Parks and Rec Season Four in 21 Moments
In an attempt to keep myself from watching the season four finale of Parks and Recreation early, I decided to rewatch all of season four. And then, because that wasn't enough, I decided to make a post of twenty-one of the most awesome moments/best lines/reasons this show is so amazing. There is one from each episode this season.
This has proved to be a great distraction. Also, I hope this goes to prove that if you don't watch Parks then you should. Because, as Leslie would say, it's freaking awesome.
“I’m Leslie Knope”
As I posted earlier this year, in a TV season that started off breaking up my favorite couples, Parks and Rec blew every other show out of the water. And while the breakup scene still makes me cry every time I watch it, the scene transcribed below is another beautiful encapsulation of just why Ben and Leslie are perfect for each other.
Ann: Oh, God…How’d the breakup go?
Leslie: Well, I started crying because he gave me an éclair,
and then we made out and spent the night together. But this morning, in the cold light of day, I
cooked breakfast and then we made out some more.
Ann: Oh, you opposite of broke up with him.
Leslie: He gave me an éclair, Ann.
“Ron and Tammys”
"Ron and Tammys" is really all about Ron (as all the Ron and Tammy episodes are), but I couldn't help but choose this moment. It's quintessential Leslie.
Leslie: Ron, this is a federal tax audit. You could go to jail. Jail, Ron.
Ron, jail. Jail, Ron. Jail.
You could go to jail. Jail. Jail.
Jail.
Ron: Are you broken?
“Born and Raised”
Ben + "nerd stuff" + an amazing vocabulary = love.
Tom: You’ve gotta throw some cold water on this
situation. Start talking about nerd
stuff!
Ben: You know, nerd culture is mainstream now, so when you
use the word “nerd” derogatorily, you’re the one that’s out of the
zeitgeist.
“Pawnee Rangers”
This one needs no intro.
Tom: Three words for you: Treat yo self.
“Meet ‘n’ Greet”
A moment where Leslie says exactly what I'm thinking. In all the ways I relate to her character, one of the greatest is the look on her face any time she attempts to eat salad.
Leslie: Although I have not worked with you professionally,
as a private citizen, I have personally patronized each and every one of your
establishments.
Tanya: Um, I’ve never seen you buy a salad at Sue’s Salads.
Leslie: That’s because I don’t hate myself, Tanya. I’m sorry.
I know I should be chasing your vote, but 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.
“End of the World”
Pretty much everything Jean-Ralphio says is solid gold. This is a prime example of that fact.
Jean-Ralphio: So what’s next, Tommy Davidson? I say we invest our ten large, and then I “accidentally”
get run over by a city bus and we start our own hip hop label.
“The Treaty”
This might have been my favorite episode of the year (at least in terms of laughs). Putting Ben and Leslie into a situation where they get to completely geek out (a model UN conference), and then igniting a war between them was possibly the funniest thing that happened all season. It's a testament to these characters that Leslie can threaten to decapitate Ben, yet still make you want to see them kiss at the end.
Also: Amy Poehler and Adam Scott kill this scene. Kill. It.
Ben: I move that the Security Council formally condemn
Denmark and stop them from making any more unwarranted acts of aggression.
Kid: As long as you quit derailing the conference. People are dying of hunger in Africa.
Leslie: Oh cry me a river.
Ben: All in favor of the resolution? Oh, that’s interesting. The resolution passes with flying
colors. Denmark is formally
condemned. Bam!
Leslie: That’s no problemo, Peru, because Denmark no longer
recognizes the authority of this international gang of thugs. And history will be unkind to those who stand
opposed to justice. Together we stand,
and I ask all of you, who is ready to join the Coalition of the Willing?
April: The moon shall join your coalition.
Leslie: Yeah! We got
the freaking moon. What’re you gonna do
without tides, Peru?
“The Smallest Park”
Everyone needs a friend like Ann.
Leslie: No, Ann, please.
I beg of you, will you just shut your beautiful pie hole? Just sit there. Let me stare at you while you silently
support me on this game plan.
Ann: Leslie—
Leslie: Shhh, Ann.
Your quiet support means the world to me. As well as your tacit endorsement of all of
my behaviors.
Bonus Scene (Because this was THE moment, y'all...And when I inevitably compare couples reuniting next week, this will be the scene every other show must live up to.)
“The Trial of Leslie
Knope”
If you can access Hulu, then watch this scene instead of reading it. Because it is honestly impossible to transcribe the acting in this scene. I had to pick it, though; nothing else in the episode compares.
Leslie: Ethel, could you please read page 132 of the
official testimony?
Ethel: Ethel Beavers: The official record has now annoyingly
been reopened so that Leslie Knope can make a statement. Leslie Knope: Let the record state that I,
Leslie Knope, love Ben Wyatt. I love him
with all of my heart.
“Citizen Knope”
Just because I love Leslie. And this might be my motto at times.
Leslie: There’s nothing we can’t do if we work hard, never
sleep and shirk all other responsibilities in our lives.
"The Comeback Kid"
The best moment in the episode is a sight gag of Leslie and her campaign team walking across an ice skating rink. But as far as transcribe-able moments, I have to go with the introduction of Champion, April and Andy's three-legged dog. He's a perfect symbol--specifically of this campaign, but also really of the season as a whole.
Ben: That is a three-legged dog.
Andy: His name is Champion. Because he's the dog's world champion.
Ben: Okay, I have to ask this. I'm sorry, but how many legs did that dog have when you found him?
Andy: Three! That's what makes him the best! He can do more on three legs than most dogs can do with four!
April: Except for digging. He's really bad at digging.
"Campaign Ad"
Leslie. Ben. Their viewpoints. The ability to compromise. Also the first proof that Ben will be the greatest campaign manager of all time.
Leslie: ...I'd rather run the fake campaign ads I made when I was ten than become negative and cynical.
Ben: Look, I really don't want to crush your childhood dreams, but I bet in your dreams you weren't losing an election by seventy points. You need to get tougher, Leslie. You just have to.
"Bowling for Votes"
In which Leslie basically summarizes the episode, including one of the many reasons it was totally awesome.
Leslie: I'd like to first start by saying thank you for coming. On behalf of Ben Wyatt and everyone involved in my campaign, I am very sorry for what happened at the rock 'n' roll bowling alley last night...You know what...No, I'm not. I'm not sorry. This guy was drunk and he was aggressive and he was rude and he was foul-mouthed and he called me by my second least favorite term for a woman, and my campaign manager punched him. I do not condone violence, but I have to be honest. It was awesome. And my campaign manager and I made out a lot afterward. Uh, I probably shouldn't have said that, but that's what happened.
"Operation Ann"
A number of wonderful, warm, fuzzy things happened in this episode. This was not one of them.
Tom: Hey, Chris-cross. Can we change up the music? It kind of sounds like the end of a movie about a monk who killed himself.
Chris: It is.
Tom: Listen, man, there's some attractive women here. Why don't you rebound?
Chris: No one here compares to Millicent. Except maybe Jerry. Technically, they share fifty percent of the same DNA.
(Chris stares over at Jerry.)
Tom: Stop staring at Jerry like that.
Also this:
Because Leslie's reaction to Ann and Tom on a date (a loud scream) was basically identical to mine.
"Dave Returns"
Also the return of Duke Silver, Ron's alter-ego. It's been far too long, Duke. Come back again soon.
Ron: I have a problem. This happens to be the studio where a local saxophone legend named Duke Silver records his albums.
April: I've heard of him. I heard he makes mature women swoon when he plays.
Ron: From what I've heard about Duke, he's kind of a private guy. He doesn't want his nosy coworkers discussing his music with him, or knowing that he exists. So if you happen to see any memorabilia laying around, kindly and discreetly discard it.
April: You got it, Duke.
Ron: Don't call me that.
April: I dig your groovy tunes, man. Did you hear me? I said I dig your groovy tunes, man.
And another bonus here because Andy's campaign theme song is amazing.
"Sweet Sixteen"
There are many moments of Ron giving Leslie advice over the years, but this is probably my favorite. Succinct and true.
Ron: Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.
"Campaign Shake-Up"
Leslie gives the best, oddest compliments, and they're always hilarious. This episode was chock full of them, but I think this was my favorite.
Leslie: Ben is the best campaign manager anyone could ever have. Every move he's made has worked. He's like a brilliant, sexy, little hummingbird.
"Lucky"
One of my favorite parts of this show are the asides about Donna's life. A spinoff show on her time outside of the parks department would be insane.
Ben: We have to go to Indianapolis.
Tom: And do what?
Ben: I don't know, Tom. I guess we'll just set fire to the studio or something.
Leslie: Oh, that's so sweet. I've never had a boyfriend threaten to commit arson for me before.
Donna: Eh. It gets old.
"Live Ammo"
The last quarter of this season began a focus on April taking on more responsibilities for the parks department. As I've mentioned before, character progression is one of the best things about this show. April's character arc--especially in this episode--is a perfect example of how the show has its characters grow without sacrificing the heart of who the character is. Also, Tom is ridiculous.
April: I hate doing Leslie's job! I'm filling in for a person who smiles 90% of the time! Tom, can you please help me? Please? Or just do it for me?
Tom: Come on, Li'l Sparkle, don't give up. What does Leslie always say?
April: I don't know. Weird stuff about waffles?
Tom: She says you get out of a job what you put into it. You need to find a project you're passionate about. For instance, I was incredible at naming drinks at the Snakehole Lounge because I care a great deal about signature beverages. Beeryonce Knowles--a regular beer, but we put it in a sexy ass mug. Goes nicely with a Jay-Zima--we bought a bunch of Zima when the factory shut down.
April: That sounds fun. Maybe I should work at a bar.
There are insane number of great moments in this episode. Leslie and Ben's "I love you and I like you" exchange; April's list of things she cares about (Andy, Champion, Leslie winning, sleep...); Perd Hapley and legendary newswoman Joan Callamezzo; Andy's movie reenactments...Really, it's all fantastic. But Leslie's closing remarks continually make me tear up. It's every reason I'm so invested in whether she wins or loses tomorrow night. Perfection.
Leslie: I am very angry. I'm angry that Bobby Newport would hold this town hostage and threaten to leave if you don't give him what he wants. It's despicable. Corporations are not allowed to dictate what a city needs. That power belongs to the people. Bobby Newport and his daddy would like you to think it belongs to them. I love this town. And when you love something, you don't threaten it. You don't punish it. You fight for it. You take care of it. You put it first. As your city councilor, I will make sure that no one takes advantage of Pawnee. If I seem too passionate, it's because I care. If I come on strong, it's because I feel strongly. And if I push too hard, it's because things aren't moving fast enough. This is my home. You are my family. And I promise you, I'm not going anywhere.
Bobby: Holy shit, Leslie. That was awesome!
"Bus Tour"
As much as I wanted to make the final moment one of the really sappy ones between Ben and Leslie (they honestly have a "you're the cutest" conversation), I decided to save that for tomorrow. While I have no idea if Leslie will win or lose, I would be completely shocked if there wasn't at least one super sweet moment between Leslie and Ben. So I'm going to hold off until tomorrow. Instead, I decided to highlight how incompetent yet (oddly) lovable Bobby Newport is. It's really just further proof of why Leslie should beat him.
Leslie: Look, I just wanted to say, I'm really sorry your dad died, and I'm really, really sorry I called him a jerk.
Bobby: That's okay. He was like a million years old. And he was kind of a jerk. The only reason I did this campaign was to impress him, and he couldn't have cared less.
Leslie: You know, my mom was a great athlete when she was a kid. So in junior high, I joined the track team to impress her even though I hated it. And at the end of the year, I ran the 5000 meters in this huge track event, and I finished dead last. And I thought she was going to be really disappointed in me, but she wasn't. She ran up to me and she wrapped me up in this big hug, and she told me that she had never been more proud of me.
Bobby: Thanks, Leslie. That's a great story. I'm not a hundred percent sure I get the point, but...
Leslie: You finished this race, Bobby. The campaign is over and you finished. Win or lose, I bet you anything that your dad was proud of you.
Bobby: Now I get it!
Leslie: There you go.
Bobby: Your mom and my dad are both dicks.
Okay, I lied. I can't resist.
And that's it until tomorrow's "Win, Lose or Draw." Whether Leslie wins or loses, there is no doubt in my mind that it's going to be just as amazing as the rest of this season.
Knope 2012!!!
"The Comeback Kid"
The best moment in the episode is a sight gag of Leslie and her campaign team walking across an ice skating rink. But as far as transcribe-able moments, I have to go with the introduction of Champion, April and Andy's three-legged dog. He's a perfect symbol--specifically of this campaign, but also really of the season as a whole.
Ben: That is a three-legged dog.
Andy: His name is Champion. Because he's the dog's world champion.
Ben: Okay, I have to ask this. I'm sorry, but how many legs did that dog have when you found him?
Andy: Three! That's what makes him the best! He can do more on three legs than most dogs can do with four!
April: Except for digging. He's really bad at digging.
"Campaign Ad"
Leslie. Ben. Their viewpoints. The ability to compromise. Also the first proof that Ben will be the greatest campaign manager of all time.
Leslie: ...I'd rather run the fake campaign ads I made when I was ten than become negative and cynical.
Ben: Look, I really don't want to crush your childhood dreams, but I bet in your dreams you weren't losing an election by seventy points. You need to get tougher, Leslie. You just have to.
"Bowling for Votes"
In which Leslie basically summarizes the episode, including one of the many reasons it was totally awesome.
Leslie: I'd like to first start by saying thank you for coming. On behalf of Ben Wyatt and everyone involved in my campaign, I am very sorry for what happened at the rock 'n' roll bowling alley last night...You know what...No, I'm not. I'm not sorry. This guy was drunk and he was aggressive and he was rude and he was foul-mouthed and he called me by my second least favorite term for a woman, and my campaign manager punched him. I do not condone violence, but I have to be honest. It was awesome. And my campaign manager and I made out a lot afterward. Uh, I probably shouldn't have said that, but that's what happened.
"Operation Ann"
A number of wonderful, warm, fuzzy things happened in this episode. This was not one of them.
Tom: Hey, Chris-cross. Can we change up the music? It kind of sounds like the end of a movie about a monk who killed himself.
Chris: It is.
Tom: Listen, man, there's some attractive women here. Why don't you rebound?
Chris: No one here compares to Millicent. Except maybe Jerry. Technically, they share fifty percent of the same DNA.
(Chris stares over at Jerry.)
Tom: Stop staring at Jerry like that.
Also this:
Because Leslie's reaction to Ann and Tom on a date (a loud scream) was basically identical to mine.
"Dave Returns"
Also the return of Duke Silver, Ron's alter-ego. It's been far too long, Duke. Come back again soon.
April: I've heard of him. I heard he makes mature women swoon when he plays.
Ron: From what I've heard about Duke, he's kind of a private guy. He doesn't want his nosy coworkers discussing his music with him, or knowing that he exists. So if you happen to see any memorabilia laying around, kindly and discreetly discard it.
April: You got it, Duke.
Ron: Don't call me that.
April: I dig your groovy tunes, man. Did you hear me? I said I dig your groovy tunes, man.
And another bonus here because Andy's campaign theme song is amazing.
"Sweet Sixteen"
There are many moments of Ron giving Leslie advice over the years, but this is probably my favorite. Succinct and true.
Ron: Never half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.
"Campaign Shake-Up"
Leslie gives the best, oddest compliments, and they're always hilarious. This episode was chock full of them, but I think this was my favorite.
Leslie: Ben is the best campaign manager anyone could ever have. Every move he's made has worked. He's like a brilliant, sexy, little hummingbird.
"Lucky"
One of my favorite parts of this show are the asides about Donna's life. A spinoff show on her time outside of the parks department would be insane.
Ben: We have to go to Indianapolis.
Tom: And do what?
Ben: I don't know, Tom. I guess we'll just set fire to the studio or something.
Leslie: Oh, that's so sweet. I've never had a boyfriend threaten to commit arson for me before.
Donna: Eh. It gets old.
"Live Ammo"
The last quarter of this season began a focus on April taking on more responsibilities for the parks department. As I've mentioned before, character progression is one of the best things about this show. April's character arc--especially in this episode--is a perfect example of how the show has its characters grow without sacrificing the heart of who the character is. Also, Tom is ridiculous.
April: I hate doing Leslie's job! I'm filling in for a person who smiles 90% of the time! Tom, can you please help me? Please? Or just do it for me?
Tom: Come on, Li'l Sparkle, don't give up. What does Leslie always say?
April: I don't know. Weird stuff about waffles?
Tom: She says you get out of a job what you put into it. You need to find a project you're passionate about. For instance, I was incredible at naming drinks at the Snakehole Lounge because I care a great deal about signature beverages. Beeryonce Knowles--a regular beer, but we put it in a sexy ass mug. Goes nicely with a Jay-Zima--we bought a bunch of Zima when the factory shut down.
April: That sounds fun. Maybe I should work at a bar.
"The Debate"
There are insane number of great moments in this episode. Leslie and Ben's "I love you and I like you" exchange; April's list of things she cares about (Andy, Champion, Leslie winning, sleep...); Perd Hapley and legendary newswoman Joan Callamezzo; Andy's movie reenactments...Really, it's all fantastic. But Leslie's closing remarks continually make me tear up. It's every reason I'm so invested in whether she wins or loses tomorrow night. Perfection.
Leslie: I am very angry. I'm angry that Bobby Newport would hold this town hostage and threaten to leave if you don't give him what he wants. It's despicable. Corporations are not allowed to dictate what a city needs. That power belongs to the people. Bobby Newport and his daddy would like you to think it belongs to them. I love this town. And when you love something, you don't threaten it. You don't punish it. You fight for it. You take care of it. You put it first. As your city councilor, I will make sure that no one takes advantage of Pawnee. If I seem too passionate, it's because I care. If I come on strong, it's because I feel strongly. And if I push too hard, it's because things aren't moving fast enough. This is my home. You are my family. And I promise you, I'm not going anywhere.
Bobby: Holy shit, Leslie. That was awesome!
"Bus Tour"
As much as I wanted to make the final moment one of the really sappy ones between Ben and Leslie (they honestly have a "you're the cutest" conversation), I decided to save that for tomorrow. While I have no idea if Leslie will win or lose, I would be completely shocked if there wasn't at least one super sweet moment between Leslie and Ben. So I'm going to hold off until tomorrow. Instead, I decided to highlight how incompetent yet (oddly) lovable Bobby Newport is. It's really just further proof of why Leslie should beat him.
Leslie: Look, I just wanted to say, I'm really sorry your dad died, and I'm really, really sorry I called him a jerk.
Bobby: That's okay. He was like a million years old. And he was kind of a jerk. The only reason I did this campaign was to impress him, and he couldn't have cared less.
Leslie: You know, my mom was a great athlete when she was a kid. So in junior high, I joined the track team to impress her even though I hated it. And at the end of the year, I ran the 5000 meters in this huge track event, and I finished dead last. And I thought she was going to be really disappointed in me, but she wasn't. She ran up to me and she wrapped me up in this big hug, and she told me that she had never been more proud of me.
Bobby: Thanks, Leslie. That's a great story. I'm not a hundred percent sure I get the point, but...
Leslie: You finished this race, Bobby. The campaign is over and you finished. Win or lose, I bet you anything that your dad was proud of you.
Bobby: Now I get it!
Leslie: There you go.
Bobby: Your mom and my dad are both dicks.
Okay, I lied. I can't resist.
And that's it until tomorrow's "Win, Lose or Draw." Whether Leslie wins or loses, there is no doubt in my mind that it's going to be just as amazing as the rest of this season.
Knope 2012!!!
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