BLOGS
If I had it my way, every single episode of Parks and Recreation would be wonderful, and we could spend Friday mornings going over funny lines and cracking up at all of the crazy shenanigans witnessed in Pawnee -- that's what happens most of the time, and what I expected to happen with the return of Louis C.K. as Officer Dave. Like most people who go on the Internet, I love basically everything about C.K. (and can vouch that Live at the Beacon Theater is well-worth the $5), but Dave just didn't do it for me, nor did "Dave Returns" as an episode.
For me, Dave's return was completely unnecessary, and I can only imagine how boorish he came across if you aren't a C.K. fan. I liked that we got another instance of Ben standing up for himself -- and another chance for Leslie to stand up for Ben -- but the A-plot was just not there. It also seems baffling that it didn't work considering how much I totally enjoyed Ben's fear of cops, and the way police officers are written on this show. We're still got seven episodes left in this season (yay!), so here's hoping this was a low point.
Leslie and Ben: B
In addition to what I've already said, I didn't have any huge laughs from either of these two tonight. Watching Ben squirm with the police was obviously amazing -- especially when you could see it silently happening in the background -- but otherwise, let's just say I didn't wake up quoting this episode. (I have, however, been saying "Bobby Newport" in Ben-voice for the past week, so that must count for something. Speaking of which, I took a few shots at Leslie's opponent over yonder.)
Leslie's Best Line of the Night: "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to endorse ten beers in my mouth because this has been an incredibly stressful evening."
Ben's Best Line of the Night: [to the Police Chief] "Pretty sweet sauce in there, 'ey, Ace?"
Tom and Ann: B+
We're still doing this? Sure, why not. I'm down to see these two actually come together as a couple for a few reasons: I like both of these characters, would love to see them have actual storylines and think it's time for some character development to shape them up a bit. I can see how Tom's one-note joke about coming up with funny nicknames could be played out to some, but... that's the point. I've yet to not laugh at these segments, however played out that may be, so I really can't complain. I also love how excited Tom was to change his Facebook relationship status.
Tom's Best Line of the Night: [to Ann, in a "whisper"] "I think you sound like an angel, and everyone else sounds like demons."
Ann's Best Line of the Night: "Oh, for ****'s sake." (To be fair, I think I just like the use of cursing on this show.)
Ron, April and Andy: B+
This was a perfectly fine subplot, and I think I would have enjoyed the segments about Andy's song a lot more if the A-plot was funnier. Either way, Aubrey Plaza has great physical comedy in "Dave Returns," Andy had a chance to get a little bit serious and the day you hear me complain about Duke Silver... perish the thought. Still, what does a girl have to do around here to have an actual storyline for Ron? (And how many seconds until that Duke Silver mug pops up in the NBC Store? Ha, the T-shirt is already there!)
Ron's Best Line of the Night: [to Andy] "I never thought I'd say this to you, son, but: you may be over-thinking this."
April's Best Line of the Night: [on Duke Silver] "I've heard of him. I heard he makes mature women swoon when he plays."
Andy's Best Line of the Night: "Everyone's got something they're in charge of for Leslie's campaign. My job is the song. She originally put me in charge of hot dogs at this fundraising barbeque, and I dropped them... all of them. Like, a thousand."
Chris, Donna and Jerry: B
What's there to say besides, "Yes, these three minor characters were briefly in this episode."? To be fair, though, Chris's singing was definitely a highlight, as was his touch of jealously toward Tom.
Chris's Best Line of the Night: [To Tom and his relationship with Ann] "I just had no idea, so now I have to.... adjust."
Donna's Best Line of the Night: "Hey, when you two spoon, who spoons who?"
Jerry's Best Line of the Night: "Ow, that was loud!" (Slim pickin's, but it really was cute.)
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As much as I'm longing for a Ron story arc this season, I'm DYING for a Donna story line. Did her work in "Pawnee Rangers" not earn her more screen time?
Really? No mention of "Wizingham Palace?"
Watched this episode with my mom, who turned to me during a Louis CK scene and asked, "Is he retarded or something?"
You might want to know that Bobby Newport should be referred to as Leslie's OPPONENT, not her "running mate" (which implies he and Leslie are running on the same ticket). This site needs a better proofreader.
Anyway, I actually really loved this episode, and I'm not a C.K. fan at all. True, his return was pretty unnecessary, but I laughed out loud in public a few times. And bring on Tom/Ann!
yep, I've never seen CK's standup and actually I've never heard him talk, and I was just cracking up at Dave last night. I loved him in his first run on Parks & Rec, and I love him now! Combined with Ben's fear of cops... classic.
Not a fan of Ann and Tom though... I just don't get it!
I, too, am all for a Donna storyline. Ann and Tom don't make sense to me. But, still love Parks&Rec and my Thursday night line up!! Miss Community though.