Parks and Recreation Recap: Nothing Goes Wrong

“Parks and Recreation” Recap: “The Debate”

Leslie Knope and Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd) mano-a-mano, with a few other weirdos thrown in. Perd Hapley and Joan Callamezzo moderating. Ann Perkins and Chris Traeger spinning to the media. Andy Dwyer, April Ludgate, and Ron Swanson hosting a viewing party for Leslie’s supporters. How can this go wrong?

Don’t worry, it doesn’t. While this season hasn’t been as classic as last year, a few episodes have stood out. “Lucky” and “The Trial of Leslie Knope” come to mind, and “The Debate” can take its place right along side those.

The dim-witted Perd Hapley (Jay Jackson) and the certifiable Joan Callamezzo (Mo Collins) are spot-on caricatures of useless media dimwits, and their awkwardness rings only too true. Paul Rudd once again shines as Bobby Newport, blundering through his life like the unholy offspring of Forrest Gump and Richie Rich, barely aware of who he is or what he stands for.

Sadly, Haverkins may be no more. In between episodes, Ann has dumped Tom, probably for good. As usual, their relationship progresses mostly off-camera, and we just see their latest argument. As last week predictably hinted, Chris Traeger tries to get back together with Ann, while Tom watches. Tom can’t handle it. You can pretty much guess how it goes from there. Haverkins equals a missed opportunity.

In the most interesting development this season—and one of the more interesting in the history of the series—“Parks and Recreation” get overtly political. It’s always hinted at it with episodes like “Born and Raised” and “Sweetums,” plus the story arc involving the city government’s budget issues. But “The Debate” takes “Sweetums” one step farther, as Bobby Newport reveals his family’s true attitude towards Pawnee with the threat to move his father’s candy factory away if Pawnee’s citizenry doesn’t give him what he wants.

In response, Leslie Knope lays down her (and the program’s) worldview in her closing statement. The entire city watches (I can’t wait to see the director’s cut to find out why Jerry Gergich was surrounded by nuns). And, for a change, Leslie emerges triumphant.

Why weren’t there more storylines like this this season? Last season, Pawnee’s budget problems hung over every episode. This season, the city council race has vanished for weeks at a time, and never felt particularly compelling. This wasn’t too little, too late, but maybe just enough, just in time. Let’s hope for a late-season surge.