What I’m Watching: Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation: Season 3, Episode 5 “Media Blitz” (B+)

I’m glad that each of the new cast members is getting more than a proper share of screen time and plenty of opportunity to get acclimated with the city of Pawnee. Even if Ben’s on-air flubs aren’t entirely hilarious, what makes it entirely worthwhile are the reactions from Leslie and Tom, coupled with the fact that he, like Leslie, ultimately achieves redemption by proving that he does have a plan even if he can’t talk on television for his life. It’s also nice to see elements of old episodes, such as Ben’s eighteen-year-old mayorship, brought back in a new, far more public context. The closing moments of the episode provided a terrific summary of Ben’s greatest hits, looked at through a wonderfully mockery-oriented lens. April’s certainly had her fun playing with Andy, and, amusing as it was, I’m glad that’s finally come to an end with one of the rarer romantic moments on this show, wowing Andy as much as it did me and, presumably, other viewers. Andy’s willingness to do anything that April told him was fun, and I like how Donna was adding stuff to that in order to get foot massages. Ron’s eagerness to step in and help keep April in town was great, and I love both the Ron-April dynamic and the Ron-Andy dynamic. I couldn’t imagine April actually moving to Indianapolis, but the future of Chris and Ann seeming ever less clear as Chris refuses to initiate any conversation and Ann continues to freak out about what’s going to happen to them.