No matter how wonderful and laugh-inducing a television show might be, all things must come to an end - and that includes Parks and Recreation. Despite still having stellar ratings and pulling in viewers week-after-week, the NBC sitcom decided to call it quits after it's seventh go-around.
Even though the final season only consisted of twelve episodes, they all reminded fans and audiences why they had fallen in love with Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, and all the other of the employees in the first place.
10 Save JJ's - Episode 6 (8.1)
When Leslie and the gang are told that their bid to create a National Park in Pawnee has failed (due to Gryzzl putting up an offer of $125 million for the land) they decide to focus their energy on saving JJ's diner, their favorite breakfast food place. However, that endeavor falls short as well, which forces them to look for a new building where JJ can continue making food.
After some work, Leslie and Ron put together a pitch for Gryzzl that allows them to buy the warehouses and buildings for their new headquarters, while also donating the land that they just bought to the National Parks Service.
9 Ms. Ludgate-Dwyer Goes to Washington - Episode 8 (8.2)
April's character had one of the best character arcs of the series and it all culminated during this episode when she realizes (and informs Leslie) that she doesn't want to work for the National Parks Service (or in government, at all).
Initially, Leslie is incredibly shaken by the news, but upon realizing that April isn't a miniature Leslie-clone, she helps April to find a career that she would truly love - which ends up being a job at the Job Search Center. Meanwhile, Ben, Andy, and Ron spend the episode trying to find a career for April as well but their actions aren't as helpful.
8 Ron & Jammy - Episode 2 (8.3)
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend." It was revealed at the beginning of the season that Leslie and Ron had been feuding for years, but the two former-friends had to set aside their differences during this episode when Tammy, Ron's ex-wife, makes a victim of another man - Councilman Jamm.
When Jamm gets the final-say on an important vote for the Newport Land, Leslie finds out that Jamm has been dating Tammy (who will heavily influence his vote). However, Jamm ends up being a complete mess due to Tammy destroying his life, causing Ron and Leslie to band together to save the poor-man from her evil-clutches.
7 Gryzzlbox - Episode 5 (8.3)
Despite Leslie's best efforts to obtain enough money to buy the Newport Land and establish a National Park in Pawnee, she had fallen well-short of her goal. Luckily, when Gryzzl (the competing bidder) starts sending "gifts" to all of the citizens of Pawnee that are incredibly specific to each person, Ben and Leslie realize that Gryzzl has been "data-mining" everyone in town.
A trial over Gryzzl's wrongdoing is held, only for it to be revealed that they didn't actually break the law. Stymied once again, Ron shows up at the end of the episode (after having shot a Gryzzl robot out of the sky) and agrees to help Leslie and Ben bring Gryzzl down.
6 Donna and Joe - Episode 7 (8.5)
Donna's boyfriend Joe had been introduced the prior season, so naturally, the couple decided to tie the knot before the series came to a close. In this episode, centered around their wedding, April is tasked with making sure that none of Donna's relatives cause any problems.
Meanwhile, Ben is approached by Jenn Barkley to run for Congress. He and Leslie spend the episode debating whether or not he should, only for the two of them to get wasted at the rehearsal dinner and drunkenly call Jenn, announcing his campaign.
5 Pie-Mary - Episode 9 (8.5)
Gender norms meant nothing during this episode when Leslie decided that she wasn't going to take place in the "Pie-mary" (a baking competition for the wives of the men running for Congress). However, to switch things up and refocus on the politics, Leslie and Ben decide that Ben, himself, will bake a pie and enter it into the competition.
After some hilariously satirical moments and a back-and-forth debate about how to proceed, Ben and Leslie eventually tell everyone to just do whatever they want to do and let everyone be happy - which, naturally, makes about 50% of the people happy.
4 The Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show - Episode 10 (8.5)
Fans were familiar with Andy Dwyer's alter-ego, Johnny Karate, but they were given a special treat during this episode when it was shot in the style of the Johnny Karate Super Awesome Musical Explosion Show!
With Andy and April moving to Washington D.C., Andy's show was coming to a close, so he decided to give his fans one last super-awesome send-off where he got to say goodbye to all of the people that had made his 'dream' a reality.
With appearances from practically every member of the old Parks and Rec gang, the episode truly pulls on the heartstrings as Johnny Karate hangs up his black-belt for good.
3 Two Funerals - Episode 11 (8.6)
Garry really deserved this. When the Mayor of Pawnee unexpectedly passes away at the beginning of this episode, Ben is left with the job of hiring an interim mayor. After scouring several possible candidates (all of whom are characters that we've met throughout the series) and not finding any suitable matches, Ben decides to give Garry the position.
Meanwhile, Leslie and Tom spend the episode concocting an over-the-top proposal for Tom to present to Lucy... only for Tom to call an audible at the last moment and do something simple and sweet instead, which ultimately pays off with a 'yes' from Lucy.
2 Leslie and Ron - Episode 4 (9.6)
As already stated, Leslie and Ron had been feuding for several years and the fight did not subside after the first few episodes of the season. So, in response, the rest of the group locks Leslie and Ron in the old Parks and Rec office and refuses to let them out until they settle their differences.
Spending the entire night in the office, Leslie tries to solve the issue while Ron stubbornly ignores her... only for Ron to finally concede, admit that Leslie had stood him up for lunch (and a job opportunity) three years prior, and things had only escalated from there. Leslie makes a heartfelt apology, the two of them become friends again, and they proceed to get hammered together in their old office.
1 One Last Ride - Episode 12 (9.6)
The hour-long series finale was the perfect ending that gave every fan of the show exactly what they needed in order to move on - closure. The episode follows the individual stories of how each member of the original Parks and Recreation gang end up over the years.
Donna and Joe move to Seattle, Garry becomes the longest-running Mayor of Pawnee, Tom writes a best-selling book, Ron gets a job running the National Park in Pawnee, Andy and April move to D.C. and have kids, and Leslie and Ben continue on their path as the greatest political power-couple in history.
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January 12, 2021 at 04:30AM
