Season 2 absolutely deserves some credit as the show's turning point :) The shift in its tone and characterizations is unmistakable. All the same, you are so right about Harvest Fest being especially notable in its quality not just as an episode, but as the foundation for the type of story that would continue to unfold.
@@MarkWTK Personally I think Season 1 is a decent enough time. And it's *so* short anyways being only 6 episodes. And the finale "Rock Show" still gives me a good laugh 😊
I feel like it only took the first season for Parks and Rec to find it’s footing, once season 2 rolled around everything feels homogeneous. The people of Pawnee have been a pain since season 1
Went to the comments to post this exact same thing! In season 1, it’s obvious that Parks & Rec is trying to be another version of The Office. Only in season 2 did they realize that the show needed to be its own thing, and thank goodness they did… cause Parks & Rec is a great show
True, but I felt that the entirety of season 2 was held back by the boorish presence of Mark Brendanawicz. He was such a normal, uninteresting straight man that he sucked the life out of the show. The inclusion of Ben and Chris were like the final secret ingredients that made the whole cast and show come together in a really fun and interesting way.
Personally I see it as season 1 is a B-, season 2 is a B+, and season 3 and on is an A. Yes season 2 was good, but we don’t quite have Ben Wyatt and we still have Mark Brandanowitz who just didn’t work as a likable straight man.
I'm kinda blown away you discredited season 2 so hard, considering that is when the show really starts to change and make you like its characters. Seems a bit silly just to justify the video's thesis.
yeah for me 97 meetings (forgot the episode name) is where the show really starts picking up and that episode is still one of my favorites in the entire series
@@nutyyyy that’s the way the office is cause season 1 is more in tone of the British version of the show but once the season ended and they ran out of episodes to pull from with season 2 they could basically create there own show and tone and it became the show people love
It’s been a while since I have watched parks and rec so I was a bit confused bc I didn’t remember it taking them this long to find something that worked but I do agree that in season 3 they hit their stride
Powering through to 3.7 is pretty harsh IMO. Sure season 1 doesnt distinguish itself from the Office, but the character writing is strong and it’s laying foundations. Season 2 is a good season. Not the best of them all, but you’re certainly not powering through it
I've always liked Season 4 Episode 11 "The Comeback Kid." The ice rink scene is one of my favorites in the series as well as Ben's Avatar-rivaling epic claymation film.
I always said that I liked P&R more than The Office, because the characters love each other more, try to outdo each other in kindness. I never thought about their role as government employees factoring into that, but it makes so much sense. People in corporations can be bad at their jobs, but we don’t want to be reminded of that at the government level.
For me it was after the first season. Those first 6 episodes are ROUGH. After that I fell in love with the show. Leslie turns the crew from office workers to a lovable bunch. All the cameos were just amazing and everyone they kept bringing in just clicked. I even loved the Ralphios. Their crazy selfs 😂😂😂
S4E6 "End of the World" has always been my favorite episode of this show and maybe, imo, the best episode of any show to air on television. It makes me cry every time.
The episode "Greg Pikitis" is when show finally clicked personally. It's still one of my favourite episodes. Season 2 has a lot of bangers IMO, but it does become more itself in Season 3.
I LOVE season 3 episode 2 Flu Season - specifically, I love the scene towards the end where Leslie gives a *perfect* speech after being completely incomprehensible from the flu and her medicine overdose. That's one of the first major signs of her character change, that she is smart and capable even under the worst of circumstances. ... We also get to see Ben's impressed face :)
I love the Office but Parks n Rec is so much better, imo. It’s like a live action Simpsons in a way, where the town as a whole becomes the one of the main characters. Masterpiece of a show.
I would actually say that from the episode that Ben and Chris are introduced, the show feels different. Balanced. And flu season is truly, in my opinion, one of the top 3 episodes of the show. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched it. Touching on the addition of Ben and Chris might be a more universal turning point for the series, in my opinion.
I loved Parks and Rec from the beginning. I never understood why some people say to start with season 3. Leslie was always a smart, competent, and more interesting Michael Scott. The towns folk were always the antagonist. I usually like these videos, but I disagree with this one a lot.
Season two is a better jumping on point. There is that it’s transitioning from the Office-type tone of season one and despite trying doesn’t work at all to transition Mark the way the other characters do vastly improve, but the season two opener gets in one episode what the six episodes of season one doesn’t, Leslie determined to and fully capable of helping Pawnee but the media and townspeople get fixated on one idea that presents the conflict. Pawnee Zoo introduces Joan and the Langmans, two aspects to a small town who combat Leslie consistently across the show.
Fantastic showcase and outline of this turnaround and absolutely priceless to hear about a show that became much more popular after it decided to become positive!!
Now I know why my wife hates this show. She was turned off by the first season and never returned. I, on the other hand, watched only from sometime around Season 3 and beyond. Maybe it’s time we watched it together for the seasons where the show finally found its way into the hearts of the audience.
Looking through the list of Season 2 episodes, I highly disagree that it wasn't until Season 3 that the show found it's footing. In fact, I'd argue that it was as early as Season 2 Episode 7 Greg Pikitis that we started getting a few all-time classic episodes. I mean that episode in and of itself is hilarious and great, but then shortly after you get Ron and Tammy, Hunting Trip, Tom's Divorce, Sweetums, Galentine's Day, Woman of the Year, The Possum, 94 Meetings, and Telethon, all of which can be argued to be among the series' best.
The Hunting Trip! Yes! Ron's "... and you can shoot me in the head!" bit gets me every time, and the episode is amazing as a whole. Definitely wasn't just "powering through" that episode or any of the others you mentioned.
s1 gets a bad rep but its such an amazing show from start to finish imo !! s7ep4 "leslie and ron" always makes me cry bc i treasure those characters so much... this show inspired me to work in local government actually ! so its very dear to me
Great pick! Mine will always be, "End of the World, which does a great job of showcasing the characters by showing their reaction to the believed end of the world by a cult. Highlights are Ron, the stalwart capitalist, bilking the cult, who's all too happy to pay because of the world ends, they'll never have to pay their credit bills and Andy fulfilling as bucket list (including looking at the Grand Canyon and wondering where the faces are).
I cannot say this enough: Parks and Rec is my absolute favorite show. I've watched it in its entirety at least a dozen full runs and have no intention of stopping. While the office has a pretty strong bell curve of quality, Parks and Rec, IMO, has an upward curve of greatness, only mildly dipping near the very end with some somewhat off-shoot episodes to wrap up the series. The fact that it shifts more from a "mockumentary" to the cast just addressing the audience as if they are, in fact, there, is brilliant and the small cookie crumbs of plot details left in the early seasons that play out later on are absolutely brilliant (i.e., Leslie's blind date with Will Arnet where he says she could have triplets with an oven like that, only to have that play out later on, etc.)
This episode is when I went from liking the show to loving it. Because of the style of humor that was pervasive at the time, I expected that the Harvest Festival would fail in a big, catastrophic, cringe-fest. When it didn't and, in fact, succeeded amazingly, I realized the show was going to let these characters grow, and I absolutely wanted to grow with them!
Flu season, Snake juice, Ben's proposal to Leslie and their wedding. And Flu season 2. Also Episodes with Tammy, Joan, Bernie from the accounting firm and the twins: Mona Lisa & Jean Ralphio. Aw man there are several more. I can’t list them all. Tom losing his driving privileges. Ron going off the grid. I sure do Miss watching it on Netflix.
I'm so sad I just found out that the show isn't on Netflix anymore literally about an hour before this episode came out. However I do love this RUclips channel so this does soften the blow of today a little.
It's funny to see just how much the show picks up right when they show up. There is no doubt the chemistry and dynamics with the entire crew changes and it almost feels like a whole different show.
Season 2, Episode 5 - Sister City I think is when the show starts to turn the corner and it is the show’s first perfect episode. Parks and Rec has MANY perfect episodes and Sister City is the first truly flawless one. Then of course the show really took off of course when the characters of Ben and Chris join the cast (and the boring character of Mark is jettisoned.)
Disagree that Harvest Festival is the turning point. The turning point is somewhere in the later half of Season 2 where in they started to have banger after banger meaningful episodes.
Season 2 is where teh show found its footing. Early in the season it still had its season 1-ness, but then it gradually morphed into the beloved show we all remember.
I remembered this show starting out as just something I put on in the background and hearing a funny joke every now and then, by the end it became one of my favorite shows of all time
The biggest miss for me is not having a spin-off mini-series called Library showcasing the library’s side and having Leslie play the “good-meaning, optimistic” antagonist. Would’ve been completely hilarious, but also shine some light on how libraries can also be fascinating in the background (with quirky staff, impossible patrons, and classic attempts of trying to be “to hip” when it’s not needed).
I love this series in so manu ways and the tertiary characters need a spotlight too. Ken Hotate gets such a great plotline and in the harvest fest episode.
IMO the episode where “Parks and Rec” really found it’s footing was “Flu Season”. The first episode in the serialized format with the new characters (Ben and Chris) that showed all of the important plot points and character dynamics that people would love. (Harvest Festival, April and Andy, Chris’ Fitness/Paranoia)
I still say that while the first season of Parks & Rec may feel like The Office 2, if you watch it now, it's still enjoyable and you see shades of the versions we love that the characters eventually turn into.
I was just thinking about this episode, and thought "oh yeah that's probably the objectively best episode of the show" and looked up "best episode of parks and recreation"
I think season 2 is great and really starts the shift, but this episode definitely encapsulates the tone of the rest of the series from then on out and it’s great
I usually start about halfway through season 2. Yes, season 3 is amazing and I agree it’s where it officially “clicks,” but I think season 2 is super important in bridging the gap between the first and third season. Plus season 2 is where we see Andy and April’s love story develop, and those last few episodes where they’re finally getting close to being together are so good!!
when I first watched parks and rec someone reccomended me to start in season 3, and honestly it was perfect back then for me as even though I missed out a lot on the content I felt the chemistry of the show immediately and after a few episodes of learning the characters I think I loved every single bit all the way to season 7. Then I craved parks and rec more and watched season 1 and 2 finally. Honestly I can see why people don't like season 1 too much but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and was still enjoyable. Season 2 on the other hand was actually really good everything was coming together.
Parks and Rec had clicked way earlier than S3E07. It could be argued to be a few different episodes but I think it was S2E20, the telethon episode. If not then it was the next episode when Ben and Chris joined. Even if it wasn’t perfect yet, you definitely don’t have to power through season two. The whole season was great.
And in my opinion I thing parks and rec is overall a better show than the office. I just find the main cast a lot more likable, mostly just cause I like Leslie so much more and is really refreshing to see as a main character in a show like this. And her relationship with Ben is super sweet.
Are you sure you watched the series? Season 2 is not one to rush through. From the moment Leslie starts singing "Parents Just Don't Understand" it's clear there's been a shift in tone and there's some great episodes in season 2. "Greg Pikitis" being one of my favourites.
I would agree with harvest festival being an amazing episode. However, completely bashing season one, especially the very last episode, and negating season two is shocking. It looks like I’m not the only one here who feel similarly
S1 isn't that great, but S2 is. It does take the season to change its tone. Yes, .ore background characters like Donna and Jerry only start getting an actual personality in S3 and the tone feels complete in that season, but the stories in S2 are already really good. My only gripe with the show is how suddenly Mark leaves, and then is treated to never have existed in the first place.
As soon as Leslie stops being a weird hoarder monster copy of Michael Scott in season 2 it was instantly better. I do agree that once they started planning the harvest festival was when it felt like everything was set (a process that starts as soon as Chris and Ben show up), but it was in the clear as soon as she got fixed that the show was off to the races.
In general, when I do a rewatch, I start with the last episode of Season 2 and go from there. I feel like the show didn't become the show it was meant to be until Chris and Ben came aboard. Now, this isn't to say that there aren't great episodes in Season 2, but because of the tonal change you brought up in Season 3, I think that's when the show really comes into itself. Also, The Office walked so Parks and Rec could run, and The Good Place could fly.
I know I'm just adding to the noise of being taken aback that you would discount season two so hard because... yeah. The characters really became their own and there's a lot of funny and charming episodes in season two.
In my opinion, Parks and Rec gets good once they purge Mark Brandanowitz and bring in Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger. It brings a purpose to everyone's character
Parks and recreation was one of best sitcmos 2010s it's has many where different yet funny characters who are funny together , I think that parks and recreation to be good from that episode where Leslie trying to caught that teen who made all that prank on Halloween.
![Jack Harlow - Hello Miss Johnson [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q86_nlRoIGw/mqdefault.jpg)
Season 2 absolutely deserves some credit as the show's turning point :) The shift in its tone and characterizations is unmistakable. All the same, you are so right about Harvest Fest being especially notable in its quality not just as an episode, but as the foundation for the type of story that would continue to unfold.
Season 2 is one of the best, I think. Leslie is no longer an embarrassment, she is an asset.
@@b.b.2684 Exactly! Well said
if I were to watch Parks and Recs, can I skip season 1? 😅
@@MarkWTK I would say so lol. Then when you love the characters, go back and watch Season 1 😊
@@MarkWTK Personally I think Season 1 is a decent enough time. And it's *so* short anyways being only 6 episodes. And the finale "Rock Show" still gives me a good laugh 😊
Adding Chris and Ben LITERALLY fixed the show
Poor Mark Brandonaquits.
Wico. 90.
Great to meet you!
@@billc5433 he sucked
LITERALLY correct
They did a video with this exact point 9 days ago! You called it a year ago and I agree.
I feel like it only took the first season for Parks and Rec to find it’s footing, once season 2 rolled around everything feels homogeneous. The people of Pawnee have been a pain since season 1
Went to the comments to post this exact same thing! In season 1, it’s obvious that Parks & Rec is trying to be another version of The Office. Only in season 2 did they realize that the show needed to be its own thing, and thank goodness they did… cause Parks & Rec is a great show
Same bro.
Yeah, the gay penguin marriage already is a super strong start in tone
True, but I felt that the entirety of season 2 was held back by the boorish presence of Mark Brendanawicz.
He was such a normal, uninteresting straight man that he sucked the life out of the show.
The inclusion of Ben and Chris were like the final secret ingredients that made the whole cast and show come together in a really fun and interesting way.
Yep season 2 when Andy became a main character and not just the antagonist brought it around
What? Season 1 isn't great, but I've never heard anyone say you have to "power through" Season 2.
Agreed. If I'm doing a re-watch I skip season 1 at this point and start at season 2.
Season 2 is one of the better seasons. You are not a true parks and rec fan if you dont like season 2
I was enjoying it from the first episode 🤨 if anything you have to power through the first season of the office
@@John-Doe-Yo I despise the office so that may be why I hate the first season.
Personally I see it as season 1 is a B-, season 2 is a B+, and season 3 and on is an A. Yes season 2 was good, but we don’t quite have Ben Wyatt and we still have Mark Brandanowitz who just didn’t work as a likable straight man.
I'm kinda blown away you discredited season 2 so hard, considering that is when the show really starts to change and make you like its characters. Seems a bit silly just to justify the video's thesis.
yeah for me 97 meetings (forgot the episode name) is where the show really starts picking up and that episode is still one of my favorites in the entire series
Yes Season 1 just feels like a completely different show. Season 2 is picks up a lot and Season 3 it really shines.
@@nutyyyy that’s the way the office is cause season 1 is more in tone of the British version of the show but once the season ended and they ran out of episodes to pull from with season 2 they could basically create there own show and tone and it became the show people love
It’s been a while since I have watched parks and rec so I was a bit confused bc I didn’t remember it taking them this long to find something that worked but I do agree that in season 3 they hit their stride
Nerdstalgic did even a video about it some time ago.
Powering through to 3.7 is pretty harsh IMO. Sure season 1 doesnt distinguish itself from the Office, but the character writing is strong and it’s laying foundations. Season 2 is a good season. Not the best of them all, but you’re certainly not powering through it
I've always liked Season 4 Episode 11 "The Comeback Kid." The ice rink scene is one of my favorites in the series as well as Ben's Avatar-rivaling epic claymation film.
Get on your feet!!
That is my all time favorite episode
Requiem for a Tuesday
I legitimately almost pissed myself at those scenes. It’s so stupidly funny
“Stand in the place where you li-“
The Calzone Zone! 🎉
I always said that I liked P&R more than The Office, because the characters love each other more, try to outdo each other in kindness. I never thought about their role as government employees factoring into that, but it makes so much sense. People in corporations can be bad at their jobs, but we don’t want to be reminded of that at the government level.
For me it was after the first season. Those first 6 episodes are ROUGH. After that I fell in love with the show. Leslie turns the crew from office workers to a lovable bunch. All the cameos were just amazing and everyone they kept bringing in just clicked. I even loved the Ralphios. Their crazy selfs 😂😂😂
A lot of credit to the cast as well. Once they found their characters every character in the show was gold
Season one is rough
Season two is when it starts getting better.
Season three it became the best show on tv.
I swear Ron's reaction when he sees little Sebastian is probably one of the funniest moments of this entire series!! 1:59
that and him in the chair with the 360 desk, the lady running around it, Sir, SIR
Parks and rec is one of those few shows where each season gets progressively better
S4E6 "End of the World" has always been my favorite episode of this show and maybe, imo, the best episode of any show to air on television. It makes me cry every time.
YES! YES! THANK YOU!
Yes! I had that exact thought recently too. End of the world might just be the best episode of tv Ive ever seen.
The episode "Greg Pikitis" is when show finally clicked personally. It's still one of my favourite episodes. Season 2 has a lot of bangers IMO, but it does become more itself in Season 3.
I LOVE season 3 episode 2 Flu Season - specifically, I love the scene towards the end where Leslie gives a *perfect* speech after being completely incomprehensible from the flu and her medicine overdose. That's one of the first major signs of her character change, that she is smart and capable even under the worst of circumstances. ... We also get to see Ben's impressed face :)
Also, by far the best joke in the series is “Good evening everyone, I’m Leslie Monster and you’re watching Nightline.”
I love the Office but Parks n Rec is so much better, imo. It’s like a live action Simpsons in a way, where the town as a whole becomes the one of the main characters. Masterpiece of a show.
'We're not gonna fight you on this'
love that you compare it to the simpsons! I've often thought the same. it's a whole town of fully developed freaks and weirdos lol!
@@mzmendythat’s not the line! mzmendy is an idiot! mzmendy is an idiot!
I would actually say that from the episode that Ben and Chris are introduced, the show feels different. Balanced. And flu season is truly, in my opinion, one of the top 3 episodes of the show. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched it. Touching on the addition of Ben and Chris might be a more universal turning point for the series, in my opinion.
My favorite show of all time. Season 2 gets better and better. And then quality of the show keeps going up until an amazing final season.
0:15 Fun fact: Leslie isn't actually in charge of the Parks Dept. Ron's the boss. He just doesn't care.
For me, it was “the comeback kid”. That ice rink scene and Ben’s stop motion movie was comedy GOLD. You fans know what I’m talking about 😉
Yes. This. That is my favorite episode.
That’s what makes the sauce so awesome
I loved Parks and Rec from the beginning. I never understood why some people say to start with season 3. Leslie was always a smart, competent, and more interesting Michael Scott. The towns folk were always the antagonist. I usually like these videos, but I disagree with this one a lot.
Season two is a better jumping on point. There is that it’s transitioning from the Office-type tone of season one and despite trying doesn’t work at all to transition Mark the way the other characters do vastly improve, but the season two opener gets in one episode what the six episodes of season one doesn’t, Leslie determined to and fully capable of helping Pawnee but the media and townspeople get fixated on one idea that presents the conflict. Pawnee Zoo introduces Joan and the Langmans, two aspects to a small town who combat Leslie consistently across the show.
Because the show doesn’t truly start till season 3
@@tbrown5836 it's silly to ignore the first two seasons. Season 1 is good, Season 2 is great.
Because people just copy what other people say on the internet to look cool. Season 1 is great.
Fantastic showcase and outline of this turnaround and absolutely priceless to hear about a show that became much more popular after it decided to become positive!!
Media Blitz is probably my favorite episode of the show. it’s so fucking funny
Adam Scott should've been nominated for an Emmy for it.
Now I know why my wife hates this show. She was turned off by the first season and never returned. I, on the other hand, watched only from sometime around Season 3 and beyond. Maybe it’s time we watched it together for the seasons where the show finally found its way into the hearts of the audience.
Start on S2Ep1
Pls start in season 2 just skip the first season
Really doing season 2 dirty
This is one of my Favorite channels on RUclips
I loved it since day One. It was a goofy show, yet absolutely adorable.
Looking through the list of Season 2 episodes, I highly disagree that it wasn't until Season 3 that the show found it's footing. In fact, I'd argue that it was as early as Season 2 Episode 7 Greg Pikitis that we started getting a few all-time classic episodes. I mean that episode in and of itself is hilarious and great, but then shortly after you get Ron and Tammy, Hunting Trip, Tom's Divorce, Sweetums, Galentine's Day, Woman of the Year, The Possum, 94 Meetings, and Telethon, all of which can be argued to be among the series' best.
The Hunting Trip! Yes! Ron's "... and you can shoot me in the head!" bit gets me every time, and the episode is amazing as a whole. Definitely wasn't just "powering through" that episode or any of the others you mentioned.
So true! I understand that for most of season two the show was still a tad unsteady, but it wasn’t anything undesirable or bad.
This is also my favorite episode. I knew exactly which episode the video would be about as soon as I read the title.
This show deserves more love
Glad to see so many people agreeing that you don't have to power through until Season 3
Finally, good narration.
Also, no, you don’t have to “power through” season 2. It’s just that season 3 is where the show finally found its footing.
s1 gets a bad rep but its such an amazing show from start to finish imo !! s7ep4 "leslie and ron" always makes me cry bc i treasure those characters so much... this show inspired me to work in local government actually ! so its very dear to me
Great pick! Mine will always be, "End of the World, which does a great job of showcasing the characters by showing their reaction to the believed end of the world by a cult. Highlights are Ron, the stalwart capitalist, bilking the cult, who's all too happy to pay because of the world ends, they'll never have to pay their credit bills and Andy fulfilling as bucket list (including looking at the Grand Canyon and wondering where the faces are).
Omg, I rewatched this episode last night, I swear 😭 This episode was one of perfection 😀
I cannot say this enough: Parks and Rec is my absolute favorite show. I've watched it in its entirety at least a dozen full runs and have no intention of stopping. While the office has a pretty strong bell curve of quality, Parks and Rec, IMO, has an upward curve of greatness, only mildly dipping near the very end with some somewhat off-shoot episodes to wrap up the series. The fact that it shifts more from a "mockumentary" to the cast just addressing the audience as if they are, in fact, there, is brilliant and the small cookie crumbs of plot details left in the early seasons that play out later on are absolutely brilliant (i.e., Leslie's blind date with Will Arnet where he says she could have triplets with an oven like that, only to have that play out later on, etc.)
This episode is when I went from liking the show to loving it. Because of the style of humor that was pervasive at the time, I expected that the Harvest Festival would fail in a big, catastrophic, cringe-fest. When it didn't and, in fact, succeeded amazingly, I realized the show was going to let these characters grow, and I absolutely wanted to grow with them!
An apt metaphor. Harvest Fest saved the parks department and saved the show.
Flu season, Snake juice, Ben's proposal to Leslie and their wedding. And Flu season 2.
Also Episodes with Tammy, Joan, Bernie from the accounting firm and the twins: Mona Lisa & Jean Ralphio. Aw man there are several more. I can’t list them all. Tom losing his driving privileges. Ron going off the grid. I sure do Miss watching it on Netflix.
I'm so sad I just found out that the show isn't on Netflix anymore literally about an hour before this episode came out. However I do love this RUclips channel so this does soften the blow of today a little.
Parks and Rec might be the only show that kept getting better and better as it went on, even the last season is fantastic!
loved the video! parks and rec is so heartwarming, almost therapy!
Well it looks like it’s time for another rewatch of Parks & Rec
It's a great episode but imo the show found its footing the moment Ben and Chris showed up
It's funny to see just how much the show picks up right when they show up. There is no doubt the chemistry and dynamics with the entire crew changes and it almost feels like a whole different show.
Season 2, Episode 5 - Sister City I think is when the show starts to turn the corner and it is the show’s first perfect episode. Parks and Rec has MANY perfect episodes and Sister City is the first truly flawless one. Then of course the show really took off of course when the characters of Ben and Chris join the cast (and the boring character of Mark is jettisoned.)
"You no like Sister City episode? Straight to jail."
Disagree that Harvest Festival is the turning point. The turning point is somewhere in the later half of Season 2 where in they started to have banger after banger meaningful episodes.
the harvest festival and the flu episodes are peak cinema
Stop .......
Pooping.
Season 2 is where teh show found its footing. Early in the season it still had its season 1-ness, but then it gradually morphed into the beloved show we all remember.
I remembered this show starting out as just something I put on in the background and hearing a funny joke every now and then, by the end it became one of my favorite shows of all time
You really sold me on this being the perfect episode. I would’ve picked one of the last S2 episodes or Flu Season, but it really is this one
Flu season and the episode with the unity concert. Loved when all the artists came together to sing the Lil Sebastian song.
Flu Season is probably my favorite episode of the series.
The biggest miss for me is not having a spin-off mini-series called Library showcasing the library’s side and having Leslie play the “good-meaning, optimistic” antagonist.
Would’ve been completely hilarious, but also shine some light on how libraries can also be fascinating in the background (with quirky staff, impossible patrons, and classic attempts of trying to be “to hip” when it’s not needed).
The show already “clicked” in season 2.
I love this series in so manu ways and the tertiary characters need a spotlight too. Ken Hotate gets such a great plotline and in the harvest fest episode.
IMO the episode where “Parks and Rec” really found it’s footing was “Flu Season”.
The first episode in the serialized format with the new characters (Ben and Chris) that showed all of the important plot points and character dynamics that people would love. (Harvest Festival, April and Andy, Chris’ Fitness/Paranoia)
I loved season 2, I’ve never had to power through it
I still say that while the first season of Parks & Rec may feel like The Office 2, if you watch it now, it's still enjoyable and you see shades of the versions we love that the characters eventually turn into.
this man said to power through season 2 lmao
Short version: This is the episode with Lil Sebastian.
Is this video spurring my 5 rewatch of the show? Yes. Yes it is.
I'm sorry but it didn't take that long for the show to get good. Did it get better? Of course, but it got good in season 2.
Season 2 and beyond we’re pure gold.
I was just thinking about this episode, and thought "oh yeah that's probably the objectively best episode of the show" and looked up "best episode of parks and recreation"
I think S2 gets too much flack. Hunting Trip is my favorite episode, it really solidifies the cast, and gives birth to the April/Andy romance
I think season 2 is great and really starts the shift, but this episode definitely encapsulates the tone of the rest of the series from then on out and it’s great
I usually start about halfway through season 2. Yes, season 3 is amazing and I agree it’s where it officially “clicks,” but I think season 2 is super important in bridging the gap between the first and third season. Plus season 2 is where we see Andy and April’s love story develop, and those last few episodes where they’re finally getting close to being together are so good!!
I love this guy
nothing unusual here, just michael schur being the complete GENIUS that he always proves to be
We need more videos about Parks and Rec
2009 seems so long ago but i feel i remember really enjoying the 1st 2 seasons and that's what got me hooked to watch through the series finale
when I first watched parks and rec someone reccomended me to start in season 3, and honestly it was perfect back then for me as even though I missed out a lot on the content I felt the chemistry of the show immediately and after a few episodes of learning the characters I think I loved every single bit all the way to season 7. Then I craved parks and rec more and watched season 1 and 2 finally. Honestly I can see why people don't like season 1 too much but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and was still enjoyable. Season 2 on the other hand was actually really good everything was coming together.
I enjoyed it from day one but I got into it during a rough time in my life, a few years after the show ended
Parks and Rec had clicked way earlier than S3E07.
It could be argued to be a few different episodes but I think it was S2E20, the telethon episode. If not then it was the next episode when Ben and Chris joined.
Even if it wasn’t perfect yet, you definitely don’t have to power through season two. The whole season was great.
Season 2 isn’t hot garbage; it’s actually more bearable and even funny in places. But Season 3 is where it peaked.
And in my opinion I thing parks and rec is overall a better show than the office. I just find the main cast a lot more likable, mostly just cause I like Leslie so much more and is really refreshing to see as a main character in a show like this. And her relationship with Ben is super sweet.
Season 3?… No episode 1 of season 2 was the start
Absolutely! The gay penguin marriage is stellar and sets the tone super well
Are you sure you watched the series? Season 2 is not one to rush through. From the moment Leslie starts singing "Parents Just Don't Understand" it's clear there's been a shift in tone and there's some great episodes in season 2. "Greg Pikitis" being one of my favourites.
I would agree with harvest festival being an amazing episode. However, completely bashing season one, especially the very last episode, and negating season two is shocking. It looks like I’m not the only one here who feel similarly
I just started season 3 and Netflix removed it. Perfect video for a very sad day :')
awesome sauce still gets me
The Steak Out might be the funniest piece of TV I've ever seen.
I think season 2 is pretty strong, give it a little credit
I still think March 31st is the best episode because it showcases everyone's strongest traits
If there was ever a live action Simpsons this was it.
S1 isn't that great, but S2 is. It does take the season to change its tone. Yes, .ore background characters like Donna and Jerry only start getting an actual personality in S3 and the tone feels complete in that season, but the stories in S2 are already really good.
My only gripe with the show is how suddenly Mark leaves, and then is treated to never have existed in the first place.
As soon as Leslie stops being a weird hoarder monster copy of Michael Scott in season 2 it was instantly better. I do agree that once they started planning the harvest festival was when it felt like everything was set (a process that starts as soon as Chris and Ben show up), but it was in the clear as soon as she got fixed that the show was off to the races.
In general, when I do a rewatch, I start with the last episode of Season 2 and go from there. I feel like the show didn't become the show it was meant to be until Chris and Ben came aboard. Now, this isn't to say that there aren't great episodes in Season 2, but because of the tonal change you brought up in Season 3, I think that's when the show really comes into itself.
Also, The Office walked so Parks and Rec could run, and The Good Place could fly.
honestly the turning point for me was that hunting episode in which april and andy are left at the office. i think it was around mid season 2
I know I'm just adding to the noise of being taken aback that you would discount season two so hard because... yeah. The characters really became their own and there's a lot of funny and charming episodes in season two.
Leslie's opening speech there is literally a rebuttal to the current Trump/Vance view of America.
I love the first two seasons
This series is like looking into the mirror of current politics, political fanatics and people in general. It is pure gold.
In my opinion, Parks and Rec gets good once they purge Mark Brandanowitz and bring in Ben Wyatt and Chris Traeger. It brings a purpose to everyone's character
Even more unpopular opinion, I love the first season. I think it was really strong, if slow
Season 2 is great and I do not care what anyone says
Parks and recreation was one of best sitcmos 2010s it's has many where different yet funny characters who are funny together , I think that parks and recreation to be good from that episode where Leslie trying to caught that teen who made all that prank on Halloween.
nailed it!