What I’m Watching: Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation: Season 2, Episode 11 “The Fourth Floor” (B)

The premise for this episode just isn’t that strong as compared with the other installments from this season, though, to be fair, the bar has been set pretty high. The most important takeaway from the episode is that the cast is still extremely talented and the characters are still very funny, even if the storyline itself isn’t as spectacular. It’s a known thing that Leslie isn’t the brightest bulb in the box, and this isn’t one of her better misconceptions. Tom has never really had much of an inability to display emotion but has always shown an incredible ability to deceive others, especially Leslie, for his own benefit. Their night out is decently entertaining, but it’s the characters themselves rather than the scantily clad dancers and strippers who really make it all work. Ron is hilarious, and it’s funny how his taboo question to Tom made the guy squirm so much. April and Jerry were used particularly well in small moments here, and I’m thrilled that the show is giving them both something to do. Andy’s incessant attempts to win Ann back were quite funny in this episode, starting at Ann’s surprise at the fact that Andy’s taunt of “you’re a failed architect” worked to get Mark to try and defeat him. Mark and Ann’s sarcasm and dynamic is reminiscent in a way of Jim and Pam from “The Office,” but it’s still their own and that’s a terrific thing. Somehow, Andy’s continued presence hasn’t gotten old, and in this episode it was one of the sharpest and most on-target elements.