“Hands in, defeat Ron on three! 1, 2, 3!”
Since its debut in 2009, Parks and Recreation has had a special place in the hearts of fans all over the world. As Amy Poehler recently explained so excellently, this is a show that you love about people who you love. So when it was announced earlier this year that the show’s seventh season would be its last, those same hearts were shattered into a million pieces. With season six ending on such a high, some people have questioned why they didn’t just end the show there and then; Leslie has a new dream job, her and Ben have three beautiful children, and everyone else is the happiest they’ve ever been.
But what sets Parks and Rec apart from its other American counterparts is its dedication to the characters. Ron has transformed from government-hating, woodwork yielding, man of many giggles to government-hating, woodwork yielding father and husband (to someone other than Tammy). We’ve seen April mature right in front of our eyes; from unmotivated loner to blossoming government official with a husband she loves more than she ever knew she was capable of. Then there’s Andy. The big, cuddly buffoon of a man has gone from shoeshiner to musician to children’s entertainer. Whilst he may have shed a few pounds thanks to a rather questionable no beer diet (we’re on to you Pratt), he’s still retained the innocent charm that made viewers alike fall in love. Ann Perkins, the beautiful ethnically ambiguous flower, is living her dream life with her new family, and we’re gonna guess that Chris could literally not be happier. Tom’s well on the way to becoming the business mogul he’s always aspired to be, and Donna still has her Mercedes so it’s all rosy there. Jerry is okay, we guess.
2017 picks up straight off the back of season 6’s finale episode. As you may have expected, the year is 2017 and you wouldn’t believe the difference two years can make. There are some crazy new gadgets that put Apple to shame, and Larry/Gary/Jerry is now going by Terry. But the main shock is that April and Andy, the world’s best fictional couple (a totally official and not at all made-up fact) have done the unforgivable: they’ve become boring. Whilst the Ludgate-Dwyers find a way to remedy the cardinal sin of maturity, Leslie has her own cross to bear. This cross, however, has a giggle that can create world peace and facial hair that puts Salvador Dali to shame. Yes, Ron Swanson is the only thing stopping her from building her dream park.
Megan Mullally returns as Tammy again in a surprise but always welcome appearance as Jamm’s new lover in the aptly titled Ron and Jammy. Putting aside their grievances, Swanson and Knope join forces to defeat the demonic seductress and rescue Jamm from the flaming pits of hell. It is here that we are blessed with classic Parks and Recreation humour; Pavlovian techniques and home-made contraptions, such as the crotch blocker and Ron’s own personalised chastity belt, are employed to break up this doomed relationship, with characteristically hilarious consequences.
Small but nonetheless valued appearances from regular cast members make for a welcoming return after the gap between seasons, with Retta reminding us why we all need a bit of Donna Meagle in us. Somewhat disappointingly, there appears to be a distinct lack of family values that fans have come to know and love over the years. Maybe 2017 is the year that Pawnee turns a new, more mature leaf.
Words by Sophie Mace.