Parks and Recreation - Episode 4.05 -Meet 'N Greet - Review

On this episode of Parks and Rec we finally return to the whole Leslie-running-for-office storyline, which really ends up being a foil for our favorite entertainment media conglomerate owner Tom. Ever since our initial sneak peak at E720 in the finale from last season it was pretty much guaranteed that they were going to go bankrupt, the only mystery was when. That moment finally arrived, and Tom’s desperate attempts to save his company crashed into and then took over Leslie’s campaign event. As much as I loved the shenanigans at Entertainment 720 I think it’s time to let it die. As much as I loved the over-the-top decorations, Hummer/Limo/Hot Tube, and the dancers, I definitely felt like it’s reached the peak. Any more of this is going to get old, so it’s probably better that we move on to something else. Tom has had quite an arc over four seasons, and at the heart of it is the story of guy who shoots for the moon and falls way short. E720 was a nice try, but my guess is that next week he’ll be back in the Parks Department where he belongs, and have a new get-rich-quick scheme in the episode after that. Just part of the circle of life in Pawnee!

The rest of the gang is at a Halloween Party that Andy and April are throwing. The main conflict here is that Ben is upset that he wasn’t told about the party, and really would rather quietly get some work done that night. Too polite to confront Andy, Andy decides to wrestle Ben into admitting what’s bothering him. As an only child I don’t quite understand the logic of this, but regardless it’s sweet that these two are becoming brothers and good that Andy doesn’t think a broken nose is that big a deal. Hopefully their relationship will solve the other Ben dilemma that was brought up in the previous episode; why is he still in Pawnee now that he and Leslie have broken up? Some close friends would go a long way in rectifying this plot hole.

There is a new and interesting development involving Ann! I don’t think I will ever be saying that again, so enjoy it while you can. Normally Ann just sort of gets plugged in wherever they can fit her in, and this episode was no exception. The difference was that tonight I thought it kind of worked! Ron at the party notices that April and Andy’s house is a disaster zone waiting to happen and enlists Ann to help him with some home repair work during the party. Let’s forget for a moment that in season two Ron had a basket of oil-soaked rags hanging over a wood burning stove, and instead imagine that Ron has seen the light of property and fire codes. The pairing of Ron and Ann together works somehow for me, and I genuinely hope that there might be some romantic entanglement down the road. Imagine the possibilities people! Ann versus the Tammy’s! I’m sure this is all a shot in hell, but I don’t think I’m the only one who saw this as a possibility thanks to this episode.

Lastly we have Chris/Millicent/Jerry. As funny as it is, right now it hasn’t gone far beyond Jerry upset at seeing or hearing about his daughter’s behavior. And it’s hilarious, but we can’t keep this up every episode. Eventually Jerry is going to have to accept it or blow up at either Chris or Millicent, or both. What would be more interesting though is to bring Ann into the mix, and let her jealousy play into the situation.


Random Thoughts:

• Love how Chris guesses everyone’s costumes perfectly, even Andy’s who I’ve never heard of.
• Not only does he run 15 miles a day, but Chris also texts without looking. What can’t this man do?
• ORRIN’S BACK, RUN AND HIDE BEFORE HE SENSES YOUR FEAR AND DEVOURS YOUR SOUL!
• Ron has chosen his Halloween Costume, a lifelong decision apparently.
• Apparently Sue’s Salads is the Jerry of Pawnee businesses.
• The list of Pawnee’s businesses are hilarious, I couldn’t list them all but I did put my favorite in the quotes below.
• I could not stop laughing when April turned Jerry’s potato head from upside down. We literally had to pause the DVR so I could chill out.
• Really Tom, a fake Mark Zuckerberg? Desperation at its finest.
• I’m pretty sure that Leslie was essentially waterboarding Tom in that Hot Tub.
• Tom’s racking up quite the repertoire of bad fake accents. This episode; Mark Twain-ish.
• April as the silent warrior for justice! Love her sticking up for Jerry.

Favorite Quotes:

• “It’s going to be the greatest thing ever!” “Someone will die.”
• “Blood orphans.” “No blood orphans. I don’t know what that is.”
• “If you’re not talking about you, you’re talking about the wrong thing.”
• “The nipple king.”
• “Jean-Ralphio stop crying!”
• “It’s always been a dream of mine to be a rug, and now it’s finally happening.”
• “You’re beautiful! On the inside, where your spirit lives.”
• “Oh yeah, shock wire! I call it that because if you take a shower, and touch the wire, YOU DIE!” “Yes, that is accurate.”
• “I stand behind my decision to avoid salad, and other disgusting things. And I think I have a lot of support in the community for that.”
• “Despite the fact that this seems to be a party for Tom’s face, I think it’s going pretty well.”
• “I know more than you.”
• “In my experience wedding presents are no more than kindling on the divorce bonfire.”
• “Honey he’s wearing a costume, he’s going as lame.”
• “Enormous Kenny’s Fried Food stand and Mobile Phone Emporium.”
• “Where dreams come, to come true!”
• “I just want to apologize for the actions of that little weasel.”
• “Where are we going to get albacore tuna with crispy onions at this hour?”