's betrayal.

Strange episode.  So much Twilight!  But at least it led to that town hall meeting.

Loved how Andy ended up inadvertently getting rid of the competition with his nice and band.

EVERYBODY LOVES ANDY!

While none of them have been too distracting, I'd just as soon they quit with the SNL cast guest stars.  

Unless it's Abby Elliot. 

Yeah, the moment Forte showed up I went, "Hmmmmf..."

I made a similar noise when I saw the skirt April was wearing in her first scene.

the lack of Ron in this episode was a downer

I hope we haven't seen the last of Natalie Morales.   I wonder if she got a pilot, so they had to hastily write her out of the show.   

(Click.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ratty 

I hope we haven't seen the last of Natalie Morales.   I wonder if she got a pilot, so they had to hastily write her out of the show.   

This was the last episode of the batch they filmed straight after s2, before Amy went off to shoot a baby from her girlgina. I'd hazard a guess that Morales was still available at that time, but had other commitments when they came back to film the new batch.  Which sucks, as she's lovely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstraw80 

the lack of Ron in this episode was a downer

But the brief bits we got were glorious!  "The Three Horsemeals of the Eggporkalypse"

The plot was really dumb (dad knew every book and film shot for shot, but wasn't actually interested in the series?) and outdated (Why not make some references to those Lord of the Rings movies while we're at it?) but the episode was pretty good anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Ripoll 

The plot was really dumb (dad knew every book and film shot for shot, but wasn't actually interested in the series?) and outdated (Why not make some references to those Lord of the Rings movies while we're at it?) but the episode was pretty good anyway.

Really?!?  I didn't think pop culture was moving so damn fast.  Isn't there still movie to go?
 

I feel like, in the past two years, every goddamned Twilight joke that has ever been made has been made. The jokes of adults getting into Twilight have all been made. It just feels like a plot left over from an earlier season.

I was wondering about the dad knowing so much about Twilight too. 

What I did like about the Twilight gag was how there was a subtle bit of friction between it and Leslie's continuing love for Harry Potter that the show refers to once in a while.  I think in the flu episode, she accidentally says "Chamber of Secrets."

Nooj, you're right-- she absolutely did, and I liked that minor tension between the two. But, also like Pat, this episode felt a bit "done". I don't think that it was bad by any means, either, but the Twilight ribbing felt almost strangely out of date at this point, and more than that it felt a little forced. Still, it made me laugh and it did a nice job moving various arcs forward. Hopefully next week will be more satisfying.

I don't know if anyone caught Nick Offerman on Conan a few nights ago, but it was wonderful.

Whoa... I had absolutely NO idea that Offerman was actually married to Mullally!  That's awesome!

EDIT: And he's 12 years her junior.  The mustache really throws me off on his age.  Hahahaha

Speaking of which, it looks like next week's episode is Ron & Tammy: Part TWO!

Greatest EW cover(s) ever.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zak chase 

Greatest EW cover(s) ever.

I don't get it.  What are those white rectangular things down around the bottom half of Aubrey Plaza's mouth?  And why are the corners of her mouth upturned?

...god, I have a crush on her.
 

Wow. Anyone see the promo NBC accidentally ran at the end of this episode that, if accurate, gives away a MAJOR spoiler from down the road? What a colossal fuck-up.

(And, yes, I see that Sepinwall is reporting that the promo is not what it claimed to be, but rather a just a simple mix-up of names. I ain't buyin' it. The footage matched and everything. And no "Ron and Tammy" wedding registry exists at NBC.com.)

UPDATE: Well, there is a Ron and Tammy registry up now. Proof that it was a simple mix-up and not a major gaffe? We'll see ...

Oh god... jerky... slap, slap, slap.  So wrong. 

Vile... obscene... filthy... This episode was hilarious, but it made me feel so dirty and increased my fear of libraries. Mullally relishes her guest appearances on this show TOO much.

EDIT:  Sneaky way to introduce conflict by utilizing Chris' super-positive decency.  I'm really liking the banter between Leslie and Ben.  They're doing a great job making me buy a potential couple I normally would've thought to be a mismatch.

The post-it note "Great Job" absolutely killed me.  Awesome episode.

Ron Swanson in corn rows and a kimono absolutely floored me.   You know the writers were having fun coming up with that look.

"I didn't shave my mustache.   It rubbed off due to friction"

Funniest episode yet.

Mullally beating the shit out of Ansari, to the horrified reactions of her fellow librarians, made me bust a gut, as did the aforementioned Ron Swanson with corn rows and a kimono. Fantastic. And the post-it notes! Oh, the post-it notes.

What's interesting to me is how this show started off so shakily and managed to find its legs in such grand fashion that Parks and Recreation is easily the best of the Thursday comedy block, save for Community which it's equitable to. I feel like The Office and yes, even 30 Rock are both either "over" or coming to an end, but Parks and Rec is just getting started; so far this season has really bumped up the funny, and episode's like last night's are perfect examples.

When I saw the promo, I was like, "Why is Kenny Powers in the back of Leslie's car?" Imagine my surprise to see that it was actually Ron Swanson. Absolutely loved last night's ep. Everything involving Ron was amazing. Chris and his post-it notes were great. Leslie's attempt at an intervention backfiring was hilarious. "I have no idea what is going on. But keep it up! I mean, stop it!" The Leslie-Ben storyline is actually pretty sweet. And I've said it before, but despite people saying Leslie is a Michael Scott clone, she is consistently shown to be competent at her job and unbelievably caring to everyone around her. So much more enjoyable to watch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynamotv 

Ron Swanson in corn rows and a kimono absolutely floored me.   You know the writers were having fun coming up with that look.

 

"I didn't shave my mustache.   It rubbed off due to friction"

 

Funniest episode yet.

I think that part literally made me shudder, this one was quite the mixture of hilarious and disturbing!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by agracru 

Mullally beating the shit out of Ansari, to the horrified reactions of her fellow librarians, made me bust a gut, as did the aforementioned Ron Swanson with corn rows and a kimono. Fantastic. And the post-it notes! Oh, the post-it notes.

 

What's interesting to me is how this show started off so shakily and managed to find its legs in such grand fashion that Parks and Recreation is easily the best of the Thursday comedy block, save for Community which it's equitable to. I feel like The Office and yes, even 30 Rock are both either "over" or coming to an end, but Parks and Rec is just getting started; so far this season has really bumped up the funny, and episode's like last night's are perfect examples.

Agreed.

Ron, after watching his emergency self-intervention video:

Ron: "You people don't know what you're talking about"

Leslie: "That...that was YOU just talking right now!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diva despite people saying Leslie is a Michael Scott clone, she is consistently shown to be competent at her job and unbelievably caring to everyone around her. So much more enjoyable to watch.

Leslie definitely started out as a Michael clone, buy somewhere around episode 6 the writers realized that, while other characters may not understand or appreciate her commitment to public service, she's not an idiot.

At this point, it's very clear that pretty much everyone in Pawnee (except evil librarians and maybe the sewage department) knows, understands, and appreciates Leslie's passion.  The best thing the writers did for the show was to just make Leslie a lovably kooky dork.

I am curious as to how they'll develop her character though.  

During the first season, this was far and away my most disliked show on Thursdays. I stuck with it only because it was wedged between other shows I liked. By the end of last season, it was my second-favorite show on Thursday by a pretty large margin (right behind Community).

The biggest differences are:

1. Amy Poehler toned her performance WAY down. During the first season, she was so shrill and criminally clueless that she brought the show to a screeching halt every time she was on screen, which was for most of the episode.
2. The writers stopped mocking the characters. None of the characters were really likable during the first season, and watching nasty people get ridiculed isn't a very fun way to spend a half-hour.

When the show came back for the second season, they found ways to make the characters relatable, and in many cases kind of noble, without doing a 180-degree turn on the characterizations. Now, the humor comes from the characters in such a way that we're laughing affectionately with them, instead of at them.

That's a fine line, but an important one -- Andy being revealed as an enthusiastic moron instead of a cynical moocher; Ron's anger and fiery libertarianism being softened by his honesty, loyalty, and fatherly impulses towards Leslie and his staff; April's anti-social monotone being melted a bit by Andy's sunny optimism; Tom's manipulative douchebaggery being offset by his affection for Leslie and unrequited feelings for his green-card wife.

The show didn't eliminate the qualities of the characters that made them unlikable in the first season, but it helped justify them for some characters, and overcome them for others.

Great post!  

But I also wanted to reiterate how hilarious it is that NOBODY misses Paul Schneider on this show.  Clearly the show got fantastic while he was still a part of it, but the character always felt like a bland weight.  Instead of remaining the unlikable player douche he was in the first season, they konked his head and made him Blandy McBlanderson.  It certainly didn't help when he was paired with one of the less interesting characters on the show.   Even when he got dumped, it was blatantly stated that it was because he just didn't produce any conflict.  Pretty clever!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leto II 

During the first season, this was far and away my most disliked show on Thursdays. I stuck with it only because it was wedged between other shows I liked. By the end of last season, it was my second-favorite show on Thursday by a pretty large margin (right behind Community).

 

The biggest differences are:

 

1. Amy Poehler toned her performance WAY down. During the first season, she was so shrill and criminally clueless that she brought the show to a screeching halt every time she was on screen, which was for most of the episode.
2. The writers stopped mocking the characters. None of the characters were really likable during the first season, and watching nasty people get ridiculed isn't a very fun way to spend a half-hour.

 

When the show came back for the second season, they found ways to make the characters relatable, and in many cases kind of noble, without doing a 180-degree turn on the characterizations. Now, the humor comes from the characters in such a way that we're laughing affectionately with them, instead of at them.

 

That's a fine line, but an important one -- Andy being revealed as an enthusiastic moron instead of a cynical moocher; Ron's anger and fiery libertarianism being softened by his honesty, loyalty, and fatherly impulses towards Leslie and his staff; April's anti-social monotone being melted a bit by Andy's sunny optimism; Tom's manipulative douchebaggery being offset by his affection for Leslie and unrequited feelings for his green-card wife.

 

The show didn't eliminate the qualities of the characters that made them unlikable in the first season, but it helped justify them for some characters, and overcome them for others.

We've also seen more of Pawnee in season 2 and 3, which makes the show feel like it exists in a real location. The town oozes character. It's like how on Community you follow the stories of this core group, but tons of stuff is happening on the fringes and you see just enough to know it's there and be intrigued (Like the rivalry between Jeff and old man Leonard)
 

Only recently did I learn that Pawnee is completely fictional.  I felt duuuumb.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leto II 

 

When the show came back for the second season, they found ways to make the characters relatable, and in many cases kind of noble, without doing a 180-degree turn on the characterizations. Now, the humor comes from the characters in such a way that we're laughing affectionately with them, instead of at them.

 

That's a fine line, but an important one -- Andy being revealed as an enthusiastic moron instead of a cynical moocher; Ron's anger and fiery libertarianism being softened by his honesty, loyalty, and fatherly impulses towards Leslie and his staff; April's anti-social monotone being melted a bit by Andy's sunny optimism; Tom's manipulative douchebaggery being offset by his affection for Leslie and unrequited feelings for his green-card wife.

 

The show didn't eliminate the qualities of the characters that made them unlikable in the first season, but it helped justify them for some characters, and overcome them for others.

I think this nails what I wanted to get across in my post far better than I was able to. Well said and agreed one hundred percent; they way that the writers managed to improve the characters without overhauling each of them entirely is pretty impressive, and it's been the show's biggest attraction since season 2.

And Nooj, spot on about Schneider. He always felt like such a wet blanket, and while his presence never hurt the show, it certainly hasn't lost anything without him.