EPISODE GUIDES: Parks and Recreation Season Five

On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Five of Parks and Recreation!

PARKS AND RECREATION: SEASON FIVE
2012-2013
22 episodes

After a tremendous election arc throughout season four, Leslie settles into office in season five and this season also features a major wedding. There isn't as much of a focused arc in this season but it graded out every so slightly higher than season four thanks to more really strong episodes. By this point in its run, the characters have become so defined and strong that even mundane plots and B or C stories are enjoyable. 

Starring

Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope (22 episodes)

Rashida Jones as Ann Perkins (21 episodes)
Aziz Ansari as Tom Haverford (22 episodes)
Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson (22 episodes)
Aubrey Plaza as April Ludgate (22 episodes)
Chris Pratt as Andy Dwyer (22 episodes)

Rob Lowe as Chris Traeger (22 episodes)

Adam Scott as Ben Wyatt (22 episodes)

Jim O'Heir as Jerry Gergich (21 episodes)

Retta as Donna Meagle (22 episodes)

James Greene as Councilman Milton (10 episodes)

Jon Glaser as Councilman Jamm (9 episodes)

Yvans Jourdain as Councilman Howser (8 episodes)

Richard Burch as Herman Lerpiss (5 episodes)

Lucy Lawless as Diane Lewis (5 episodes)
Kevin Symons as Councilman Bill Dexhart (5 episodes)
Alison Becker as Shauna Malwae-Tweep (4 episodes)

Rylan Lee as Ivy Lewis (4 episodes)

Sadie Salazar as Zoe Lewis (4 episodes)

Mo Collins as Joan Callamezzo (3 episodes)

Colton Dunn as Brett (3 episodes)

Jay Jackson as Perd Hapley (3 episodes)
Ben Schwartz as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein (3 episodes)

Jenny Slate as Mona Lisa Saperstein (3 episodes)

Helen Slayton-Hughes as Ethel Beavers (3 episodes)

Cooper Thornton as Dr. Harris (3 episodes)

Harris Wittels as Harris (3 episodes)

Kirk Fox as Joe (2 episodes)

Darlene Hunt as Marcia Langman (2 episodes)

Eric Isenhower as Orin (2 episodes)

Joe Mande as Morris (2 episodes)

Mara Marini as Brandi Maxxxx (2 episodes)

Jim Meskiman as Martin Housely (2 episodes)

Mike Mitchell as Bjorn Lerpiss (2 episodes)

Mark Rivers as Rivers (2 episodes)

Alan Yang as Chang (2 episodes)

Susan Yeagley as Jessica Wicks (2 episodes)

John Balma as Barney (1 episode)

Andrew Burlinson as Burly (1 episode)

Mel Cowan as Mel (1 episode)

Kathryn Hahn as Jennifer Barkley (1 episode)

Marc Evan Jackson as Trevor Nelsson (1 episode)

Will McLaughlin as Officer Killnose (1 episode)

Megan Mullally as Tammy Swanson (1 episode)

Pamela Reed as Marlene Griges-Knope (1 episode)

69. Ms. Knope Goes to Washington (9/20/12)
Leslie and Andy visit Ben and April in Washington DC. Ron takes over hosting the thank you barbecue for Parks employees. Ann and Tom try to keep pretending they are together even though they have been broken up for months.

The cameo filled season opener includes appearances by Senators Barbara Boxer and Olympia Snowe as well as a very funny brief appearance from the late Senator John McCain. This was the first time Parks started to include some real life political figures. It might seem a little gimmicky but the show always knew how to incorporate it in a funny way. Amy Poehler does terrific work in this episode. Her faces say so much as she starts to feel like what she's doing is not important compared to what Ben is doing. There's also some really funny lines from Chris Pratt. The barbecue storyline is serviceable but not the highlight of the episode though it does have a sweet resolution. A solid start to season five.
RATING: 8/10

70. Soda Tax (9/27/12)
Leslie faces backlash after introducing a bill to tax soda in Pawnee. Ben is having trouble with his interns' work ethic. Chris and Tom help train Andy to become a police officer.

This episode juggles a lot of different stories without them really intersecting. Sometimes episodes like that can suffer compared to when the cast is together but this is a strong one thanks to at least two of the stories being super strong (the Andy/Chris/Tom story is only alright). Cringey comedy usually doesn't make me cringe but boy do I feel for Ben when he's trying to be the cool boss in the office. It's just so uncomfortable but well played by Adam Scott. The soda tax story delivers a delightful town hall scene and is a good story for Leslie's growth as a character.
RATING: 8/10

71. How a Bill Becomes a Law (10/4/12)
Leslie's attempts to get a bill passed related to the community pool is challenged by a councilman who wants her office. Ben and April decide to go to Pawnee for the weekend but end up in a traffic jam. Ron takes an interest in a woman after fixing a pothole in front of her house.

This episode marks the first appearance of two key Parks and Recreation characters: Diane and Councilman Jamm. Lucy Lawless makes a nice first impression as Diane with an easy chemistry with Nick Offerman. Councilman Jamm becomes a pretty key figure in the later years of the series and he has a memorable start here as a funny antagonist to Leslie. This is also the first episode without Rashida Jones (no real mention of where the character is) and while she of course has not left the show for good, I hate to say that she's not really missed. Ben and April are a fun pairing in these early season five episodes and they have some good moments in an otherwise throwaway story.
RATING: 6.5/10

72. Sex Education (10/18/12)
Leslie and Ann try to provide sex education for senior citizens. Tom is banned from using screens for a week and seeks help from Ron. Ben discovers that the congressman he's working for does not have any depth at all to him.

This is another episode that keeps a lot of the cast separated in different stories. The early part of the season did not see much of the full cast together compared to season four where the election arc helped allow that for organic reasons. On the same token, the show is better at the individual stories with only a few characters than they used to be as once again all of the stories here have their merits. The funniest though is the sex education story with some really funny moments from the senior citizens and reactions from the Parks department. Tom also has a really strong scene (his first in awhile) during the cold open at court.
RATING: 6.5/10

73. Halloween Surprise (10/25/12)
Ben gets an offer to keep working with Jennifer in Florida while Leslie is hoping to lease a house together in Pawnee. Jerry has a heart attack at a Halloween party. Ron gets in a fight with Diane.

This is a really clever episode because of so much of it seems like a normal Parks and Recreation episode. A good episode, but just a normal episode. Then in the final minutes, Ben proposes to Leslie when it wasn't apparent at all that's where it was heading. I remember being really surprised the first time I watched this episode. The scene is perfectly played by Amy Poehler and Adam Scott. The rest of the episode is good too but it's really all about the last few minutes. The development of the Ron and Diane relationship is strong and there's a nice scene with Leslie and Jerry. This is a very sweet-natured episode but Parks and Rec manages to never make sweet moments too sappy.
RATING: 9.5/10

74. Ben's Parents (11/8/12)

Leslie and Ben throw an engagement party but have to deal with Ben's parents who hate each other. Tom and Jean-Ralphio plan to pitch their idea for Rent-A-Swag to Ron so he can give them money. Chris is an emotional mess during the party.

This is a strong episode with strong guest appearances by Jonathan Banks and the late Glenne Headly as Ben's parents. It's a little bit of a sitcom trope to have feuding divorced parents but Parks and Recreation can make any trope work thanks to strong character development. Another guest star, Kulap Vilaysack, also has some really funny moments as the much younger girlfriend of Ben's dad. In addition to the strong main story, there's also an excellent first appearance of the season from my favorite recurring character, Jean-Ralphio. His scene to end the episode is just a perfect indicator of why I find him so funny. I know some find him annoying, I certainly don't.

RATING: 8.5/10

75. Leslie vs. April (11/15/12)

April wants to build a dog park on the lot Leslie has been trying to turn into a park. Tom requests help from Ben for his new business. Leslie meets Joe Biden. Andy tries to figure out who stole his computer.

This episode features one of Leslie's idols, Joe Biden, then the sitting Vice President. It's very rare for a TV show to have a sitting President or VP or First Lady but Parks managed to do that with two of the three and it's so perfect. Amy Poehler is absolutely hilarious in the scene where Leslie meets Biden. Interestingly, it could only air after the 2012 election for legal reasons so they wouldn't need to give equal time but it explains why a DC-set scene happens when Ben is back in Pawnee. That's why it's really just the cold open. The rest of the episode is funny too with the rare split between Leslie and April and a very funny story for Andy.

RATING: 9.5/10

76. Pawnee Commons (11/29/12)

Leslie and Ben consider hiring an Eagleton park developer for the new park. Andy and April role play when Andy is bored as a security guard. Tom enlists help from the gang to get his business ready.

This is sort of a sequel to the great "Eagleton" episode even though it's missing the great Parker Posey. Any episode that involves hate from Leslie for Eagleton is sure to be filled with some great moments and there are some here including the many little details in the Eagleton park, Leslie attempting to say she's sorry and the first reveal of the the Pawnee park. The other two plots are decent. Although the Burt Macklin thing is starting to feel a little tired, Chris Pratt and Aubrey Plaza commit so much to it, it still works. The Rent-A-Swag story basically seems like an opportunity to throw the rest of the cast into a plotline. Also props to the hilarious NPR spoof at the beginning of the episode.

RATING: 8/10

77. Ron and Diane (12/6/12)

Leslie goes to a woodworking dinner with Ron and Diane but Tammy shows up. Tom, Andy, April and Donna think they weren't invited to Jerry's Christmas party.

Parks and Recreation always seemed to prefer to make their holidays backgrounds in stories. Rather than this being an all out Christmas episode, this is one that has Christmas elements amidst other stories. It's a great episode for developing the Ron and Diane relationship with an interesting observation from Diane about Leslie and Ron's relationship. While that story is sweet and important, the funniest moments come from the Jerry Christmas party plot where we finally meet Jerry's bombshell of a wife played by Christie Brinkley. I love that the show decided to make Jerry's personal life so wonderful and revealed it more and more to us as the years go on.

RATING: 9/10

78. Two Parties (1/17/13)
Chris hosts a bachelor party for Ben that turns into everyone's dream bachelor party. Ann throws a bachelorette party for Leslie that turns into an attempt to stop Councilman Jamm from building a Paunch Burger on the proposed park site.

I love Settlers of Catan but I know that it's nerdy so Ben's Bachelor Party really makes me laugh. This episode is a great opportunity to split up the guys and girls, something Parks and Recreation rarely does. It allows for some different dynamics that aren't always present and it's fun to see the two different groups, especially the guys, doing things together. We also hear another Jerry/Garry bit, a real slow burn joke from the show, and we get an awkward cameo appearance from Colts owner Jim Irsay and some Indianapolis Colts players. Despite that awkwardness (they are very clearly not actors), it's a really enjoyable episode.

RATING: 8.5/10

79. Women in Garbage (1/24/13)

Leslie is concerned about the lack of women in government and targets the sanitation department first. Ron babysits Diane's kids with Ann's help. Tom tries to learn basketball from Andy and Ben.

This isn't a very hilarious or consequential episode. It's one of those ones where any of the stories could function just fine as a B story or excel as a C story but there's no A story to really guide it through. That being said, there are some funny moments especially when they were attempting to have the government meeting about including more women. The best moment of the episode came before the credits though with April's sarcastic response to feminism. As funny as that was, it's never a great sign when the best moment happens before the opening credits roll.

RATING: 3.5/10

80. Ann's Decision (2/7/13)

Ann decides she wants to have a baby using a sperm donor. April has to run town forums for Leslie. Ben asks Tom, Chris and Ron to help pick a caterer for the wedding.

This episode brings back Crazy Ira and The Douche for the first time in quite awhile and they have a pretty prominent part of this episode. Although they're created to be obnoxious, they are pretty funny side characters in the Pawnee world. It's also one of the most Ann-centric episodes, which is nice to see since Rashida Jones is so often relegated to unnecessary side plots. It's a good episode for the Leslie and Ann friendship, the first in awhile. The other plots are a little less consequential but there definitely seems to be a conscious effort to bonding the guys more this season.

RATING: 7/10

81. Emergency Response (2/14/13)

Ben and Leslie put together a gala to raise money for the potential park but Leslie has to deal with a city-wide emergency drill. Andy takes his police academy exam.

This is an episode where most of the cast is working on a specific task but they still get split up for a lot of the episode. The funniest break-off of the main story is Ron going on Pawnee Today and having to fill in for a hungover Joan Callamezzo. It's a great showcase for Nick Offerman, and Mo Collins is great as always. The emergency response has some funny moments and so does Andy taking the police exam, but I don't think those stories are quite as funny as they could be. The whole episode mostly feels like a set-up, which it is, for the wedding episode that follows.

RATING: 6/10

82. Leslie and Ben (2/21/13)

Leslie and Ben decide to get married sooner than expected and enlist all their friends to help throw together a wedding in a few hours. Ron ends up in jail after punching Councilman Jamm when he interrupts the wedding.

And we have reached the wedding episode. It's a wonderful episode that brings everybody together even if it has several sitcom tropes as far as wedding episodes go. Weddings are done in a pinch much more frequently and sitcom characters get ordained online way more often than real people. Having Ron escort Leslie down the aisle is perfect and it's also very sweet that the wedding ends up happening at City Hall. This episode definitely feels like a season finale but I like that they put it in the middle of the season. It's a very sweet episode, with sightings of DJ Rhumba, a fake Lil' Sebastian and the real Lil' Sebastian song. It gives fans of the show exactly what they want.

RATING: 9.5/10

83. Correspondents' Lunch (2/21/13)

Leslie's speech for the correspondents' lunch is stolen by a member of the Pawnee Sun. Ann wants to ask Chris to be a sperm donor. Tom, April and Andy help Ben at his new job.

Leslie and Ben are married now but they spend most of this episode apart. After a very special episode, this feels like a pretty standard one. Parks and Recreation has had a few more of these in season five where there's just not all that much that happens and the comedy is funny but not hilarious. It's surprising that the most consequential story in this episode deals with Ann and Chris, two characters who are often pushed to the side stories. Most of the worst episodes of Parks and Recreation aren't complete duds. They're just below the show's usual very high standard because they're not as focused.

RATING: 2.5/10

84. Bailout (3/14/13)

Leslie tries to help stop a local video store from closing. Tom starts dating Jean Ralphio's sister, Mona Lisa. April strikes up a friendship with Ann to get a letter of recommendation for Veterinary School. 

This episode is a delight because it introduces another of my all time favorite recurring characters, Mona Lisa Saperstein. You already know I love Jean Ralphio and his character only becomes better with his very similar sister, played to perfection by Jenny Slate. She makes an immediate and hilarious impression. She is easily the best part of the episode but all the plots are enjoyable. There are some funny moments with the video store and a great performance of "Time After Time" by Ann, April and Donna.

RATING: 8/10

85. Partridge (4/4/13)

Ben and Leslie return to Ben's hometown to make amends for his infamous run as mayor. Councilman Jamm sues Ron for punching him at Leslie's wedding. Ann and Chris try to determine if they're compatible enough to have a child.

Parks and Recreation got a lot of mileage out of the backstory that Ben was a failed 18 year old mayor of his hometown. For a story that happened years before the show began, it really is fleshed out well at various points in the series and this might be their best episode related to that. It's certainly a great showcase for Adam Scott who is pretty hilarious as Ben under morphine after his kindey stones. The other stories are not quite as strong but there is a great Ron Swanson quote about skim milk. The Ann and Chris story, while at least meaningful, doesn't really advance much with each little plot that happens and the show still seems to have trouble making them important.

RATING: 7/10

86. Animal Control (4/11/13)

Leslie tries to fix the inept animal control department. Ann makes Ron go to the doctor when he is sick. Ben tries to get a donation from an arrogant millionaire with help from Tom and Andy.

This is an episode that splits the cast up again but it's effective because all three stories are pretty solid. There's a lot of funny moments in the animal control story including the interview process and funny return guest appearances by the late Harris Wittels and future Superstore star Colton Dunn. There's also some very funny moments with Ron's questionnaire at the hospital and a great moment from Nick Offerman to close the episode as he tries to eat a banana. The story with Ben, Tom and Andy is probably the weakest of the three (I'm not a huge fan of guest star Jason Mantzoukas) but even it has its moments, especially when they spot Donna at the club.

RATING: 7.5/10

87. Article Two (4/18/13)

Leslie works to get rid of some of the outdated laws in Pawnee but runs into a citizen filibuster. Ben and Ann try to figure out how to keep up with all of Leslie's fake holidays. Chris forces Ron and April to do management training.

I usually like episodes that deal with weird laws or customs or traditions in Pawnee so this plot seems like something right up my alley. But I don't think it quite sticks the landing despite a promising opening. I think even though they haven't done these specific laws, it feels like a re-tread of other episodes dealing with odd customs. It also has a lot of guest star Patton Oswalt and I'm just not personally a big fan of him. The other two stories aren't anything special either and feel like pretty weak B and C stories, which is fine if there's a strong A story but that's not the case here.

RATING: 3/10

88. Jerry's Retirement (4/18/13)

Leslie works to commemorate Jerry's retirement. Tom worries he's going to be the next Jerry. Ann and Chris end up sleeping together after talking through the insemination process.

This is one of the few Jerry-centric episodes and it's wonderful because Jim O'Heir is just so tremendous on this show. Everything about this episode is perfect for Jerry from his appreciation for any little thing Leslie does to the middling every-man nature of his career and life. This is also the second episode where we get to see Jerry's family and I love that it opens Leslie's eyes to what a complete life can look like. It's a great way to advance Ben and Leslie's relationship in a very different and non-direct way. Tom being the potential next Jerry has some funny moments too. I don't have much to say about the on-going and often boring Ann and Chris story.

RATING: 8.5/10

89. Swing Vote (4/25/13)

Leslie tries to convince Councilman Jamm to help her stop Ron's proposal to cut funding for a mini golf park. Andy decides to retire from music after seeing his band perform without him. Tom enlists Ann to help him break up with Mona Lisa.

This is an episode that doesn't feel particularly important in terms of moving things forward but it is done well and has fun plots. I love a good golf episode and that includes mini golf. Councilman Jamm is not one of my favorite characters but his presence often provides good fodder for main characters, Leslie and Ron in this case. There's also another great appearance from Jenny Slate as Mona Lisa. She completely commands every scene she is in and just commits so fully to the character. Just like her on screen brother, she has many laugh out loud moments for me.

RATING: 8/10

90. Are You Better Off? (5/2/13)

Leslie faces backlash when she asks voters if they're better off than they were a year ago. After finding a pregnancy test in a trashcan at Ron's cabin, Andy tries to figure out who is pregnant. Tom finds out a buyer is interested in Rent A Swag.

This isn't one of the "bigger" season finales but it's a perfect recap to Leslie's first year in office with tons of callbacks to the many events of the season and a hilarious scene at a parade with a giant Leslie float shaking her finger and saying "no fun for you." It also catapults the story towards the next season with the Recall story. The pregnancy storyline is done often in sitcoms but is done in a very funny way thanks to the return of Burt Macklin. There's also a hilarious scene with Mona Lisa and Jean Ralphio together for just the second time in the series. So not a huge splash, but a very well written and satisfying end of season five.

RATING: 9/10

AVERAGE RATING FOR SEASON FIVE:

7.3/10

The Best Episodes

"Leslie and Ben" (#82) - 9.5/10

"Halloween Surprise" (#73) - 9.5/10

"Leslie vs. April" (#75) - 9.5/10

"Are You Better Off?" (#90) - 9/10

"Ron and Diane" (#77) - 9/10

The Worst Episodes

"Correspondents' Lunch" (#83) - 2.5/10

"Article Two" (#87) - 3/10

"Women in Garbage" (#79) - 3.5/10

"Emergency Response" (#81) - 6/10

"How A Bill Becomes a Law" (#71) - 6.5/10

Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV news stories of the week!

Next Thursday: A look at the sixth season of Parks and Recreation!