Parks and Recreation

The last we were in Pawnee: Li’l Sebastian had just passed away, Leslie was asked to run for City Council meaning uncertainty for her relationship with Ben, and Tammy One is back in Pawnee.

In the premiere episode, Ron Swanson decides to go into hiding because Tammy One is back and leaves Leslie in charge, but Leslie has a bigger problem.  She has to break-up with Ben because of her campaign, but she cannot bring herself to do it.  In a freak out moment, Leslie runs away from her problems and finds Ron’s cabin in the woods.  The next morning, they both decide that they cannot stay in hiding forever.  Ron comes back to work and Leslie tells Ben the truth.  Ben knew the truth the whole time and gives Leslie an election button with “Knope 2012” on it.

Meanwhile, a man in the city government of Pawnee emailed a photo of his penis to all the women in the office.  Ben and Chris are determined to find the culprit.  Ann tells the Chris that the culprit mostly likely has mumps. Chris fires the culprit and tells him that  Ann Perkins diagnosed him with the mumps.  With that spreading, Ann’s inbox becomes flooded with penis photos so the city government brings in a male doctor to run penis examines.  

Parks and Recreation really find itself during season 2 and the show keeps climbing the comedy mountain.  The premiere episode is in line with that statement.  The writing is quick, the plot lines fully developed, and the addition of Adam Scott and Rob Lowe have really brought this show to the forefront of the television landscape.  Amy Poehler is hilarious as Leslie Knope and her chemistry with the cast couldn’t be better and her timing is awesome - she was robbed at the 2011 Emmy’s.  Nick Offerman or bacon loving Ron Swanson is probably one of the funniest people on television right now, but for some reason never gets any recognition.  His timing and tone are great, and like Poehler fits well with the cast.  I wish Retta aka Donna had a little more screen time because she knows how to deliver a sassy one-liner.  If the show keeps this up, it will hit the levels of 30 Rock and Modern Family.  

This show does not necessarily define a specific generation, but connects with people who have sarcastic and snarky sense of humor.  If thats the type of humor you have, then Parks & Rec is for you.

Thursdays at 8:30 on NBC