Parks and Recreation: ‘Halloween Surprise’

That was really spectacular. It’s episodes like that which show why Parks and Rec is going to go down as one the best sitcoms of all time.  Personally, I’m an unabashed fan of Halloween installments of sitcoms as it is, so then I get something as sweet and unexpected as Ben proposing to Leslie on top of costumed silliness? Then sign me up.

Parks has proven time and time again that they aren’t afraid of changing the status quo in fear of losing the humor we’ve become accustomed to. For instance, we got the great spontaneity of Andy and April’s wedding in season three. Or having characters make career choices that change their environment, such as Andy leaving the shoeshine, Leslie winning for City Council, and Ben going off on location to work a campaign in DC. That type of change is rare to see in your typical workplace comedy show and that’s why when these changes occur the payoff is huge and we get emotionally invested because we start to care about these characters lives.

So Ben very romantically proposes to Leslie in their soon to be first apartment together, but then we get a couple of fun side stories thrown into this one as well. Ron and Andy team up again to take the two little girls trick or treating, and it never gets old watching Andy act as a little kid and Ron being at a completely loss words when it comes to dealing with children. It’s been nice watching Ron pursue a real romantic relationship and hopefully we’ll get a few more fun moments as we watch him try to transition into a family man.

And let us not forget our Jerry. Poor, poor Jerry. After being surprised by Ann and Leslie, Jerry starts to have a heart attack and loses complete control over his, erm, flatulence. And only Jerry would apologize while having a heart attack for making the room smell for those around him. This led to Jerry giving Leslie some sage advice in his hospital room about how important it is to surround yourself with loved ones, making the moment when Ben proposes to Leslie that much sweeter.

Really fun, emotional Halloween episode. Here a few of my other favorite moments:

• “I hope no one minds if I live-tweet this bitch.” –Donna.
• “Tree. Leaves. Night. Sky. Hand. Andy’s hand.” – Andy observing.
• “Neither of us is costume.” – Man who Andy mistakes for a costumed nerd along with his witch wife.
• In ‘Death Canoe 5’ the canoe actually becomes the hero.
• Having a wrist is a pre-existing condition Leslie.
• “If the kids were to come over to my place, I’d have to take an entire week off work just to turn off all the alarms and trip wires.” – Ron explain how kids don’t currently fit in his life.
• “Rent-a-swag.” – Tom’s first good idea? I hope Jean Ralphio isn’t far behind….

What did everyone else think? Comments are always welcome.