Parks and Recreation Review: Treat Yo Self!
Nick McHatton at .“Treat Yo Self” indeed.
"Pawnee Rangers" was like my own personal version of Oprah’s favorite things. What more could anyone possibly want from an episode of Parks and Recreation?
The Pawnee Goddesses versus the Pawnee Rangers was a perfect example of Ron and Leslie and how they view the world. Leslie believes in puppy parties, doing your best and candy... while Ron expects you to build shelter with a canvas sheet and box, ration your food and hone your survival skills.
Of course, Leslie’s Goddesses were a spitting image of her personality and they ended up out-Leslie-ing Leslie, coming up with political reasons and debate on why the boys are equally allowed to be Goddesses. Even Brother Nature Andy wanted to defect. How awesome is the Goddesses anthem, by the way?
The real treat of “Rangers” was by far Donna and Tom dragging Ben along on their annual Treat Yo Self day. Although, why Tom would need a day to treat himself is still up in the air considering that’s everyday for him - but if Donna was my wing woman for such an occasion I’d be all over it, too.
It’s rather unfortunate that Donna is mostly relegated to the background and sarcastic glances at the camera because she’s one of Parks’ unsung comedy heroes (Goddesses, perhaps?). She even makes the sometimes unbearable Tom shine. Yet on top of all of that, Donna has a heart of gold, recognizing Ben needed a friend and a day to pamper himself.
Donna eventually figured out Ben didn’t want to pamper himself. He preferred to spend money on something else... like a Batman costume. I’m still upset Ben didn’t come out and do a gravely Christian Bale Batman Begins voice, but Tom did ask him “why so serious?”
Even so, behind the mask, Ben was finally able to grieve a little bit after his breakup with Leslie, beginning to dust himself off after getting some love and support from Donna and Tom.
Can Treat Yo Self Day be an annual Parks and Recreation episode like a Thanksgiving or Christmas installment? There were no bad moments, everyone had something funny and/or heartwarming to say, and best of all, there were plenty of funny quotes!
Other thoughts:
- When Chris says he’s gotta run, does he mean that literally?
- Eating soup on a bench, alone, is really depressing.
- Jerry even got to do something on screen this week, introducing his daughter Millicent to Chris.
- All computer repairs should be done in a Batman costume.