The ten Finest ‘Parks and Recreation’ Episodes to Watch

Parks and Recreation premiered 16 years in the past — and followers have not stopped referencing unforgettable moments from the present since.

The beloved NBC sitcom introduced the mockumentary type office comedy to a Parks and Recreation Division in Indiana and starred Amy Poehler as do-gooder Leslie Knope, deputy director of the division and a citizen devoted to bettering her metropolis of Pawnee.

Leslie had the assistance of her colleagues-turned-friends, together with Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman), April Ludgate (Aubrey Plaza), Donna Meagle (Retta), Tom Haverford (Aziz Ansari), Garry “Jerry” Gergich (Jim O’Inheritor) and Andy Dwyer (Chris Pratt). They have been additionally joined by Ann Perkins (Rashida Jones), Ben Wyatt (Adam Scott) and Chris Traeger (Rob Lowe).

Over the course of its run, a number of celebrities and public figures appeared on Parks and Recreation as fellow department staff and group members, together with Kathryn Hahn, Paul Rudd, Jon Hamm and Andy Samberg. The sequence additionally featured a number of real-life politicians and public figures, most notably Leslie’s crush, President Joe Biden.

Parks and Recreation premiered on April 9, 2009, and ran for seven seasons, concluding with a two-part finale on Feb. 24, 2015. Since then, the present’s solid has spoken about their expertise filming the sitcom, and Poehler has mentioned on the document that she is “all the time standing by” for a reboot.

From hijinks contained in the office to budding friendships and bittersweet goodbyes, listed here are the ten finest Parks and Recreation episodes to observe in honor of the sequence’ premiere anniversary.

Season 1, Episode 6: “Rock Present”

After breaking each legs within the pilot episode by falling right into a pit subsequent to his home, Andy lastly will get his casts eliminated within the season 1 finale. His girlfriend, Ann, invitations the crew to a bar the place Andy will carry out along with his rock band for the primary time since his damage.

It’s not till after that she learns that his casts might have come off weeks earlier than, however he saved them on to proceed being pampered. After a combat, Ann throws him out of the home.

In the meantime, Leslie offers together with her personal disaster of affection after a blind date ends poorly, and she or he winds up having a drink together with her crush, Mark Brendanawicz (Paul Schneider). Finally, they discover themselves exterior of the ditch at Ann’s home. Sadly, Mark doesn’t come out unscathed and falls into the pit, although Ann involves the rescue.

Season 2, Episode 8: “Ron And Tammy”

Parks and Recreation has a number of long-running storylines and bits, considered one of which incorporates the tumultuous relationship between Ron and his ex-wife, Tammy, who’s performed by his spouse in real-life, Megan Mullally. Within the present, their relationship is rife with drama, manipulation and one too many reunions.

Through the episode, Leslie learns that the library has put a planning declare on the identical lot she needed to show into the park. Tammy occurs to be the brand new library director, and Leslie confronts her instantly, solely to be met with kindness. This results in Ron and Tammy seeing one another once more, and chaos ensues.

With Leslie’s assist, she and Ron go to finish issues with Tammy. Whereas he initially struggles, he ultimately breaks up together with her off-camera and leaves largely unhurt — solely with a push-pin in his brow and half of his mustache gone.

Season 2, Episode 16: “Galentine’s Day”

The episode that sparked an annual vacation! Leslie introduces the celebration within the season 2 episode “Galentine’s Day” as a way of honoring feminine friendship.

In it, she hosts her annual Galentine’s Day social gathering for her feminine buddies, the place they will “kick it breakfast type” whereas she showers them with items and compliments.

On the occasion, Leslie’s mother recounts how she fell in love with a lifeguard who saved her from drowning many years earlier, however the couple cut up up. After listening to the story, Leslie’s boyfriend, Justin Anderson (Justin Theroux), insists that they reunite the 2, however not everyone seems to be on the identical web page.

Season 3, Episode 2: “Flu Season”

When Pawnee will get hit with a flu outbreak, many within the workplace come down with the sickness, whereas Ann is left to deal with a flurry of residents — together with April — on the hospital.

Leslie feels below the climate, however as anticipated, she refuses to go away work to offer a presentation about her plans for a pageant. Ben lastly convinces her to go to the hospital, agreeing to do the presentation with Tom, although he’s instantly left within the mud for higher plans.

Chris, a well being fanatic, additionally catches an aggressive case of the flu and utterly breaks down. Naturally, Leslie escapes from the hospital so she will ship the presentation. Regardless of her sickness, she nails it and is promptly swept again to the hospital to recuperate.

Season 3, Episode 9: “Andy and April’s Fancy Social gathering”

Because the title reveals, Andy and April invite the group to a celebration, although the couple have an ulterior motive.

When Leslie finds out that they deliberate on stunning everybody by getting married on the social gathering, the group has their say. In the end, Leslie can’t convey herself to cease the marriage, and Andy and April proceed with their nuptials.

This episode additionally consists of an iconic chilly open the place Ron pretends to tug out an aching tooth with a pair of pliers in his workplace, a lot to the horror of the remainder of the division.

Because it seems, his tooth was eliminated the day earlier than, however he mentioned, “It’s all the time a good suggestion to exhibit to your coworkers that you’re able to withstanding an amazing quantity of ache.”

Season 3, Episode 16: “Li’l Sebastian”

Solely Li’l Sebastian might encourage a tune like “5,000 Candles within the Wind.”

Within the season 3 finale, Leslie reveals that Pawnee’s beloved miniature horse has died. The parks division is slated to carry a memorial service for him, however behind the scenes, Leslie and Ben’s secret relationship causes a hiccup.

The couple bribe a upkeep employee on the constructing when he catches them making out and sends him residence, by accident leaving them with out propane for Li’l Sebastian’s everlasting flame.

“Li’l Sebastian” doubles as a candy tribute to the city’s hero but in addition units the stage for Leslie’s bigger aspirations in authorities, ending with the potential for a run for metropolis council or mayor.

Season 5, Episode 14: “Leslie and Ben”

On a whim, Leslie and Ben resolve to get married months early, with solely a two-hour window to make it occur earlier than the top of a gala. Leslie divvies up the duties to her buddies in an emergency assembly, with everybody having various ranges of success. The plans unfold on schedule till Jeremy Jamm (Jon Glaser) interrupts the ceremony.

After punching Jeremy and getting bailed out of jail, Ron shares some heartfelt phrases with Leslie about what an incredible good friend she has been as they stroll via the halls. He ultimately brings her into the division’s workplace for her second wedding ceremony try of the night.

Regardless of the chaos earlier within the day, Leslie and Ben exchanging wedding ceremony vows in entrance of their closest buddies, marking one other milestone of their relationship.

Season 6, Episode 13: “Ann and Chris”

It was a bittersweet ending for Ann and Chris. Actors Jones and Lowe departed the sequence after season 6, with “Ann and Chris” serving as their final hurrah of the sequence.

Leslie had loads up her sleeves to ship off her finest good friend, together with arranging a secret assembly to interrupt floor on the lot she’d been preventing to make a park and having a going-away social gathering.

In the meantime, Chris memorializes the event by giving every of his buddies a “buddy field” whereas they’re packing, containing a wide range of items that remind him of them.

It’s a heartfelt and emotional ending to the group of buddies’ story, discovering Leslie and Ann within the empty lot reminiscing about their friendship within the place the place it began.

Season 7, Episodes 12 and 13: “One Final Journey”

The Parks and Recreation sequence finale got here in two elements, wrapping up the present after seven heartfelt and hilarious seasons.

The finale kicks off with all of the division members getting collectively for one final mission: serving to repair a damaged playground swing set for a citizen. The group go down reminiscence lane as they put together to go their separate methods exterior of Pawnee.

Followers get a glimpse of what’s to come back for the crew over the next many years, together with Tom getting married and changing into a motivational speaker and self-help writer, in addition to Ron working for the federal government once more because the superintendent of Pawnee Nationwide Park.

Donna settles down in Seattle as her real-estate agency thrives, whereas April and Andy welcome their first little one again in Pawnee. Leslie and Ben are approached about working for governor of Indiana and return to Pawnee for inspiration and meet up with Ann and Chris, who additionally plan to maneuver again to town.

In the end, it’s determined Leslie will run for governor, the place she serves for 2 phrases. By the very finish, it’s teased that both Leslie or Ben made it to the White Home, surrounded by Secret Service at Jerry’s funeral.