Decider Lists
By Josh Sorokach@joshsorokach
Published Jan. 31, 2018, 8:00 a.m. ET
Photos: Everett Collection ; Illustration: Dillen Phelps
More On:
Decider Lists
Stream It Or Skip It: 'Conan O'Brien Must Go' On Max, Where Conan Hilariously Surprises His Fans That Live Overseas
5 Movies Like 'The Tearsmith' If You're Looking For More Coming-of-Age Romances With Mildly Gothic Flavor
How to Watch All the 'Jesse Stone' Movies in Order
All 'The Omen' Movies in Order to Watch
Who among us doesn’t miss the tranquil charms of Parks and Recreation? After seven seasons, the television capital of friendship, waffles, and municipal work (in some order) went the way of famed hooved heroLi’l Sebastian back in 2015. To say that the beloved NBC show is missed would be an understatement.Series creators Greg Daniels and Michael Schur crafted a sitcom bursting with optimism, humor, and emotion, and at the center of it all was Leslie Knope.
Portrayed by the incomparable Amy Poehler, Leslie was an inexhaustibly optimistic combination of humor and devotion. One of the most beloved TV characters in recent history, viewers adored Ms. Knope almost as much as Leslie loved thebeautiful tropical fish known as (*Chris Traeger voice*) Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones). Parks and Recreation was a cheerful delight that radiated humor and optimism, and no character symbolized those traits more than Leslie Knope.
The eccentric denizens of the raccoon-infested city of Pawnee left an indelible comedic void in our viewing schedule that has yet to be filled. Let’s all grab a plate of waffles — because why on earth would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food? — as we revisit the 10 best Leslie Knope episodes of Parks and Recreation!
1
"Greg Pikitis" (Season 2, Episode 7)
I know many fans love “Hunting Trip” (which we’ll get to) and “Galentine’s Day” (which is terrific), but my pre Rob Lowe/Adam Scott favorite is “Greg Pikitis.”Centering around Leslie attempting to thwart her arch-nemesis, a cunning high school vandal named Greg Pikitus, this episode is not only tailored made for Poehler as an actress, but it also helps to form a bond between Leslie and lovable doofus Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt).
This second season charmer has an old-school Cheers vs. Gary’s Olde Town Tavern feel to it, which makes sense considering series creator Michael Schur, who also wrote the episode, was inspired by the classic sitcom.
2
"Hunting Trip” (Season 2, Episode 10)
Much like The Office, Parks didn’t find its comedic footing for a couple of episodes. Sure, there were many moments of promise, but before the writers recalibrated the character of Leslie Knope and added Rob Lowe and Adam Scott (and subtracted Mark Brendanawicz) the show was simply good, not great.
Season 2’s “Hunting Trip” shines a light on the stellar cast, cements the friendship between Leslie and Ron, and allows Amy Poehler to unleash her natural comedic charisma. The scene in which Leslie covers for Tom by rattling off an assortment of excuses to appease the sexist park ranger is a glimpse of what would eventually turn this plucky series into one of the best sitcoms of all time.
3
"Flu Season" (Season 3, Episode 2)
This Season 3 episode focuses on Leslie facing her greatest fear: not being able to work. The flu terrorizes Pawnee, but Leslie Knope refuses to let a 104 degree temperature, extreme dehydration, and hallucinations stop her from giving a presentation about the Harvest Festival. Leslie escapes the hospital ,and despite her intense delirium, delivers a flawless presentation.
Amy Poehler was such a tour de force of comedy in “Flu Season” that the actress submitted this episode as her nomination for an Emmy Award. Plus, it also contains one of the silliest, funniest Andy lines of the entire series:
4
"The Fight" (Season 3, Episode 13)
Even the best of friends aren’t immune to the occasional disagreement, and that’s exactly what happens between Leslie and the “beautiful, rule-breaking moth” known as Ann Perkins. Drunk off Snake Juice (or as Donna calls it “basically rat poison”), the two inebriated buds bicker over their dating styles and Ann’s reluctance to study for the City Hall job interview Leslie set up for her.
If you’re a fan of the show, you don’t need me to tell you that a drunk Parks Department is the best Parks Department. With an assist from Ben, the two friends reconcile and Ann eventually accepts a part-time position as the Public Relations Director of the Health Department.
Also, the romantic chemistry between Leslie and Ben in this Season 3 gem is off the charts. In fact, the future couple share their first kiss just one episode later.
5
"The Trial Of Leslie Knope" (Season 4, Episode 9)
We could have also went with “Smallest Park,” “The Debate,” “Citizen Knope,” or, well, basically all of Season 4, but “The Trial of Leslie Knope” is such a top-to-bottom classic. Written by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, the episodecenters on Leslie being brought up on ethical charges due to her romantic relationship with Ben. This offering has all the distinct qualities that made Parks and Rec such an unforgettable delight: The gang coming together for a common goal; a tender exchange between Leslie and Ron; and, of course, an appearance by Ethel Beavers.
Kidding, although Beavers does predictably hit it out of the park. Ethel aside, it’s the final moment of the episode fans still remember seven years later.
6
“Win, Lose, Or Draw” (Season 4, Episode 22)
Written and directed byMichael Schur, the Season 4 finale “Win, Lose, or Draw” is a beacon of humor, optimism, and friendship. Leslie’s season-long quest to become a city councilwoman finally comes to fruition when she narrowly defeats lovable dummy Bobby Newport (Paul Rudd) for the position. Featuring a touching moment in which the emotionally reticent Ron provides Leslie with a much-needed pep talk as well as one of the most simple yet affecting lines of dialogue in sitcom history (Ben’s “I never wrote it”), “Win, Lose, or Draw” is a tremendous 22-minutes of television.
“I owe this victory, all of it, to my friends and my supporters. No one achieves anything alone.”
Also, let’s not forget the ending, which concludes the show’s brilliant fourth season with a pitch-perfect joke.
Leslie: Guys, we’re going to JJ’s Diner for victory waffles, and then we’re staying up all night talking about our lives and feelings. Non-negotiable. Let’s go. City Council, bitches!
Ron: Jerry forgot to vote.
Leslie: Dammit, Jerry!
7
"Halloween Surprise" (Season 5, Episode 5)
Ben Wyatt’s surprise proposal is one of the most romantic moments in television history. The theatrical performances from Amy Poehler and Adam Scott are so earnest, so emotional, that you honestly forget that you’re watching two actors. There are so many wonderful little moments: Leslie switching from a cheerful “What are you doing?” to a shocked “What are you doing?” Ben’s delivery of the line “deeply, ridiculously in love with you;” Leslie desperately attempting to preserve the moment for as long as possible; it’s a perfectly penned, exceptionally acted moment.
Like so many of these classic Parks episodes, this one was also written by Michael Schur.
8
"Leslie And Ben" (Season 5, Episode 14)
Yes, Leslie and Ben’s wedding is incredibly romantic and love rules yada yada, BUT you also gotta love Councilman Jamm’s drunken efforts to ruin the ceremony via his aunt’s megaphone and stink bombs. His futile attempt to start a “parks-are-stu-pid” chant is thwarted by Leslie as she counters by chanting “Knope rules, Jamm sucks!”
Eventually, Ron punches Jamm square in the face, because, yep, you guessed it, love always wins. Also, can we all just take a moment to appreciate this extremely accurate description of Parks and Rec’s jaunty theme music:
9
"Leslie And Ron" (Season 7, Episode 4)
Hey, I’m not an unfeeling goblin. The relationship between Leslie and Ben is aces, but the true beating heart of Parks and Rec is the friendship between Leslie and her “workplace proximity acquaintance” Ron Swanson. Tired of Leslie and Ron’s feud, this Season 7 episode centers around Ben and company locking the former friends in the Parks office so the two will finally end their silly rivalry.
Nick Offerman and Amy Poehler are predictably sensational as the opposites attract chemistry between the duo is off the charts.
Leslie making up her own words to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” is a classic moment, as is the brief, drunken return of jazz sax legend Duke Silver. The episode was the summation of one of TV’s most entertaining and enduring friendships.
“Freddy Krueger bought some pants
Oprah has a turtle farm
Peter Piper, pee-pee poopy
Daddy ate a squirrel”
10
"One Last Ride" (Season 7, Episodes 12 & 13)
“One Last Ride” was the perfect farewell to Parks and Recreation. Written by Poehler and Schur, the final episode of the show will make you laugh, it’ll make you cry, and it’ll make you realize just how exceptional a series this wacky band of misfits created.Fans will enjoy the small moments (Jean-Ralphio faking his death, the misspelling of Jerry/Garry’s name on his tombstone, a “f*cking library”), but the combination of the flash-forwards and the gang reuniting for one last mission resulted in an emotional, hilarious, conclusion to a wonderful show. Also… THIS.
Bad. Larrys. Yes.
It’s difficult to capture the true essence of an entire series in one episode, but the Parks and Recreation finale did just that.
“Now go find your team and get to work.”
RELATED:‘That’s What She Said’: The 10 Best Michael Scott Episodes of ‘The Office’
- Amy Poehler
- Decider Lists
- Netflix
- Parks and Recreation
