On Thursdays, I go through classic series with a critical look at each season. Today I am looking at Season Four of Parks and Recreation!
PARKS AND RECREATION: SEASON FOUR
2011-2012
22 episodes
Starring
2011-2012
22 episodes
The fourth season of Parks and Recreation is one of the most focused seasons in recent memory of any show as it has a through line and really sticks to it to great effect. Leslie runs for City Council and the series mines consistently funny plots and comedy from that season-long arc. It also features some terrific guest and recurring appearances. The series really fires on all cylinders at this point and I think many would rightly consider this the "sweet spot" of the Parks and Recreation run even though there's never a real dip in quality.
Starring
Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope (22 episodes)
Rashida Jones as Ann Perkins (22 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)
Jay Jackson as Perd Hapley (6 episodes)
Kathryn Hahn as Jennifer Barkley (5 episodes)
Antonia Raftu as Elizabeth (5 episodes)
Johnny Sneed as William Barnes (5 episodes)
Ben Schwartz as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein (4 episodes)
Andy Forrest as Kyle (3 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 (22 episodes)
Retta as Donna Meagle (22 episodes)
Kathryn Hahn as Jennifer Barkley (5 episodes)
Antonia Raftu as Elizabeth (5 episodes)
Johnny Sneed as William Barnes (5 episodes)
Ben Schwartz as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein (4 episodes)
Andy Forrest as Kyle (3 episodes)
Andrew Burlinson as Burly (2 episodes)
Mo Collins as Joan Callamezzo (2 episodes)
47. I'm Leslie Knope (9/22/11)
Leslie tries to figure out how to break up with Ben to run for City Council. Ron tries to hide from his first ex-wife. Ann diagnoses mumps in a nude pic from a sewage department member and then starts getting many nude pictures.
Season four's excellent main story of Leslie running for City Council kicks off here with a nice tone-setting episode though it's not as strong as some of the late entries. There are a couple really sweet moments with the two most important people to Leslie: Ron and Ben. There's also one of the funniest Chris Traeger lines in the whole series when he comments on the pictures coming into Ann's phone. And we also learn something about Jerry in the first sign that he may have a better life than the show initially portrayed, something that gets developed much more in episodes to come.
RATING: 6.5/10
48. Ron and Tammys (9/29/11)
Ron is getting audited by his first ex-wife, also named Tammy. Ben tries to help Tom and Jean-Ralphio with their new entertainment venture. Ann asks Chris to do a PSA for the health department.
I'm very mixed on the whole ex-wives stories with Ron. I like it because it provides a ton of comedy. Ron being a complete square who says things like "cool beans" is a funny play on the character. However, it's always rubbed me a little bit wrong because it's just so far out of bounds of the character that it stretches believeability. I do think I find this version of Ron funnier than the version he becomes with Tammy II. The Entertainment 720 story is pretty hilarious with some great moments as usual from Jean-Ralphio. Putting Ben in contrast to the ridiculous theatrics of Tom and Jean-Ralphio is a pretty funny dynamic. The Ann and Chris story doesn't really work.
RATING: 8/10
49. Born & Raised (10/6/11)
After Leslie releases her book and prepares to launch her campaign, Leslie is confronted with the fact that she may not have been born in Pawnee. Tom and Ben take care of a drunk Joan Callamezzo. Ann tries to make small talk with April and Ron.
This episode clearly riffs on the story of the time of Donald Trump asking for Barack Obama's birth certificate. It seemed like a sideshow back at the time but we all know what eventually happened so it doesn't seem as funny now. But this parody is pretty funny with Pawnee again being a small town version of the USA. The other two stories are not super strong. Joan Callamezzo is great in small doses but this episode uses her a little too much and the Ann/April/Ron story is just another example of the show not really knowing how to incorporate Ann.
RATING: 6/10
50. Pawnee Rangers (10/13/11)
Ron and Leslie take their scouts troops on a weekend in the wilderness. Donna and Tom invite a lonely Ben to join their Treat Yo Self day. Chris takes a liking to Jerry's daughter.
This is a great Leslie/Ron dynamic episode as they both take children (plus Ann, April and Andy) on a weekend retreat. It's such a perfect way to show both how different they are but how well they work together. Perhaps even more fun though is this is the episode that coined the idea of a "Treat Yo Self" Day, something that has long outlived the show. Tom and Donna are such a funny pair together, I wish the show found more opportunities for the two of them. Chris being interested in Jerry's daughter also makes Chris a little more relevant than he's been recently while also giving Jerry more work to do. A strong entry all the way around.
RATING: 9/10
51. Meet n Greet (10/27/11)
Tom's entertainment company sponsors an event for Leslie to meet with business leaders in Pawnee. April and Andy host a Halloween party. Ann helps Ron fix up things that are broken in April and Andy's house.
The second Halloween episode of the series begins with a very funny cold open with Andy and April. It also keeps Leslie and Tom away from the rest of the cast as the rest are all at the Halloween party but both stories actually work. Tom shows a little more depth when he talks to Leslie about the financial troubles of his company but also some really funny moments when he's trying to sell it, though it feels like Jean-Ralphio should be around in this episode. There's a rare Ann/Ron story mixed into the Halloween party and a great sight gag involving April and Jerry when he sees his daughter dancing wildly with Chris.
RATING: 7.5/10
52. End of the World (11/3/11)
The Parks Department keeps tabs on a group predicting the end of the world and holding a vigil while Leslie worries about Ben flirting with Shauna. Tom and Jean Ralphio throw one final party at Entertainment 720. Andy and April attempt to check off things from Andy's bucket list.
This episode has three very separate plots going on (though all tied to the concept of the End of the World). Sometimes when the cast is split up, it doesn't work as well. But this one has three very fun plots so it works well. I also like that it all takes place over the same night. Tom and Jean-Ralphio's party plot doesn't have a lot of substance but is filled with sight gags. The End of the World vigil allows for some funny moments from the "reasonables" while April and Andy are in a plot completely perfect for their characters.
RATING: 8.5/10
53. The Treaty (11/10/11)
Leslie and Ben get in a fight when helping with the local high school's Model UN. Ron tries to convince Tom to take his job back. Chris tries to figure out why Millicent isn't answering his calls.
Parks and Rec is probably one of the only shows that could do a Model UN plot as their A story and easily pull it off. Adding Ben to the cast was really a great idea because you have someone equally nerdy as Leslie and the kind of face off they have is so different than if you had someone like Leslie and Ron at odds. Their showdown has some really funny moments and there's also a couple great lines from Andy ("if you rearrange the letters of Peru, you get Europe"). This episode also has a great cameo from Kyle Mooney well before his SNL days.
RATING: 8.5/10
54. Smallest Park (11/17/11)
When Ben says he's going to take a step back from the Parks Department, Leslie makes their last project together drag on. Andy decides to take a class at the local college. Tom worries he's turning into Jerry.
When there's a mediocre episode of Parks and Recreation (after the early going), it's not because the performances are bad. They are always great. The mediocre episodes, like this one, are because the plots aren't great. There's still funny lines and that's not me knocking the writing, which is always strong. But not every plot can be a winner and this episode is a rare circumstance where none of the plots are particularly appealing or interesting. Leslie always seems a little out of character when she sacrifices Parks issues for her personal life and the other two stories just don't have much to them. It's not terrible by any means, but it's just not at the level so many episodes are.
RATING: 3.5/10
55. The Trial of Leslie Knope (12/1/11)
Leslie has to go before the Ethics Committee after disclosing her relationship with Ben to Chris. Ron worries about personal privacy.
The entire cast comes together in this episode which is always a plus even if it seems a little bit like an excuse to get a "courtroom" episode. I know Parks and Recreation likes to parody major things in small town Pawnee version, but this seems to be a little bit of a stretch in terms of how seriously Pawnee handles this. That being said, there are some really hilarious moments including April's accusing of Ethel Beavers and Ron's realization that Tammy is in the building. This is also the episode where we find out Jerry's real name is Gary!
RATING: 6/10
56. Citizen Knope (12/8/11)
Leslie adjusts to her two week suspension by forming a committee to advise the parks department. After resigning, Ben looks for a job. The Parks Department tries to come up with a Christmas gift for Leslie.
Taking Leslie out of the Parks Department for a suspension is a great plot for an episode because it gives us Leslie out of her element as well as the department trying to figure things out without their de facto leader, in this case with their Christmas gift for Leslie. It's interesting how Christmas is sort of just a background element to this episode but it's not a "Christmas episode" in the traditional sense. I have so much admiration for all the little details Parks and Recreation has in their episodes. A perfect example here is the Leslie Knope sign coming down in front of Jerry. It' s just a little thing, not any major plot moment but there's just so much care for small little humorous things everywhere.
RATING: 8.5/10
57. The Comeback Kid (1/12/12)
Leslie re-launches her campaign with the help of the department. April and Andy get a dog. Chris worries that Ben is depressed.
This episode has one of my favorite, if not my favorite, scene in the entire series. Leslie and the department trying to walk across the ice as "On Your Feet" plays. It's such a brilliant sight gag and laugh out loud funny. Thinking back to Parks and Recreation as a series, that scene is one that springs to mind right away and I can never hear that song without thinking of the show. The episode takes a little while to get going but once they all get together, it's pretty clear they were intentionally building to something. The Ben and Chris story is only ok. The two of them aren't all that interesting together unless they're incorporated into the main plot.
RATING: 9.5/10
58. Campaign Ad (1/19/12)
Leslie and Ben plan competing ads to air during a big Pawnee event. Chris uses Ron's help to shut down government programs. Andy and April schedule a lot of doctor's appointments.
This episode introduces Paul Rudd in his brilliant guest arc as Bobby Newport. We get only a few glimpses in this episode of what a hilarious character he'll become but the ending is a real funny moment. His entry in the race also helps focus the City Council arc a little bit more and propels the second half of the season. The competing campaign ads have a couple really funny moments including Ben, Jerry and Tom trying scary voices for the negative ad. There's also tons of funny sight gags and one liners in the April and Andy story. Although pairing Chris and Ron together seems like a good idea, that story doesn't go too far. I think the show struggles to incorporate Chris in a meaningful way.
RATING: 8.5/10
59. Bowling for Votes (1/26/12)
Leslie hosts a bowling campaign event and fixates on one person who doesn't want to vote for her. Chris wants to ask Millicent to move in with her when she's considering breaking up with him.
I find episodes that take place at a bowling alley to be fun. This is a good campaign episode and it's notable that Leslie's campaign found more ways for the main cast to be together even more often, especially incorporating people like Ann and Chris who can be hard to include as I've mentioned. I don't know that this is the strongest episode just because nothing too much happens (I wouldn't count Chris and Millicent breaking up as a major plot point) but there are some really good comedy moments.
RATING: 6.5/10
60. Operation Ann (2/2/12)
On Valentine's Day, Leslie tries to find a date for Ann. Ron and Andy help Ben figure out a scavenger hunt Leslie created for him.
The second Galentine's Day episode is another good one though it introduces the odd (but not completely unsurprising) pairing of Tom and Ann. I like the way April is incorporated into the plot because I think it's important from time to time for the show to demonstrate that April does have a good heart deep down. The episode also takes a break from the campaign story so it feels a little bit out of place in a season that seems to have at least one campaign plot every episode. The scavenger hunt is a fun plot thanks to Ron's delightful glee and a very funny sight gag with Andy breaking into a display case.
RATING: 7/10
61. Dave Returns (2/16/12)
Dave returns to Pawnee which causes some awkwardness with Leslie and Ben. Andy invites everyone to record Leslie's campaign song. Ann wants her relationship with Tom to be kept secret.
Louis C.K. returns to the show in this episode. I guess it was inevitable with a story for Leslie and Ben's relationship, but I was never a big fan of C.K.'s character so I wasn't thrilled to have him back even just for one episode. It also is a pretty predictable and standard sitcom plot and Parks and Recreation can usually be a little more creative than that. The campaign song story also doesn't land as much as I want it to because I think there was a lot of potential in that set up. Rob Lowe's rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is pretty funny however.
RATING: 3/10
62. Sweet Sixteen (2/23/12)
Leslie plans a Sweet Sixteen birthday for Jerry since his birthday is on leap day. Ron worries that Leslie is spreading her self too thin. April is caught between Tom and Ann's relationship.
Of course Jerry's birthday would be on February 29, that's a great little detail to add to Jerry's character. We also see April drunk in this episode, which is a different side for her character who is usually in control. There isn't any laugh out loud moments in this episode but it is nice to have them all together. I think it's smart for the show to address that Leslie is trying to do everything and can't. It's nice when she plays the hero who can do it all but it adds more to her character to have her struggling to keep her head above water.
RATING: 7.5/10
63. Campaign Shake-Up (3/1/12)
Leslie and Ben have to deal with an aggressive new campaign manager for rival Bobby Newport. Chris wants Ron to hire someone in the Parks Department to make up for Leslie's diminished role.
This episode adds another great character to the City Council race. I remember when I first saw this episode I had seen Kathryn Hahn recently in the failed Free Agents and didn't like her in that so I wasn't excited about this casting. But she is terrific in this guest arc as the DC campaign manager and subsequent appearances through the rest of the series. It adds another layer to the campaign story than just Bobby Newport being ineffective. There are also a couple of really great sight gags in this episode too with the town of Pawnee putting their entire mouths over the drinking fountain spouts (Andy included).
RATING: 8.5/10
64. Lucky (3/8/12)
Leslie scores an unexpected interview for the campaign but has to do it after drinking with Ann and Tom. April tries sets up Chris with Andy's women's studies teacher but she takes a liking to Ron.
I would like to give a shout out to how well Amy Poehler plays drunk. Playing drunk does not work for everyone, there are plenty of examples of people who don't do it well. But Poehler is always believable and always funny, just goofy enough without being too much. I'm not usually a big Sean Hayes fan but he's fine here as the interviewer, he doesn't overdo it. I don't think the story with Andy's women's studies teacher is all that interesting as a love triangle involving Ron and Chris just isn't really something the show needed to explore. It did give us some good moments with Andy taking his final exam though.
RATING: 6.5/10
65. Live Ammo (4/19/12)
Leslie finds herself in trouble in her campaign when she tries to convince a councilman to change the city budget. Chris wants Ron to be his deputy city manager.
As much as I love the "Leslie runs for city council" arc, there are a few episodes that just fall flat during the arc and this is one of them. The idea is fun and could have been a good satire on Leslie being an insider trying to get extra money for her department (they head this way during the best moment in the episode, Jennifer's appearance with Perd Hapley). But the jokes and premise just don't really land for much of this episode and the B story with Chris and Ron is uninteresting (seems like many Ron-Chris dynamics, despite their opposite personalities, don't ever really work. The show can explore opposites with Ron and Leslie better.
RATING: 2.5/10
66. The Debate (4/26/12)
Leslie has her first debate against Bobby Newport and the rest of the candidates. April, Andy and Ron host a viewing of the debate for Leslie's donors. Chris wants to rekindle his relationship with Ann.
Whereas the last episode was a pretty unnecessary campaign episode, this one is the exact opposite. The debate gives so many opportunities for comedy thanks to the lively cast of competitors. Of course Paul Rudd is back as Bobby Newport but there's also a great appearance by Brad Leland as gun-loving Fester Trim and Mara Marini returns as porn star Brandi Maxxxx. I would have honestly watched the entire debate from start to finish. Leslie's closing statement is also a wonderful performance from Amy Poehler and a great moment for Leslie.
RATING: 9/10
67. Bus Tour (5/3/12)
With the election nearing and the race tightening, Leslie and Ben go on a bus tour. The campaign gets a shakeup when Bobby Newport's father dies. Andy tries to get to the bottom of who hit Jerry with a pie during a campaign event.
The election is drawing near and this is the second of three very triumphant episodes that end the fourth season. There's a lot of funny things that happen but the best moment is definitely when Leslie's campaign bus pulls up to the Newport memorial. Parks and Recreation has such a knack for finding the exact right image to create an incredibly awkward moment while still having good intentions. There's also a good scene between Leslie and Bobby Newport as well as a funny subplot with Andy trying to get to the bottom of a pie throwing incident. Parks is really firing on all cylinders at this point in its run.
RATING: 8.5/10
68. Win, Lose or Draw (5/10/12)
Leslie and Bobby Newport face off on Election Day and it ends up very close. Jennifer offers Ben a job in DC working on a campaign. April accidentally deletes files from the office computers.
The excellent campaign arc comes to a close with season four's finale and it's immensely satisfying. One of the things I love about Parks and Recreation is how unflinchingly optimistic it is and this episode embodies that. Parks has been mentioned as an epitome of the Obama era with its emphasis on hope and the power of government and Leslie is a true believer. So when she gets rewarded in this episode with something that all the other characters and all the viewers know she is so obviously qualified for, it's very satisfying. Amy Poehler does a terrific job in this episode especially when Leslie finds out she wins. It's nice that the show didn't try to be twisty or cynical, it just gave us what we want to end the season.
RATING: 10/10
AVERAGE RATING FOR SEASON FOUR:
7.2/10
The Best Episodes
1. "Win, Lose or Draw" (#68) - 10/10
2. "The Comeback Kid" (#57) - 9.5/10
3. "The Debate" (#66) - 9/10
4. "Pawnee Rangers" (#50) - 9/10
5. "Campaign Ad" (#58) - 8.5/10
The Worst Episodes
1. "Live Ammo" (#65) - 2.5/10
2. "Dave Returns" (#61) - 3/10
3. "Smallest Park" (#54) - 3.5/10
4. "Born & Raised" (#49) - 6/10
5. "The Trial of Leslie Knope" (#55) - 6/10
Mel Cowan as Mel (2 episodes)
Kirk Fox as Joe (2 episodes)
Eric Isenhower as Orin (2 episodes)Will McLaughlin as Officer Killnose (2 episodes)
Megan Mullally as Tammy Swanson (2 episodes)
Pamela Reed as Marlene Griges-Knope (2 episodes)
Alison Becker as Shauna Malwae-Tweep (1 episode)
Louis C.K. as Dave Sanderson (1 episode)
Helen Slayton-Hughes as Ethel Beavers (1 episode)
Pamela Reed as Marlene Griges-Knope (2 episodes)
Mark Rivers as Rivers (2 episodes)
Cooper Thornton as Dr. Harris (2 episodes)
Alan Yang as Chang (2 episodes)
John Balma as Barney (1 episode)Alison Becker as Shauna Malwae-Tweep (1 episode)
Louis C.K. as Dave Sanderson (1 episode)
Yvans Jourdain as Councilman Howser (1 episode)
Mara Marini as Brandi Maxxxx (1 episode)
Mike Mitchell as Bjorn Lerpiss (1 episode)
Natalie Morales as Lucy (1 episode)Helen Slayton-Hughes as Ethel Beavers (1 episode)
Harris Wittels as Harris (1 episode)
Leslie tries to figure out how to break up with Ben to run for City Council. Ron tries to hide from his first ex-wife. Ann diagnoses mumps in a nude pic from a sewage department member and then starts getting many nude pictures.
Season four's excellent main story of Leslie running for City Council kicks off here with a nice tone-setting episode though it's not as strong as some of the late entries. There are a couple really sweet moments with the two most important people to Leslie: Ron and Ben. There's also one of the funniest Chris Traeger lines in the whole series when he comments on the pictures coming into Ann's phone. And we also learn something about Jerry in the first sign that he may have a better life than the show initially portrayed, something that gets developed much more in episodes to come.
RATING: 6.5/10
48. Ron and Tammys (9/29/11)
Ron is getting audited by his first ex-wife, also named Tammy. Ben tries to help Tom and Jean-Ralphio with their new entertainment venture. Ann asks Chris to do a PSA for the health department.
I'm very mixed on the whole ex-wives stories with Ron. I like it because it provides a ton of comedy. Ron being a complete square who says things like "cool beans" is a funny play on the character. However, it's always rubbed me a little bit wrong because it's just so far out of bounds of the character that it stretches believeability. I do think I find this version of Ron funnier than the version he becomes with Tammy II. The Entertainment 720 story is pretty hilarious with some great moments as usual from Jean-Ralphio. Putting Ben in contrast to the ridiculous theatrics of Tom and Jean-Ralphio is a pretty funny dynamic. The Ann and Chris story doesn't really work.
RATING: 8/10
49. Born & Raised (10/6/11)
After Leslie releases her book and prepares to launch her campaign, Leslie is confronted with the fact that she may not have been born in Pawnee. Tom and Ben take care of a drunk Joan Callamezzo. Ann tries to make small talk with April and Ron.
This episode clearly riffs on the story of the time of Donald Trump asking for Barack Obama's birth certificate. It seemed like a sideshow back at the time but we all know what eventually happened so it doesn't seem as funny now. But this parody is pretty funny with Pawnee again being a small town version of the USA. The other two stories are not super strong. Joan Callamezzo is great in small doses but this episode uses her a little too much and the Ann/April/Ron story is just another example of the show not really knowing how to incorporate Ann.
RATING: 6/10
Ron and Leslie take their scouts troops on a weekend in the wilderness. Donna and Tom invite a lonely Ben to join their Treat Yo Self day. Chris takes a liking to Jerry's daughter.
This is a great Leslie/Ron dynamic episode as they both take children (plus Ann, April and Andy) on a weekend retreat. It's such a perfect way to show both how different they are but how well they work together. Perhaps even more fun though is this is the episode that coined the idea of a "Treat Yo Self" Day, something that has long outlived the show. Tom and Donna are such a funny pair together, I wish the show found more opportunities for the two of them. Chris being interested in Jerry's daughter also makes Chris a little more relevant than he's been recently while also giving Jerry more work to do. A strong entry all the way around.
RATING: 9/10
51. Meet n Greet (10/27/11)
Tom's entertainment company sponsors an event for Leslie to meet with business leaders in Pawnee. April and Andy host a Halloween party. Ann helps Ron fix up things that are broken in April and Andy's house.
The second Halloween episode of the series begins with a very funny cold open with Andy and April. It also keeps Leslie and Tom away from the rest of the cast as the rest are all at the Halloween party but both stories actually work. Tom shows a little more depth when he talks to Leslie about the financial troubles of his company but also some really funny moments when he's trying to sell it, though it feels like Jean-Ralphio should be around in this episode. There's a rare Ann/Ron story mixed into the Halloween party and a great sight gag involving April and Jerry when he sees his daughter dancing wildly with Chris.
RATING: 7.5/10
52. End of the World (11/3/11)
The Parks Department keeps tabs on a group predicting the end of the world and holding a vigil while Leslie worries about Ben flirting with Shauna. Tom and Jean Ralphio throw one final party at Entertainment 720. Andy and April attempt to check off things from Andy's bucket list.
This episode has three very separate plots going on (though all tied to the concept of the End of the World). Sometimes when the cast is split up, it doesn't work as well. But this one has three very fun plots so it works well. I also like that it all takes place over the same night. Tom and Jean-Ralphio's party plot doesn't have a lot of substance but is filled with sight gags. The End of the World vigil allows for some funny moments from the "reasonables" while April and Andy are in a plot completely perfect for their characters.
RATING: 8.5/10
Leslie and Ben get in a fight when helping with the local high school's Model UN. Ron tries to convince Tom to take his job back. Chris tries to figure out why Millicent isn't answering his calls.
Parks and Rec is probably one of the only shows that could do a Model UN plot as their A story and easily pull it off. Adding Ben to the cast was really a great idea because you have someone equally nerdy as Leslie and the kind of face off they have is so different than if you had someone like Leslie and Ron at odds. Their showdown has some really funny moments and there's also a couple great lines from Andy ("if you rearrange the letters of Peru, you get Europe"). This episode also has a great cameo from Kyle Mooney well before his SNL days.
RATING: 8.5/10
54. Smallest Park (11/17/11)
When Ben says he's going to take a step back from the Parks Department, Leslie makes their last project together drag on. Andy decides to take a class at the local college. Tom worries he's turning into Jerry.
When there's a mediocre episode of Parks and Recreation (after the early going), it's not because the performances are bad. They are always great. The mediocre episodes, like this one, are because the plots aren't great. There's still funny lines and that's not me knocking the writing, which is always strong. But not every plot can be a winner and this episode is a rare circumstance where none of the plots are particularly appealing or interesting. Leslie always seems a little out of character when she sacrifices Parks issues for her personal life and the other two stories just don't have much to them. It's not terrible by any means, but it's just not at the level so many episodes are.
RATING: 3.5/10
55. The Trial of Leslie Knope (12/1/11)
Leslie has to go before the Ethics Committee after disclosing her relationship with Ben to Chris. Ron worries about personal privacy.
The entire cast comes together in this episode which is always a plus even if it seems a little bit like an excuse to get a "courtroom" episode. I know Parks and Recreation likes to parody major things in small town Pawnee version, but this seems to be a little bit of a stretch in terms of how seriously Pawnee handles this. That being said, there are some really hilarious moments including April's accusing of Ethel Beavers and Ron's realization that Tammy is in the building. This is also the episode where we find out Jerry's real name is Gary!
RATING: 6/10
56. Citizen Knope (12/8/11)
Leslie adjusts to her two week suspension by forming a committee to advise the parks department. After resigning, Ben looks for a job. The Parks Department tries to come up with a Christmas gift for Leslie.
Taking Leslie out of the Parks Department for a suspension is a great plot for an episode because it gives us Leslie out of her element as well as the department trying to figure things out without their de facto leader, in this case with their Christmas gift for Leslie. It's interesting how Christmas is sort of just a background element to this episode but it's not a "Christmas episode" in the traditional sense. I have so much admiration for all the little details Parks and Recreation has in their episodes. A perfect example here is the Leslie Knope sign coming down in front of Jerry. It' s just a little thing, not any major plot moment but there's just so much care for small little humorous things everywhere.
RATING: 8.5/10
Leslie re-launches her campaign with the help of the department. April and Andy get a dog. Chris worries that Ben is depressed.
This episode has one of my favorite, if not my favorite, scene in the entire series. Leslie and the department trying to walk across the ice as "On Your Feet" plays. It's such a brilliant sight gag and laugh out loud funny. Thinking back to Parks and Recreation as a series, that scene is one that springs to mind right away and I can never hear that song without thinking of the show. The episode takes a little while to get going but once they all get together, it's pretty clear they were intentionally building to something. The Ben and Chris story is only ok. The two of them aren't all that interesting together unless they're incorporated into the main plot.
RATING: 9.5/10
58. Campaign Ad (1/19/12)
Leslie and Ben plan competing ads to air during a big Pawnee event. Chris uses Ron's help to shut down government programs. Andy and April schedule a lot of doctor's appointments.
This episode introduces Paul Rudd in his brilliant guest arc as Bobby Newport. We get only a few glimpses in this episode of what a hilarious character he'll become but the ending is a real funny moment. His entry in the race also helps focus the City Council arc a little bit more and propels the second half of the season. The competing campaign ads have a couple really funny moments including Ben, Jerry and Tom trying scary voices for the negative ad. There's also tons of funny sight gags and one liners in the April and Andy story. Although pairing Chris and Ron together seems like a good idea, that story doesn't go too far. I think the show struggles to incorporate Chris in a meaningful way.
RATING: 8.5/10
59. Bowling for Votes (1/26/12)
Leslie hosts a bowling campaign event and fixates on one person who doesn't want to vote for her. Chris wants to ask Millicent to move in with her when she's considering breaking up with him.
I find episodes that take place at a bowling alley to be fun. This is a good campaign episode and it's notable that Leslie's campaign found more ways for the main cast to be together even more often, especially incorporating people like Ann and Chris who can be hard to include as I've mentioned. I don't know that this is the strongest episode just because nothing too much happens (I wouldn't count Chris and Millicent breaking up as a major plot point) but there are some really good comedy moments.
RATING: 6.5/10
On Valentine's Day, Leslie tries to find a date for Ann. Ron and Andy help Ben figure out a scavenger hunt Leslie created for him.
The second Galentine's Day episode is another good one though it introduces the odd (but not completely unsurprising) pairing of Tom and Ann. I like the way April is incorporated into the plot because I think it's important from time to time for the show to demonstrate that April does have a good heart deep down. The episode also takes a break from the campaign story so it feels a little bit out of place in a season that seems to have at least one campaign plot every episode. The scavenger hunt is a fun plot thanks to Ron's delightful glee and a very funny sight gag with Andy breaking into a display case.
RATING: 7/10
61. Dave Returns (2/16/12)
Dave returns to Pawnee which causes some awkwardness with Leslie and Ben. Andy invites everyone to record Leslie's campaign song. Ann wants her relationship with Tom to be kept secret.
Louis C.K. returns to the show in this episode. I guess it was inevitable with a story for Leslie and Ben's relationship, but I was never a big fan of C.K.'s character so I wasn't thrilled to have him back even just for one episode. It also is a pretty predictable and standard sitcom plot and Parks and Recreation can usually be a little more creative than that. The campaign song story also doesn't land as much as I want it to because I think there was a lot of potential in that set up. Rob Lowe's rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is pretty funny however.
RATING: 3/10
62. Sweet Sixteen (2/23/12)
Leslie plans a Sweet Sixteen birthday for Jerry since his birthday is on leap day. Ron worries that Leslie is spreading her self too thin. April is caught between Tom and Ann's relationship.
Of course Jerry's birthday would be on February 29, that's a great little detail to add to Jerry's character. We also see April drunk in this episode, which is a different side for her character who is usually in control. There isn't any laugh out loud moments in this episode but it is nice to have them all together. I think it's smart for the show to address that Leslie is trying to do everything and can't. It's nice when she plays the hero who can do it all but it adds more to her character to have her struggling to keep her head above water.
RATING: 7.5/10
63. Campaign Shake-Up (3/1/12)
Leslie and Ben have to deal with an aggressive new campaign manager for rival Bobby Newport. Chris wants Ron to hire someone in the Parks Department to make up for Leslie's diminished role.
This episode adds another great character to the City Council race. I remember when I first saw this episode I had seen Kathryn Hahn recently in the failed Free Agents and didn't like her in that so I wasn't excited about this casting. But she is terrific in this guest arc as the DC campaign manager and subsequent appearances through the rest of the series. It adds another layer to the campaign story than just Bobby Newport being ineffective. There are also a couple of really great sight gags in this episode too with the town of Pawnee putting their entire mouths over the drinking fountain spouts (Andy included).
RATING: 8.5/10
Leslie scores an unexpected interview for the campaign but has to do it after drinking with Ann and Tom. April tries sets up Chris with Andy's women's studies teacher but she takes a liking to Ron.
I would like to give a shout out to how well Amy Poehler plays drunk. Playing drunk does not work for everyone, there are plenty of examples of people who don't do it well. But Poehler is always believable and always funny, just goofy enough without being too much. I'm not usually a big Sean Hayes fan but he's fine here as the interviewer, he doesn't overdo it. I don't think the story with Andy's women's studies teacher is all that interesting as a love triangle involving Ron and Chris just isn't really something the show needed to explore. It did give us some good moments with Andy taking his final exam though.
RATING: 6.5/10
65. Live Ammo (4/19/12)
Leslie finds herself in trouble in her campaign when she tries to convince a councilman to change the city budget. Chris wants Ron to be his deputy city manager.
As much as I love the "Leslie runs for city council" arc, there are a few episodes that just fall flat during the arc and this is one of them. The idea is fun and could have been a good satire on Leslie being an insider trying to get extra money for her department (they head this way during the best moment in the episode, Jennifer's appearance with Perd Hapley). But the jokes and premise just don't really land for much of this episode and the B story with Chris and Ron is uninteresting (seems like many Ron-Chris dynamics, despite their opposite personalities, don't ever really work. The show can explore opposites with Ron and Leslie better.
RATING: 2.5/10
66. The Debate (4/26/12)
Leslie has her first debate against Bobby Newport and the rest of the candidates. April, Andy and Ron host a viewing of the debate for Leslie's donors. Chris wants to rekindle his relationship with Ann.
Whereas the last episode was a pretty unnecessary campaign episode, this one is the exact opposite. The debate gives so many opportunities for comedy thanks to the lively cast of competitors. Of course Paul Rudd is back as Bobby Newport but there's also a great appearance by Brad Leland as gun-loving Fester Trim and Mara Marini returns as porn star Brandi Maxxxx. I would have honestly watched the entire debate from start to finish. Leslie's closing statement is also a wonderful performance from Amy Poehler and a great moment for Leslie.
RATING: 9/10
67. Bus Tour (5/3/12)
With the election nearing and the race tightening, Leslie and Ben go on a bus tour. The campaign gets a shakeup when Bobby Newport's father dies. Andy tries to get to the bottom of who hit Jerry with a pie during a campaign event.
The election is drawing near and this is the second of three very triumphant episodes that end the fourth season. There's a lot of funny things that happen but the best moment is definitely when Leslie's campaign bus pulls up to the Newport memorial. Parks and Recreation has such a knack for finding the exact right image to create an incredibly awkward moment while still having good intentions. There's also a good scene between Leslie and Bobby Newport as well as a funny subplot with Andy trying to get to the bottom of a pie throwing incident. Parks is really firing on all cylinders at this point in its run.
RATING: 8.5/10
Leslie and Bobby Newport face off on Election Day and it ends up very close. Jennifer offers Ben a job in DC working on a campaign. April accidentally deletes files from the office computers.
The excellent campaign arc comes to a close with season four's finale and it's immensely satisfying. One of the things I love about Parks and Recreation is how unflinchingly optimistic it is and this episode embodies that. Parks has been mentioned as an epitome of the Obama era with its emphasis on hope and the power of government and Leslie is a true believer. So when she gets rewarded in this episode with something that all the other characters and all the viewers know she is so obviously qualified for, it's very satisfying. Amy Poehler does a terrific job in this episode especially when Leslie finds out she wins. It's nice that the show didn't try to be twisty or cynical, it just gave us what we want to end the season.
RATING: 10/10
AVERAGE RATING FOR SEASON FOUR:
7.2/10
The Best Episodes
1. "Win, Lose or Draw" (#68) - 10/10
2. "The Comeback Kid" (#57) - 9.5/10
3. "The Debate" (#66) - 9/10
4. "Pawnee Rangers" (#50) - 9/10
5. "Campaign Ad" (#58) - 8.5/10
The Worst Episodes
1. "Live Ammo" (#65) - 2.5/10
2. "Dave Returns" (#61) - 3/10
3. "Smallest Park" (#54) - 3.5/10
4. "Born & Raised" (#49) - 6/10
5. "The Trial of Leslie Knope" (#55) - 6/10
Tomorrow: The Friday Five - Top 5 TV news stories of the week!
Next Thursday: A look at the fifth season of Parks and Recreation!
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