Parks and Recreation

2009 • Dave

4.8

627 reviews

Eligible

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Season 5 episodes (22)

1 Ms. Knope goes to Washington

9/20/12

Season-only

Leslie and Andy visit Ben and April at their new jobs in Washington D.C., and Leslie feels overwhelmed by the city - especially after meeting two of her idols. Meanwhile, Ron throws a "thank you" barbeque for the entire Parks and Recreation staff.

2 Soda Tax

9/27/12

Season-only

Leslie engages on her first mission as city councilor:passing a city-wide tax on giant sodas. Chris helps Andy get in shape to prepare for his police entrance exam. Meanwhile, Ben struggles to connect with the interns in his office.

3 How A Bill Becomes A Law

10/4/12

Season-only

Leslie negotiates with her fellow councilmen to pass a new law extending the community pool hours. When Chris comes up with a new idea to solve people's problems around the city, Ron finds himself filling a pothole for a local mom. Meanwhile, Ben and April decide to take a road trip to visit Leslie and Andy.

4 Sex Education

10/18/12

Season-only

An STD outbreak amongst Pawnee seniors prompts Leslie to conduct a sex education class. Meanwhile, Ron helps Tom adjust to life without technology after his gadgets are taken away, and Ben and April meet Congressman Murray for the first time.

5 Halloween Surprise

10/25/12

Season-only

A new job offer for Ben causes Leslie to contemplates their future. Meanwhile, Ron and Andy take Diane's girls out trick-or-treating, and Tom searches for a new business idea.

6 Ben's Parents

11/8/12

Season-only

After being warned about Ben's (Adam Scott) divorced parents, Leslie (Amy Poehler) gets nervous as she prepares to meet them (guest stars Jonathan Banks and Glenne Headly). With the help of Jean-Ralphio (Ben Schwartz), Tom (Aziz Ansari) prepares to pitch his new business to Ron (Nick Offerman). Meanwhile, Chris (Rob Lowe) rides an emotional rollercoaster. Rashida Jones, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Pratt, Jerry O'Heir and Retta also star.

7 Leslie vs. April

11/15/12

Season-only

Leslie gets upset when April tries to get Lot 48 made into a dog park. Meanwhile, Tom enlists Ben's help as he tries to launch his new business venture, and Andy hones his crime scene investigation skills.

8 Pawnee Commons

11/29/12

Season-only

Leslie makes a public appeal for park design suggestions, but becomes suspicious when the best design comes from an architect in Eagleton.Tom enlists the help of the office as he sets up his new "Rent a-Swag" business, while Andy finds a way to make his new security guard job exciting.

9 Ron and Diane

12/6/12

Season-only

Ron, Diane, and Leslie attend a woodworking awards dinner, after one of Ron's handcrafted chairs is nominated, but the happy occasion is threatened by the arrival of Tammy II. Meanwhile, Jerry hosts a holiday party at his home with his wife, and some of his friends are shocked to find they were not invited.

10 Two Parties

1/17/13

Season-only

Ann throws a bachelorette party for Leslie but her plans are derailed when Councilman Jamm interferes. Chris throws a game night at Ben's but things take a turn when he realizes none of the guys ever had their own bachelor parties.

11 Women In Garbage

1/24/13

Season-only

In order to get more women hired in government, Leslie and April handle a garbage route. Meanwhile, to help his growing business, Tom enlists the help of Andy and Ben to teach him about basketball, and Ron is left to watch Diane's kids while their babysitter is out of town.

12 Ann's Decision

2/7/13

Season-only

After several unsuccessful relationships Ann (Rashida Jones) makes a dramatic life decision. Ben (Adam Scott) enlists the help of Chris (Rob Lowe), Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Ron (Nick Offerman) to choose a caterer for the wedding, while April (Aubrey Plaza) has to handle one of Leslie's usual tasks. Chris Pratt, Jim O'Heir and Retta also star.

13 Emergency Response

2/14/13

Season-only

Leslie and Ben organize a black tie gala to raise money for their park, but their plans are derailed when a city-wide emergency response drill is called. Meanwhile, Andy prepares to take his Police Academy Exam and Ron fills in for Leslie on Pawnee Today.

14 Leslie and Ben

2/21/13

Season-only

The clock is ticking -- Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) have two hours to complete a years-long project. Meanwhile, Ron (Nick Offerman) gets in trouble when his temper gets the best of him.

15 Correspondents' Lunch

2/21/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) is literally left speechless when her planned address at a big media event is stolen. Ben (Adam Scott) starts his new job working at the Sweetums Charity Foundation, and Ann (Rashida Jones) works up the courage to ask someone an important question.

16 Bailout

3/14/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) tries to help a local video store stay in business after the owner (guest star Jason Schwartzman) is hit by the bad economy. Chris (Rob Lowe) tries to give Tom (Aziz Ansari) some fatherly advice in dealing with a difficult employee (guest star Jenny Slate), while Ann (Rashida Jones) blackmails April (Aubrey Plaza) into being her friend.

17 Partridge

4/4/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) and Ben (Adam Scott) travel back to his hometown of Partridge, MN to accept the key to the city. Ron (Nick Offerman) gets served a lawsuit from councilman Jamm (guest star Jon Glaser), while Ann (Rashida Jones) and Chris (Rob Lowe) take a compatible parenting quiz.

18 Animal Control

4/11/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) decides to give the Animal Control Department a much-needed makeover. Ann (Rashida Jones) tries to get Ron (Nick Offerman) the medical attention he needs, while Ben (Adam Scott), Tom (Aziz Ansari) and Andy (Chris Pratt) recruit donors for their charity foundation.

19 Article Two

4/18/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) works to get rid of outdated laws from the original town charter that no longer make sense. Chris (Rob Lowe) gives April (Aubrey Plaza) and Ron (Nick Offerman) management training, while Ann (Rashida Jones) and Ben (Adam Scott) get in a bidding war over a present for Leslie.

20 Jerry's Retirement

4/18/13

Season-only

When Leslie (Amy Poehler) finds out Jerry (Jim O'Heir) is retiring, she struggles with the proper way to commemorate the occasion. Chris (Rob Lowe) and Ann (Rashida Jones) prepare to have a baby together, while Tom (Aziz Ansari) worries he will become the office punching bag once Jerry leaves.

21 Swing Vote

4/25/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) gets upset when Ron (Nick Offerman) submits budget cut proposals getting rid of the local mini golf course. Andy (Chris Pratt) and Ben (Adam Scott) celebrate a big donation made to their charity, while Ann (Rashida Jones) helps Tom (Aziz Ansari) with his girlfriend troubles.

22 Are You Better Off?

5/2/13

Season-only

Leslie (Amy Poehler) celebrates her first year as a city councilor. A surprise discovery leads Andy (Chris Pratt) to call the only man he knows who can help with the investigation: retired Special Agent Burt Macklin. Meanwhile, April (Aubrey Plaza) gets some life-changing news, and Tom (Aziz Ansari) debates a big business opportunity.

About this show

From Emmy Award-winning executive producers Greg Daniels ("The Office," "King of the Hill") and Michael Schur ("The Office," "Saturday Night Live") comes a new mockumentary that looks at the exciting world of local government. Parks and Recreation will examine the mundane but necessary ways that people interact with their government, and ask why it's frequently so complicated -- as everyone knows from standing in line at the DMV, applying for home construction permits, or trying to get the city to fix a pothole.

Ratings and reviews

4.8

627 reviews

Matthew Wilson

May 1, 2020

This is an outstanding show which gets better as it goes (with the exception of Season 7 which is still great but not quite as good as 4/5/6). If you watch half of Season 1 and think 'this isn't that great', please stick with it. Season 1 is by far the worst season. They seem to change Leslie's personality from Season 2 onward and she goes from slightly annoying to one of the most lovable sitcom characters of recent times. The whole cast is amazing.

Ben Ingram (Bingram)

June 2, 2016

This is hands down my favourite television show. It intertwines realism, personality, and genius comedy all into one bundle of entertainment. It's a rare show that I actually laugh out loud at, compared to the occasional sniffle of humour with most shows. If you haven't already seen Parks, then you must watch!

24 people found this review helpful

Scott Campbell

January 14, 2020

Disappointed. Kept hearing good things, and maybe you have to stick with it to the next season, but i'm halfway through first season and already regretting buying this. Can be amusing at some points but not worth the money.