When you ask someone who their heroes are, they’ll probably answer with super inspirational people who’ve done amazing things for humankind, like Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Teresa. And, of course, those are awesome heroes to have and I’d jump on that train any day. But if you ask Nikki Crews who her heroes are, she answers with the two most awesome blonde women in the world: Shakira and Leslie Knope!
Listen, I will drop everything to sing and dance along to a Shakira song AND most of the time, I’m quoting the greatest show to have ever existed: Parks & Recreation.
I joined the Parks & Rec team a little late in the game. It was already in its 5th season by the time I started watching but I ended up binging the first four seasons because I had fallen in love, HARD. I agree with most folks who say that the first season was only mediocre because it was still trying to figure itself out, and I almost didn’t continue, but by the end of the second season I was hooked and there was no looking back. This show taught me some valuable lessons about hard work, waffles, friendships, and perseverance, all while making me laugh really hard and, at times, cry my eyes out. This show is everything to me. At any given time, it’s playing on my TV at home. Once, it was playing on two TVs at the same time in my home.
Same show. Different TVs in different rooms.
And you know how pregnant women will create a playlist of songs to pump them up for labor and delivery? My playlist was simply streaming Parks & Rec on Netflix in my L&D room at the hospital. Winning!
While I love every single episode (with the exception of maybe one – I might talk about that later) and I can–and do–watch each season over and over, these are my favorite five episodes of all time. I’m listing them in order of season and episode because I couldn’t choose a single favorite if I tried (although, it would probably be Flu Season). *Warning: Spoilers Ahead*
1. Hunting Trip
Season 2, Episode 10
In this episode, Leslie convinces Ron to let her and the other members of the Parks Department to go on an annual hunting trip with him and the other boys in the office. It’s a great episode, but mostly because of the scene where Leslie hilariously lists all of the stereotypical reasons people think women aren’t good at hunting. Or anything for that matter. “I was on my period” or “I felt something icky” are the caricature phrases that get assigned to women as reasons they can’t do something well. Of course these things don’t keep badass women like Leslie from doing anything. She does it all! Also, someone shoots Ron in the head in this episode. *gasp* Hilarity ensues.
2. Flu Season
Season 3, Episode 2
Leslie doesn’t let the flu stop her from speaking at an important press conference for the Harvest Festival, her project that will ultimately save the town. After she shows up to the convention center all loopy from her flu meds, she manages to flawlessly nail her speech and convinces enough local businesses to sponsor the festival. This is when Ben realizes how awesome she is and not because she’s the female version of famous athletes who made winning scores at the last minute, but because she is a capable, passionate, and hard-working woman who does what she has to do in order to succeed. She musters up all her strength, steps up to the plate, and knocks it out of the park. Recognizing her talent is what makes this episode so great, and starts a whirlwind romance between the two.
3. The Fight
Season 3, Episode 13
Snake Juice! In this episode, everyone goes to the Snake Hole Lounge and gets really drunk on Snake Juice, a Kahlúa-style alcoholic beverage that is just one of Tom’s newest creations & economic ventures. In their drunken state, Leslie and Ann have their first fight! Each character’s drunken state is highlighted and hilarious. But it’s also refreshing to see two female friends stand strong through their trials and tribulations. In the end, Leslie and Ann realize they were both being unfair to the other and they save their friendship. I make it sound more dramatic than it is, but we’ll take all the positive representations of female friendship we can get.
4. Pawnee Rangers
Season 4, Episode 4
We are introduced to two iconic Parks & Rec things in this episode: 1) The Pawnee Goddesses and 2) Treat Yo’ Self!
When Pawnee wouldn’t let girls join the all-boys Rangers troop, Leslie started a troop just for the girls. They’re the Pawnee Goddesses and they’re freakin’ awesome! It says so on their t-shirts. When the Rangers and Goddesses go camping together, the boys see how much fun it is to be in the girls’ troop and ask to join, much to Ron’s dismay. At first, Leslie refuses to let the boys join, giving them the same treatment that the girls were given when they were banned from the boys’ group, but the girls ask to hold a public forum to debate the merits of whether they should let the boys join. It’s a classic case of girl power, using logic and compassion to let the boys in their troop. Equality wins!
Also, this is the episode that taught us how to TREAT YO’ SELF. By now I’m sure you’ve at least heard of “treat yo’ self” even if you didn’t know it came from Parks & Recreation. It has become so popular and ubiquitous that you’ll hear random folks shout it out.
And, if you didn’t know, October 13 is THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR! So every October 13 you have permission to TREAT YO’ SELF!
5. Sex Education
Season 5, Episode 4
I love this episode because it also gives us two things to think about: 1) the importance of sexual health education (and not just for teens but for everyone!), and 2) our addiction to technology. Leslie has organized a sex ed seminar for the local senior citizens (yes, the elderly!) because sexually transmitted infections are running rampant among them, but is shut down by Marsha and Marshall Langman of the Society for Family Stability Foundation. Will Leslie bow down to the town’s conservative forces or will she do what’s right and teach the old people how to put on a condom? OF COURSE SHE TEACHES THE OLD PEOPLE HOW TO USE A CONDOM! SHE’S LESLIE FREAKIN’ KNOPE.
Meanwhile, a judge bans Tom from technology for a whole week due to a car accident he caused by tweeting while driving. Tom finds life without technology very difficult, so Ron takes Tom to his cabin in the woods so he can “detox” Tom from his addiction. Tom hilariously describes off all the ways he uses social media–Linked in, for the professional shawties–and admits that he’s using technology as a distraction from the pain of Lucy breaking up with him. Awww!
So there you have it. Five of my all-time favorite Parks & Rec episodes. Do you watch Parks & Rec? What is/are your favorite episode(s)?
And remember, as Ron Swanson would advise:
*Honorable mentions include Ben & Leslie’s Wedding, Galentine’s Day, The Pawnee Zoo, and Li’l Sebastian
