Since Ben’s the show’s go-to straight man in a post-Brendanawicz world, there are plenty of comedic possibilities inherent in him living in a completely irrational and chaotic environment with two of Parks and Rec’s most outlandish characters. I love the idea of Ben becoming Andy and April’s roommate, and I was glad this wasn’t just a one-episode thing. I did very much enjoy where the plotlines intersected, though, with the Leslie and Ben stuff. It felt a little like Leslie was reverting back to her embryonic Season One self, as her extreme obsession with the painting felt a little cartoonish and contrary to the way the writers and Poehler have made the character more three-dimensional and realistic over the past two seasons. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of laughs and some great moments from Amy Poehler and Aziz Ansari, but it just faltered in comparison to the subplot. While the main plot did have its moments, and I’m always pleased to see Perd Hapley pop up, I found myself rather unconcerned with the fate of Jerry’s oil painting. I have to say, I enjoyed the B story this week, which involved Ben moving in with Andy and April, a hell of a lot more than the A story. Since they both seem to be at least vaguely aware that the other is interested, hopefully, they’ll get the ball rolling on this thing in the coming weeks. As for now, though, Chris’s overenthusiasm about setting people up is pretty funny, and I’m hoping he’ll try to find someone for Leslie next. Chris’s strict anti-office dating policy is the first big obstacle in the way of Leslie and Ben dating, as they’ve mostly been kept apart by their own timidity until now. We picked up this week with Leslie and Ben still inching towards a relationship, still at a sluggish pace. It’s good to see Jerry get some more screentime here, as I feel the office’s hatred for him has been one of the show’s best running gags. Jerry had a bigger part than normal, though, and this was quite possibly the most pivotal part he’s played in an episode since last season’s also-excellent “Park Safety,” in which Jerry fabricated a story about being mugged. Although the episode is named after Jerry, Leslie’s at the center of the action. Yesterday was the end of an era for The Office, but Parks and Rec is still very much in the early stages of its prime. Although last night’s Parks and Rec was a bit overshadowed by the television event that was Steve Carell’s departure from The Office, it was nevertheless an impressive episode in an exceptional season.
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