Episode Commentary: “Operation Annâ€
“Parks and Recreation†is chock full of characters that want room to grow. One of the show’s biggest problems is there are too many of them. Tom Haverford, Ann Perkins, and Chris Traeger are three who get the least amount of screen time, and who most often regress into shtick. Therefore, it was promising to see an episode suggesting dynamic growth for all three. To see the show’s makers blink at the last moment is frustrating.
The story of Leslie’s mission to find Ann a Valentine’s Day date brings Ann back into the spotlight after a half-season on the margins. Add in Chris Traeger’s depression at the end of his relationship with Jerry’s daughter, Ben enlisting the help of Andy and Ron to follow Leslie’s trail of clues towards a Valentine’s Day surprise, and a short appearance from Martin Starr of Freaks and Geeks and Party Down fame, and you’ve got a classic, right?
Well…mostly.
For most of its run, “Operation Ann†is a terrific episode. Ron Swanson visits a gay bar, Chris Traeger plays mournful monk chants at the Valentine’s Day dance, Andy makes a mess and breaks something, and Jerry accidentally hires a male escort as Ann’s date. Funny stuff, and a story with enough space for all the characters to take part…and it even has a plot twist.
Okay…spoiler alert coming…
The problem: sitcom audiences no longer respond to formula. They want to see the characters change and grow like real people. The idea of Ann choosing Tom as her Valentine’s date was a total surprise, but it also worked, as Tom has spent the whole series—since literally the first episode—mooning after her. This season, he’s been forced to grow up, give up on his grandiose fantasies, and realize his own limitations. What better way to take him to another level than giving him the opportunity to realize one of his greatest fantasies? It’s Groundhog Day, Pawnee-style. What an interesting, dynamic, and unexpected storyline!
But no, no, no—Tom has to mess it up, and he messes it up by falling into the same old overused wannabe pimp shtick. After a whole episode dedicated to Ann’s loneliness, Chris’ depression, and Tom’s surprising opportunity, we’re left where we started. This Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d found a spark, but “Parks and Recreation†decided instead to be a tease. Great.
I thought this episode was perfect because the plot didn’t require any of the characters to act out of the norm for it to work. I’m a little behind on episodes but I caught this one last night thanks to my employer, DISH, and their website, DISH Online. It’s the perfect site to help me catch up and I love that almost everything is available to stream instantly. I have to say that watching Ron giggle in delight because he loves puzzles is the perfect way to end a long day.