What I’m Watching: Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation: Season 2, Episode 20 “Summer Catalog” (B+)

Yet another overly optimistic idea from Leslie spirals into a depressing but hilarious confrontation between four people who all hate each other and make Leslie start to doubt her outlook on her job and her future. Her excitement about the Parks Department Summer Catalog was a bit overzealous from the start, with a comparison to the September issue of Vogue, mostly because they don’t get Vogue in Pawnee. Clarence’s negative attitude towards women being in leadership roles was entertaining due to the angry rise it got out of Leslie, but I especially liked David’s post-littering summary of the parks: “who gives a crap about this crap?” In trying to take a good photo, Leslie’s advice of “try to look human and not so evil” seemed very fitting. I love how it continues to emphasize the surprisingly strong relationship between Ron and Leslie. Their contradictory goals at the end were really amusing, with Ron wanting to eliminate the parks department and Leslie planning to double the size, and both anticipating a spirited fight from the other on the subject. In addition, Leslie actually printing out a blank page and then using the expression “made love to the pooch” was particularly great. Tom’s early pickup lines with the hats were entertaining, and I enjoyed the fact that Donna had a great one that Tom liked a lot. His photographing Mark and Ann wasn’t anything overly funny, but there were a few laughs. The continuing unrequited love sage of Andy and April progressed further in this episode, though still not quite, even though they ended up together on the cover of the catalog. April not even bothering to show a fake ID was fun, and her defense that her confidence sometimes confuses people was a great excuse, brilliantly delivered by the wonderful Ms. Plaza.