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| Amy Poehler |
Welcome to Parts of Rec, a new column that will attempt to take the weekly brilliance of NBC show Parks and Recreation and cut it into the bare essentials. After all, time is precious and sometimes you cannot read pages and pages of reviews. While it will be impossible to bottle all of the highlights, I will do my best to cover the plot, as well as memorable moments and just what makes it great in general. Make sure to look for Parts of Rec every Friday following the episode.
Season 5, Episode 18
"Animal Control"
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| Left to right: Rob Lowe, Poehler, and Harris Wittels |
"Well, I think you have several options. They're all terrible. But they're options."
-Chris (Rob Lowe)
After it is discovered that the parks department has an animal problem, Leslie (Amy Poehler) decides to hold a council meeting to try and get an Animal Control department started. She interviews several people, but with no luck. Meanwhile, Ben (Adam Scott), Andy (Chris Pratt), and Tom (Aziz Ansari) are trying to get money for the Sweetums company by talking with rich man Dennis (Jason Mantzoukas), who is digging everything until it is discovered that Andy doesn't like him. Also, Ron (Nick Offerman) is really sick and Ann (Rashida Jones) forces him to go to the hospital to have a full check up, which goes well if just because Ron doesn't want any big discussion. After interviewing a lot of people, Leslie tries to get April (Aubrey Plaza) to run for the department, but Jamm (Jon Glaser) already has someone in mind. When April suggests that they just make it part of the parks department, that changes everything. After Andy snaps at Dennis, he refuses to pay up and they leave pissed off at him. Ron agrees to take better care of himself, if just for his girlfriend. April is placed in charge of the Animal Control division.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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| Left to right: Nick Offerman and Rashida Jones |
While it may be perceived as the familiar Ron Swanson routine this week, very few other characters are seen spouting out great lines. In the scene in which he is filling out his medical records, there have rarely been as great a series of spit firing Swanson quotes worthy of remembering, including the new reveal that he drinks one shelf of alcohol a week. In fact, Ron feels like the only character that is fully rounded in this episode, and with his stubborn charm, he manages to make the most of it without trying very hard. Also, I really do hope that he gets better and that he learns to eat a banana.
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| Left to right: Aziz Ansari, Adam Scott, and Chris Pratt |
Best scene: It is too easy to just give this episode to Ron. However, if there was a runner up, it would be the opening in which the two lousy animal control workers cannot do anything right. Their stoner personalities are made extra great because Harris Wittels is dedicated to the deadpan nature and making really obvious statements. Still, the best moment is, in the middle of a big demeaning rant, there is a note that there are police outside. Wittles gives a very solid reaction to this moment. Also, I feel bad about it, but it feels like Jason Mantzoukas can only play jerks and here, his jerkiness isn't as appealing as on the League. If there is one disappointment this week, it is that Mantzoukas wasn't a big highlight.
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